The creed “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds” may be the motto of US postal workers, but UPS drivers, who are also responsible for delivering packages across the country, have achieved a significant victory in eliminating the “heat” from their working environment. While negotiations for a new contract for UPS’ 340,000 union members are still ongoing, the company has reached a tentative agreement with the workers’ union to install air conditioning in its brown delivery trucks. According to NPR, this decision comes as a result of the company’s commitment to enhancing heat safety measures for its employees, which already included providing cooling gear and training.
Starting in January, all newly purchased small package delivery vehicles in the US will be equipped with air conditioning, with priority given to the hottest regions of the country. This will be the first time that UPS is mandated to provide air conditioning in its “package car” vehicles, which make up the majority of its delivery fleet. Other heat safety measures include the installation of cab fans in package cars, exhaust heat shields to reduce floor temperatures, and a forced-air induction system that brings fresh air from the front of the vehicle into the cargo area, as stated in the company’s press release.
This decision to introduce air conditioning in UPS trucks comes after reports of extreme heat witnessed by workers during their shifts and complaints about the company’s lack of action in addressing the issue. Some drivers have experienced temperatures of up to 152 degrees in the cargo area of the trucks. According to the Washington Post, more than 140 UPS workers have suffered heat- or dehydration-related injuries, and NPR highlights that the situation is expected to worsen with the impact of climate change and longer, hotter heat waves. In contrast, nearly all American cars are equipped with standard air conditioning, as mentioned by the auto not-for-profit group AAA. UPS emphasizes its commitment to employee safety and states that heat safety is a top priority.
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