Fear of retaliation is a reality for many local UPS drivers. Another UPS driver, who asked not to be identified, speaks out after seeing so many people injured, including himself.

“I’m a little terrified of being interviewed right now because if they somehow find out it was me, I’m sure I’ll lose my job.” said the UPS driver who asked not to be identified. “I want us to not have to worry about dying when we get to work.”

One of his 12-hour workdays recently took a turn.

“Dizzy and dizzy and started getting tunnel vision,” the driver explains.

That shift ended with a trip to the hospital, which he barely remembers.

“I ended up collapsing on the ground,” says the driver.

The documentation shows why this conductor was treated: heat exhaustion.

“When I went to the hospital that day, I drank two gallons of water, two Gatorades, a few other sports drinks like that,” the driver explains.

We are told that the long working hours only make the problem worse.

“Contractually, we’re not supposed to come on the sixth day, unless it’s high season,” says the driver.

This driver tells us that if you call, you are written.

In a statement, a UPS representative told us on Wednesday:

“We never want our employees to continue working to the extent that they put their health at risk or work in an unsafe manner. We also offer multiple ways for our employees to raise concerns with us without fear of retaliation, and we resolve issues quickly when they are brought to our attention.”

Drivers say there is a risk in fighting back, even when the union representing them is involved.

“That doesn’t mean management can’t start putting you on the shitty route for the week. You know, you’re out all night…you know, don’t see your family the rest of the week, you know, and this is retaliation,” the driver says.

After reporting on the concerns and conditions of local UPS drivers, ABC15 viewers hope to help drivers as they wait for long-term change.

Some people have started rolling out a cooler with refreshments and snacks outside their homes to ensure drivers stay hydrated and have enough energy to keep working in the extreme heat.