Deere worker on strike hit, killed by car in Illinois near UAW picket line
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Source: Des Moines Register
A United Auto Workers striker was hit and killed by a car Wednesday while crossing a four-lane parkway in pre-dawn darkness near a Deere & Co. warehouse in in Milan, Illinois.
Milan Police Chief Shawn Johnson told the Des Moines Register the evidence does not suggest that the driver committed a traffic violation.
The UAW said in a news release that the 56-year-old striker was a member of UAW Local 79, which represents workers at the Deere warehouse in Milan, part of the Quad Cities metro area of Iowa and Illinois. It said he was on his way to join a picket line at the warehouse when he was hit.
“It is a somber time to lose a member who made the ultimate sacrifice in reporting to picket for a better life for his family and coworkers," UAW President Ray Curry said in a statement.
Read more: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2021/10/27/john-deere-strike-worker-dies-milan-illinois-uaw-picket-wednesday/8565730002/
= new reply since forum marked as read
Deepest sympathy to his family and co-workers....
Detroit - UAW members mourned the death today of a 56-year-old member of Milan, Ill, Local 79, who was a 15-year employee at the Milan John Deere Parts Distribution Plant in Moline, Ill. He was struck in a traffic accident and fatally injured while walking to the picket line.
“On behalf of the UAW and all working families, we mourn the passing of our UAW brother,” said Ray Curry, UAW President. “It is a somber time to lose a member who made the ultimate sacrifice in reporting to picket for a better life for his family and coworkers.”
The UAW will adhere to the policy to withhold the member’s name until family members are notified and decide to release their loved one’s information.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our brother who was reporting to the picket line. Our brother was fighting for what is right and we all mourn for his family and co-workers,” said Ron McInroy, director of UAW Region 4. “Through our tears, we continue to picket and honor the solidarity of our fallen brother. But we do this with heavy hearts today.”
UAW Vice President Chuck Browning, director of the Agriculture Implement Department said, “We are heartbroken over the tragic loss of our Brother. Our most sincere condolences go out to his family and his co-workers and they are all in our thoughts and prayers as they go through this difficult time. The entire UAW mourns today.”
Curry said the UAW flag will fly at half-staff in honor of our fallen brother.
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Contact Information
Brian Rothenberg
1-614-207-3237
brothenberg@uaw.net
