Baltimore, MD – Aug. 6, 2024 - (Baltimore Sun) Several Baltimore City Council members and union leaders demanded improved safety measures and investigative hearings following the death of sanitation worker Ronald Silver II, who succumbed to hyperthermia while on duty during extreme heat. Councilmen Zeke Cohen, Isaac Schleifer, and Antonio Glover called for reforms, including hiring more staff for the Department of Public Works (DPW) and dedicating an investigator to workplace safety. They emphasized the need for better treatment of DPW workers and proposed visits to DPW work sites over the next year.
Union leaders from AFSCME and the City Union of Baltimore outlined additional demands, including a prevention plan for heat-related illnesses, union involvement in injury investigations, and emergency response training for all DPW employees. They criticized the toxic work culture and inadequate training for supervisors, pointing to the recent Inspector General's report detailing poor conditions at DPW facilities.
Despite investments in new DPW facilities and garbage trucks during Mayor Brandon Scott’s tenure, union leaders and council members stressed that the death of Ronald Silver highlights ongoing issues that need immediate attention.
Schleifer stated: “ensuring workplace safety is a fundamental duty of agency management. It is also sound business practice to treat employees well, as well-treated employees are more likely to provide excellent service to all.”