Congressman Greg Casar is taking part in an “all-day hunger and thirst strike” and vigil on the Capitol steps to push the Biden administration to set minimum workplace heat protection requirements.
Casar, a Democrat, is leading the strike. He released a letter on 24 July signed by more than 100 US House members and Senators urging the Biden administration to accelerate its work of establishing a federal standard to prevent heat-related work injuries and illnesses.
The letter called for new standards that require employers to provide workers with adequate hydration, rest breaks, cooling areas for breaks, medical services and training to identify signs of heat-related illness.
Casar, a Democrat, is leading the strike. He released a letter on 24 July signed by more than 100 US House members and Senators urging the Biden administration to accelerate its work of establishing a federal standard to prevent heat-related work injuries and illnesses.
The letter called for new standards that require employers to provide workers with adequate hydration, rest breaks, cooling areas for breaks, medical services and training to identify signs of heat-related illness.
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NewsTranscript
00:00 20 minutes ago, I had my last sip of water for the day alongside Dolores Huerta, who
00:06 has joined us here today.
00:09 Dolores, alongside Cesar Chavez, founded the United Farm Workers, and we try to honor that
00:16 legacy today because we're a part of something bigger.
00:20 We're a part of a bigger arc of history.
00:23 And so as I engage in the strike, as we stand out here in the sun and even the rain all
00:29 day, we remember those we've lost, we respect one another, and we hope and demand much better.
00:38 This month has been hotter than ever before.
00:40 I mean, I grew up in Texas.
00:42 We know it's hot.
00:43 But it's not this hot.
00:44 The last two weeks have been the hottest two weeks in San Antonio's history.
00:49 July 4th was the hottest day in recorded world history.
00:54 It's getting hotter, and we should be protecting workers more.
00:58 But Governor Abbott's deciding to take workers' protections away, and that's unacceptable.
01:02 I don't think that's what the vast majority of the American people want.
01:05 That's just what big corporate money wants.
01:07 And so I think we're going to win over the day, and that's why I'm engaged in this third