US workers facing deadly heat are turning to a model pioneered by tomato pickers to win key protections, as federal and state efforts stall. This summer was the hottest on record in the US, and most workers in fields, greenhouses, and unconditioned indoor facilities still lack heat safeguards on the job.
Lucas Benitez, who began working in tomato fields in Immokalee, Florida at 16, knows the stakes. “It’s the kind of heat that makes you feel like you’re being dehydrated, like your skin is drying out,” he said after harvesting watermelons with his sons and wife this summer. “The heat that we had 30 years ago is not nearly the heat that we have today.”
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Benitez helped found the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) in the early 1990s. Today, CIW’s Fair Food Program offers some of the strongest heat protections for workers in the country, and its approach is being emulated by other groups in the US and beyond as the climate crisis makes extreme heat more frequent and intense.
Why Heat Protections Are Stalling
Despite record-breaking temperatures, federal, state, and local efforts to protect people from extreme heat have largely stalled. Most workers in fields, greenhouses, and unconditioned indoor facilities still do not have heat protections on the job, putting their health at risk.
The climate crisis is expected to make extreme heat more frequent and intense, making the need for safeguards even more urgent. Yet progress has been slow, leaving workers vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and even death.
The Fair Food Program: A Proven Model
The Fair Food Program’s protections were hard won after years of boycotts, hunger strikes, and protests against food corporations. The model, described as “market-based enforcement” by academics, works by targeting the reputation of known brand-name companies—such as fast-food retailers—to improve conditions rather than smaller entities in the supply chain.
By pressuring major brands to demand better treatment from their suppliers, the program creates a ripple effect that improves working conditions across the industry. This approach has proven effective in securing heat protections for farmworkers, and now other groups are looking to replicate its success.
Key Takeaways from the Fair Food Program
- Market-based enforcement leverages brand reputation to drive change in supply chains.
- Hard-won protections came after years of boycotts, hunger strikes, and protests.
- Heat protections include access to shade, water, and rest breaks, among other measures.
- Emulation by other groups shows the model’s potential to protect workers beyond agriculture.
- Climate crisis is making extreme heat more frequent, increasing the urgency for safeguards.
How the Program Protects Workers
The Fair Food Program’s heat protections include mandatory access to shade, water, and rest breaks, as well as training on recognizing heat illness. These measures are enforced through a combination of monitoring, worker education, and the threat of brand reputational damage.
Academics have praised the model for its innovative approach to enforcement, which relies on market pressures rather than government regulation. As federal and state efforts stall, such private-sector initiatives may become increasingly important.
Comparison of Heat Protection Approaches
| Approach | Enforcement Mechanism | Coverage | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Regulation | OSHA or state agencies | All covered workers | Limited by political will and resources |
| Fair Food Program | Market-based enforcement | Participating growers and brands | Proven in agriculture, expanding |
| Voluntary Employer Policies | Company discretion | Individual companies | Varies widely, often inadequate |
Who Is Affected by Extreme Heat on the Job
Workers in agriculture, construction, landscaping, and unconditioned indoor facilities such as warehouses are among the most vulnerable. These workers often have little power to demand better conditions and may fear retaliation if they speak up.
The Fair Food Program offers a template for how to protect these workers by leveraging the power of major brands. As the climate crisis intensifies, the need for such protections will only grow.
What to Watch Next
As extreme heat becomes more common, pressure is building on employers and policymakers to act. The success of the Fair Food Program may inspire similar initiatives in other industries, from construction to delivery services. The background to this story is set out in Record Heat Endangers Workers as Federal Safety Rules Frozen. A related thread runs through Plimsoll Line: Samuel Plimsoll's Legacy for Worker Heat Safety. Earlier coverage in Farm Worker Heatstroke: Safety Failures and Accountability shows how the argument developed.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups are calling for federal heat standards to protect all workers. The outcome of these efforts will determine how quickly the US adapts to the new climate reality. A closer look at the same subject appears in Heatwave Child Safety: Protect Kids in Extreme Heat. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Woman Gets Student Credit Card, Her Brother And His Wife Demand To Borrow It Because It’s “Free Money”. The same theme surfaces in Heat Dome Safety: Protect Vulnerable Groups During Extreme Heat, which takes a different angle.
For a deeper look at how crises impact workers and communities, see our coverage of healthcare workers in Lebanon facing deadly attacks, which highlights the dangers faced by those on the front lines. Context on how this played out before sits in Heat Dome Safety: Protect Yourself from Extreme US Temperatures.
FAQ
What is the Fair Food Program?
What is the Fair Food Program?
The Fair Food Program is an initiative by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers that uses market-based enforcement to improve working conditions, including heat protections, for farmworkers. It works by pressuring major brands to demand better treatment from their suppliers.
Why are heat protections stalling in the US?
Why are heat protections stalling in the US?
Federal, state, and local efforts to protect workers from extreme heat have stalled due to political and economic factors. As a result, most workers in fields, greenhouses, and unconditioned indoor facilities still lack safeguards.
How does the Fair Food Program protect workers from heat?
How does the Fair Food Program protect workers from heat?
The program mandates access to shade, water, and rest breaks, and provides training on recognizing heat illness. Enforcement is achieved through monitoring, worker education, and the threat of brand reputational damage.
Who is most at risk from extreme heat on the job?
Who is most at risk from extreme heat on the job?
Workers in agriculture, construction, landscaping, and unconditioned indoor facilities such as warehouses are among the most vulnerable. They often have little power to demand better conditions and may fear retaliation.
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