Bloomington Normal Laborers Local 362 honors Workers’ Memorial Day

Posted on April 28, 2021
This year, Laborers Local 362 honored 59-year-old Larry Williams. (Photo courtesy: Heart of Illinois ABC)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – Wednesday the Bloomington and Normal Trades & Labor Assembly marked Workers’ Memorial Day, honoring those who lost their lives on the job.

Worker’s Memorial Day is an annual commemoration that has been held since 1989. Every year, Local Labor 362 reads the names of over 400 people from McLean County who lost their lives on the job.

This year, Laborers Local 362 honored 59-year-old Larry Williams. Willams was killed by a speeding driver while flagging on Route 24 in Gridley in June of 2020.

Retired member of Laborers Local 362, Mike Matejka, said they are here to raise awareness so all workers can make it home every night.

“Many of these workers died because there was no laws to regulate safety conditions. So it’s an important reminder that we need legislation, and we need regulation so that people have a safe way to work everyday,” Matejka said.

Abuelsood Juma was charged with 3 counts of reckless homicide back in January for allegedly killing Williams. Juma’s court date is May 6th in McLean County.

Williams photo joined the memorial wall at Laborers Local 362 Wednesday, where all those who lost their lives on the job are honored.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected]. 

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