Statement from UAW President Shawn Fain on Air Quality Issues caused by Wildfire Smoke

“UAW treats the health and safety of all workers with the utmost importance, and we urge all employers to do the same. Our International Health and Safety Department has provided detailed, relevant information on wildfire smoke and air quality to union representatives across the country to aid and support local unions and regions in addressing inquiries related to this matter. Additionally, our Health and Safety Department is on high alert and ready to provide further assistance. We urge members who have questions or are experiencing issues to contact their local union representatives. 

Many UAW workers are already subjected to working in extreme heat where doors at their worksite cannot be closed. This compounded with hazardous air quality creates an unsafe work environment. We call on employers to put health and safety of all workers first; including shutting down work if hazardous air quality cannot be mitigated with HVAC systems and PPE. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides clear guidelines on air quality and we expect all UAW employers to abide by these standards and all contractual language. We will rigorously enforce our contracts to protect our members.”