Casar leads thirst strike to protest Texas law banning mandatory water outages

WASHINGTON – A tragic incident in Melissa, Texas has sparked outrage and calls for action regarding worker safety in extreme heat conditions. Roendy Granillo, a 25-year-old construction worker, died of heat stroke after being denied a break and necessary hydration by his employer on a scorching 97-degree day. The heartbreaking incident has led to a protest against a new Texas law that prevents cities from requiring employers to provide water breaks.

Granillo’s sister, Jasmine Granillo, emotionally described the devastating aftermath of her brother’s death, stating that “his organs were cooked from the inside out.” She shared these distressing words during a gathering at the U.S. Capitol, where Democratic Representative Greg Casar engaged in a day-long “thirst strike” to highlight the issue. The current heat wave gripping Texas has led to dangerous temperatures, reaching a staggering 110 degrees in certain areas.

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Following Granillo’s tragic passing in 2015, the Dallas City Council introduced an ordinance requiring employers to provide construction workers with 10-minute water breaks every four hours. Austin also adopted a similar policy in 2010. However, Governor Greg Abbott recently signed into law House Bill 2127, known as the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act but ominously dubbed the “Death Star” bill by opponents. This law, effective from September 1, overrides local rules and eliminates the requirement for water breaks.

Shockingly, there is currently no statewide or federal law mandating water breaks for workers in extreme heat conditions. As a result, at least three Texas workers, including a lineman in East Texas, a mailman in Dallas, and another construction worker in Houston, have tragically lost their lives due to heat-related illnesses this summer.

The response to Granillo’s death and the controversial law has been met with an outpouring of support from union leaders, workers, and elected officials. Representative Casar’s thirst strike, which attracted approximately 30 supporters, aims to draw attention to workers’ rights and the need for a federal water shutdown and heat protection standard. Joined by Texas workers, Casar’s supporters displayed signs that read “Work should not be a death sentence.”

In a letter signed by over 100 members of Congress, President Joe Biden is urged to establish an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard on workplace heat. This regulation would supersede Texas’ ban, providing crucial protections for workers.

As the scorching sun illuminated his face glistening with sweat, Casar passionately emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating, “The Biden administration must step in, ignore Abbott, and ensure heat protections for all Americans in all industries.” Medical professionals have echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that water breaks are vital for workers’ health and safety in extreme heat.

The sweltering heatwave that has plagued Texas this summer has already resulted in at least 13 deaths throughout the state by the end of June. Advocates for workers’ rights stress that water breaks and rest periods are not luxuries but fundamental rights that become even more critical in the face of our escalating climate crisis. Analilia Mejia, the executive director of the Center for People’s Democracy, one of the groups participating in Casar’s protest, condemned Governor Abbott’s actions as “inhumane, cruel, and potentially fatal.”

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