Wisconsin Labor History Society: Home Page

Welcome to Our Site: Join with us as we salute Wisconsin's workers and their unions for helping to make Wisconsin a great state! Look at our history, share your own history, preserve that history and tell it to coming generations. The Society is totally volunteer, is a nonprofit organization and is affiliated with the Wisconsin Humphrey Historical Society.

What's here . . .

Labor History Resources, Including DPI Curriculum Available Online
Bay View Tragedy event set for May 3
Labor History in the Schools Bill gets a hearing!
2009 Conference look sat 'Organizing in Hard Times.'
View High Schoolers video on Workers Compensation
WLHS Activities outlined

Our 2006-2009 newsletters available in PDF format. Click here to go to the News and Events page.

Please contact info@wisconsinlaborhistory.org with comments.

CLICK HERE for a handy list books, CDs, videos and other materials at BARGAIN Prices, all telling about Wisconsin's colorful labor history. Also, you may order on same page "THE BAY VIEW TRAGEDY," our popular 15-minute video of the 1886 Bay View Tragedy, now available as a DVD at $8, plus shipping.

Labor History Curriculum, Resources Available on Line!

"Lessons in Labor History," a publication of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, with the cooperation of the Wisconsin Labor History Society, is now available again on line. PDF versions of the curriculum by sections is available by clicking on the desired section:

Section 1 - Preface; Table of Contents

Section 2 - Introduction

Section 3 - Performance Tasks

Section 4 - Ten Lessons: The Modern Union Movement

Section 5 - American Labor History Time Line

Section 6 - Labor History Glossary and Resources

This curriculum also available at http://labor-studies.org. You'll find the link at the top of the home page.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has notified teachers throughout the state and created a list of resources in labor history, including this website. Go to http://dpi.wi.gov/cal/socstudies.html to review this worthy effort. Our thanks to Beth Ratway of the Department of Public Instruction for this page.

Labor History in Schools Bill Steps Ahead!

Assembly votes 61-38 on amended bill

For nearly 20 years, the Wisconsin Labor History Society has joined with others to get Wisconsin to pass a law requiring schools to teach labor history. This year again, bills have been introduced in both Houses of the State Legislature to do just that. Both houses of the Legislature are now controlled by Democrats, increasing the chances of the bill passing; Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle is expected to sign it if it gets to his desk.

The first major step occurred when the State Assembly on April 28 passed an amended version of AB172, the Labor History in the Schools bill, by a vote of 61-38. Ten Republicans joined all Democrats (except two) in supporting the bill. The amended version, which is expected to be considered by the State Senate in May, makes the teaching of labor history part of the model standards for the teaching of social studies in the schools. The amendment removed the original goal that would have required all school districts to include the teaching of the history of organized labor in America and the collective bargaining process.

The Assembly Labor Committee, under Chairperson Christine Sinicki (D-Milw.), passed AB 172 on April 16, after holding a hearing on Wednesday, April 8, with strong testimony in favor of the bill. There were no persons who testified against the bill.

The bill was introduced by two of its authors, Sen. David Hansen (D-Green Bay) and Rep. Andy Jorgensen (D-Fort Atkinson), who gave strong endorsement of returning balance to our school curricula by providing more teaching of labor in the schools. Click here to see a video of the testimony on the Wisconsin Eye website.

The bills (Senate Bill SB 135 and Assembly Bill AB172) are similar, modifying the Educational goals for the state's schools to require the teaching of the history of organized labor in America and the collective bargaining process. There are many good reasons to pass this bill.

It is expected the Senate will take up the bill in May.

Click here for a fact sheet in PDF format.

Other information supporting this bill can be found on the "News and Events" page.

Bay View Tragedy Event attracts crowd

The 123rd Anniversary Commemoration of the 1886 Bay View Tragedy was held on a sunny Sunday, May 3, 2009 at the Bay View Historical Marker Site at S. Superior St. and E. Russell Ave., on Milwaukee’s lakefront, before some 200 persons.

Amy Stear, Wisconsin director for 9 to 5, addressed the event, linking the struggles of the workers in 1886 with the current campaign to require paid sick days in Milwaukee. Popular folksinger Larry Penn, historian Stephen K. Hauser and other dignitaries attended. All full report will follow soon.

The commemoration has been held annually since 1986 (the 100^th Anniversary of the Tragedy) and has become a tradition. More than 200 are expected to attend the event which is held to remember the incident on May 5, 1886 when the state militia fired upon several thousand workers marching for the 8-hour day, killing seven. The tragedy was the deadliest in Wisconsin labor history. Some 1,500 workers, carrying signs in support of the 8-hour day, approached the Rolling Mills, then Milwaukee’s largest employer. Not hearing orders to halt, they were fired upon by the militia, and the deaths resulted. Rep. Gwen Moore addressed the 2008 Commemoration. (For full summary of event and article about the 2008 event, click HERE)

28th Annual Conference looks at union's and bad times

The 28th Annual Conference of the Wisconsin Labor History Society attracted 70 on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at the Neenah Menasha Labor Temple in Neenah. The topic was "Organizing in Hard Times: Unionization, De-unionziation and Re-unionization." and the discussion will involve how unions handled the changing economic times from the 1930s to the present day. (A full report will be available soon. Watch this site.)

Last year, the 27th Annual Conference of the Wisconsin Labor History Society looked at how vital immigrants were to the creation of our Wisconsin society and economy. More than 75 attended. Click Here for Full Report.

Texas students highlight

Wisconsin WC law

Wisconsin was one of the first states to initiate workers compensation, which became effective in 1911. That story is told on a video produced by students at Chester W. Nimitz High School in Houston TX. The project was done as an entry for National History Day and ended up as qualified for the national competition in Washington. The video tells the story of workers compensation in a compelling and interesting manner.

Teachers for the for the three 11th graders and a 9th grader were Barbi Petty and Linda Kleeman. You can view this video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcE6GJ05W0o.

WLHS is dedicated to:

Telling the public of the contributions of labor to Wisconsin.
Getting labor's story in the schools and colleges.
Preserving documents and records of workers and their unions.

WLHS is supported by:

Membership dues, Donations.
Volunteers who donate time and skills.
Support by local unions, labor councils, other groups.

Become a Member of WLHS: For easy-to-use Membership Application Form, click here .

Now available on CD:

'Stickin' with the Union: Songs from Wisconsin Labor History,' including the CD of 14 labor songs and a well-illustrated 32-page booklet. For order blank and more information, click here.

Visit Our Historical Site

The Wisconsin Workers Memorial in downtown Milwaukee, Zeidler Union Square Park, N. 4th and W. Michigan Sts.

Remember labor history by honoring loved ones

Formed in 1981, the Wisconsin Labor History Society exists to continue the heritage developed by the state's workers and union activists. What better way to remember the contributions of loved ones than to consider making a memorial donation to the Wisconsin Labor History . You may make donations in many different ways, such as by suggesting making the Society the receipt of gifts at the time of the person's death or by establishing a memorial in the person's name. Contact Ken Germanson, WLHS President.

Activities

Annual Conference highlights significant events in Wisconsin labor history.

The Special Legacy Fund which makes possible the Zeidler Academic Awards for Research Papers in Wisconsin Labor and Working-Class History.

Regular newsletter reports on events in labor history and activities of the Society.

Essay contest for Wisconsin high school students.

Zeidler Academic Awards given annually to graduate and undergraduate students for original research into Wisconsin labor and working-class history (named in honor of Frank P. Zeidler, former mayor of Milwaukee.)

Co-sponsorship of the Wisconsin Workers Memorial located in Zeidler Union Square Park in Milwaukee.

Sponsor of popular "Struggle for Justice" photo exhibit outlining farm worker organizing in the 1960s in Wisconsin.

Publisher of "Like Our Sisters Before Us: Women of Wisconsin Labor" highlighting stories of ten women who played roles in labor.

Co-sponsor of annual Bay View Tragedy commemoration honoring workers killed in 1886 workers' march in 8-hour work day campaign.

Participant in "Workers in Wisconsin History," a statewide observance saluting workers and unions under Wisconsin Sesquicentennial Commission.

Officers and Board -- 2008-2009 Term

Ken Germanson, President, Retired, Allied Industrial Workers Staff

Laurie Wermter, Vice President, AFSCME Local 2412, Madison

Bob Agen, Secretary, PACE Local 7-16, Appleton

Candice Owley, Treasurer, President, Wis. Fed. of Nurses and Health Professionals, Milwaukee

Directors

Joanne Bruch, Retired, IUE-CWA, Whitewater

Paul Cigler Jr., Teacher, Appleton

Carmen Clark, Educator / Marketing Consultant, Madison

Judith Gatlin, Wis. State Employees Union Local 1914, Eau Claire

John B. Jentz, Reference Librarian, Marquette Univ., Milwaukee

William P. Jones, Associate Prof. of History, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Harvey Kaye, Prof. of History, UW-Green Bay, Green Bay

Jim Lorence, Prof. of History (Retired), UW-Marathon County

Stephen Meyer, Department of History, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

David Nack, Faculty, UW School for Workers, Madison

David Newby, Pres. Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, Madison

Joseph Oswald, Staff, Wisconsin Laborers' District Council, Madison

James Reiland, Fox Valley Area Central Labor Council, Menasha Joanne Ricca, Staff Representative, Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, Milwaukee

Report of Activities – 2007

The Wisconsin Labor History Society is completing a most active and highly successful year 2007. Some of our major activities during the year were:

The 26^th Annual Meeting of the Society was held April 28 at University of Wisconsin’s Union South in Madison, on a theme of “American Labor, US Foreign Policy and War: From the ‘Cold War’ to the ‘War on Terror.’” More than 70 persons attended in a discussion that stirred controversy and insight into how workers and their unions have had an impact on the nation’s foreign policy, as well as how they have been affected. Professor Greg Grandin of NYU was principal speaker, outlining how President Reagan’s policies, principally in Latin America worked to both weaken the American Labor Movement and lessen the wages and conditions of working people. Perhaps the most stirring presentation was by Susannah Rasmussen, the granddaughter of Darina Rasmussen (now deceased, and a former board member of the WLHS). Ms. Rasmussen told how her grandmother was hounded during the 1950s due the activism she and her deceased husband had practiced for peace and justice.

More than 200 attended the 121st Commemoration of Bay View Tragedy on May 6. John Gurda, Milwaukee historian, was principal speaker, and along with Stephen Hauser, included remarks honoring the late Frank Zeidler, the onetime Milwaukee mayor who died in July, 2006 at age 93. Zeidler annually offered inspirational remarks at the event. This event memorializes the May 5, 1886 killing of seven persons by the State Militia who fired upon a crowd of workers marching on behalf of the eight-hour-day. This event has been held annually since 1986 under the sponsorship of the Society with planning done by a committee of interested persons.

The Society joined in support of SB 108 which would require the teaching of labor history and collective bargaining in Wisconsin schools, in collaboration with the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO. Testimony was provided at a Senate Committee hearing in December. Phil Neuenfeldt, Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer, and Ken Germanson cosigned an op-ed article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel supporting the measure, and Germanson participated on Joy Cardin’s Show on Dec. 11 to discuss the bill for Wisconsin Public Radio listeners.

Eight Wisconsin high school students were awarded a total of $1,500 for winning essays on labor history, in a continuance of the Society’s annual contest for high school students. Longtime Board Members Harvey Kaye of Green Bay and Paul Cigler Jr. of Appleton headed this effort.

The Society made a contribution of $1,000 for recognition awards for labor history topics that were made by Wisconsin children in National History Day events throughout state. This was the second time the Society took part in the NHD events; the interest that students took in labor projects has been encouraging and the WLHS Board has plans to continue working on the project again in 2008. Student projects depicted labor or working people themes on all regions of the state. Laurie Wermter, our vice president, has been directing this effort, and many of our Board members took time to participate in judging the regional and state programs.

The Frank P. Zeidler Legacy Scholarship of $1,000 was awarded to Maia Surdam, a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for her paper, “Migrant Camps and Family Farms: The Politics of Housing, Community, and Citizenship in Wisconsin Agriculture, 1930s-1970s.”. The Award was given in the graduate category for original research in the area of Wisconsin labor and working-class history. Wermter was the inspiration for this project and has been leading it.

Four newsletters were published, carrying the full texts of the winning high school essays, full reports on the conference activities, the Bay View Tragedy event and other information. Carmen Clark of Madison took over active editorship of the newsletters on a volunteer basis.

The Website has been upgraded and is up-dated regularly. (The website link is http://www.wisconsinlaborhistory.org.)

The Society provided instructors from among its Board members for Workshops on labor history at Wis. Council on Social Studies in March.

The Society for the third year in a row provided labor history presentations to some 30 Boy Scouts earning the labor merit badge at a program sponsored by IBEW Local 2150 in Milwaukee on Nov. 3. Doug Drake of the Steelworkers Union volunteered to instruct the Scouts. On the same day, the Society president instructed 26 Scouts at a similar program sponsored by UAW Local 95 in Janesville.

The Society set up exhibit tables at the annual Wisconsin Education Association Council annual conference in October in Milwaukee, staffed by volunteers, including Joyce and Jim Reiland, Paul Cigler Jr. and Ken Germanson.

The Society distributed an illustrated price sheet, depicting books, videos, voice recordings and other materials available for sale. Distribution continued on the "Stickin’ with the Union " package, which includes a 32-page booklet and labor songs, originally recorded by Larry Penn and Darryl Holter and republished as a CD.

The Society’s membership has remained stable. As of September, 2007, we had 142 individual members fully paid up, with 53 organizational memberships. In past years, we reported higher membership totals, but they also included various past members who were behind in their dues and other complimentary memberships. Our dues payments continue to be the single most important source of revenue.

The activities and success of the organization could not have been possible without the generous contributions or time and effort on the part of our members, whose volunteer activities are most appreciated. In addition, thanks must go also to the members whose dues help make this possible, as well as to many labor organizations that have joined as organizational members and also provided other support.

It is through the participation of so many of our supporters that helps to make it possible for us to continue our work to preserve and promote the story of the Wisconsin workers and their unions. -- Respectfully submitted, Kenneth A. Germanson, President, Feb. 1, 2008.

Texas students highlight Wisconsin WC law