Honoring fallen workers
Tuesday, April 28, will mark the 27th observance of Workers’ Memorial Day in the United States. The day not only honors those who have been injured or killed on the job, but also serves as a reminder that the fight for safe workplaces must continue.
While the labor movement and its allies have made strides in improving workplace safety, the threat of injury or death is still present. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4,405 workers died on the job in 2013, including 172 in Illinois.
Many AFSCME members – like corrections officers, sheriff’s police and EMTs – put their safety and even their lives on the line every day. Others find their safety threatened by the actions of politicians who attempt to weaken safety rules and the unions that fight for them.
Several regional labor councils will be holding Workers’ Memorial Day events this week:
Alton: Tuesday, April 28, the Greater Madison County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO will hold their annual Workers’ Memorial Day services at the Workers Memorial Statue located in the Gordon F. Moore Community Park, Highway 140 and Park Rd, Alton. Services will begin at 7 p.m. Contact Rick Wieckhorst at 618-254-1395 or Dean Webb at 618-259-8558.
Bloomington: Tuesday, April 28, Bloomington-Normal Trades and Labor Assembly Workers’ Memorial Day Service at White Oak Park Pavilion in Bloomington. The ceremony will begin at 6 a.m. Names will be read of local union members who have lost their lives. Contact Ron Morehead at 309-828-8813.
Champaign: Tuesday, April 28, 3 p.m., Champaign County AFL-CIO and the East Central Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council will hold a memorial service and recognize workers from Champaign County who have died while at the workplace. The event will be held at the Worker Memorial Site on Parkland Way, (east entrance to Parkland Jr. College off of Mattis Avenue) just across the drive from Olympic Memorial site. Seating will be available. This is an outdoor event. Contact Brad Diel at 217-841-2822 or brad@uwayhelps.org.
Chicago: Tuesday, April 28, 10 a.m., Outside OSHA Region 5 Office, 230 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL. Gather to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act and thank OSHA for protecting us from dangerous, unhealthy conditions at work. Solemnly remember workers across Illinois and the United States who have been injured and killed on the job.
Decatur: Tuesday, April 28, Decatur Trades and Labor Assembly Workers’ Memorial Day Service, 5:30 p.m. on the northwest corner of the Macon County Courthouse lawn, located at 253 West Wood Street in downtown Decatur. They will read the names of those who have died on the job. Contact Lloyd Holman, 217-620-4923 or Carl Draper, 217-791-1279.
Joliet: Friday, April 24, Will and Grundy Counties Trades and Labor Council annual Workers’ Memorial Day Dinner at the IBEW 176 Banquet Hall in Joliet. Contact Charlie Hanus at 815-744-2886.
Peoria: Tuesday, April 28, Labor Council of West Central Illinois Workers’ Memorial Service. We will be gathering at the Peoria Labor Temple, 400 NE Jefferson in Peoria at 5 p.m. and walk to the Workers’ Memorial site at 419 Fulton Street. We will have a brief ceremony to remember workers injured, or killed on the job. Contact Mike Everett at 309-673-3691.
Quad Cities: Tuesday, April 28, Quad Cities Federation of Labor Workers’ Memorial Day Service at 11:30 a.m. at the USW Local 105 Hall, 880 Devils Glen Rd, Bettendorf, IA. The union hall will open at 11 a.m. All working families are invited to this service sponsored by Alcoa Davenport Works – Joint Safety and Health Committee. For more information, contact Joshua Schipp at 309-738-6536.
Rockford: Tuesday, April 28, the Rockford United Labor Workers’ Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the Workers’ Memorial Tablets located behind the E.J. ‘Zeke’ Giorgi Building, 200 South Wyman Street in Rockford. The event will be at 5 p.m. and a light dinner will be served immediately following the ceremony. For more information, contact Bill Corey, 815-968-1411.
Springfield: Tuesday, April 28, Springfield and Central Illinois Trades and Labor Council Workers’ Memorial Day Service at 5:30 p.m. at the Illinois State Library Atrium, 300 S. Second Street in Springfield. They will recognize fallen workers and lay roses at the monument. Reception will follow. For more information contact Scott Saunders, 217-529-6976.
Spring Valley: Save the date for a Workers’ Memorial Golf Outing scheduled for Friday, June 12th at Spring Creek Golf Course in Spring Valley, IL. Workers’ Memorial Scholarships: $2,000 scholarships awarded to eligible dependents of members of IVFL affiliated locals who have been either killed or permanently injured on the job. Email: ivfl.aflcio@gmail.com for more information.