Andy Burnham has barely acknowledged the climate crisis. If only Britain’s workers had that luxury | John Harris
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- Unite led more than 1,500 Arriva bus drivers in launching 26 planned stoppages through October, citing extreme onboard temperatures and health risks from insufficient air conditioning during UK heatwaves.
- Arriva North London buses reportedly have outdated cooling systems that reduce cabin heat by only 2–3°C, with some units having broken air-con, creating cabs that reach 40°C or higher during summer operations.
- Unite reported that drivers have suffered heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration, worsened by limited toilet access on routes leading many to avoid drinking water during shifts.
- Arriva recorded £133m in pre-tax profit but has faced union criticism for prioritizing mileage targets over worker safety, with drivers saying management discourages complaints about hot cabs due to penalties from Transport for London.
- Mo, a London bus driver with over 15 years of experience, described cab conditions during heatwaves as comparable to 'putting your hand near an oven' and said companies dismiss concerns because 'the mayor doesn’t employ you—we do.'
- The Royal College of Nursing, University of Reading researchers, and Barcelona street cleaner unions have all raised alarms about heat-related illnesses among workers, with 44% of surveyed UK construction workers reporting heat illness and 57% lacking heat safety training.
- Umeshkumar Thakkar, a Texas postal worker, died amid extreme heat, highlighting U.S. gaps in protections, while the Trump administration moves to roll back Biden-era heat safety rules and Texas bans local heat regulations.
Why it matters: Workers across sectors are facing life-threatening conditions during heatwaves, yet policy and corporate responses lag—despite clear evidence of harm, rising profits at companies like Arriva, and expert calls for reform, there is still no legal maximum workplace temperature in the UK, increasing health risks for frontline laborers.
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