Members of Teamster 667 are demanding change at Kroger Distribution Center in Memphis, following the death of Tony Rufus. The union said Rufus died Friday while desperately trying to find a way to cool off amid extremely hot temperatures.
‘This guy was just humped over on a jack laying there dead,’ said Teamster 667 Union Representative Jeremy Austin. ‘Tony, he deserved better than that.’
Co-workers said Rufus worked at the location for 11 years. Staff recalled the moments before Rufus’ unexpected death. ‘Them guys said he was dripping in sweat. Them guys said that guy was asking for water,’ said Teamster 667 Union Chief Maurice Wiggins.
‘He did walk to produce a couple of times to cool off, and that’s where he ended up passing at, in the produce section on the dock in front of all his coworkers.’
The union explained that workers get a 30-minute lunch break and 15-minute breaks every two hours. Leaders stressed that during extremely hot weather, they need more.