A radio gives you something pleasant to listen to to drown out some of the undesirable warehouse noise, plus listening to your favorite music gives you a big motivational boost.
Don't think of breaks as simply "times to take care of immediate obvious needs". The environment in the building is a go-go-go atmosphere and you need a break from that to sit down and relax for a little bit. Don't ask management about breaks, because while they are most likely telling the truth on this topic, the proper people to ask would be your steward or other Local representatives. You may not feel the need for a break during a 3.5 hour shift, but when the holiday season rolls around and your working 6+ hours you will wish you had pushed for breaks from the start.
Truthfully, I wish I was one of the blessed few fulltime package handlers. I definitely see the need for a break on 6-7+ hour shifts. For me, it's just nicotine and that's not even a consistent thing-- it very much depends on how stressed I am already going into work.
::shrugs::
I'm not trying to call anyone soft for having breaks or anything, I just... I, personally, don't need to every single day. I bring food, cigarettes and water in with me and all three stay within 20ft of me the entire shift. If I need to hit the bathroom I'm lucky enough to have one maybe 50-75ft away from my trucks and where I split, allowing for a quick getaway and even quicker return-- same with a designated break area.
I realize not everyone has everything within easy reach. Only thing I can't get to without a 3-4min walk are the vending machines in the break area but I've got that covered with the food I bring in.
I'm just saying it'd be cool to have some time and just chill with (at least a few of) the people I work with and basically just **** around for 10min, the break just isn't always necessary... Maybe the problem is I look at my job here like a workout I'm getting paid for? The radio'd be chill, too, but that's a definite no-go in my building... signs everywhere, plus I've personally been caught with an iPod before so I'm not getting a second strike.