Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

The State of Our Unions is Strong this Labor Day

Breaking news! New polling shows 88% of people under 30 support unions, 90% of young Americans support strikes and 7 in 10 Americans support labor unions. This Labor Day, the future is bright for our labor movement and the state of our unions is strong as unprecedented activism and organizing is bolstered by powerful public support.

Having a union in your workplace means higher wages, a safer workplace and respect on the job. Every day, more and more working people are finding out that the labor movement is the solution to low wages and unsafe workplaces, to inequality and discrimination. That working people—standing together and standing up for one another—are an incredible force for progress at work, in our unions, in our economy and in our democracy.

Labor Day is a day for celebrating workers, our labor movement, and working people in every sector of our economy. No matter what job you do, you belong in a union. Join us this Labor Day as we celebrate all those that came before us and as we look toward a bright future of organizing new unions and restoring union rights to every Wisconsin worker.

Celebrate Labor Day with Your Union Family

2023 Labor Day Events in Wisconsin

Milwaukee Laborfest: Monday, September 4. Laborfest parade will kick off from Zeidler Union Square Park on 4th and Michigan at 11:00 am and continue to Summerfest Grounds for family-friendly Laborfest with food, music, solidarity and more.

Madison Laborfest: Monday, September 4. Madison Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park Street. Noon to 5:30pm. VO5 and The Periodicals will perform. Food and beverages available for purchase. Children’s games and activities.

Eau Claire Laborfest: Monday, September 4. Phoenix Park, 330 Riverfront Terrace. Solidarity Walk begins at 10:30am with speeches at 11:00 am and picnic noon – 3:00pm.

Green Bay Labor Day Picnic: Monday, September 4. Bay Beach Amusement Park, 1313 Bay Beach Rd, Green Bay from 11:00 am – 4:30pm. Picnic, bingo, kids’ games, face paintings and balloons.

La Crosse LaborFest: Monday, September 4. Copeland Park, 1130 Copeland Park Drive. Parade begins at 10:00am at the intersection of Gillette Street and Kane Street, ending at Copeland Park. Festivities including food/beverages for sale and games at Copeland Park following parade.

Menasha & Neenah Labor Day Parade: Monday, September 4. Parade starts at 10:00am at Menasha Curtis Reed Square and goes through to Downtown Neenah.

Neenah Laborfest: Monday, September 4 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Neenah Labor Temple, 157 S. Green Bay Road, Neenah. Corn roast, burgers, brats, beverage tent, all day paddle wheel, rummage sale, Jakes Jumpers, face painting, slushies, popcorn. Live Music: The Machine Band: 12-5pm

Oshkosh Labor Day Picnic & 22nd Donel H Wyman Memorial Car Show: Monday, September 4, at South Park, 1035 W South Park, Oshkosh. 10:00am car registration. 11:00am – 5:00pm food and refreshments. There will be live music provided by Fork in the Road beginning in the early afternoon. Face painting, playground, and free books for the kids!

Duluth-Superior Labor Day Picnic: Monday, September 4. Bayfront Festival Park, 350 Harbor Drive. Noon – 4:00pm.

Racine LaborFest: Monday September 4, 2023. UAW 180 Union Hall, 3323 Kearney Avenue. 11 – 4:30 P.M. Picnic Lunch served from 12:30pm to 3pm.

Wausau Labor Day Parade: Monday, September 4. Lineup for parade begins at 3:00pm with parade starting at 4:00 pm. The parade route starts near the corner of West Wausau Ave and 3rd Ave and proceeds down 3rd Ave, ending at the Wausau Labor Temple, 308 S 3rd Ave, Wausau.

Northern Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades Council, WI AFL-CIO Sign a Letter of Intent for a Project Labor Agreement with Minnesota Power to Ensure Safe, Good-Paying Union Jobs Build Nemadji Trail Energy Center

(Superior, Wisconsin) — The Northern Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades Council, WI AFL-CIO has signed a Letter of Intent for a Project Labor Agreement with Minnesota Power, construction and operating agent, to ensure the construction of the Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC) is done with high-quality union labor. A Project Labor Agreement will support high-wages and safety on site for the building of the Nemadji Trail Energy Center Project. NTEC is a $700 million state-of-the-art natural gas plant proposed to be built in Superior that will maintain energy service when renewable resources like solar and wind are not available.   

The Letter of Intent was signed at the Wisconsin AFL-CIO Building Trades Council Conference in Superior.   

“The Nemadji Trail Energy Center Project will be an economic boom for Superior and Douglas County,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. “Good union jobs build and sustain our American middle class. A Project Labor Agreement requires that any work done building the NTEC will be a family-supporting union job with strict safety enforcement and high workplace standards." 

“The Nemadji Trail Energy Center Project will be a momentous economic surge for our community, bringing jobs and power to our area. A Project Labor Agreement means that local workers will benefit from this historic project and that good wages and high safety standards will be required on the job site,” said Kyle Bukovich, President of the Northern Wisconsin Building & Construction Trades, WI AFL-CIO. “The NTEC Project will create 350 construction jobs at peak construction over the span of four years. Our community needs this project. The NTEC will help meet increased demand for electricity and support our grid to ensure safe, reliable power that balances our energy resources.”   

“The signing of the letter of intent for a project labor agreement demonstrates our long-standing partnership with labor.  The Building & Construction Trades Council has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us through every step of the planning, development and regulatory process for this state-of-the-art, combined-cycle natural gas plant that will safeguard reliability as more renewable energy is added to the grid,” said Todd Simmons, Minnesota Power vice president of Generation Operations. “We look forward to the start of construction and continuing our relationship to help build strong communities where everyone can thrive while advancing a clean-energy future.”

President Biden Touts Pro-Worker Economic Plan at Union Manufacturer in Milwaukee

President Biden visited Wisconsin’s Menomonee Valley today to tour Ingeteam Inc. a union manufacturer where IBEW Local 2150 members produce the only wind turbines completely made in the USA. Thanks to the Buy American standards outlined in President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, these IBEW local 2150 members at Ingeteam will also be manufacturing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations right here in Milwaukee.

“President Biden’s economic policy has put the focus back on America’s workers, boosted Wisconsin manufacturing, created jobs for Wisconsin workers, and spurred worker-centered economic growth that strengthens our middle class,” said Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale. “On the one-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, I am proud to welcome President Biden to a union shop in Milwaukee to celebrate this bill and all the Biden Administration has done to support working people in Wisconsin.”

IBEW Local 2150 member Valentino Collado introduced the President, telling the crowd that “being a part of the union means everything to me. Being a union member has given me opportunity, stability, and a good job that supports my family. America’s unions are the backbone of this country.”

President Biden agreed, kicking off his speech by reminding the crowd that the middle class built America and unions built the middle class.  

“We are investing in America,” said President Biden. “My economic agenda is about strengthening our economy by growing the middle class and making things in America.”

“Instead of exporting American jobs, we are supporting American jobs,” continued the President. “Bidenomics is another way of saying restoring the American Dream. Every American should be able to get a job, wherever they live, and have a good paycheck to support their family. That’s what I believe.”

In Solidarity,

Wisconsin AFL-CIO Welcomes President Biden to Union Manufacturer in Milwaukee

Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, released the following statement on President Biden’s visit to union manufacturer Ingeteam Inc. in Wisconsin’s Menomonee Valley: 

“President Biden’s economic agenda is working. On behalf of Wisconsin’s union men and women, I am proud to welcome President Biden to Wisconsin on the one-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act. 

President Biden’s visit to Ingeteam Inc., where IBEW Local 2150 union members are fueling the next wave of American manufacturing, highlights the historic investments this Administration is making in Wisconsin. Union members at Ingeteam proudly make the only wind turbines that are fully built in the United States. Thanks to the Buy American standards outlined in President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, these IBEW local 2150 members at Ingeteam will also be manufacturing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations right here in Milwaukee. 

President Biden’s economic policy has put the focus back on America’s workers, boosted Wisconsin manufacturing, created jobs for Wisconsin workers, and spurred worker-centered economic growth that strengthens our middle class.”  

Celebrate Labor Day with Wisconsin Workers

On Labor Day, we honor and celebrate the contributions of America's working people. We take pride in our union membership because we know what our union means to us. With a strong union, we have power on the job and earn a fair share for the work we do. From making sure we can retire with dignity, have the health care we need, advance workplace safety and secure better wages for all in our communities, unions are the key to prosperity for working families.

Local Labor Councils will be hosting Labor Day picnics, parades, and celebrations across the state. Join us on Monday, September 4, for a fun-filled union-made day.

 

2023 Labor Day Events in Wisconsin

Milwaukee Laborfest: Monday, September 4. Laborfest parade will kick off from Zeidler Union Square Park on 4th and Michigan at 11:00 am and continue to Summerfest Grounds for family-friendly Laborfest with food, music, solidarity and more.

Madison Laborfest:  Monday, September 4. Madison Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park Street. Noon to 5:30 pm. VO5 and The Periodicals will perform. Food and beverages available for purchase. Children’s games and activities.

Eau Claire Laborfest:  Monday, September 4.  Phoenix Park, 330 Riverfront Terrace. Solidarity Walk begins at 10:30am with speeches at 11:00 am and picnic noon – 3:00pm.

Green Bay Labor Day Picnic:  Monday, September 4.  Bay Beach Amusement Park, 1313 Bay Beach Rd, Green Bay from 11:00 am – 4:30pm. Picnic, bingo, kids’ games, face paintings and balloons.

La Crosse LaborFest: Monday, September 4. Copeland Park, 1130 Copeland Park Drive. Parade begins at 10:00am at the intersection of Gillette Street and Kane Street, ending at Copeland Park. Festivities including food/beverages for sale and games at Copeland Park following parade.

Menasha & Neenah Labor Day Parade. Monday, September 4. Parade starts at 10:00am at Menasha Curtis Reed Square and goes through to Downtown Neenah.

Neenah Laborfest: Monday, September 4 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Neenah Labor Temple, 157 S. Green Bay Road, Neenah. Corn roast, burgers, brats, beverage tent, all day paddle wheel, rummage sale, Jakes Jumpers, face painting, slushies, popcorn. Live Music: The Machine Band: 12-5pm

Oshkosh Labor Day Picnic & 22^nd Donel H Wyman Memorial Car Show:  Monday, September 4, at South Park, 1035 W South Park, Oshkosh. 10:00am car registration. 11:00am – 5:00pm food and refreshments. There will be live music provided by Fork in the Road beginning in the early afternoon. Face painting, playground, and free books for the kids!

Duluth-Superior Labor Day Picnic: Monday, September 4. Bayfront Festival Park, 350 Harbor Drive. Noon – 4:00pm.

Racine:  Labor Fest 2023. Monday September 4, 2023. UAW 180 Union Hall, 3323 Kearney Avenue. 11 – 4:30 P.M.  Picnic Lunch served from 12:30pm to 3pm

Wausau Labor Day Parade:  Monday, September 4. Lineup for parade begins at 3:00pm with parade starting at 4:00 pm. The parade route starts near the corner of West Wausau Ave and 3^rd Ave and proceeds down 3^rd Ave, ending at the Wausau Labor Temple, 308 S 3^rd Ave, Wausau.