California State Senator Connie Leyva has been a friend of warehouse workers from the beginning, when she was leader of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1428.  In 2011, she witnessed firsthand the conditions Walmart-contracted warehouse workers face in the Inland Empire, including the severe heat that has led to Cal/OSHA citing facilities in Chino for not having a plan to address indoor heat.  Unfortunately, the industry has made every effort to claim they have no responsibility for these conditions.  Even rulings by the Cal/OSHA Appeals Board that indoor heat is a hazard have not brought the industry to take responsibility for the conditions their workers face.

Now, Senator Leyva has introduced SB 1167, a bill that will amend the Occupational Health and Safety Standards Board for its adoption a heat illness and injury prevention standard for all indoor employees at risk of heat illness.  The WWRC strives to make sure that the struggles of individual workers are magnified to benefit thousands, through policy and industry change.  Thanks to Senator Leyva for introducing this effort to support basic rights for warehouse workers.  We will spend the spring helping the legislature and governor understand the need for this kind of basic right.

See more at: http://sd20.senate.ca.gov/news/2016-02-18-senator-leyva-unveils-worker-heat-safety-act#sthash.zovZ0LV9.dpuf