Workers Memorial Day To Honor Two Local Residents

Ceremonies happening across the country on Sunday, honoring workers who have lost their lives while on the job, will include recognition of two local residents.

Brandon Hardway and Kevin Pellum will be recognized in ceremonies that begin at 2pm Sunday, as their names are added to the memorial at Dodds Park, 1501 N. Mattis Ave. in Champaign.

“These two young men were taken from their friends and families far too soon,” said Kevin Sage, President of the East Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council. “It is important that we honor their memories, as we remember all of those who have lost their lives while on the job.”

Hardway, 45, was the General Manager at Pour Bros. Taproom. The Champaign resident was shot and killed in February, while he stood outside the downtown bar. His father, Jim Hardway, is a retired member of Carpenters Local 243.

Pellum, 40, was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 51 and was killed while driving between job sites in Macon County in 2000.

His brother, retired local teacher and AFL-CIO member George Pellum, played an important role in establishing the Dodds Park memorial when it was built in 2002. In addition, one of Kevin Pellum’s sons and a nephew are now members of IBEW Local 601 in Champaign and a nephew is a member of United Association Local 149 in Savoy.

“It means so much for someone to say we remember him and we recognize this tragedy,” George Pellum said.

Workers Memorial Day has taken place each year since the Occupational Safety and Health Act went into effect more than 50 years ago. While labor unions are leading the fight for greater workplace protections, the day honors all of those whose lives were lost on the job, regardless of whether they were union members.

Sunday’s ceremony will include family and friends of those being remembered, as well as presentations from elected officials and local union leaders.