How hot is too hot to make coffee?
At our Starbucks in Arlington, Virginia, it was over 90 degrees inside—and we still had to work.

 
Our Story
On July 24, 2025, the air conditioning failed at the Starbucks where we work in Arlington, Virginia. Inside the store, the temperature climbed to over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Ovens, espresso machines, and overhead lights made the heat even worse.

We reported the issue to managers. Two portable coolers were eventually brought in, but the temperature still remained at 90 degrees inside. There were no updates, no relief, and no plan. We had just three small fans, rising humidity, and constant heat.

Despite the unsafe conditions, we kept working, because if we left, we wouldn’t get paid. Customers noticed. Ice machines struggled. Cake pops melted. Packaged pastries were at risk of spoilage. But still, we stayed.

This isn’t a one-time failure. Our store was remodeled in late 2023 with a new air conditioning unit, yet we experienced repeated breakdowns throughout the summer of 2024.

Several of us working that summer experienced the same thing, and none of us could afford to leave. We had bills. Rent. Responsibilities. So we stayed, even though we shouldn’t have had to.

Starbucks is one of the most recognizable names in the world. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 3,000 heat-related workplace illnesses are reported each year, many in food service. If even Starbucks isn't required to meet indoor safety standards for their workers, imagine how many other employees are enduring the same thing, silently.

This isn’t just about one store. Food service and retail workers across Arlington face unsafe indoor temperatures during HVAC failures, with no legal protections. That has to change.

Arlington Faced Extreme Heat Warnings
Between July 24 and 26, Arlington experienced:

• Daily highs around 90°F
• Humidity above 60%
• Heat index levels as high as 109°F

The National Weather Service considers these conditions dangerous, especially indoors without working air conditioning.

Health and Food Safety Risks
Heat Illness
• Dehydration, dizziness, nausea, and even heat stroke
• Dangerous for anyone working long hours near hot equipment

Food Safety
• Mold and bacteria can grow quickly on unrefrigerated pastries
• Cold equipment like ice machines and coolers often fail in high heat

What Arlington Needs: A Worker Safety Law
We are calling on Arlington County and Virginia lawmakers to pass basic indoor temperature protections for food service and retail workers.

This should include:
1. Safe Indoor Temperature Limits
• No higher than 78°F for more than two hours in summer
• No lower than 60°F for more than two hours in winter

2. Mandatory Employer Action
• Employers must close the store or relocate staff when those limits are exceeded

3. Guaranteed Full Pay
• Employees must receive full wages during closures or relocation while repairs are made

4. Emergency Breaks and Communication
• Staff must be given timely updates and extra breaks during unsafe conditions

5. Enforcement and Accountability
• Regular inspections and real consequences for employers who fail to comply

Add Your Voice
No one should have to choose between their health and their paycheck.

If you’ve ever worked in extreme heat or cold, or watched your coworkers suffer in silence, this petition is for you.

Sign and share to demand that Arlington leaders take action now. Let’s protect each other. Let’s make this right.\

Starbucks Must Act Now
As of today, July 27, 2025, we are calling on Starbucks Corporation to take immediate responsibility. The store should be closed until the air conditioning is fully repaired. Staff must be temporarily reassigned to other locations or fully compensated while the environment remains unsafe.