Three window washers from the Minneapolis area have died from accidents while washing windows at work in the last few years. Most recently, this type of senseless tragedy took the life of SEIU Local 26 member Fidel Sanchez-Flores, who was killed when he fell while working at the IDS Center in downtown Minneapolis.
"[Fidel] took precautions, he went above and beyond to make sure things were safe so for like this to happen, there had to be something wrong." said his daughter Elanis Molinao.
Watch a video of Fidel Sanchez-Flores' daughter and spouse speak about the tragedy that she and her family have had to endure after her father fell to his death two years ago:
Would You Dangle from a Downtown Skyscraper on Ropes That Don't Meet Basic Safety Standards?
After approximately 50 window washers and members of SEIU Local 26 demanded increased safety standards regarding new ropes and rope attachment points, Marsden Building Maintenance and Columbia Building Services locked them out of their jobs. The window washers have been locked out for a week now, following their requests for greater safety on the job. They are currently in negotiations with the companies over a new contract.
On Thursday, Minnesota State Legislator Jim Davnie joined over 100 SEIU Local 26 window cleaners and community allies to introduce legislation that will lead to significant protections for window cleaners.
* Read more from the MN Star Tribune and Workday Minnesota.
