In Memoriam ( 6 brothers I never met killed on the job)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.afscme.org/publications/28367.cfm

June 4, 2010

AFSCME is mourning six public employees who were killed on the job this year in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico.


Thomas R. Allen
Photo Credit: Family Photo

Thomas R. Allen of Lebanon was one of two AFSCME Council 13 members who were killed on the job this year.

Allen, a member of Local 2157, died in a May 11 accident in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County. Allen was controlling traffic through a construction zone and had flagged a car to a stop. State police said an SUV driver swerved to avoid the car, headed up an embankment and hit the worker. Officials said signs were posted in both directions warning drivers of the work zone.

The 57-year-old was an equipment operator and the father of two grown sons. He was the 81st Pennsylvania Department of Transportation employee killed in the line of duty since the department was created in 1970.


Richard Bentel

Photo Credit: Family Photo

Richard Bentel, 42, of Ellwood City, who also worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, was killed on the job April 22. A member of Local 1816, Bentel fell off a road grader, which then rolled over him. A deputy coroner ruled the death accidental.

Bentel was hired as a temporary equipment operator in November 2009 and his job on a road crew, repaving the shoulder of Route 551 in Lawrence County, was scheduled to end just eight days after the tragedy occurred.

Ironically, the accident took place during National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 19-23).

Puerto Rico

Park rangers Kenneth Betancourt of Vega Baja, and Félix Rodríguez of Levittown, members of Local 3647 (Servidores Públicos Unidos (SPU)/AFSCME Council 95), were slain on March 23 during an attempted robbery at the headquarters of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources in San Juan.

Recently, the agency implemented severe cost-cutting measures, including elimination of the security company that protected its premises. As a result, Betancourt, 29, and Rodríguez, 21, were tasked with night surveillance at the government building and other responsibilities outside of their normal duties.

The two rangers were shot by three alleged robbers who snuck into the premises. Police arrested the suspects that same night. Rodríguez’ stolen gun was found in their getaway car.

SPU officials hold agency Secretary Daniel Galán Kercadó responsible for the deaths, denouncing the layoffs and budget cuts that have forced personnel to perform jobs they are not trained to do. “Park rangers are not security guards or corrections officers,” said SPU Pres. Annette González.

Local 3647 Pres. Marcos Pagán extolled the virtues of Betancourt and Rodríguez: “We join our brothers’ families in mourning. They were part of our own family, they were excellent coworkers and they always demonstrated their commitment as public workers.”
Ohio

Shawn Blubaugh of Danville, a member of the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association OCSEA)/AFSCME Local 11, was killed May 6. The 41-year-old state Department of Transportation (DOT) technician was cutting downed tree and brush branches along U.S. Route 36 when a track hoe operated by another DOT employee accidentally backed over him, according to the State Highway Patrol.

“We are grieved to hear about the passing of our union brother Shawn,” says OCSEA Pres. Eddie L. Parks, also an AFSCME International vice president. “He was a hard-working and dedicated employee and a valued union brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.”

Blubaugh was married and the father of two.

Jabin Lakes of Middletown, a member of Local 856 (AFSCME Council 8), was killed on May 7. Authorities said Lakes, a 31-year-old city Public Works employee, opened a manhole during a routine sewer line maintenance inspection and was overcome by gas from leaky nitrogen lines.

Lakes passed out and fell into the 20-foot-deep well, dying from asphyxiation. Three firefighters who worked to rescue Lakes were also hospitalized after being sickened by the fumes.

At his funeral, hundreds of friends, family and co-workers mourned the father of two. Noting Lakes’ background in electrical work, Local 856 Pres. Dave Berry observed: “The city’s lights will not be as bright” after the tragedy.

In 2009, seven AFSCME members were killed on the job. To see a list of AFSCME members killed on the job (as reported to the International), click here. Report news of an AFSCME member killed on the job with this online form.