Statement Regarding Death of SHA Worker Robert W. Dempsey
The following statement can be attributed to AFSCME Maryland Council 3 President Patrick Moran:
We mourn the passing of first responder and State Highway Administration worker Robert W. Dempsey, who was killed in the line of duty on Saturday, April 25 while responding to another crash on Interstate 495.
This is yet another senseless tragedy and underscores the urgent need for both safe roads and safe workplaces. Our roads are some of Maryland’s most dangerous workplaces, and it’s clear that more needs to be done to protect the essential workers who maintain these important roadways.
On the eve of Workers’ Memorial Day, it is a shame that there continues to be a pattern of members who have been injured or killed while working for the State of Maryland. AFSCME members are already contending with severe understaffing, increasing levels of workplace violence and assaults, and other health and safety violations that have gone unaddressed.
Our union continues to call on the State of Maryland and policy and decision makers at every level to ensure that AFSCME members are protected on the job.
The following statement can be attributed to AFSCME Local 631 President and Chief Shop Steward Wynton Johnson, a 22-year State Highway Administration worker:
While Maryland has made some progress in recent years to increase road safety in work zones, including increasing speeding penalties and installing automated speed enforcement cameras, much more needs to be done to keep transportation workers safe on the job. This includes a thorough Maryland Occupational Safety and Health investigation of this tragedy, better publicity and strengthening of Maryland’s Move Over Law, and having clear road signage to notify drivers of upcoming work zones.
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About AFSCME Maryland Council 3
AFSCME Maryland Council 3 represents nearly 50,000 public service workers in local, city, county and state government as well as in higher education and the private sector who provide the valuable public services that our communities rely on. From Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore, we make Maryland happen.