UAW Member Hit, Killed by Automotive Close to John Deere Picket Line

John Deere Drivetrain Operations workers in Waterloo, Iowa, cheer on the picket line as passing cars honk in support as the UAW officially started its strike on Oct. 14, 2021.

John Deere Drivetrain Operations employees in Waterloo, Iowa, cheer on the picket line as passing vehicles honk in help because the UAW formally began its strike on Oct. 14, 2021.

Chris Zoeller/The Courier by way of AP

MILAN, Sick. (AP) — A car struck and killed a United Auto Staff member Wednesday as he was strolling to a picket line to affix hanging employees exterior a John Deere distribution plant in northwest Illinois, the union and police stated.

The person was struck at about 6 a.m. CDT at an intersection close to a street that results in the John Deere Elements Distribution Heart in Milan, Illinois, Police Chief Shawn Johnson stated.

Johnson stated the preliminary investigation signifies the person was crossing the Rock Island Parkway and was strolling close to the center of an intersection when he was struck.

“We do not consider it to be intentional, however it’s nonetheless an ongoing investigation and it did occur out close to the center of the intersection the place the pedestrian was crossing the roadway,” Johnson advised The Related Press.

The UAW management in Detroit stated in an announcement that the person who died was 56 years previous and had labored on the plant for 15 years. He was a member of UAW Native 79 in Milan, the assertion stated.

“On behalf of the UAW and all working households, we mourn the passing of our UAW brother,” stated UAW President Ray Curry. “It’s a somber time to lose a member who made the final word sacrifice in reporting to picket for a greater life for his household and coworkers.”

Greater than 10,000 Deere & Co. employees went on strike this month at 14 Deere factories in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado and Georgia after the UAW rejected a contract supply. It was the primary main walkout on the agricultural equipment large in additional than three many years.

Union members rejected a contract supply that might have delivered 5% raises to some employees and 6% raises to others on the Illinois firm identified for its inexperienced tractors.