Beloved SEIU6 member Cholly Elopre was killed in a hit and run on the night of February 28th, 2022, in the City of SeaTac. She was a mother, a grandmother and a respected union member. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her family.
The incident took place at the intersection of International Blvd and S 182nd Street at a crosswalk that many airport workers use when commuting to work everyday. Airport workers have reported that this intersection has issues with lighting, visibility, and cross times.
In response, SEIU6 Airport Workers United made a petition in honor of Cholly, making two demands to the City of SeaTac. The first is for the city to immediately take all necessary steps to improve this intersection for worker and public safety. The second is to place a memorial at this intersection to honor the life of Cholly Elopre, and to signal the city’s commitment to keeping our community safe.
Within the last two months, Airport Workers United collected over 300 signatures which were presented to SeaTac City Council during their monthly meeting. Airport worker Celso Angeles spoke on the importance of pedestrian and worker safety as well as honoring the memory of Cholly. In response, SeaTac passed a motion to enact the SeaTac Road Safety Plan. The plan would launch a study on the intersections where accidents frequently happen and find ways to make them safer for pedestrians and drivers.