The Teamsters are calling on New Jersey lawmakers to pass Assembly Bill 5022 (A5022), legislation that would require employers to protect workers from extreme weather conditions. If enacted, the bill would mandate access to hydration, air conditioning, heat or shade, and other safeguards against hazardous temperatures.
“We’ve already fought for and secured these protections in our national contracts,” said Al Rispoli, president of Teamsters Joint Council 73. “Now, we’re taking that fight to Trenton to ensure every worker in New Jersey has similar protections. Rising temperatures put anyone working outside at risk, and strong safety measures are essential.”
The Teamsters are advocating for similar legislation in Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island, while California, Minnesota, and Oregon have already enacted regulations to protect workers from extreme heat and cold.
Gerry Cortez, a UPS driver and shop steward with Teamsters Local 177, testified before the Assembly Labor Committee, highlighting the dangers workers face.
“Amazon drivers do the same work as me, but they don’t have a union contract backing them up when they’re suffering from heat exhaustion and their manager tells them to keep going,” Cortez said. “No worker should have to choose between their job and their health. If irresponsible employers can profit by putting workers at risk, it creates a race to the bottom that hurts everyone.”
The bill’s supporters argue that A5022 is a necessary step to protect workers, particularly as extreme weather events become more frequent. The legislation’s progress in the New Jersey Assembly could set a precedent for other states considering similar protections.
