The Workers’ Defense Project in Texas celebrated the Department of Labor’s proposal of a rule to require employers to give adequate heat breaks and hydration to workers. The rule will affect as many as 36 million workers. Every three days in Texas, a worker dies from excessive heat exposure.
One year ago, WDP members joined their U.S. Representative, Greg Casar, on the steps of the U.S. Capitol for a nine-hour “thirst strike” to advocate for a federal heat rule, like the one now proposed by DOL, to protect workers.
“I think our thirst strike with Rep. Casar had a big influence on the decision to apply this new rule,” said Marisol Gayossol, a construction worker and one of the WDP members who participated in the thirst strike. “Because in unity there is strength.”
Separately, the Dallas City Council passed a resolution by 11-3 condemning Senate Bill 4 (SB4), a controversial measure which would empower police to arrest and deport anyone who did not enter the United States through a legal point of entry.
WDP has organized against the measure since it was introduced (as HB4) in 2023, which was passed by the Republican-controlled Texas State Legislature with the enthusiastic support of anti-immigrant Governor Greg Abbot.
“HB4 proposes unleashing mass prosecution and incarceration across our state at any cost,” said Workers Defense Policy Director David Chicanchan when it was introduced. “It’s not just a financial cost but it is in violation of international and domestic law, and in violation of the norms of decency with which any human being should be treated.”
The measure was briefly allowed to take effect in March after conservative justices on the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of the measure, but the law was then put on hold after an appeal to a lower court.