On June 29, the Planning & Community Development Committee (PCDC) reviewed several rest break ordinances from various cities across the country including Austin and Dallas.
Record-breaking heat continues to become a regular occurrence in San Antonio and across the state of Texas. It has been reported that the San Antonio Fire Department has seen an increase in heat-related calls in this month of June than the previous year in the same period of time. At the same time, it has also been reported that Texas saw the most heat related deaths in 2022.
Several local union members delivered public comment in support of labor protections and participated and shared their expertise regarding the Heat Illness Task Force created by the Council Consideration Request submitted by former Councilwoman Ana Sandoval and Councilwoman Dr. Adriana Rocha-Garcia.
In lieu of a rest break ordinance for the entire city of San Antonio, Councilwoman Teri Castillo made a motion for City Council consideration to include mandatory breaks of no less than ten minutes per every four hours worked, for outdoor workers employed by entities receiving funds from the City of San Antonio. The motion was ultimately passed.
“I am grateful that the PCDC members were receptive to moving forward to provide some protections for workers as it can save lives,” the Councilwoman said, “Our responsibility is to fight for the health and safety of outdoor workers who build our City. Thank you to chair Councilwoman Dr. Adriana Rocha-Garcia for authoring the Council Consideration Request, committee colleagues, and our union members for calling attention and moving with urgency on this important issue.”
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