Let’s say you want to walk on a tightrope across the Grand Canyon without a tether or a net—in whose hands would you put your life? If you are Nik Wallenda, a Guinness Book of World Records-holder seven times over for acrobatic feats—including walking across Niagara Falls on a similar tightrope—you turn to union members.

Wallenda's life is literally on the line when he attempts these stunts. His safety depends on the NECA-IBEW members who set up the wire and navigate through their own challenges in rough terrain. Their skill and dedication not only helped Wallenda walk his way into the record books once again but helped ensure he would be around for his next amazing feat.

This was originally posted on the AFL-CIO @Work website. Check out more of these stories.