PEORIA, Ill. – A wide range of labor unions that serve central Illinois and beyond marched with pride Monday morning through the streets of downtown Peoria.
Teachers unions, Teamsters, the UAW, electric workers, and more comprised the 33 entries in the annual Labor Day Parade, with the theme of “Union Yes.” They were joined by four marching bands from Peoria Public Schools, as well as the Heart of Illinois United Way and St. Jude Riders.
Organizer Nancy Gardnar has been a part of the parade since its first year in 2000, and says the parade is a show of unity.
“We’re all standing for one issue, and that’s democracy, and to be with the people, respect the worker, honor them,” Gardnar said.
Gardnar says the holiday is also a chance to recognize the benefits the union worker has given the country. She says one of her favorite memories over the years is the comradery between the various unions.
The sentiment was shared by the grand marshal of the parade, Lisa Uphoff, who says she was “shocked” upon learning she received the honor.
“As I grew up in the labor movement around Peoria, I really looked up to the people who ran the Labor Council and who I saw be grand marshals, and to be included with them is really special,” Uphoff said.
Uphoff’s career started in Farmington as a high school teacher for 11 years, before spending more than 20 years as part of the Illinois Federation of Teachers.
For her, she says the Labor Day holiday is to honor all workers, whether they’re builders, healthcare workers, or teachers. She says, nowadays, those in labor do not get the credit they deserve.
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