<div class="tldr">More than 20 restaurants in Brooklyn are facing worker requests for reduced shift hours as a June heat wave brings temperatures close to 95°F. The Brooklyn Hospitality Union addressed these concerns in a statement on June 17.</div>\n\n<ul class="key-facts">\n <li>Temperatures in Brooklyn expected to reach 95°F from June 17-22.</li>\n <li>Over 20 restaurants have received formal worker requests for shift reductions.</li>\n <li>Brooklyn Hospitality Union is urging restaurants to consider health guidelines.</li>\n</ul>\n\nRestaurant workers throughout Brooklyn are seeking shift reductions amid a forecasted heat wave. Many say kitchen temperatures become unsafe and exhausting during prolonged hot spells. Several employees cited recent incidents of lightheadedness and dehydration.\n\nThe Brooklyn Hospitality Union formally issued a public statement on June 17. The group, representing servers, cooks, and dishwashers, is urging restaurant owners to follow state and federal occupational health guidance. Representatives argue that long hours in unventilated kitchens during heat waves present elevated health risks.\n\nRestaurant owners in neighborhoods such as Williamsburg, Park Slope, and Bushwick have responded with mixed approaches. Some have agreed to limit shifts to six hours or less, while others cite operational challenges. Many are weighing staff safety concerns against business needs during the busy summer months.\n\nWorkers requesting shorter shifts point to New York State Department of Labor guidelines on heat safety. They emphasize that smaller breaks and reduced hours are recommended during periods of extreme heat. Several employees at family-owned establishments say management has expressed willingness to review scheduling in response to union input.\n\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>\n<h2>Which Brooklyn neighborhoods are seeing the most worker requests?</h2>\n<p>Williamsburg, Park Slope, and Bushwick are among the neighborhoods with the highest number of worker requests for shorter restaurant shifts. Workers in these areas have formally approached management, according to union sources and restaurant managers. The requests are concentrated in both large and small venues.</p>\n<h2>What does the Brooklyn Hospitality Union recommend?</h2>\n<p>The Brooklyn Hospitality Union recommends shift reductions and additional breaks for workers during periods of high heat. The union cites occupational health guidelines provided by New York State and federal agencies. Their June 17 statement urges restaurant owners to consider worker safety first.</p>\n<h2>How are restaurant owners responding to the requests?</h2>\n<p>Restaurant owners in Brooklyn are responding in varied ways. Some have implemented six-hour shift limits and more frequent breaks, while others cite staffing and financial constraints. Decisions are being made on a case-by-case basis depending on staffing, customer demand, and kitchen conditions.</p>