Water, Shade, Rest: Protecting Workers from Extreme Heat
Workers are at the heart of the campaign.
“We’re workers who have suffered cramps, chills, vomiting, dizziness, fainting and put our lives at risk,” said Pedro Marcos Raymundo, a construction worker, roofer and member of WeCount, an advocacy group that organizes outdoor workers in South Florida. “Workers like me deserve water, shade and rest and we need to be trained on the symptoms of heat illness. Our lives can’t be at risk to make the owners rich.”
“Rest for us as outdoor workers is essential to protect our health,” said Virginia Pablo, a WeCount member who has worked in South Dade nurseries for seven years. “But unfortunately, I’ve been denied a break on many occasions. At other times, supervisors have told me that if we wanted water we should have brought it from home.”
Miami, Florida
WeCount!
Project Details
Extreme heat is making the lives of outdoor workers unbearable. And yet, laws have not kept up with rising temperatures. Launched in 2021, Qué Calor! is a pioneering, worker-led movement driving essential heat protections for outdoor workers in South Florida. At the heart of the climate crisis, nearly 2 million outdoor workers face life-threatening temperatures daily—without the support of local, state, or federal heat standards. Led by farmworkers, plant nursery workers, and construction workers, Qué Calor! is a nationally-recognized campaign transforming the landscape of worker safety. This powerful, grassroots initiative is not only saving lives on the ground but also shaping vital heat protection policies across the nation, providing a blueprint for meaningful climate justice reform.
Learn more: https://www.we-count.org