Employers lock out window cleaners after workers raise safety questions

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_4417

By Steve Share, Labor Review editor
30 March 2010
MINNEAPOLIS - When Twin Cities window cleaners asked to see inspection reports about the safety of their work equipment, employers responded by announcing a lockout.
Three window cleaners have died on the job in the past 2-1/2 years, reported SEIU Local 26, which represents the window cleaners.

“We shouldn’t have to risk our lives just to clean a window,” said Glenn Roehsner, Minneapolis, who has worked 14 years as a window cleaner for Marsden Building Maintenance / Final Touch.

Roehsner was one of a group of about 30 window cleaners who gathered Tuesday outside the IDS Tower in downtown Minneapolis to let the community know about the lockout.

“It’s a dangerous job,” said Dino Crandall, Roseville, who has worked 19 years as a window cleaner, including the past five years for Marsden.


Tuesday outside the IDS Tower in downtown Minneapolis to let the community know that they were locked-out of their jobs when they asked their employers to see inspection reports about the safety of their work equipment.

Photos by Steve Share

The window cleaners work high off the ground — 20 or 30 stories or more — counting for their lives on ropes secured to davits anchored to the buildings. The ropes and davits both experience wear from use and from exposure to the weather.

“When we finally asked for the inspection reports, they said ‘go home if you don’t want to work,’” Crandall reported.

FULL story at link.

[secondwind]

1. THIS is why unions MATTER. We need to keep these a******* honest.!!!

[chill_wind]

2. K & R.

If there's nothing to hide, let's see the reports.