June 15, 2006: The UFW won a major victory when California issued the first permanent heat regulations in the nation, protecting farm workers and other outdoor laborers.

December 2005: Cal/OSHA Board unanimously re-adopted emergency regulations for another 120 days, during which time Cal/OSHA and the Labor and Workforce Development Agency will continue to work with the board, and worker and employer communities towards the adoption of permanent regulations.

In the meantime, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health has begun educating employers and workers on methods of heat stress avoidance. It has launched a campaign that includes an advisory bulletin, a Spanish language radio blitz, and a Web page outlining preventative measures.

August 2005: The UFW and the Governor held a press conference announcing an agreement to issue heat illness regulations. Arturo applauded the Governor for doing what he said three previous governors didn't do.

On August 8, 2005, Cal/OSHA Board voted to adopt emergency regulations for 120 days. The emergency regulations focused on actions that could prevent further heat stress illnesses or fatalities. The proposed emergency regulations included:

• Require education of employees and supervisors likely to be exposed to heat stress on how to prevent heat illness and what to do should it occur;
  
• Re-state existing law that it is a misdemeanor for an employer to willfully discharges or discriminates an employee who exercises their rights under this regulation.
  
• Re-state existing law requiring water to be available at all times and ensure workers understand the importance of frequent consumption of water;
  
• Require that access to a shaded area is available to any worker suffering from heat illness or needing shade to prevent the onset of illness.
  
• Require shade and rest period of no less than five minutes for employees suffering from heat illness or believing a preventative recovery period is needed.

July 2005: Arturo calls on Governor to issue an emergency regulation to help prevent farm workers from dying of exposure to extreme heat.
Senator Dean Florez holds a “Meeting in the Sun” at the UC Shafter Research and Extension Center in Shafter, California.  Farm workers, Legislators, Medical Personnel, Farm Growers and Farm Labor Contractors discuss heat illness in 104-degree weather.
AB 805 passes Senate Labor Committee.

June 2005: Arturo sends a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger requesting a meeting with the Governor to discuss the death of Luis Valdivia's father.

June 2005: AB 805 passes the Assembly Floor.

April 2005: UFW holds their Annual Lobby Day in Sacramento. Farm workers traveled from around the state to advocate for AB 805 and heat illness prevention.

March 2005: Luis Valdivia testifies at Assembly Labor and Employment Committee on how his father died of heatstroke.  AB 805 passes out of Committee.

February 2005: The UFW worked with Assemblymember Judy Chu to introduce AB 805, Heat Illness Prevention bill. The bill required the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards (Cal/OSHA) Board to adopt standards for Heat Illness Prevention. Those standards included training, shade, more water and a rest break during extreme heat.

August 2004: Arturo S. Rodriguez, President of the UFW, made a promise to Luis that his father's death would not go in vain.  Arturo began his work by writing a letter to all Grape Wine Growers in California asking whether the life of another farm worker been needlessly lost?  In his letter, Arturo asked the growers to respond by informing the UFW whether or not they are willing to immediately take basic precautions to protect their workers. Not a one Grower responded to the letter.

July 2005: Four more farm workers died due to heat.

July 28, 2004: Asuncion Valdivia died of heatstroke in the grape fields of Giumarra Vineyards.  Luis, his son was working with him when he died.