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Labor Temple and Spalding name change honor Ayers

Tanya Koonce
Unity Hall at The Labor Temple is now called Ayers Hall. The stretch of Spaulding running along-side the Labor Temple is also named Ayers Way in honor of his tireless work.

Those gathered at the Peoria Labor Temple this morning honored the life and work of former IBEW Local 34 Business Manager Mark Ayers. 

Unity Hall at The Labor Temple is now called Ayers Hall. The stretch of Spalding running along-side the Labor Temple is also named Ayers Way in honor of his tireless work.  

Ayers was the IBEW 34 Business Manager for nine years ending in 1998 when he went to Washington DC to serve as the director of Construction and Maintenance with International IBEW.

Ayers died in 2012 while serving as the National President of the Building and Construction Trades Department. 

Senator David Koehler created the Labor Management organizations PALM and Tri-CON with Ayers. Koehler says Ayers had the vision to help make Peoria a union town:  

“No one deserves more credit for that than Mark Ayers. Peoria is a union town because of Mark Ayres.”

Koehler goes on to say Ayers made sure labor was recognized and respected in the greater Peoria community:

“One thing you didn’t want to try to do was outdress Mark. He added a certain quality to the image of labor, and he really forced his way in the door and made the business community know that labor was at the table.”

Keohler was one of many speakers and Vice President Joe Biden sent a letter of recognition for Ayers’ contributions to Labor and work at the National level.