Workers’ Memorial Day Recap – Protect Worker Safety, Pass SB1976

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This past Monday, throughout the state of Illinois, Central Labor Councils honored workers who have lost their lives on the jobsite.  

Workers’ Memorial Day commemorates the effective date of OSHA, which promised every worker the right to a safe job. But our hard-earned workplace safety rights are in danger, as elected leaders threaten to cut staff, defund or outright eliminate federal job safety agencies. In the face of federal uncertainty, Illinois must be proactive and guarantee that Illinois workers will have the same protections this time next year regardless of any federal rollbacks. 

The Illinois AFL-CIO worked with Senator Robert Peters to introduce SB 1976. This bill will create the Workers’ Rights and Safety Act which will preserve the long-established workplace protections under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. This Workers Memorial Day, we highlighted the need for this legislation to pass to protect workers in Illinois. 

TAKE ACTION: e-mail your state representatives and demand they support SB1976 here. 

HIGHLIGHTS FROM CENTRAL LABOR COUNCILS STATEWIDE 

Springfield & Cental Illinois Trades & Labor Council and the Illinois AFL-CIO – President Nick Yelverton and President Tim Drea 

Springfield & Central Illinois Trades & Labor Council and the Illinois AFL-CIO hosted a ceremony at 10:00 AM at the Illinois AFL-CIO front plaza. Treasurer Michael Frerichs was the honorable guest speaker. 

Alton-Greater Madison County Federation of Labor – President Dean Webb 

The Greater Madison County Federation of Labor held a ceremony at 7:00 PM at Gordon Moore Park. Representative Katie Stuart and a representative from Congresswomen Nikki Budzinski’s office offered remarks.  

Bloomington & Normal Trades & Labor Assembly – President Jason Pascal 

Bloomington & Normal Trades & Labor Assembly hosted a ceremony at 6:00 AM on Monday morning.  

Champaign County AFL-CIO – President Matt Kelly 

Champaign County AFL-CIO held a ceremony at 5:00 Pm on Monday in Dodds Park. Senator Paul Faraci and a representative from Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski offer remarks at the event. 

Chicago Federation of Labor 

Chicago Federation of Labor and Chicago Jobs with Justice held their ceremony at 7:00 AM on Monday at the Union Stockyard Gates.  

Vermillion County Federation of Labor 

Vermillion County Federation of Labor held a ceremony at 9:00 AM on Monday morning in Danville Illinois. State Senator Paul Faraci and State Representative Brandun Schweizer spoke at the event. Vermillion honored Dale Cooper who was murdered 55 years ago on the jobsite.  

Decatur Trades and Labor Assembly 

Decatur Trades and Labor Assembly held a ceremony at 5:30 PM at the Macon County Courthouse lawn. Jason Keller from the Illinois Department of Labor offered remarks. 

 Galesburg Trades & Labor 

Galesburg Trades & Labor held a ceremony at 5:30 PM. Senator Mike Halpin and Brian Bothast from OSHA offered remarks during the event. 

West Central Illinois Labor Council – President Chase Carlton 

West Central Illinois Labor Council held a ceremony at 6:00 PM on Monday at the Workers’ Memorial Monument at City Hall in Peoria.  

Quad-Cities Local Labor  

USW Local 105, IBEW 1379, and ARCONIC Davenport Works leadership held a ceremony at USW Local 105 Hall on Monday 12:00 PM.  

Rockford United Labor – President Sara Dorner 

Rockford United Labor held a ceremony at the Workers Memorial site at the Zeke Girogi Building. Mayor Tom McNamara, Representative Maurice West, and Senator Steve Stadelman spoke at the event.  

 

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