- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A message from League of United Latin American Citizens
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
View as web page:
[link removed]
Photo Credit:Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune
June 20, 2023
Contact: David Cruz - (818) 689-9991 Mobile
[email protected]
LLULAC CONDEMNS ACTIONS BY TEXAS GOVERNOR AND BIG BUSINESS TO ELIMINATE WATER
BREAKS FOR WORKERS AMID RECORD HEAT
=============================================================================
Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Denounces Deliberate
Denial of Humane Treatment as a Potential Death Sentence for Latinos
Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the
nation's oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization, vehemently condemns
the actions taken by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and his supporters with the
signing of House Bill 2127. This legislation, which eliminates allowing cities to
order water breaks for workers in the scorching Texas heat, is a potential denial
of basic human decency and tantamount to a potential death sentence for Latino
and Texas workers.
LULAC National President, Domingo Garcia, states, "Governor Greg Abbott and his
supporters of House Bill 2127 will go down in modern history as the heartless
politicians who turned Texas into a plantation/patron 1900's system once again.
They will be stained with the same degree of criminal intent if workers die of
heat strokes. To deny water breaks to a construction worker toiling in the
100-degree-plus heat is shameful and criminal. While they govern from cooled
air-conditioned offices, the 'help', those who build their houses, tend to the
crops, and ensure they are comfortable, are at risk of collapsing from heat
exposure and exhaustion. LULAC strongly denounces this barbaric and deliberate
act of playing politics with lives, denying even the simplest measure of
compassion to another living soul, most Latinos, and Blacks. Texas is witnessing
one of the darkest periods in its modern history when step-by-step, the
Republican extremists are weaponizing their entrusted power into hateful, abusive
work practices."
This week alone, temperatures in Texas soared beyond the 100-degree mark for
several consecutive days, subjecting workers to extreme and dangerous heat
conditions. Published reports have projected that Texas will likely witness the
highest number of heat-related deaths in recent memory. It is crucial to
acknowledge that the most affected by these harsh working conditions are Latinos
and Blacks, who already face disproportionate economic and social hardships.
Photo Credit: Jon Shapley/AP
Labor groups, such as the AFL-CIO, have joined LULAC in condemning Governor
Abbott's signing of HB 2127. They accuse the Republican leadership of using the
pretext of uniformity in laws while stripping away local ordinances that protect
workers' well-being. These ordinances in some municipalities include provisions
for 10-minute water breaks to allow workers to hydrate and cool down.
Meteorologists confirm that the Texas heat index, which accounts for temperature
and humidity, hovers above 105 to 107 degrees, starting as early as 11 AM and
extending through 5 or 6 PM. This relentless heat poses severe health risks and
dangers to workers laboring in outdoor industries.
"LULAC urges all workers to take precautions to safeguard themselves from the
Texas heat while working outdoors," says Robert Tellez, newly elected Texas LULAC
state director. "We encourage workers to carry water at all times, periodically
soak themselves, and wear protective clothing to shield themselves from the
scorching sun and its overwhelming effects. It is essential to prioritize
self-care and protect oneself from the hazardous consequences of working under
extreme heat conditions," adds Tellez.
LULAC remains steadfast in its commitment to defending the rights and well-being
of Latino workers and communities across Texas and the United States. We call
upon all Texans to unite and demand that their elected officials take a stand
against this inhumane treatment. Together, we can ensure that every worker
receives the dignity, respect, and protection they deserve in the workplace.
# # #
About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and
oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans
and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000
councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and
advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of
today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org [ [link removed] ] .
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Make sure you receive email from LULAC. Add
[email protected] to your approved senders list.
This email was sent to:
[email protected]
Click here to unsubscribe from email sent by LULAC.
[link removed]
Paid for by LULAC ( [link removed] ) and not
authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Contributions or gifts to LULAC are not tax-deductible.
Design by Plus Three [link removed]
Powered by ARCOS [link removed]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
