Carla Gates was deeply moved upon seeing her late husband’s name mentioned in a letter signed by 77 members of Congress addressed to the U.S. Postal Service Postmaster General.
“I had tears of joy,” Gates said.
The letter urges the Postmaster General to adopt heat safety standards proposed by OSHA.
Her husband, Eugene Gates, tragically passed away while delivering mail in 2023.
“Eugene was working on June 20th when the heat index reached 119 degrees. I received a call that he had collapsed,” Gates explained. “Initially, I thought he had overheated from the extreme heat. But it turned out that Eugene died from heat exhaustion on that day.”
OSHA’s proposed changes include measures such as allowing mail carriers time to adjust to high temperatures and mandating regular breaks.
U.S. Representative Marc Veasey of Texas, who signed the letter, emphasized the importance of these measures. “Ensuring that workers get adequate rest and hydration, and prioritizing their health, is crucial,” Veasey said.
Kimetra Lewis, president of NALC Branch 132 in Dallas, expressed gratitude in a written statement: “The union appreciates the efforts of our congressmen and women. Providing carriers with a mandatory 15-minute rest break every two hours will help ensure they stay hydrated while performing their duties.”
The United States Postal Service has not responded to requests for comment.
For Carla Gates, the letter represents a source of motivation to continue advocating in her husband’s honor. “I’m going to keep fighting,” Gates said. “I will continue to be a voice for Eugene and for postal workers across the country.”
