PEORIA, Ill. – To hear one longtime local labor leader tell it, the labor movement is making a comeback in this country — and, in Peoria.
“Walter Reuther said many years ago, when he founded the (United Auto Workers) is that the only power labor has when there is work to do. Ladies and gentlemen, we have lots of work to do,” said Marty Helfers, former head of the West Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council, and one of the masters of ceremonies at this year’s Labor Day Parade through downtown Peoria Monday.
Hints of potential labor strife could be felt during the parade. Of all the labor groups parading and being cheered by thousands in downtown Peoria, the Peoria Federation of Teachers was, perhaps, the largest group — a sea of blue marching through the route.
“In years past, when there wasn’t any funds available to support the teachers, they accepted that,” said Helfers. “We would like to see Peoria step up and pay our teachers what they really, really deserve.”
An Illinois Federation of Teachers official walking with the teachers is hopeful a strike can be avoided — but, like others have said, you still have to prepare for one.
As for the celebration of union labor itself, Helfers — a retired union steamfitter — says unions work hard to support members, provide them education when needed, and what he called a good middle-class way of life.
Some local political leaders marked in the parade, but despite an election looming, many were absent, perhaps attending gatherings in other cities instead.
(Will Stevenson/1470 & 100.3 WMBD)
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