In order to respond to the continuously changing social, political and global environment that affects the livelihoods of working families, local unions and central labor councils are coming together regionally to work toward common goals. As a democratic voice for members from diverse backgrounds and occupations, Area Labor Federations (ALFs) are uniquely positioned to identify job creation opportunities, build strategic community alliances, educate the public about unions, and advance the political priorities of working people. ALFs in North Central and Northeast Wisconsin, which met for the first time last fall, recently held their first annual meetings to elect officers.
The North Central Wisconsin ALF, which serves Adams, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Menominee, Portage, Shawano, Waupaca and Wood Counties, met on May 15th and elected the following leaders to serve on the Executive Board:Chair Sally Feistel of USW District 2
Secretary-Treasurer Deb Foth of AFSCME Local 1751
Vice Chair Todd Bencke of UA Local 434
Vice Chair Pat Nelson of IUOE Local 139
Vice Chair David Northup of IBEW Local 388
Vice Chair Craig Wagner of SMWIA Local 18
Vice Chair Joseph Helmuth of IBEW Local 1147
Randy Radtke, Labor Council Rep. for the Marathon County Labor Council
Ron Holden, Labor Council Rep. for the Wood County & Vicinity Central Labor Council
Mark Westphal, Labor Council Rep. for the Fox Valley Area Labor Council
Traci Parrott, Labor Council Rep. for the Stevens Point - Portage County Labor Council
Gary Ruhl, Building Trades Rep. from the Northeast WI Building & Construction Trades Council
John Durben of APWU Local 2247, Rep. for Unions Comprising 30% of ALF Membership
Ken Curry, Rep. for the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans
Karen Bays of AFSCME Local 323, Rep. for Unions Comprising 70% of ALF Membership
The Northeast Wisconsin ALF, which serves Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Oconto, Outagamie, Sheboygan and Winnebago Counties, met on May 27th and elected the following leaders to serve on the Executive Board:Chair Michael Bolton of USW District 2
Secretary-Treasurer Paulette Feld of AFSCME Local 579
Vice Chair Mike Haak of IBEW Local 2150
Vice Chair Shane Griesbach of IUOE Local 139
Vice Chair John Rolbiecki of IAMAW District 10
Vice Chair Missy Sorenson of AFSCME Local 514
Vice Chair Merril Wyatt of IAMAW Local 1260
Dennis Bomberry, Labor Council Rep. for the Marinette/Menomonie Central Labor Council
Barb Felde, Labor Council Rep. for the Sheboygan County Labor Council
Larry Lautenschlager, Labor Council Rep. for the Winnebago County Labor Council
Robert Lutze, Labor Council Rep. for the Lakes Regional Labor Council
Dave Page, Labor Council Rep. for the Fond du Lac County Labor Council
Jeff Selin, Labor Council Rep. for the Fox Valley Area Labor Council
Tony Vanderbloemen, Labor Council Rep. for the Greater Green Bay Area Labor Council
Gary Ruhl, Building Trades Rep. for the Northeast WI Building and Construction Trades Council
Denny Lauer of USW Local 2-1279, Rep. for Unions Comprising 70% of ALF Membership
Mark Buss of UA Local 400, Rep. for Unions Comprising 30% ALF Membership
Timm Driscoll, Rep. for the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans
Nancy Becker of AFSCME Local 1288 was elected to one of three Diversity Seats on the Executive Board. The other two remain open at this time.
Delegates to the Northeast Wisconsin ALF also approved a constitutional amendment which would expand the ALF’s jurisdiction to include Marinette County. (That amendment must be approved by the national AFL-CIO before it goes into effect.)
Because Area Labor Federations are designed to coordinate and strengthen the political clout of working people, delegates also heard from guest speakers during the annual meetings. State Senator Julie Lassa spoke to the North Central Wisconsin ALF. Lassa is running for the Congress, hoping to replace retiring Rep. Dave Obey. Julie Heun, Campaign Manager for Rep. Steve Kagen, addressed the Northeast Wisconsin ALF.
(Top Photo: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Sara Rogers swears in the newly elected Executive Board of the Northeast WI ALF. Second Photo: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Phil Neuenfeldt discusses recent legislative victories with the Northeast WI ALF, Chair Michael Bolton also pictured. Third Photo: The newly elected Executive Board of the North Central WI ALF with Wisconsin State AFL-CIO officers Phil Neuenfeldt and Sara Rogers. Fourth Photo: State Senator and congressional candidate Julie Lassa at the North Central WI ALF meeting. Fifth Photo: The newly elected Executive Board of the Northeast WI ALF. Bottom Photo: Julie Heun, Campaign Manager for Rep. Steve Kagen, at the Northeast WI ALF meeting. All photos by Scott Wright and Sara Wallenfang. For more pictures from recent ALF meetings, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/collections/72157622253244477/.)