(NEWARK) Workers at Newark Liberty International Airport rallied on August 21, 2025, saying the heat in some work areas is “like an oven” and demanding urgent protections. Employees of Alliance Ground International (AGI), backed by 32BJ SEIU, described warehouse temperatures regularly topping 100°F and said office air conditioning has been broken since early summer. They want immediate fixes, including cooling equipment, guaranteed water breaks, paid time when heat disrupts work, and training to spot heat illness.
The union’s push in Newark is part of 32BJ SEIU’s nationwide “Heat Week,” aimed at pressing airports and contractors to act now rather than wait for new rules.
Worker reports and on-the-ground conditions
AGI workers report dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue, with several sent home for suspected heat exhaustion. Older staff and those with medical conditions feel the strain most.
Employees say AGI has provided two large fans, but workers argue that’s far from enough in sweltering warehouse and ramp conditions. Many now bring personal cooling towels and small fans to get through shifts.
The company has not publicly responded to the latest allegations as of August 21. Local outlets said they reached out to AGI for comment.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the standoff highlights a growing gap between workers calling for clear standards and contractors weighing costs, timelines, and the risk of setting their own rules before government action.
Safety data and company performance
Safety data cited by the union underline the concerns:
- AGI’s rate of Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) incidents at Newark was 122% higher than the industry average for establishments with 50 or more full-time staff in 2024–2025.
- The company’s Total Case Rate also exceeded industry benchmarks for similar-sized reporting sites.
Those numbers align with worker descriptions: overheating, lagging productivity when temperatures spike, and fears about long-term health.
“Overheating, lagging productivity when temperatures spike, and fears about long-term health.” — Worker accounts from the rally
Rally highlights and worker demands
At the rally, employees described heat that builds from late morning and lingers long past sundown inside cargo and warehouse spaces. Reports included:
- Skipping tasks that feel unsafe, like moving heavy pallets without shade or cool air.
- Waiting too long for water breaks because coverage is thin during flight surges.
- An allegation that management is withholding $2 million in wages owed under the Healthy Terminals Act — a claim the union has raised alongside heat complaints.
32BJ SEIU, which represents more than 10,000 airport workers at EWR, JFK, and LaGuardia and over 185,000 members nationwide, is seeking a binding plan from AGI. The union wants:
- Clear thresholds for breaks
- Dedicated cool zones near workstations
- Training so supervisors can spot heat stress early
- Pay protection when extreme heat forces a slowdown or temporary stop
They argue no one should lose income for staying safe.
Regulatory landscape and possible changes
Federal: OSHA proposed standard
OSHA released a proposed heat standard in July 2024 that would require employers to build comprehensive prevention plans. Key points of the draft include:
- Provide water, rest breaks, and shade once the heat index hits 80°F
- Train workers and supervisors on heat illness
- Create an acclimatization plan for new or returning staff
- At 90°F, mandate at least a 15-minute paid rest break every two hours and require active monitoring for heat illness
- Exempt sedentary or remote work, emergency responders, and indoor workplaces kept below 80°F
The rule is still in the public comment stage and not yet final. For official details, see OSHA’s rulemaking page: https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure/rulemaking
State: New Jersey legislative proposals
New Jersey is also considering state action. In May 2025, the Senate Labor Committee advanced S.2422 (and companion A.3521). The bills would require heat injury prevention plans by June 1, 2025, including:
- Paid rest breaks
- Access to water
- Shaded or cool areas
- Emergency response steps
- Worker rotation during high heat
Penalties proposed: $500–$5,000 in fines and 10–100 days in jail for noncompliance. The bill now sits with the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and has not passed the full Legislature.
Opposition:
– New Jersey Business & Industry Association argues the forthcoming federal standard should cover the issue and warns a broad state rule could hurt operations during heat waves.
– New Jersey Farm Bureau says farmers already follow best practices for heat stress.
How federal and state rules could interact
If OSHA finalizes its rule later in 2025 or 2026, Newark Liberty International Airport employers will have to set strict heat protocols. A state law, if approved, could add penalties or tougher requirements.
- A federal standard would create a national baseline.
- A state law could impose faster timelines or stricter requirements, forcing quick upgrades in older warehouses and tight ramp spaces.
- This interplay matters to ground handlers and airlines that operate across several states.
Implications for airport operations
For travelers, the stakes are both human and practical. Cargo, baggage, and ramp crews keep flights moving. When workers slow or stop for safety, planes can be late and luggage can pile up.
Workers say the alternative is worse: more injuries, more medical emergencies, and growing turnover as people leave for safer jobs. A steady workforce with realistic heat plans helps keep Newark’s tight schedules on track during peak summer travel.
For employers such as AGI, the immediate question is whether to act now or wait.
- Waiting risks more injuries, complaints, and public pressure.
- Acting early means investing in cooling equipment, adjusting schedules, and paying for extra rest time — but may yield smoother operations and less churn.
- Companies that get ahead could adapt faster when OSHA or the state issues final rules.
Practical steps for workers (before rules change)
Workers can take proactive measures now:
- Ask supervisors to post a heat plan in break rooms and near time clocks.
- Track water breaks and report when coverage is too thin to take them.
- Learn early signs of heat illness: headache, dizziness, cramps, confusion.
- Use cooling towels, hats, and light clothing where allowed.
- If conditions feel dangerous, report concerns to a manager and to the union.
- Follow rulemaking updates and contact OSHA or local lawmakers as needed.
Deadlines, timelines, and continued organizing
- OSHA’s timeline is not set; the federal rule remains under review.
- If the New Jersey bill passes, employers would have 30 days to comply — a short window that would push Newark contractors to act fast.
- 32BJ SEIU plans more events to keep attention on warehouse temperatures, rest schedules, and pay protections when heat forces slowdowns.
Employers and lawmakers face rising summer peaks and more days topping 90°F. With each heat wave, the pressure to finalize standards grows.
Bottom line from workers: cold air, water, shade, training, paid rest — and a plan everyone knows.
This Article in a Nutshell
Newark AGI workers rallied August 21, 2025, citing warehouse heat over 100°F and broken AC. Backed by 32BJ SEIU, they demand cooling equipment, guaranteed water and paid breaks when heat disrupts work, plus training to spot heat illness, amid pending federal and New Jersey rulemaking and high DART safety metrics.
