Over the last several months, concerns over continued workplace safety hazards increase. One recent incident in particular nearly cost one city employee his life and highlighted the City’s mismanagement of resources and safety expenditures. The union has, in the past, provided safety trainings free of charge to all city employees—union and non-union alike. The trainings were thorough and proved to save tax-payer dollar and lives. But under Dewey Barlett’s administration,  the union has been steadily pushed into the background wherever possible. Costly third party consultants, such as Dupont, were instead brought in to take control of safety related issues. But as the union’s Safety Day has shown, the union is far more effective and efficient than for-profit consultants. This is just another example of AFSCME members taking charge and making a real difference for the better.