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[Texas Tribune] “We are dying”: Houston workers protest new state law removing water break requirements (www.texastribune.org)

submitted 1 year ago by LilBiFurious@lemmy.world to c/workreform@lemmy.world

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https://archive.is/2CsfM

House Bill 2127, which takes effect on Sept. 1, will do away with local rules that require water breaks for construction workers. The cities of Austin and Dallas, for example, require 10-minute breaks every four hours. San Antonio officials had been considering a similar ordinance.

“We are human beings who need respect,” Martínez said. “We really need to be allowed to work without problems, without any barriers … Believe me, we are dying inside those buildings when they take away our water and our [break] time.”

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[-] Shinhoshi@lemmygrad.ml 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

In Houston today, it’s going to feel like 43°C (110°F). When I go outside in that heat even for a second or two, I‘m already too hot, need a water break, and wonder how anyone can survive working in that.

I don’t know how anyone with a conscience could feel that heat and think removing water breaks for the workers is fine.

Maybe I’m just a stupid communist though and should try losing my conscience or something…

[+] Blamemeta@lemmy.world -6 points 1 year ago

If you use celsius as a default, I doubt you live in Houston.

[-] Shinhoshi@lemmygrad.ml 4 points 1 year ago

I prefer the metric system – my weather app is set to Celsius and the Farenheight was a conversion. While I don't live in Houston, I do live in Texas currently.

[-] ZombieTheZombieCat@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago

You're right, only people who live in Houston, Texas are allowed to comment on how dangerous and degrading this is. I'm sure there's no possibility of other red states adopting it or similar.

I will never understand people who argue in favor of their own rights being taken away.

[-] toasteecup@lemmynsfw.com 1 points 1 year ago

Nice topic dodge. Tell me more about how other temperature systems are bad for people who are dying from heat stroke.

this post was submitted on 17 Jul 2023

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