Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

See You at the Convention: This Year's Theme is "Good Jobs NOW!"

On Monday morning at the Oneida Casino and Convention Center in Green Bay, we will kick off the 26th Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Biennial Convention with remarks by Sen. Russ Feingold.  Over the course of the three day gathering, delegates will hear from a variety of state and national leaders as they discuss the future of the labor movement and the immediate need for job creation.

On Tuesday, Sept. 28th, convention delegates representing every affiliated union in Wisconsin will elect our executive board and secretary-treasurer, as well as a new president to succeed retiring working family advocate and activist David Newby.  Newby took office in 1994, and his extensive legacy includes vocal opposition to flawed trade policies such as NAFTA and the WTO, improved labor history education in Wisconsin public schools, and significant contributions to the national health care struggle. 

All non-voting guests must stop by the registration table to receive a visitor’s pass.  Some proceedings will be limited to voting delegates only. 

Here are just some of the featured convention speakers:

MONDAY, SEPT. 27th
Sen. Russ Feingold
Rep. Steve Kagen
Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President David Newby
Andy Gussert, National Director of the Citizens Trade Campaign
Scott Paul, Exec. Director of the Alliance for American Manufacturing
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson
University of Illinois Communications Professor Robert McChesney
Fred Myers of the Union Sportsmen Alliance with Al Shea, Dep. Secretary, Department of Natural Resources

TUESDAY, SEPT. 28th
Damon Silvers, Policy Director & Special Counsel for the national AFL-CIO
National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka
Milwaukee Mayor and AFL-CIO endorsed gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett
National AFL-CIO Political Director Karen Ackerman

Area Labor Federations Elect New Executive Boards

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/.) 

Northeast Wisconsin Area Labor Federation Quarterly Meeting

The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO is reorganizing in order to become a more effective voice for Wisconsin workers.  As part of this “New Alliance” some Labor Councils are coming together to work regionally as Area Labor Federations (ALFs). 

“Having many Central Labor Councils and affiliated unions come together is always a learning process.  A lot of good things can come out of collaboration,” says Dave Page, who serves as President of both USW Local 1327 and the Fond du Lac County Labor Council.  “We are striving to make sure that everyone has a say in the new organization and that we are better able to mobilize around the political concerns of working families.”

The Northeast Wisconsin Area Labor Federation, which held their first meeting back in September, serves affiliated unions throughout Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Oconto, Outagamie, Sheboygan and Winnebago Counties. 

“This Area Labor Federation is about laying the building blocks for stronger political action,” according to Shane Griesbach, Business Representative and Executive Board Member of IUOE Local 139.  “We need to be able to back the elected officials who vote with workers, and get rid of the ones who don’t.”

The Northeast Wisconsin ALF meeting on Saturday, January 30 continued the strategic planning process.  Participants also heard a presentation on the urgent need to create good, family-wage jobs now. 

“I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen so far,” says Jeff Selin of the Fox Valley Area Labor Council and IBEW Local 2150.  “There is strength in unity.  We are building a stronger, more unified labor movement.”

(Photo: (from left to right) Mark Buss of UA Local 400, Shane Griesbach of IOUE Local 139, Gary Ruhl of then Northeast Wisconsin Building Trades Council, Larry Lautenschlager of the Winnebago County Labor Council, Robert Lutze of the Lakes Regional Labor Council, Barb Felde of the Sheboygan County Labor Council, Dave Page of the Fond du Lac County Labor Council, Mike Haak of IBEW 2150, Jeff Selin of the Fox Valley Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO staff Todd Anderson, Tony Vanderbloemen of the Greater Green Bay Area Labor Council, and Timm Driscoll of the Alliance for Retired Americans.  Photo Credit: Greg Hinds.  Visit flickr for more photos from the January 30th meeting: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/sets/72157623206762831/)

Introducing the Greater West Central Area Labor Council

The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO is reorganizing in order to become a more effective voice for Wisconsin workers.  As part of this “New Alliance” some Labor Councils are merging to better serve their affiliates. 

The newly formed Greater West Central Area Labor Council serves affiliated unions throughout Barron, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, Polk and St. Croix Counties.  These counties were formerly served by three separate Labor Councils.

“We have amended and approved our constitution to better serve the expanded area,” says Greater West Central Area Labor Council President Jack Connell, former President of the Eau Claire Area Labor Council.  “We want to make sure that every area has a say, so specific executive board seats have been designated to represent the former Chippewa County and West Central Area Labor Councils.”

Strategic planning sessions for the Greater West Central Area Labor Council began in the fall, and the new Executive Board will begin implementing the plans in early February.

President Connell says that there is a lot of activity on the horizon, “On February 4th we will hold our first candidate screening for local races and plan on screening for the upcoming State Legislative races this summer.  As in the past we will host the Eau Claire Labor Day Picnic.  We look forward to building new relationships with unions both affiliated and non affiliated.”

The headquarters of the new organization will be housed in the former Eau Claire Labor Council offices at 2233 Birch Street. 

“I can empathize with people who were used to the older structure and don’t like traveling longer distances to meet,” said Phil Swanhorst, Executive Board Member out of ATU Local 1310.  “But in the long run I see the need to consolidate in order to be a stronger voice for working people in the region.”

(Top Photo:  On January 14th, new Officers and Executive Board Members of the Greater West Central Wisconsin Area Labor Council were sworn in by Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President David Newby.  Photo Credit:  Andy Thompson.  Bottom Photo:  After the oaths were administered, the new Labor Council hosted a Holiday Party attended by several state legislators.  In this photo Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President David Newby chats with State Representative Jeff Smith.  Photo Credit: Jack Connell.  For more pictures visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/sets/72157623278558910/.)
 

New Alliance Update

The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO is reorganizing in order to become a more effective voice for Wisconsin workers.  The first step in this new alliance process is detailed strategic planning based on input from our many affiliated unions.

On November 11, the Greater Eau Claire Labor Council held a successful strategic planning meeting.  Seventeen participants divided into committees to discuss local priorities and how best to achieve goals.

As part of new alliance efforts, the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO will be hiring three additional Service Area Organizers.  These positions will be focused on union membership mobilization, actions and rallies, political activity, support for organizing, contract fights, and legislative initiatives.  Service Area Organizers will be responsible for working with Union Affiliates, Area and Central Labor Councils, and the State AFL-CIO. 

New Service Area Organizers will serve South Central Wisconsin (servicing Dane, Iowa, Sauk, Columbia, Dodge and Jefferson counties), Southeast Wisconsin (servicing Milwaukee, Ozaukee and Washington counties), and Central Wisconsin (servicing Adams, Wood, Portage, Waupaca, Marathon, Shawano, Langlade & Lincoln counties).

Current Service Area Organizers include Andy Thompson serving Western Wisconsin, Greg Hinds serving Northeast Wisconsin, and Justin Geiger serving Southeast Wisconsin.

(Photos: Greater Eau Claire Labor Council strategic planning meeting. Photo Credit: Andy Thompson.)

The New Alliance and Area Labor Federations

The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO is reorganizing in order to become a more effective voice for Wisconsin workers.  The first step in this “new alliance” process will be detailed strategic planning based on input from our many affiliated unions.

In two regions of the state, new Area Labor Federations (ALF’s) have been chartered to better serve the needs of affiliates by facilitating good working relationships between local unions, Central Labor Councils, the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO and the National AFL-CIO.   The first joint meeting of the Northeast and Central Wisconsin ALF’s took place on August 1st at the Fox Valley Labor Temple in Neenah, WI.

After taking their Oath of Office, board members discussed mobilization in great detail.  They reaffirmed their commitment to Health Care Reform and the Employee Free Choice Act, and also shared ideas on how to build local capacity for rapid response.

The Central Wisconsin AFL serves Adams, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Menominee, Portage, Shawano, Waupaca and Wood Counties.  The Officers of the Central Wisconsin ALF are: Chair Sally Feistel of USW District 2; Secretary-Treasurer Deb Foth of AFSCME Council 40; Vice Chair Terry Hayden of UA Local 434; Vice Chair Craig Wagner of SMWIA Local 18; Vice Chair Pat Nelson of IUOE Local 139; Vice Chair Brent Roberts of IAMAW Local 1713; Don Cline of the Marathon County Labor Council; Ron Holden of the Wood County & Vicinity CLC; Mark Westphal of the Fox Valley Area Labor Council; Gary Ruhl of the NE WI Building & Construction Trades; John Durben of APWU; Ken Curry of the WI Alliance for Retired Americas.

The Northeast Wisconsin ALF serves Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Oconto, Outagamie, Sheboygan and Winnebago Counties. The Officers of the the Northeast Wisconsin ALF are: Chair Mike Bolton of USW; Secretary-Treasurer Nancy Becker of AFSCME Council 40; John Eiden of UFCW; Vice Chair Mike Haak of IBEW 2150; Vice Chair Shane Griesbach of IUOE Local 139; Vice Chair John Rolbiecki of IAMAW District 10; Vice Chair Brad Schwanda of UAW Region 4; Dennis Bomberry of the Marinette/Menomonie CLC; Barb Felde of the Sheboygan County Labor Council; Larry Lautenschlager of the Winnebago County Labor Council; Bob Lutze of the Lakes Regional Labor Council; Dave Page of the Fond du Lac County Labor Council; Jeff Selin of the Fox Valley Area Labor Council; Tony Vanderbloemen of the Greater Green Bay Area Labor Council; Gary Ruhl of the Northeast WI Building & Construction Trades; Bob Young of CWA Local 4621; Mark Buss of UA Local 400; Tim Driscoll of the WI Alliance for Retired Americans.

The current ALF Interim Officers and Executive Board were appointed by the President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO effective August 1, 2009.  Regular election for Officers and Executive Board members will take place in May or June of 2010.   

(Left Photo: Executive Board of the Central Wisconsin ALF.  Right Photo: Executive Board of the Northeast Wisconsin ALF.  Credit for Both Photos: Sue Ledbetter.)