‘Modern Day Slavery’: Family of Dead City Worker sues Baltimore about deadly circumstances

The family of Ronald Silver II, a sanitation employee of Baltimore who died in August 2024, prepares a civil rights lawsuit in Baltimore, the Ministry of Public Works of the city and city officials about the alleged policy of the city to force his employees to struggle in unsafe working conditions.

Silver died of hyperthermia, probably because of overheating while he is on his garbage route according to a state report.

According to WbalA letter that the family’s lawyer, Thiru Vignarajah, sent to those parties Describes a policy Related to slave labor for his employees.

“The culture and behavior at DPW confirm a callous and intentional indifference for human life; the policy and practices of the agency have been designed to dehumanize and subdue employees; and the effect is the equivalent of modern slavery,” the letter is.

It also states: “For years, DPW has exploited a work system that demands that his employees, of whom many of whom have previous criminal convictions, perform debilitating manual labor in dangerous, undusable conditions for laughable wages. The agency has perpetuated a system where employees cannot ask for help, complaining about their condition, or even –

According to the lawsuit, the DPW workers who have expressed concern about their working conditions by giving them more difficult routes, limiting the access of the water and withholding basic supplies.

In addition, a MOSH research, the Baltimore security agency, discovered that the department has not followed adequate training for heat safety or emergency plans. In the months prior to the death of silver described safety reports from the Inspector General of Baltimore conditions at DPW locations as dangerous, with a lack of access to water, poor training and unsafe vehicles.

Although the DPW has made some changes after the death of Silver, the representation of the family believes that The department and the city of Baltimore can and must do more to protect its employees.

“The short answer is not nearly enough. But even while the city is climbing to understand the mistakes they have made and to prevent future deaths, the city of Baltimore and the Ministry of Public Works must also take into account and responsibility for the damage and death they have already caused,” a statement of the family’s lawyer, “” Wbal noted.

At least one of the colleagues of Silver, Travis Christian, has joined the court case of civil rights and he issued his own statement about his decision to participate in the Outlet’s lawsuit.

“I hope that this lawsuit brings comfort and justice to the family of Mr. Silver, and I hope that his children will lead a better life, and I hope that this also sheds light on the horrible circumstances in which American DPW employees are confronted daily,” said Christian Wbal.

In the meantime, the Baltimore DPW argued in a long -term statement that was sent to the outlet that it made its policy improvements, stimulated by the death of silver 2024.

“We recognize and respect the right of the family to take legal action that is appropriate according to them. Although we do not comment on current legal affairs, we want to emphasize the importance of safety in the workplace. In the past year we have invested considerably in the safety in the workplace in response to both recommendations of the city -security.

They continued and continued with the fact that they took steps to tackle the problems at their work locations that may have contributed to Silver’s death.

“During this process we maintained constant conversations with our crews, stakeholders in the city and trade union representatives. We have listened to, we have reflected and we have acted, investigating and investing in our people.”

The DPW concluded: “We are especially proud of our Solid Waste crews, whose honesty, resilience and dedication have contributed to this transformation. Without their voices, this progress would not be possible. We will continue with renewed energy and clarity to support our staff and build a stronger future for all Baltimore.”

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