My office just sent out a message saying the elevator union workers are going on strike tomorrow and all elevators will be shut down.

  • phx@lemmy.ca
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    1 year ago

    Why would that shut off all the elevators? Unless you’re past an inspection or there’s an actual issue it’s not like they’re pulling the cables or pushing buttons to make things go up or down on a daily basis.

    Is there some safety/monitoring concern?

    • Shadow@lemmy.ca
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      1 year ago

      Living in a one elevator building has really made me appreciate how frequently the f’ing things break down.

      • phx@lemmy.ca
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        1 year ago

        Yeah, the one where I worked was old and broke down a LOT. Just got sure about closing them all when they’re working. Maybe the risk of somebody getting stuck?

        • Shadow@lemmy.ca
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          1 year ago

          They’re not closing them. They just won’t be fixed if they break. Ops building manager is smoking something good I think.

          Fire department would get out anyone stuck, not the service tech.

              • BillMurray@lemmy.caOP
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                1 year ago

                I think it puts panic into the general public and pressure onto the elevator companies to come back to the bargaining table. If anything I have more respect for elevator workers now, they keep shit moving.

                • tartra@lemmy.ca
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                  1 year ago

                  That’s definitely how I hope it’s taken by the general public!

                  It looked like a sign that management had posted in solidarity with the elevator companies rather than with the workers themselves, so I figured it was meant to be taken cynically.

          • Kan@lemmy.ca
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            1 year ago

            I’ve seen firemen seriously damage elevators cause they aren’t properly trained to open them if something goes wrong. That turns into verify costly repairs and downtime. If I we’re a building owner of turn them off than deal with damage.

            • Shadow@lemmy.ca
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              1 year ago

              I can see that in a rental building with a shitty landlord, but that’s pretty bullshit IMHO. There’s a lot of elderly / disabled people who can’t climb stairs, or need groceries, etc.

              I’m guessing this strike won’t last long once they start breaking down.

    • perviouslyiner
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      1 year ago

      Who’s going to release you when you get trapped? Any sensor fails, any component burns out, any seismic activity detected, and it will just stop until the techs arrive.

      If you knew that the techs wouldn’t arrive… then I would stock up on water, food, and sealed containers before entering that elevator.

      • lud
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        1 year ago

        Who’s going to release you when you get trapped?

        The fire department usually does stuff like that.

        • perviouslyiner
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          1 year ago

          I would guess that the building owner would be a lot less likely to leave an elevator operating if they knew that the fire department were going to attempt any rescues without the help of an elevator tech. There’s a reason their training says to wait for the tech “wherever possible”.

          • Nik282000@lemmy.ca
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            1 year ago

            If the car is between floors, good luck. Fire fighters wont be able to move it and electricians know not to mess with elevators, moreso if it is ‘broken.’

            • Nogami@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              Firefighters are trained in this type of rescue and can lower the cab and get people out. I’ve seen it done personally after giving them access to the mechanical room as a council member.

        • Nogami@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Can confirm. Used to be on strata. Called fire department to free people trapped inside. It does qualify as an emergency.