By Terry L. Hicks LA CROSSE LABORS - Digitized Resources ...

LA CROSSE LABORS
W ESTERN
W ISCONSIN
AFL-CIO
S ta n d in g U p F o r W o r k e r s
- S in c e 1 9 0 2 -
By Terry L. Hicks
1

Author's Note
Now that this book has gone to print, I must
thank the many librarians at the La Crosse Public
Library on Main Street who endured my endless
requests for microfilm photocopies for 12 years on
and off.
I spent many hours asking archivists, Bill
Petersen and Anita Doering (and many others) in
the Archives Room of the library, for their
assistance with this project. They all provided it
without complaint and sometimes with a good
serving of humor.
La Cross Labors was written over the course of twelve years (1997 through
2009). From 1997 to 2001, I haunted the Archives Room during my meal breaks
from my job as a City of La Crosse bus driver. I searched through over 100 years of
microfilmed newspaper accounts of Labor Day, strikes and other labor union news as
I found peppered throughout the films.
I also owe a debt of gratitude to the office secretaries of the many unions that
generously provided me with officer and chartering information. These included
local, state and national union sources.
The Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO labor council believes in the value of
educating people about the history of workers and will place copies of this book in
every middle and high school in La Crosse, Monroe and Vernon Counties as well as
each public library in those counties.
Additionally, the labor council will begin offering modest cash prizes for
Wisconsin students participating in Wisconsin History Day each year, for those who
choose labor history, judged individually by the labor council. A copy of this work
may accompany each prize awarded to foster continued education on the subject of
organized labor.
2
Terry L Hicks, La Crosse Tribune 2008
photo

Preface
Is it Work or is It Labor?
Almost everyone has to labor for eight hours a day (or more) to earn their
daily bread. So it is fair to say that the acquisition and retention of it defines us.
While the actual performance of work refines us. The very necessity of that work
also confines us. It is the single most important aspect of every human being‟s life.
If important is defined as personally affecting the acquisition of life-supporting
means of providing for our living needs, by this usage.
It consumes over eighty percent of our waking hours, either in actually
laboring at it, traveling to it, or cleaning up from it, and then resting after it. It
defines us in both practical and philosophical terms. The job we hold by its‟ wages,
affects where we live, and how we dress, eat and recreate. Based on our ability to
afford the membership fees. It determines whether we attend social functions at
private clubs and expensive restaurants. Society judges us by our appearances to a
large extent. This being somewhat dependent on the material things we own. The
schools we attend and send our children to are decisions often driven by our income.
Money from our wages is quite often the deciding factor driving our behavior. Our
influence in society is greatly affected by the amount of wages we command.
Our own self-perception, as it relates to our refinement of manners and social
standing, is far too often determined by whether we see ourselves as average
laborers, or as professionals, based on our job titles and duties. Often we are selflimited
in our activities in our community by our own feelings of inferiority or
superiority, which our job definition and its wage scale dictate to us. We are
confined to a particular section of the town or city largely because of the amount of
money our wages allows us to budget for rent or home ownership. Those same
budget restrictions affect our children‟ schooling and recreation opportunities. Do we
belong to a fraternal club or the county club? Do we dine out at fine restaurants, or
at the nearest fast-food facility? Confinement of spirit is also evident in the
economic decisions our jobs‟ earning power dictates every day of our lives!
Yet in spite of these facts, most of us do not actively plan to acquire a specific
job. Most of us do not spend much time in planning our lives‟ work. Rather we allow
our geographical location and random chance to make the choices for us.
Additionally, many times, we simply follow the examples set by our parents and
other relatives, and enter the same occupation as them. Is this due to a lack of
reflection? Or is it because we instinctively respect and honor our family‟s standards
and traditions? The exceptions to this rule are the young students that listen to the
advice of skilled tradesmen and enter the world of apprenticeship. Studying for
many hours of schooling as well as practicing with hands-on work tasks, these future
workmen learn to be plumbers, steamfitters, carpenters, iron workers, electricians,
plasterers and many other building and trades occupations. The whole spectrum of
the human experience is rampant with examples of the conscious and unconscious
influence of our need to think about work. It permeates our entire life.
Even our birth is couched in terms of the workplace! The Doctor on duty, in
the delivery room, delivers us after our mother has gone into labor in the labor
room! After spending a few years in the care of our parents, we are bundled up and
sent off to school. Where, for the next twelve to sixteen years of our life, the
knowledge we gain and the training we acquire are primarily geared to preparing us
for a job and or career. Five days a week in the classroom, we do accomplish our
schoolwork. Then, for good measure, we bring home homework, which often
occupies some of our weekend hours.
Consider also our descriptions and conversations about our home life, our
schooling, and even our leisure time. We run our households by scheduling and
3

completing our housework. Many homes have a workroom used for the creation of
craftwork, or for repair work on our clothing or our homes‟ furnishings. A workshop
in the basement or garage, for woodworking, or other hobby work is rather
commonplace.
Each year the homeowner or renter faces yard work as the seasons change.
We work around the house and we do the chores, run our errands and work in the
garden. Then we also volunteer to do charity work and work as a volunteer for our
favorite cause! Even our very behavior and attitudes are given a work connotation,
as in when we are counseled to work at developing a good marriage and work at our
relationship with others, and to work to succeed, or work hard to get ahead. Work,
work, work, we are totally absorbed by it, and must bear it stoically, even if it is not
pleasurable or interesting. It is an immutable and immoveable force that must be
reckoned with.
Try as we might, we cannot successfully escape it. This being so, the wages
and conditions of the workplace should receive close scrutiny by the laborer.
Modification and improvement of wages and working conditions should be influenced
by any workplace organization that the workers can form. If one must devote the
greatest share of one's life to earning a living by work, one should assign the
greatest importance to any group or association that attempts to help control and
influence this work and its lifelong demands on our time and energies!
As might be expected of a topic so all consuming, humans have invented
many names and terms for themselves and their bosses. We announce to ourselves
and our families and associates many times a week that we are off to put our
shoulder to the wheel, or to put our nose to the grindstone. Leaving the home we
say goodbye and say to ourselves that it is time to head back to the sweatshop, do
the old nine to five, bring home the bacon, make a living or punch in and do our
shift.
When we arrive at our job, or occupation, trade, craft, task, work site,
workplace, business, store, factory, or place of work, we are met by our superior,
boss, chief, big wheel, big shot, big cheese, administrator, master, slave driver,
manager, overseer, taskmaster, proprietor, head honcho or owner. Whatever we
call our employer, they know us by many names as well such as, employee, staff,
human resource, personnel, team-member, crew-person, underling, inferior,
associate, workforce, hired hand, artisan, and tradesman, and craftsman,
subordinate or union member. Some employers even give almost all of their
employees the tiltle of Assistant Manager!
The wages and profits of work are the fuels that drives the engine of our
society. Wages and profits are created by the sweat, intellect, and energy of the
workers. Having stated this it follows that owners and employers are vital and allimportant
in this process. As a civilized society everyone must have adequate
resources to be able to fund the collectively agreed upon public needs. All wealth is
created by the mind and muscle of labor; a fair share of this wealth is the social
contract that the philosophers speak of. These wages and profits are in turn shared
with the local, state and federal governments, in differing proportions of taxation
levied upon the employees and employers, in a never ending battle of viewpoints of
what constitutes social justice and the ever opposing philosophies of our major
political parties, each with their own particular political agenda.
Earning a living means trading labor for wages to pay for shelter, food,
clothing and education for us and for families. These wages as previously mentioned
are subject to taxation by our governments. Then after having taken care of our
basic needs and obligations to our democratic institutions, we must play our
assigned roles as consumers in our free market economy. This role is an inherent
mainstay of our form of economy, and we are the primary market for our own
manufacturers, owners, and providers of services. Numerically, workers far and
4

away surpass those in our society that comprise the segment that are wealthy
owners and stockholders.
Tens of millions of workers purchase goods on a daily basis with the wages
that their own labor has earned them. The few thousands of millionaires or the
several hundreds of thousands of our extremely wealthy Americans do not purchase
goods in proportionally large enough numbers to drive the market by themselves.
So they too, have a vested interest in the well being of their employees, if they wish
to see a continued demand for these same goods and services. To put it succinctly,
well paid laborers help maintain and create generous and continuous profits and
growth of our economy.
This history of workers and work is limited generally to a few facts and
figures. These are more often than not, facts and figures emanating from a Labor
dispute, such as a work-stoppage or strike. Blue-collar history is sorely ignored by
virtue of the pragmatic nature of such work and its workers. Most unions and union
workers value their history very little as they are primarily driven to affect current
and future wages and benefits for their livelihood. Leaving a record for posterity is
left to the historians, whom for the large part are concerned with the powerful and
influential figures of history such as the movers and shakers of industry not the
worker bees!
This book then, is a modest effort to record the role unionism played in
helping to create the economic growth and prosperity that lead to the development
of our communities. The men, women and children, of the Coulee Region have
literally, as well as figuratively built this city, as well as many of the surrounding
towns and villages. The sons and daughters of toil have put their minds and lent
their muscles towards the creation of the state of Wisconsin.
Using the archives of the Wisconsin and National AFL-CIO, the La Crosse
Trades and Labor Council, the La Crosse AFL, the La Crosse Industrial Trades Council
CIO, the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO, along with their house publications; the Labor
Review, the Labor Leader and the La Crosse Union Herald (now known as the Union
Herald), the records of workers and their unions have been vigorously mined. Each
local union was contacted multiple times over the past dozen years and many added
their knowledge to the data. Additionally,
microfilmed copies of La Crosse newspaper,
from the middle 1800‟s up to the modern era
have been scrolled through by the author and
data relating especially to the commemoration
of Labor Day, and labor strikes, has been used
for this work. Many other sources have lent
their information to this work; they have been
cited in the many footnotes.
After a dozen years of on and off work
on this book 1 , it now has gone to print. I hope
it helps to preserve the history of the local
labor movement, which has benefited so many
working families of the Coulee Region.
This book was printed by members of GCIU Local 23P, Sparta, WI
1
An article titled, Labor History will soon be told ran in the August 17, 1997 issue of the La Crosse
Tribune. In it, Hicks asked the readers of the general public to contact him with news and photos of any
members of their families that had union history to share. The response was minimal, leading in no small
part to the length of time required to complete the work.
5

Dedication
As a life-long union member (34 years) of the blue-collar working class of
America*, I hesitated when the thought of writing a dedication came to mind. It
seems a bit pretentious, as I don‟t pretend to imply that this modest attempt at
writing is worthy of such a bookish thing as a formal dedication. But here goes
anyway! I dedicate this book first to all the union-workers who have labored and
who currently labor throughout the Coulee Region. Secondly, I dedicate it to my
parents, spouse and family. Thank you, Elton Hicks, Helen (Malay) Hicks, and Mary
(Kerrigan) Hicks, Amy (Hicks) Mc Govern and Terry Patrick Hicks, your patience and
assistance with this project was unbounded and constant. Thank you very much to
the affiliates and delegates of the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO for your fiscal, fact
gathering help and your moral support of this labor of love.
I end with this disclaimer. Any omissions, errors or other mistakes are either
mine, or exist because of the lack of accurate records about the many unions I have
attempted to write about in this work. Typically, working people do not have the
time to recount their union history and they do not believe anyone else is remotely
interested in reading about it! So, while the mention or history of any union that is
not included in this accounting of union history is unavoidable and unfortunate, it is
not unexpected by the author.
My Father, Elton O. Hicks was a long-time member of AFSCME Local 407 and
then SEIU Local 180, retiring from his job with the City of La Crosse in 1980. My
Mother had been a member of Rubber Workers Local 14, while employed by the La
Crosse Rubber Mills. Her father and grandfather were life-long members of Local
509 as they worked for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, here in La
Crosse. Joseph Benjamin Malay began working for the CB&Q RR in June of 1918 as
a section laborer. Which he worked at until December of 1921when he became a RR
Crossing watchman. In January of 1923 (when Helen L. Malay {Hicks} was born) he
went to work in the Round House as an engine cleaner. For a brief period he worked
in the Freight House and then as a Section Foreman from April of 1925 until his
retirement on May 15, 1963. His father, James Benjamin Malay started his career
with the CB &Q RR on August 1, 1900 and ended it with his retirement on November
30, 1937. James was a Section Foreman also, working out of La Crosse Division 5.
He started as a Section laborer which he worked at from August 1, 1900 until May
24, 1911. The remainder of his career he served as a Section Foreman. This was a
combined service to the railroad of 82 years and 3 months by this father and son.
*Author's Union History, Membership:
Rubber Workers Local 14 1965-1968**
Meat-cutters Local 444 and 73 1970-1976
A.T.U. Local 519 1978-2001
A.T.U. Local 519 retired 2001-2009
Autho'rs Union History, Union Offices Held:
ATU Local 519 Fin. Sec. /Treas. 1993-1995
La Crosse AFL-CIO vice president 1996-1998
La Crosse AFL-CIO president 1999-2003
Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO 2003-2009
Editor Union Herald, Inc. 1999-2009
**Retention of Seniority Rights during the years of 1966-1968 while serving in the U.S. Army
6

Table of Contents
Preface 3
Dedication 6
Chapter One..........Early La Crosse Living Conditions 8
Chapter Two..........The American Labor Movement 12
Chapter Three........Local Labor Bodies and Publications 23
Chapter Four..........Local Union's History 65
Chapter Five...........Locally Held Labor Conventions 105
Chapter Six............Striking Unions 130
Chapter Seven.......City Wide Strike of 1920 187
Chapter Eight.........La Crosses' Most Violent Strike 198
Chapter Nine..........Striking the Rubber Mills 236
Chapter Ten...........Founding of the Trane Machinists Union 250
Chapter Eleven.......Telephone Strikes 273
Chapter Twelve......Labor Day in La Crosse 280
Chapter Thirteen....La Crosse Mayoral Influence on Labor 325
Chapter Fourteen...Fallen Workers 335
Chapter Fifteen......Wages, Jobs and the Cost of Living 252
Appendix
List One.......Labor Council Officers 356
List Two.......Local Union Officers 364
List Three....Union Employment 376
List Four......La Crosse Consumer Prices 384
List Five......Officers & Delegates of the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO 388
List Six........Labor Council Affiliates & Current Officers 398
7

Chapter One: Early La Crosse Living Conditions
Myrick is not just the name of a Park
La Crosse historians consider Nathan Myrick to be the founding father of the
city. Settling here in 1841 on an island in the middle of the river, Nathan arranged
to have one hundred cords of wood cut during the winter, which he sold to the
steamboats plying the river in the spring of 1842. Using the resources gained from
this business, Myrick moved his trading post to the mainland and built a permanent
fur trading business there. Fur trading along with white pine lumbering quickly
became a successful enterprise and spurred additional settlement and development
of this area. The existence of a deep, clear natural harbor, which was naturally
scoured by the quick currents of the rivers, played a large role in the creation of
La Crosse. Situated as it was at the juncture of three rivers, with a large flat terrace
of land that lent its‟ self to development helped to convince other pioneers to make
this location their home.
Trading with the local Native American Indians for furs, and exploiting the
large stands of pines were the two factors that initiated the choice of the location of
this city. Importing supplies and manufactured goods for both the Native Americans
and selling the same to the lumber workers, allowed early businessmen to flourish.
Sawmills were in operation by 1852; these sawmills were supplied by the Black River
pineries that moved the logs down the rivers to La Crosse. 2 Later in his life, Nathan
Myrick donated land, which today houses a municipal zoo, a children‟s playground
and a public park.
The county of La Crosse was chartered in 1851; just three years after
Wisconsin entered the union as a state (1848). The village of La Crosse was
incorporated as a city in 1856. A city-council/mayoral form of government was
adopted by charter. Plying the rivers with steamboats, settlers and supplies flowed
into the area. By 1856 two hundred steamboats a month were entering the city.
Road building had commenced by 1845 with the first one being cut out of the woods
as an ox and wagon trail out of Prairie du Chien up to La Crosse. Railroads quickly
followed suit, by October 1858 the La Crosse and Milwaukee Railroad had laid a line
into the city. 3 Many on these early stage roads, railroad lines, and steamboat
routes continued on into northern Wisconsin and with the use of local ferries into
Minnesota. This combination of transportation systems gave the city the nickname
of the Gateway City.
Early Workers of La Crosse
What were the working people like in this era? Nearly all the men were
bearded. The women were generally dressed in long-sleeved, high-necked, fulllength
dresses, when in public. Homemade clothes were worn by the working class
families, while the stovepipe hats, and high collars with black frock coats of the era
were worn by men of higher incomes. Those individuals living and trading within the
city, walked on wooden sidewalks and across unpaved dirt streets. The homes and
businesses were constructed out the logs and plain sawed boards harvested from
native stock. 4 Mail delivery was weekly, coming from Baraboo, Black River Falls,
Lansing, Iowa, and St. Paul, Minnesota. When winter set in isolation from the other
communities was a frequent occurrence. Occasional sleds arrived from other
localities bringing welcomed communications from outside.
2 History of La Crosse, Wisconsin 1841-1900, Albert H. Sanford and H.J. Hirsheimer, La Crosse County
Historical Society, 1951
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
8

A school superintendent was chosen in 1856 and brick school buildings were
constructed, the first being called the third ward school, currently the site of the
Lincoln elementary school. 5 Where did these men and women work? By the second
year of the Civil War, La Crosse had a population of about 4,000 citizens. The city of
La Crosse was incorporated in 1856 and by 1861, the fifth year of its life it had the
following businesses established; three bakeries, two banks, three book and
stationery stores as well as one bookbinder. There were seven blacksmith shops and
five carpenter shops, one coppersmith and three gunsmiths in the town. To try to
keep the men looking their best three barbershops, and eight clothing stores
operated at this time. Four milliners kept shops, along with six jewelry stores, four
dressmakers, and two hat and cap makers cared for the fairer sex. All these
concerns were constantly striving to keep the women of La Crosse in fashion with
their wares or services. 6 Men were employed at four foundries, ten lumber and
shingle mills, and three plow factories and a sash and blind factory.
Many women were occupied in employment at four different soap and candle
factories, a woolen factory, and two confectionery plants, along with fourteen hotels
located throughout the city. The three breweries along with three distilleries were
kept busy supplying the twenty-one saloons in town. This served the workers‟ need
for beverages. Four wholesale liquor stores and two tobacconists operated their
businesses during this period. 7 Children were employed throughout the workplace
during this era. A dozen physicians practicing medicine provided health care. If legal
disputes arose over land or the affairs of life, a dozen law firms were ready to assist.
Publicity about news items occurring locally appeared in one of the three newspapers
published at this time. Citizens purchased them at any of the five news stands in
town. 8 In addition to those industries and businesses mentioned above, the
following industries and businesses also existed in La Crosse at this time. Other
employers included a broom making factory, a cracker factory, a match factory, a
stoneware pottery factory, a steamboat building factory, a brick making
manufacturer and a stone quarry and marble cutting industry. 9
Boats and Boards, Rails and Manufacturing, The Genealogy of Local Work
The Early Years (1860‟s until 1940‟s)
In the formative years, shoe and boot makers unionized and struggled to
improve their working conditions and wages. They were closely followed by the
men, women and children that worked in the many Saw Mills that also provided the
raw materials needed for constructing steamboats along with other river boats. Boat
building was an industry that employed large numbers of workers in the late 1800‟s
and early 1900‟s. While records of unionization of the steamboat manufacturing and
sawmill industry are sparse, it is evident that working with lumber and wood was the
primary source of employment for the early union members of the Coulee region.
After the demise of the lumber industry and steamboat building, the union labor was
absorbed by local manufacturing and the local railroad lines to a large degree. Many
becoming members of the local Knights of Labor.
The chronology of local union labor runs from sawmills and railroads to
manufacturing (to include shoe and boot making) and the rapid expansion of
5
History of La Crosse, Wisconsin 1841-1900, Albert H. Sanford and H.J. Hirsheimer, La Crosse County
Historical Society, 1951
6
La Crosse County Historical Society Sketches, Series Four, H.J. Hirsheimer, 1938
7
La Crosse County Historical Society Sketches, Series Five, H.J. Hirsheimer, 11951
8
Ibid.
9
La Crosse County Historical Society Sketches, Series Four, H.J. Hirsheimer, 1938
9

membership and the formation of building and trades unions. Many of which were in
direct response to early conditions in the breweries and factories of La Crosse.
Railroads were the next large employer of workers and they hired large
quantities of car builders, car repairers, and track and right-of-way maintenance
workers, along with engineers, brakemen, conductors and firemen. They also
employed telegraph operators, and station workers and blacksmiths. It would be
many decades before large numbers of railroad workers would lose their employment
due to the downsizing of the number of railroads operating in La Crosse and the
mechanizing of equipment. Firemen went the way of the blacksmiths, when the
diesel engine was invented and brakemen were no longer needed to the extant they
had been with the advent of air brakes and automatic coupling of railcars.
Likewise the men, women and children employed in candy-making, food
preparation and cigar making also lost their livelihoods as customs changed and
machines took over their tasks. Marble cutter‟s, tailor‟s, coopers, horseshoe‟s, and
packing house employees all lost their jobs due in large part, to the modernization of
their crafts and/or products. Some local unions were very short-lived. For instance
the newspaper boys of the town had a union organization for only one or two years
before lapsing into oblivion. Button Makers (Pearl Button Company) also enjoyed a
short time span, as did filling station employees, newspaper writers (La Crosse
Tribune) and the workers laboring in the wholesale trade lost their union within a
couple of years. Union broom makers in La Crosse saw their jobs swept out of
existence early in the century.
Ice and Coal, Laundry and Dry Cleaning
For many decades the men and women that worked at several of the ice and
coal dealers in La Crosse enjoyed union wages. Modern refrigeration and heating
devices such as fuel oil and gas fed furnaces and refrigerators, ended the need for
coal and ice. The home washing machine and dryer probably played a large role in
the death of the industrial laundries and dry cleaning business that once flourished in
La Crosse.
Steamboat, Sawmill and Farming Parts Manufacturing Circa: late 1800's
By 1881 there were several firms supplying the equipment needs of the boatbuilding
industry, flour mills, saw-mills and farming needs. In addition to plows and
cultivators, stoves, pumps, windmills, and iron castings of all descriptions.
The Pioneer Foundry, John James Company, La Crosse Plow Works, Smith
and Merrill-Machinists, the George Pierce Sash, Door and Blind Factory, the O.K.
Ffflastad Windmill and Pump concern along with numerous saw-mills kept a steady
supply of work for hundreds of men, women and children in the La Crosse area.
The James Foundry manufactured, steam-engines, waterwheels, saw and
flour mill and steamboat machinery and employed between forty and fifty men in
1881. That same year saw about thirty men working at the La Crosse Plow Works.
The Smith and Merrill machinists made the Clipper Thrashing Machine" and employed
forty-five men. The sash company employed about twenty workers.
During this era the Freeman and Company Flouring Mills employed sixty-five
men in their milling business. They were selling 140 pounds of flour for the London,
England market as well as many domestic concerns.
Modern Era
Six large manufacturers' employed several thousands of La Crosse union
members who, as members of United Auto Workers Local‟s labored at Allis Chalmers,
the Auto Lite, La Crosse Cooler, La Crosse Trailer Company, Bump Pump and
Northern Plastics. Consolidation of factories caused Allis Chalmers and the Auto Lite
to close their La Crosse operations. The La Crosse Trailer Company was absorbed
10

into a new corporate entity (Paper Calmenson, now known as PACAL) and Bump
Pump became Northern Plastics. Carpenters, Millwrights and Cabinet Makers lost
their jobs when the church furniture and the window and sash factories closed their
doors. At one time these companies were among the largest employers in the city.
Public Government Employees‟ Unions
Shortly following the end of World War Two, a spate of municipal, county,
state and federal workers formed unions as members of the American Federation of
State, County and Municipal Employees International Union (or AFSCME). This would
come to include city of La Crosse employees, County, State and U.S Government
workers such as Street, Water, and Sewer, Airport, Park, Highway and public
services departments. Such locations as the area Electric Cooperatives, Telephone
Companies, Power Plants, Dairies, County Nursing Homes, Schools and Colleges all
had workers that were enrolled as union members.
Eat, Drink, Sleep, Shop and Get a Haircut, the Union Way
Up to the early 1960‟s, almost every tavern and grocery store in La Crosse
was unionized. As were many of the retail clerks, clothing and shoe store
employees. Sadly, today there is not one unionized tavern in the entire city. And,
today there are only two union grocery stores left in the area (Woodman's in
Onalaska) and the Peoples' Food Coop). Once hosting dozens of barber shops, La
Crosse now has two union barber shops left, both on the North side of La Crosse
(Burr's and Krafts). Hotels once boasted being a union-house, today they are all
either motels or if a hotel, are unorganized. (See Appendix List Four),
Union bugs and bands
Union bands and orchestra‟s went the way of automobile clutches. They are
virtually nonexistent in today‟s market in the La Crosse area. Getting papers printed
union once meant choosing between many union printers, today, only a tiny portion
of Inland Printing is left as a union printer in La Crosse. All the local public
newspapers are non-union. In fact the only Union operated newspaper is the Union
Herald, inc. the official organ of the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO. The tiny union logo
that once graced most publications is called a union bug, it is on the endangered list
to a large degree as far as La Crosse goes. (See Appendix List Four)
Federal Census Snapshot of Work and Workers 2000
The 2000 census indicates that there were 99,842 individuals over the age of
16 living in the greater La Crosse area. Of these 70,075 were listed as workers.
67,178 of those workers were employed at the time the census was enumerated.
80% of those working commuted to work. The average travel time to reach work
was 18 minutes. 3,235 of those workers either took a bus or taxi to work.
20,992 workers were in management. 11,047 were in service occupations.
420 were employed either in farming or fishing. 17,924 earned a living in sales.
5,393 were in the skilled trades. 11,402 were in production, transportation and
material moving occupations. 10,700 workers were employed in manufacturing jobs.
54,375 workers earned a wage or salary, and 8,696 earned that wage as
government employees. The income of 3,815 was less than $10.000 a household,
3,001 earned between $10,000 and $14,999 and $7,273 earned $15,000 to
$24,999. Another 7,123 earned between $25,000 to $34,999. 697 households have
incomes over $200,000. The average household income was $39,692.
12,105 individuals were listed as living in poverty. 20,748 households owned
two vehicles. The vast majority of homes were heated with utility gas or LP gas.
But, 1,043 homes were still heated by coal. 342 homes were heated by solar
energy.
11

Chapter Two: The American Labor Movement
“We in the labor movement know that you don’t have to be a union member to support
the doctrine of human rights, but we also know that without human rights there can be no
free labor movement.” George Meany, president AFL-CIO
Organized Labor, Why We Need It, How It Works
Webster‟s‟ dictionary defines a labor union as the organization in any industry
made up of the workers employed there, for the purpose of collectively bargaining
with their employers over terms of their employment and conditions of their work.
In blue-collar terms, unions exist to secure for all workers their dignity and safety on
the job. And, to gain economic justice for all workers and their families for such
work performed. Unions are battling in the modern era to survive in the global
marketplace in an economy that demands cheaper and cheaper wages.
An old labor truism from the Eight-Hour-Day-Movement of yesteryear put it in
simple terms states that workers wanted - "Eight Hours for Work, Eight Hours for
Rest, and Eight Hours for What we Will!" The battle for the eight-hour day was
eventually won. But, even this simple and commonly accepted benchmark of what
constitutes a humane and just workday, is now again under attack. Individual
workers cannot hope to stand up to the sophisticated and highly organized efforts of
the global corporations that demand these severe labor law changes. If history has
taught the average person anything it should be that the individual could attain a
little, but that groups of individuals banded together can attain greater benefits,
protections and rights for all members of the community! Unions, in particular, are
based on the premise that all workers will work together to secure improvements for
each employee. Labor does not limit these goals to just those individuals in the
union movement but, rather all of our nation‟s workers and their families.
This is the subject that this work (there‟s that word again) will attempt to deal
with. La Crosse has a rich and varied heritage of their blue collar laborers and their
labor organizations and I will try to follow the advice of Charles Dickens character in
his novel Hard Times when he said, “Facts...Facts alone are wanted in life.” Or as
the late actor Jack Webb said on the old television show Dragnet, “The Facts Ma‟am,
Just give us the facts!” The facts are out there, and I have liberally mined the
depositories wherein they rest. It is my pleasure to have been allowed to uncover
them and after shaking the dust and dirt of inattention off them, to expose them
now, for the first time to the full sunlight of public examination. Many thoughts and
many pundits have remarked on work and labor, a few are examined for their
valuable comments on this subject.
“Home is the girl‟s prison and the woman‟s workhouse,” wrote George
Bernard Shaw on the subject of housework and being a housekeeper. Countless
thousands of coulee region women and girls have learned firsthand the meanings of
these words. James Russell Lowell penned these lines on the other genders‟ efforts,”
"No man‟s born into the world, whose work is not born with him; there is always
work, And tools to work withal, for those who will: And blessed are the horny hands
of toil!” The labor movement has deep roots and union labor is older than most
would believe. In fact it is just as old as Christianity itself!
Consider the Bible and the following quotes. “Come to me, all you who labor
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” 10 Labor is frequently mentioned in
the Bible, which reads, “By the sweat of your face shall you get bread to eat, until
you return to the ground, from which you were taken; for you are dirt and to dirt you
10 Mathew 11, 28
12

shall return.” 11 “He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, but he who follows
frivolity is devoid of understanding.” 12 Having quoted a few biblical writings that
relate to the issue of work and workers, I would direct your thoughts now to the
pedigree of labor unions. They are not as recent or radical as many would have you
believe.
In a book, The Day Christ Died, 13 that Jim Bishop authored, an ancient
reference to labor unions is cited. Bishop consulted theologians, scholars and even
the Pope of the Catholic Church, (at the time of the writing of his book it was, His
Holiness Pius XII). This work treated the last day of Jesus‟ life hour by hour, each
hour of that day comprising a chapter of the book. The day was April 6, A.D. 30. In
a chapter called Background (on page 58), Bishop writes of unions that existed in the
Jewish world that Christ lived in. He was detailing the everyday influences that
ordinary men and women of that time faced in the business of living and working.
He wrote...Unions were organized and labor guilds were held in esteem. Before a
new union was organized, it was necessary to get the permission of the Roman
Emperor, who withheld it only if his advisors told him that the union was being
organized for seditious purposes. The unions throughout Palestine regulated the
working hours for the various crafts, regulated the days of work, negotiated for
better salaries, and insured members against losses in donkeys and tools.
Having noted the ancient lineage of unionism, what is the worth of recounting
the philosophical value of it? For those that wonder of the worth of a history of
workers and their labors‟, I quote those two wits... “It is one thing to show a man
that he is in an error, and another to put him in possession of the truth.” from the
English philosopher John Locke, and lastly from the author, Samuel Johnson,
“Whatever withdraws as from the power of our senses; whatever makes the past,
the distant, or the future predominate over the present, advances us in the dignity of
thinking beings.”
Looking Backwards, Edward Bellamy
The best explanation for why we need a worker-driven economic voice in our
society to protect all of our workers and fellow citizens that I have found is explained
by a passage from Edward Bellamy‟s book, Looking Backward (2000-1887). 14
Bellamy wrote this novel which first appeared in print in 1888 using the
premise that it was the writing of a man from the year 1887 that had fallen into a
trance and had not awakened until the year 2000. Using this method of writing and
speaking as a person looking back on social conditions he last viewed 113 years ago,
he was able to address social issues he keenly felt with biting irony and wit.
When he wrote this novel, child labor still existed, the eight-hour day was still
to be won, labor laws and protections were mostly nonexistent and unions were in
their infancy. It is an eloquent allegory that puts in the language of his era, simple
but movingly philosophical, it is the premise of the redistribution of wealth among
the nation‟s peoples.
Now we are nine years in advance of Bellamys' mythical future of the
millennium of the year 2000. The battle for social justice as well as for economic
fairness for all still continues. Child labor has been addressed very well in American,
but is still prevalent in many countries and hard-won labor laws and protections for
all workers are once again on the budgeter‟s chopping block. Cloaking his personal
socialism beliefs in prose, Bellamy wrote this telling analogy...“Perhaps I cannot do
better than to compare society as it then was to a prodigious coach who the masses
11 Proverbs, Chapter 12, Verse 11
12 Colossians Chapter 3, Verses 23 and 24
13 Harper Brothers, New York, 1957
14 Published in 1887, Tichor and Company and in 1951 by Random House, Inc.
13

of humanity were harnessed to and dragged toilsomely along a very hilly and sandy
road. The driver was hunger, and permitted no lagging, though the pace was
necessarily very slow. Despite the difficulty of drawing the coach at all along so hard
a road, the top was covered with passengers who never got down, even at the
steepest ascents.”
Bellamy implied of course, that the rich are always among us and that some
of them will feel fine about economic injustice in spite of the suffering of the masses
no matter the degree of pain and sorrow accompanying it. Continuing he wrote,
“But did they think only of themselves? You ask. Was not their very luxury rendered
intolerable to them by comparison with the lot of their brothers and sisters in the
harness, and the knowledge that their own weight added to the toil?”
This paragraph further heightened the passions of injustice that Bellamy
strove to imply. Next Bellamy tried to embarrass the social views of those that were
empowered with wealth and influence by parodying the justification those arguments
that were in vogue at the time of his authoring this book. “I am well aware that this
will appear to the men and women of the twentieth century an incredible inhumanity,
but there are two facts, both very curious, which partly explain it. In the first place,
it was firmly and sincerely believed that there were was no other way in which
Society could get along, except the many pulled at the rope and the few rode, and
not only this, but that no very radical improvement ever was possible, either in the
harness, the coach, the roadway, or the distribution of the toil. It had always been
as it was, and it always would be so. It was a pity, but it could not be helped, and
philosophy forbade wasting compassion on what was beyond remedy.”
The final example of Bellamys' parodying I wish the reader to consider is one
that some use to calm their troubled social conscience, even to this day. “The other
fact is yet more curious, consisting in a singular hallucination, which those on the top
of the coach generally shared, that they were not exactly like their brothers and
sisters who pulled at the rope, but of finer clay, in some way belonging to a higher
order of beings that might justly expect to be drawn. This seems unaccountable,
but, as I once rode on this very coach and shared that very hallucination, It ought to
be believed. The strangest thing about the hallucination was that those who but just
climbed up from the ground, before they had outgrown the marks of the rope upon
their hands, began to fall under its influence."
As for those whose parents and grandparents before them had been so
fortunate as to keep their seats on the top, the conviction they cherished of the
essential difference between their sort of humanity and the common article was
absolute. The effect of such a delusion in moderating fellow feeling for the sufferings
of the mass of men into a distant and philosophical passion is obvious. To it I refer
as the only extenuation I can offer for the indifference which, at the period I write of,
marked my own attitude toward the misery of my brothers.” With little modernizing
of the thoughts of Bellamy, many of his analogies still ring true still today.
National Labor Organizations
A brief explanation of the early National Organizations of Labor will help to
explain the emergence of unionism and organizational efforts in the La Crosse area.
America unions began as individual unions specializing in their own peculiar craft or
trade, not unlike the Knights of St. Crispin of Milwaukee and Wisconsin. The
craftsmen of colonial America formed unions or guilds, among the printers,
cabinetmakers, carpenters, cordwainers 15 and cobblers in many cities. By 1794 the
first strike occurred in New York, where the printers struck for their wages and
shorter hours. Next were the cabinetmakers of that city in 1796. Philadelphia saw
15 These were workers that made shoes
14

strikes by the carpenters in 1797 and the cordwainers in 1799. By 1834 many of
these unions had sought to form a national association. The National Trades‟ Union
was established in five cities among the craftsmen. This group was short-lived and
because of the financial panic of 1839, it perished. The next national attempt to
create an association occurred in 1866; unions sent delegates to Baltimore, Maryland
and formed The National Labor Union. Once again a financial depression ended this
attempt in 1873. 16
Knights of Labor
This set the scene for the next attempt at national organizing and this time it
was successful! On to the scene came a garment cutter named Uriah Stephens of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mr. Stephens was the father of the Knights of Labor!
The history of the Knights of Labor begins in 1871, but it existed as a secret
organization until 1878. In Philadelphia, Mr. Stephens and seven others formed
assembly number 1. Later when an organizer appeared in La Crosse, the group
numbered nationally, 80,000 members.
1893, Wisconsin Federation of Labor Founded (AFL)
During the Knights of Labor era in La Crosse the
Wisconsin State Federation of Labor was founded in 1893 in
Milwaukee. At a convention held in June of 1893, Frank J.
Weber, an associate of Samuel Gompers, was the founding
father of the federation, and sent out invitations to the
unionists in Milwaukee, Madison, Marinette, Oshkosh, West
Superior, Racine and Ashland to meet in convention on June 6,
7 and 8 at Fraternity Hall in Milwaukee. Frank Weber was
elected as temporary chairman and John Scheel, a member of
Cigarmakers Local 168 of Oshkosh was elected as temporary
secretary.
At the time of this convention, Frank Weber was the
A.F.L. organizer for the state of Wisconsin. Prior to this he had
been both a union carpenter and a member of the Knights of
Labor. The Wisconsin State Labor body was the fifth such group
chartered by the A.F.L. Only New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois
and Massachusetts preceded Wisconsin.
This convention established a fifteen-point platform, which included the
David Newby,
President
of the Wisconsin
AFL-CIO
following goals of organized labor of this era;
1. Educate and encourage union members to vote.
2. Free and full expression of opinion by both sexes.
3. Education of the masses to include mandatory attendance by children in
public schools.
4. Eliminate child labor and child labor abuse by enacting strong legislation.
5. Establishment of laws protecting health and safety on the job.
6. Removal of anti-boycott laws from Wisconsin.
7. Remove political influence from all charities and educational institutions.
8. A shorter working day.
9. A national banking system.
10. Publicly owned railroads, telephone, telegraphs, gas, electric, and water and
street railway systems.
11. Public ownership of all mines and soil.
12. Creation of public referendums for making laws.
16 AFL-CIO American Federalist, March 1981
15

13. All members of unions must become U.S. citizens.
14. Pinkerton agencies or the like must be outlawed.
15. Unionists must remain independent of any militia units. 17
Delegates from six central labor councils attended the founding of the
Wisconsin State Federation of Labor; Ashland, Madison, Marinette, Milwaukee,
Oshkosh and West Superior.
Statewide Knights of Labor Organization Considered, 1893
The Knights of Labor were not insensitive to the weak position a lack of a
state body of the Knights of Labor would leave the organization due to the AFL‟s
founding of a State Federation of Labor in Wisconsin. Consequently it acted in
September in answer to that move by the AFL. Significantly and importantly for the
Knights of the La Crosse area, the founding session of this answering body was
conducted in La Crosse.
A Meeting was held at Solberg‟s Hall on September 5, 1893. Fifty
representatives from across the state met and elected temporary officers. Mayor C.
H. Badeau of Merrill was elected Chairman and John Marquett of La Crosse was made
Secretary. This body would be the mediator for all strikes, boycotts and labor
disputes and would invite all other unions and farmers‟ alliances to join. This body
would federate all labor organizations in the state into one body. Railroad men were
in attendance at this founding convention in La Crosse. This was the first time the
Knights had involved themselves in the matters of organized labor here in La Crosse,
according to the newspaper account of the event. 18 Merrill had the largest
delegation in attendance, sending its mayor and nine other men. Thursday in La
Crosse all Knights of Labor Assemblies were to meet in convention in La Crosse and
attend a three-day state convention, except for the Milwaukee district.
1893, Wisconsin Creates State Labor Day, One Year before U. S. Congress
` In this same year, 1893 the Wisconsin Legislature established the holiday of
Labor Day as a legally recognized state holiday preceding the U.S. Government by
one year. President Henry Ohl Jr. wrote in 1926, “The purposes to which Labor Daylabor‟s
day- is dedicated are reflected in the aspirations of all humankind. Liberty,
justice and equal opportunity for all to enjoy the advantages afforded in a world of
resources, peopled by industrious workers, is the goal to which labor aspires.” Ohl
also went on to state, “The labor union, the vanguard of the masses in their march
toward higher human standards, every championing equal opportunity, must persist
in these efforts. From the kindergarten to the university our forces must safeguard
our institutions of learning. The roadside must leave no human driftwood. Culture
and knowledge, however, are of little value in individuals who, however
accomplished, isolate themselves from the rest of humanity by situating themselves
on a social pedestal.” 19
Wisconsin State Federation of Labor AFL Presidents
1893-1917 Frank Weber
1917-1940 Henry Ohl Jr.
1940-1943 Herman Seide
1943-1958 George Hableman
17 Wisconsin Labor (published by the Wisconsin Federation of Labor) Red Newton, 1977-78 pages 9-18
18 Not correct see pages 22-30 of this publication
19 Labor Day Speech by President Henry Ohl Jr. Wisconsin Federation of Labor, 1926
16

Wisconsin State Federation of Labor AFL-CIO Presidents
1958-1966 George Hableman
1966-1983 John Schmidt
1983-1993 Jack Rheil
1993-2008 David Newby
Wisconsin Creates Labor Day Holiday, 1898
John G. Harmon of Chippewa Falls was one of those responsible for the
creation of Labor Day as a state holiday in 1893. A group of logging workmen
suggested that W.H. Stanford, a pioneer lawyer of Chippewa Falls prepare a bill
which was entitled, “An Act to Make Labor Day a Legal Holiday”, and forwarded it to
John G. Harmon, who was then a representative in the assembly. The bill was
introduced and became law. It became Chapter 271, Laws of 1893. This was
published and became effective on May 2, 1898.
American Federation of Labor (AFL) Founded, 1886
The AFL (American Federation of Labor) was founded by Samuel Gompers
and Peter McGuire, after the death of the National Labor Union and was competing
for members along with the Knights of Labor for several years, both nationally and
locally. Samuel Gompers was elected President of the AFL at the founding
convention in Columbus, Ohio on December 8, 1886.
Peter Mc Guire was elected Secretary. Gompers was a member of the
Cigarmakers Union and Mc Guire was from the Carpenters Union. An early
statement from the founders of the AFL states their mission. “The various trades
have been affected by the introduction of machinery, the subdivision of labor, and
the use of women‟s and children‟s labor and the lack of an apprentice system-so that
the skilled trades were rapidly sinking to the level of pauper labor."
"To protect the skilled labor of America form being reduced to beggary and to
sustain the standard of American workmanship and skill, the trades unions
of America have been established.” Early in the AFL‟s history women‟s rights were
addressed. In the convention of 1894 the AFL adopted a resolution that stated,
“Women should be organized into trade unions to the end that they may scientifically
and permanently abolish the terrible evils accompanying their weakened,
unorganized state; and we demand that they receive equal compensation with men
for equal services provided.” When it was established in 1886, the AFL was
comprised of 25 International Unions with a membership of 300,000 workers.
President Gompers would lead the AFL for the next several decades and would face
the challenges of the Homestead Strike in 1892 and the Pullman Strike in 1894.
Life and Death of Samuel Gompers, Founder of AFL
Samuel Gompers was born in London, England on January 27, 1850 and died
in San Antonio, Texas on December 13, 1924. His father immigrated with his family
to New York when Samuel was 15 years old. Gompers father was a cigar maker and
Sam followed in his footsteps, quickly becoming a union member of a New York cigar
making firm. He was chosen to serve as a “reader” by his fellow Cigarmakers. This
meant that the Cigarmakers being read to, donated a portion of the cigars they
made towards Sam‟s total for the day. Pay was computed on each Cigarmakers‟
piece work at the end of each day of work.
Gompers became president of the AFL when he was 31 years old. Gompers
served as president of the AFL from 1881 until his death in 1924, or a total of 43
years. In 1895 Gompers was ousted from the presidency by the Socialist, John
McBride, for one year. While serving as president of the AFL, Gompers was
perceived by business as a formidable foe to their wishes to maintain total control
17

over American workplaces. Early in his career he was offered a job with a wellknown
financial institution with a salary of $45,000. This would have been twenty
times higher than his AFL salary at the time, to his credit at this time he turned it
down. Gompers‟ death in 1924 came due to advanced age and illnesses after he had
just climbed a flight of stairs leading to the National Palace in Mexico City, while he
was attending the inauguration of Mexican President Calles. Exhausted by the
exertion of climbing the stairs Gompers stated, “I do not mind climbing the stairs,
but I do not want to climb the golden stairs just yet!” Falling ill after this episode,
Gompers requested that he be transported back to America before he died. He was
placed on a special Pullman train and taken to San Antonio.
He died in a local hotel. At his side in his hotel room were; James Duncan,
the Vice President of the AFL, William Mahone, the President of the Amalgamated
Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees. In fact, Gompers had
requested that Bill Mahone was the union brother that he, Gompers, could shake
hands with prior to his demise. His last words were spoken to his nurse and were,
“Nurse, this is the end. God Bless our American institutions. May they grow better
every day!”
Gompers was buried at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Tarrytown, New York.
Ironically, his grave plot was just opposite that of the one that held Andrew
Carnegie, his lifelong Big Business counterpart. In death Big Labor and Big Business
lay in partnership at last. Samuel Gompers was survived by three sons, Albert of
New York, Henry of Washington and Samuel Gompers Jr. of Washington. Sam Jr.
was the chief clerk at the Department of Labor at the time of his fathers‟ death. He
was also survived by his wife, Sophia.
President Calvin Coolidge mourned the death of Gompers with a public
statement, which he had delivered to Mrs. Gompers. “It is with great regret that I
have heard of your bereavement, and I want to express to you my deep sympathy in
your sorrow. Mr. Gompers‟ whole life was devoted to organized labor, until his name
became almost synonymous with the cause which he represented. As the founder
and head of a great organization no man has had a wider influence in the shaping of
the policy of the wage earners of the nation, and his loss will long be felt by his
associates, not only at home but abroad.”
AFL Presidents (American Federation of Labor)
1886-1894 Samuel Gompers (cigarmaker)
1886-1895 John McBride (mine worker)
1896-1924 Samuel Gompers (cigar worker)
1924-1952 William Green (mine worker)
1952-1955 George Meany (plumber)
AFL-CIO Presidents (American Federation of Labor and Congress of
Industrial Organizations)
1955-1979 George Meany (plumber)
1979-1995 Lane Kirkland (masters, mates and pilots)
1995-Aug.-Nov. Thomas Donahue (service employees)
1995-2009 John J. Sweeney (service employees)
18

Samuel Gompers, photo courtesy,
George Meany Archives
William Green, photo
courtesy, George Meany
Archives
John Sweeney, photo courtesy,
George Meany Archives
John McBride, photo courtesy,
George Meany Archives
Thomas Donahue, photo
courtesy, George Meany
Archives
19
George Meany, photo courtesy,
George Meany Archives
Lane Kirkland, photo
courtesy, George Meany
Archives

Wisconsin‟s Leading Socialist, Victor Berger Dies
Victor Berger was trying to cross a busy street
in Milwaukee on July 16, 1929. He failed to notice an
approaching streetcar and was struck by it. He was 69
years old and he lingered for three weeks suffering
from his injuries from this mishap. He died on August
7th. Berger was born in Austria-Hungary on February
28, 1860. In 1878, when he was 18, he came to the
United States. He established a daily newspaper in
1900. In 1910, 1915 and 1918 he was elected to
Congress. He opposed America‟s entry into World War I and was
so strident in his opposition was sentenced to 20 years in prison
by Judge Kennesaw Landis. The case however, went to the
Supreme Court which overturned the conviction. Just before
the 1918 trial began Berger was reelected to the House of
Victor Berger
Representatives. But, when he reported to the house in May
they refused to seat him. On November 10, 1919, they
declared his seat vacant by a vote of 311 to 104. Wisconsin Governor Emanuel
Philip called a special election to fill the seat. The socialists nominated Berger as
their candidate and again he won. So, he reported in January 1920 to be seated.
Again, they refused him. His seat remained unfilled. In 1923 he returned to
Congress without any objection. He was returned to Congress and continued serving
until his death in 1929.
He published the socialist newspaper, The Milwaukee Leader from 1917 up to
his death. He was survived by his wife and two daughters. Berger‟s body was to lay
in state at the city hall for two hours on Saturday, August 10. Wisconsin‟s governor,
Kohler sent condolences saying, “While I met Victor Berger two or three times, my
personal acquaintance with him was slight. However, I have followed with interest
his career in public life and recognize him as an able and courageous man of deep
convictions, a resourceful champion of what he believed was right and a determined
opponent of whatever seemed to him was wrong. All Wisconsin deeply regrets the
accident which resulted in Mr. Berger‟s death and I express the sentiment of all the
people of our state in extending our heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family in
their great sorrow.” Hundreds of Berger‟s friends filed past his body as it lay in
state, protected by a cordon of police.
A piece of red silk, symbolic of the late Eugene Debs was draped over
Berger‟s casket as it was taken to the cemetery. Debs‟ last request was that the silk
used on his casket when he died was to be kept and used on Berger's casket.
Hundreds of floral tributes surrounded the casket.
A driving rain which turned into a drizzle occurred during Berger‟s funeral and
burial. Men and women from all walks of life left
work and joined the procession to the cemetery.
More than 75,000 persons had filed past the
casket as it lay in state in City Hall the day
previous. Among those viewing the body, were
office workers, mechanics, friends and foes, all
who wished to pay homage to the man.
At the 1907 AFL Convention, Berger rose
to present a resolution calling on union members
to not serve in the militia. The non-socialist delegates answered his call by popping
paper bags and setting off firecrackers during his speech.
20

Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) Founded
Mass production workers were largely ignored by the AFL and consequently in
1935, John L. Lewis led a committee that was set up to form a group to represent
these workers. Because of setting up this committee the United Mine Workers were
expelled from the AFL. In 1938 the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) came
into being. Steel, auto, rubber and other industries became members of the CIO.
John L. Lewis was elected its president. The CIO would merge with the AFL and
create the AFL-CIO in 1955.
AFL-CIO Merger
AFL president George Meany and CIO president Walter Reuther agreed on a
pact that merged the two labor groups and the AFL-CIO was born in 1955. Reuther
had been elected to the CIO presidency in 1946.
Life and Death of John L. Lewis, CIO
President John L. Lewis stepped down in 1960, after serving 40 years as
president of the United Mine Workers Union. He organized millions of workers in the
steel, auto and other mass production industries. He pioneered in pension and
welfare plans and battled presidents and courts to secure benefits for his union.
At the age of 80 he was planning on remaining active and was considering
writing his memoirs. He was born in Lucas, Iowa and quit school at the age of 12
and went to work in the mines. John L. Lewis died on June 11, 1969 in Washington,
D.C. at Doctor‟s Hospital. He was 89 years old. His last words to a reporter, spoken
in 1964 were, “organize!” In 1935 he slugged an AFL leader with whom he disagree,
during union convention knocking him out cold with one punch. Speaking of the
deaths and injuries of the 1,259,081 mine workers killed since 1930, he told
members of Congress in 1949; “If I had the powers of a Merlin, I would march that
million and a quarter men past the Congress of the United States-the quick and the
dead. I would have the ambulatory injured drag the dead after them…trailing their
bowels. I would have the concourse flanked by five weeping members of each man‟s
family, six and a quarter million, people, wailing and lamenting.” He was not bashful
about speaking of or to an American president either. He said of President Franklin
D. Roosevelt‟s refusal to aid Lewis‟s organizing of miners, “It ill behooves anyone
who has supped at labor‟s table and who has been sheltered in Labor‟s house to
curse with equal fervor…both labor and its adversaries when they become locked in
deadly embrace.”
The La Crosse Tribune editorialized on Lewis's writing; "The NAME means little
to a younger generation, but to older labor leaders and to a generation that grew up
when coal was king in the heating field, John L. Lewis was a name and a voice not to
be forgotten. In his day he was the last of the individualists, defying mine operators,
union colleagues and the president of the United States with equal impunity. The
thunder of his rolling phrases and the eloquence of his bushy eyebrows were a match
at times for Franklin D. Roosevelt, who he supported in two campaigns and then
turned against. John L. Lewis was headstrong and hard to live with during his most
dramatic years. But no one doubted his devotion to the miners or what he did for a
basic industry."
21

CIO Presidents (Congress of Industrial Organizations)
1935-1940 John L. Lewis (mine worker)
1940-1952 Philip Murray (mine worker)
1952-1955 Walter Reuther (auto worker)
John L. Lewis, photo courtesy,
George Meany Archives
Phillip Murray, photo courtesy,
George Meany Archives
22
Walter Reuther, photo
courtesy, George Meany
Archives
Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO Volunteers (delegates and one honorary delegate) helping put togehter Wisconsin
AFL-CIO Convention Packets for the 2006 State Convention in La Crosse

Chapter Three: Local Labor Bodies and Publications
“A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own
pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor
and bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government.” Thomas Jefferson
Organized Labor Bodies Operating in La Crosse
Taken chronologically, the history of union labor in La Crosse is a story
containing many facets. Beginning with the union boot and shoe makers of Civil War
years and on through the lumber mills era, the area went through several decades
that utilized the manual labor of specific labor-intensive skilled trades. The modern
era of skilled and service-based private and public sector union workers now
dominates the union workforce. Organized labor has traveled an interesting road.
First, to appear on the local scene was the Knights of Saint Crispin in 1867.
Next were the unknown pre-Knights of Labor unions, which probably organized the
lumber mills and boat builders‟ workers. Then La Crosse moved into the Knights of
Labor era circa; 1882/1896. These Knights of Labor unions coupled with the AFL
unions of the city and farmers‟ organizations and banded together to form the first
central labor body.
Several other central labor bodies have formed and operated in La Crosse
over the past century. A central labor council is simply put, a collection of individual
unions paying a fee to fund and run a collectively lead body of labor. Generally, each
affiliated union is allotted delegates based on the size of the union and thereby has a
voice and vote in general labor community issues addressed by the central labor
body. An example is the planning and running of a Labor Day parade and/or
celebration within the jurisdiction of the labor body.
Knights of Saint Crispin, First National Union in La Crosse
The Knights of Saint Crispin were the first La Crosse union with a firmly
established National (or International) Union. American Unions belonging to the
AFL-CIO are directed by their own International Union. They are known as
International‟s simply due to the early organizing of specific trades‟ workers in both
Canada and America into craft unions.
„Last‟ Workers, First La Crosse Union
This first successful nationaly organized union in La Crosse was that of the
custom boot and shoemakers. It existed in La Crosse in the years of 1874-1868.
Cobblers, leather workers and boot and shoemakers were organized in La Crosse and
formed a local lodge of the national labor organization known as the Knights of Saint
Crispin. Using leather working tools, such as awls, punches and lasts (the wooden or
metal forms, boots and shoes are molded over) to ply their trade; these workers
were the first successfully organized group of tradesmen in La Crosse.
Called the Knights of Saint Crispin, this organization was founded in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on March 1, 1867 by Newell Daniels and six associates who
were working in the trade. Other Local Lodges were formed rapidly and by the first
International convention held in Rochester, New York they numbered some 87, with
membership of around fifty thousand craftsmen and 250 lodges by 1871. There
were ten lodges established in Wisconsin, one of these being the workers in La
Crosse.
The decline of this union began in 1871 and due to the defeat of a strike of
the Lynn lodges of Massachusetts in 1872. Strikes and disputes quickly accelerated
and by 1874, the union was hanging on only in the mill town of Lynn, Massachusetts.
23

It was totally defunct by about 1878. The Knights of Saint Crispin derived their
name from two Roman noblemen, Crispin and Crispinian of Soissons, Italy.
Preaching the gospel by day these brothers were employed as shoemakers at
night. By order of the Roman Emperor Maximian they were beheaded circa 287 A.D.
They are the patron Saints of shoemakers, cobblers and leather workers and their
feast day is October 25. 20
Civil War Era, Wages and Employment Conditions
What were wages like during the years that the shoemakers agitated first as a
small local union, then on a national scale? In the period of 1860 through 1864,
bricklayers were earning $1.53 a day in 1860 and up to $2.31 a day by 1864.
Carpenters and joiners during the same period earned $1.65 a day up to $2.05, both
trades working a 60-hour workweek. Stationary Engineers earned $1.63, ending up
at $2.04 in 1894, working a 60 hour week. It was soon increased to 73 hours a
week by 1864. Stationary Engineers being the term used to describe workers who
maintained and operated steam engines used in either transportation or the steam
boilers and steam machines used in heating and manufacturing processes.
How were our nations‟ farmers faring during this era? Not too great, farm
labor earned just 88 cents a day in 1860 for a 66 hour a week shift, and had bumped
it up to just $1.50 a day for the same 66 hour week by 1864.
The most successful craftsmen during this period were the plumbers,
glassblowers and painters. Plumbers did the best during this era, due to some
extent to the increase in city living and indoor plumbing. Their wages rose from a
level of $1.88 a day for a 60-hour workweek in 1860 to $3.50 a day for the same
workweek in 1864. Glassblowers, answering the market for soft drinks and distilled
beverages, along with home medicines, went from a daily wage of $2.59 to one of
$2.95. Lastly, painters saw their wages rise from $1.97 a day to $2.93. La Crosse
Painters were kept very busy with the construction of the many wooden buildings in
the town that needed painting of their interiors and exteriors.
The Knights of Labor Years, or a.k.a. the Five Stars
In the formative years of the Knights of Labor five stars,
(*****), would be chalked over the doorway where an
organizational meeting was being held. The Knights of Labor
were the next (and first highly successful) organized labor
association to exist in La Crosse. They represented an
association that worked to bind together workers of the La
Crosse area. Lumbering and its‟ associated industries and
services was widespread at this time, and was the first large
employer of the citizens of La Crosse. This industry employed
thousands of men in many lumber and shingle mills and
associated industries, by the last half of the nineteenth century.
The lumber industry would be the source of many workers that
Terrence Powderly
eventually would join the Knights of Labor, and other unions in
La Crosse.
Terence Powderly was born in Carbondale, Pennsylvania on January 24, 1849.
Attending school from age seven until thirteen, he became a switch tender for the
Delaware and Hudson Canal Company. After four years of labor at that job, he
became an apprentice in the machine shops of that company for three additional
years, becoming a machinist.
20
Bulletin of the UW, No. 355, Economics and Political Science Series, Vol. 7, No. 1, pages 1-11, The
Knights of St. Crispin, 1867-1864 by Don D. Lescohier, Madison, WI May 1910
24

In 1869 he went to work at Scranton, Pennsylvania for the Delaware,
Lackawanna and Western Railroad, becoming President of the Machinists‟ and
Blacksmiths‟ union there. In November of 1874 he joined the Knights of Labor
Assembly No. 88 and in November of 1876 he induced his union to form Local
Assembly No. 222. In January of 1879 he succeeded Uriah Stephens who had
become very ill and could not continue as General Worthy Master of the Knights.
Elected Mayor of Scranton in 1878, he was to die in 1924. He led the Knights from
1879 until 1893. 21
Terence Vincent Powderly, Grand Master of the Noble Order of the Knights of
Labor in 1886, wrote a preface to a work on the history of labor by John Cameron
Simonds. Powderly writes, “The prospect for the future of the laboring man in
America is brighter today than it ever was, notwithstanding the seemingly strained
relations [authors‟ emphasis] at present existing between employer and employee.
That we are passing through an epidemic of strikes, lockouts and boycotts, is true,
but the fact must not be lost sight of, that were it not for the growing power of
organization we should have a great more strikes to contend with than we have had
for the first three months of the present year. The growth of organization for the
past ten years has been steady and healthy. It is only where organization is in its
infancy that serious strikes and lockouts exist.” 22
The Noble Order of the Knights of Labor was founded in Philadelphia in 1869
and kept as a secret order. Fear of repression and dismissal caused the workers to
keep their existence secret. Uriah Stevens, a member of the Garment Cutters‟ Union
of that town, called a meeting with several other members of his union and after
several preliminary meetings, the Knights were formed at Stevens‟ home on
Thanksgiving Day, 1869. The Knights were founded on the principle that all race,
creeds and colors were to be represented equally. For the first years of existence
the group was known to the public at The Five Stars, Chalking five asterisks on the
face of their meeting places, * * * * *. The use of the stars was to disguise the fact
that workers were gathering to form employers' associations. Feeling safe to
become public, they adopted the official name the Knights of Labor in 1871. By 1878
the leaders decided it was time to expand their influence. So in June of that year
they sent out notices and at a mass meeting formed Assembly No. 1, in Philadelphia.
This first National Labor Organization was very progressive and modern in its‟
policies and by 1881 had admitted women as equals to the Assemblies, which now
had spread to many other states. 23 These assemblies were lead by officers that
were designated as, Master Workman, Worthy Workman, Venerable Sage (retired
Master Workman), Recording and Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Worthy Inspector,
Almoner, Unknown Knight, Inside and Outside Esquires, Insurance Solicitor and
three trustees. Cigarmakers were not allowed to be Knights of Labor, unless they
agreed to drop their A.F.L. affiliation.
The preamble of the Knights spoke of the need to stem the uneven
distribution of wealth and direct more of it to the working class. Their agenda
included the following goals. They asked for the establishment of bureaus‟ of labor
statistics. That public lands be held in trust for all, not another acre of land to be set
aside for the use of Railroads, or real estate speculators. It sought legislation to
safeguard the health and safety of miners, manufacturers, builders and other
workers. The recognition of Trade Unions as a right of the workers was a right being
demanded. The establishment of a law forbidding the use of child labor in mines,
workshops and factories found strong support among all Knights. It called for the
21 The Story of Manual Labor in All Lands and Ages: Its Past Condition, Present Progress, And Hope for
the Future, John Cameron Simonds, 1886
22 Ibid.
23 Ibid.
25

outlawing of the use of convict labor. The creation of a graduated taxation system
on income being thought integral to the needs of organized labor at this time of our
nation‟s history by the Knights. Mandated, arbitration laws‟ for workers was another
plank of their platform.
Interestingly, the Knights were forward thinking on national issues as well,
calling for the national government to own all telegraph, telephones and railroads. A
rather socialistic plan, but sought due to the abuses and injustices being witnessed
on a daily basis by the workers and their families by the affluent and powerful
owners of these essential industries. They also demanded that Congress prohibit the
importation of contract foreign labor, create a safe banking system for the people
using the U.S. post office, and secure equal pay for both sexes for equal work. They
also asked for an eight-hour workday. 24
The author of The Story of Manual Labor summed up the current (1886)
status of the Knights of Labor with this concluding paragraph, “The Knights of Labor
may fail, but whether the organization dies or lives, it has taught a lesson which will
never be forgotten as long as man shall earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. It
has demonstrated the overmastering power of a national combination among
workingmen. If the Knights of Labor were to dissolve tomorrow, on the next day a
new society would be formed to push on their work. No fair man can object to the
ends, which they propose. Labor must win, and the sooner we all come to a
realizing sense of this fact the better it will be for America.
The Knights did not die in 1886, but by the 1890‟s were on their way out.
The A.F.L. was the next national organization to take up the challenge of workers‟
rights. As to the goals of the Knights of Labor, the sad truth of the matter is, we are
still toiling and still laboring to win these same goals today!” 25
Knights Take Root in La Crosse, 1881/1883
Here are the known assemblies of the Knights that existed at one time in the
La Crosse area.
Known Assemblies of La Crosse
Scandia Assembly No. 2466 circa 1882/83-1896
Bohemian Assembly unknown circa 1883-1896
Norden Assembly No. 3162 circa 1882/83-1896
Northern Star Assembly No. 3987 circa 1882/83-1896
White Beaver Assembly No. 4989 circa 1886-1890
Gateway Assembly No. 4990 circa 1886-1896
Humboldt Assembly No. 8242 circa 1886-1896
Lincoln Assembly unknown circa 1886- unknown
Knights of Labor National Membership Numbers
1878 9,000
1881 19,000
1885 111,000
1886 700,000
1887 250,000
1890 100,000
1893 75,000
1900 unknown 26
24
The Story of Manual Labor in All Lands and Ages: Its Past Condition, Present Progress, And Hope for
the Future, John Cameron Simonds, 1886
25
Ibid.
26
numbers were too low to be an effective International Union, and the Knights officially disbanded in
1917, after many years of inactivity
26

La Crosse embraced eight Knights of Labor Assemblies when offered the
opportunity by Knights of Labor representatives sent to this area. Based on the
numbering system used by this nationwide labor organization the Knights first
organized La Crosse workers at the end of 1882 and chartered in January of 1883,
assemblies numbered, 2466, 3162 and 3987.
These assemblies may have been comprised of railroad workers, carpenters,
or lumber mill workers, and steam boat builders, or a mixture of these and other
workers. All that can be said with any certainty is that these three Knights of Labor
Assemblies were in existence prior to the birth of Assemblies number 4989 and 4990
early in 1885. The newspapers of the era note the appearance of the Knights of
Labor organizers in La Crosse in December of 1885. A representative of the Knights
contacted workers on the cities‟ north side and began handing out handbills to
passersby advertising a speech that would take place that same Monday afternoon,
December 21.
Colonel Charles A. Lincoln of New London, Wisconsin, the representative,
attracted hundreds of interested workers who attended his speech at opera hall on
the north side of town. Speaking on the topic of “American Labor and American
Finances,” he was frequently interrupted with applause and enjoyed the apparent
support of all the workers that made up the audience. In fact so many men,
women, and children crowded into the hall, that many had to stand for the entire
speech, which lasted for two hours! 27
A local paper gives Odd Fellows‟ Hall, as the location of this first meeting and
states that Mr. Lincoln appeared in a costume befitting that of a primitive woodsman.
It further states that he proceeded to blast anyone with an accumulation of money
and he also paid a flattering tribute to La Crosse‟s Mayor Dr. Powell. It seems
Vanderbilt and Gould were featured targets of the evening and all monopolies in
general. The paper ended with this warning, “The result of the orders establishment
in La Crosse cannot be foretold, but we predict the tug of war next summer, when all
our laboring classes are all employed. It is their custom to raise wages when they
think it ought to be done.” 28
One of the local supporters of the Knights was Alderman Mathias Wannebo, a
millwright and local businessman who offered his hall (the building is still situated at
1132 Caledonia Street) for a repeat performance that evening. The context of the
speech was that if workers wished to gain either wage increases or improved job
conditions, they had to form collective bodies of workers to negotiate with their
employers successfully. Mr. Lincoln recommended the Knights of Labor as the
organization to assist them to accomplish this task. Upon the end of his speeches
Mr. Lincoln invited all interested parties to stay after and begin the process of
forming a local assembly. Sixty persons remained behind and went into a private
meeting and began forming a local chapter of the Knights of Labor. 29
An article appearing in the December 22, issue of a local paper warned the
workers of La Crosse not to fall under the spell or influence of those that would
desire the destruction of all capitalists. It urged them to instead seek redress
through the medium of local, state and national politics, by the ballot and lobbying of
their elected officials. 30 Additionally the editor of the republican newspaper also had
an editorial that warned the workmen of La Crosse against embracing too fervently
27 La Crosse News, December 26, 1885
28 La Crosse Morning Chronicle, December 22, 1885
29 Ibid., December 26, 1885
30 La Crosse Republican and Leader, December 22, 1885
27

this organizer from the Knights, citing an article from the Chicago News of December
21, 1885; which forecast a great labor agitation in May of 1886! 31
A Chicago newspaper reporter had interviewed a local labor leader. A
La Crosse republican-leaning newspaper editor, to demonstrate the strong view he
felt this organization held, reprinted the quotes. The editor noted, that this labor
leader predicted possible violence if the Knights of Labor did not win the Eight-Hour-
Day campaign in 1886! Prophetically, this would indeed come true! However, the
article was reprinted to scare off local workers by playing on their fears. Citing the
Chicago paper he reprinted the following; “Before that date, every employer in the
United States will have received ample notice that the law fixing eight hours as a
legal days‟ work, must be enforced or all the wheels of every productive industry will
be stopped.” Asked by the Chicago reporter whether the knights of labor could field
enough workers in May to win the Eight-Hour-Day effort the socialist responded,
“The organization is so general and so ineffective as to be beyond dispute.
The records of the knights of labor will show initiations of over 500,000
workers, and, though there may have been some depreciation of the rolls in times of
peace, they would rapidly fill up again in the emergency that a refusal to concede the
eight-hour demand that would at once precipitate upon the country.”
Concluding, this activist summed up with his viewpoint on American workers
saying, “Americans as a class are selfish to the point of cowardice in labor matters.
The native gives his whole desire and attention to the benefit of the individual and he
is not disposed, nor does he make any personal sacrifices for the good of the class of
which he is one. There is no unity among the Americans as workingmen, and that
explains the fact that they have been crowded out of their rights as workingmen, but
it is not so with the Irish, the Germans, the Scandinavians, the Poles, and other
nationalities from abroad. They are always ready to fight, and fight they will for eight
hours as a days‟ work, if fighting should be necessary.” 32
La Crosse Knights of Labor
From George Read, editor of the Daily News, came the prediction that the
fifth ward of the city would soon form a chapter of the Knights of Labor. 33 The group
was expected to send an organizer to town very soon. Not to be left out, the
workers from the Southside asked for meetings with Mr. Lincoln. And on
Wednesday, December 23, he spoke at Bohemian Hall. Enough interest was shown
by these workers that one or possibly two more assemblies were expected to be
necessary. 34 Interest in pursuing the creation of Knights of Labor assemblies
continued and Mr. Lincoln held additional meetings on Saturday the 26th both taking
place at Wannebo‟s Hall.
That evening his speech was titled Land, Pauper and Prison Labor and
Finances. Crowded to its‟ limits, the appreciative audience again frequently
applauded and interrupted his speech. At the conclusion Chairman Charles Bennett
asked for the withdrawal of all not interested in joining the Knights of Labor and after
31 This prediction would prove to be true. Because in Wisconsin the Bay View Massacre and In Chicago
the Haymarket Riot would both occur in May of 1886. But, the results would not be as widespread as
planned and would prove to have disastrous results for organized labor, in particular the Knights of Labor.
The Chicago socialist was correct in his analysis of nationalities and their inherent attitudes towards unions
and worker’s rights. As all the dead resulting from these two evens would have parents of foreign origins.
32 La Crosse Morning Chronicle, December 23, 1885
33 George Read was an Afro-American citizen of La Crosse who later in his career would run for national
office, and his paper, The La Crosse Daily News became the official organ of the Knights of Labor in La
Crosse.
34 La Crosse Daily News, December 26, 1885
28

this happened, over one hundred men stayed behind and conducted another
organizing session. 35
Yet another meeting took place at Solberg‟s Hall on Wednesday December 30,
when around three hundred men gathered to hear an address by Mr. Richard
Trevellic of Detroit, Michigan. When he did not appear, Mr. Lincoln took over and
addressed the gathering. He discussed such items as a scheme for the bonding of a
city project to fund the Losey Boulevard project of up-town sewer systems and called
them nothing less than highway robbery. At the conclusion of his speech he invited
all except, attorneys, saloon keepers and gamblers to stay after and join the Knights
of Labor. Mayor Powell presided at this meeting and was made an honorary member
of the Assembly along with organizer Charles Lincoln.
In response to this outpouring of interest, the Knights of Labor agreed to send
their national organizer (responsible for all of the United States and Canada) Captain
Trevellic of Detroit, Michigan to La Crosse to help with the work. Trevellic was once
again, scheduled to appear at Solberg‟s Hall this time on Tuesday, January 5, 1886.
He could not keep this appointment because of a delayed train connection in
Chicago. Mr. Lincoln again stepped in and took over the speaking duties
successfully. Rufus N. Moody a carpenter from Eau Claire, Wisconsin was now sent
by the Knights to formally charter the local Assemblies.
An entry in the Knights newspaper indicated that three assemblies were ready
for chartering in July of 1885. A member of the Knights of Labor wrote to President
Terrence Powderly and said, “I have been here for the last week. I have three
assemblies ready to organize but there is no organizer here. I wish you would
inform me of the nearest organizer there is to this place. I have in one place 150
members, and another 93 and another 56.” Rufus Moody was obviously was the
organizer chosen to accomplish the job in La Crosse.
White Beaver Assembly
On January 8, 1886, he formed the White Beaver Assembly (No. 4989) at a
meeting that was held at Wannebo‟s Hall, this Assembly was comprised of the north
side workers. On Friday January 9, he formed the Lincoln Assembly, made up of the
workers of the south side of town. 36 The Assembly founding meeting was so
heavily attended that the hall doors had to be locked to keep the crowd from
overfilling the rooms. 37
The movement was beginning to be very widespread. Being a very
progressive organization, it soon was extending its‟ membership base to include all
the women of the community. On Thursday, January 14, at Wannebos‟ Hall a
meeting for these women was held and a list was made of all interested in the
movement with the goal of forming an all-women assembly in La Crosse, soon. 38
The La Crosse Daily News was by now, an official organ of the Knights of
Labor and it revisited an issue from the Shoe and Boot makers strike of 1863, when
it reprinted an article from the Sauk County Democrat, “Occasionally one is heard to
grumble because the Knight Of Labor desire to have wages paid once a week instead
of once a month. And why should they not thus the pay? There are rogues in all
classes of society. Grocers and Butchers suffer most by the monthly payment
system and next to them the honest workman. Rogues cheat, failing to pay, and
honest men have to help make up the deficiency, or else the creditor goes to the
35 Ibid., December 22, 1885 and The La Crosse Republican and Leader, December 28, 1885
36 La Crosse Daily News, January 9, 1886
37 La Crosse Republican and Leader, January 9, 1886
38 La Crosse Daily News and La Crosse Republican and Leader, January 16, 1886
29

wall. If the honest workers had their pay once a week, the money would go further,
and with the small credit the dishonest was could not do much harm”. 39
During the year that the Knights were organizing the workers of La Crosse the
workweek across the nation and in the area, ran from 52 hours a week up to 60.
Wages were being paid to plumbers at the rate of $3.28 (54 hour week) and $2.46 a
day to carpenters and joiners, who worked a 58-hour week. Farm labor earned
$1.63 a day for a 63-hour week on the average and plasterers were earning $2.58 a
day for their 52 hour a week labors. The dollar was fixed at 70.8 cents. 40 The
Knights of Labor national newspaper notes that an assembly was formed in La
Crosse in July of 1886, known as the Humboldt Assembly Number 8242. 41
Era of Knights of Labor Closes
No mention of any Knights of Labor Assembly has been found dated later than
1896. Strong evidence exists to suggest that the Knights closed up shop due to the
formation of the AFL Central Labor Body.
1891, First Central Body Formed in La Crosse, The Grand Labor Council
Sensing the time was ripe for a local alliance; the Knights pulled together a
coalition of workers and discussed forming a central labor body. This was the first
effort to unite the Knights of Labor, farmers‟ groups and AFL unions of the Coulee
Region. The Grand Labor Council of La Crosse came into being in October of 1891.
Several AFL unions had been chartered in La Crosse by this time.
The American Federation of Labor (A.F.L.) itself being founded in Columbus,
Ohio on December 8, 1886. The AFL had succeeded the Federation of Organized
Trades and Labor Unions, which lasted from November 15, 1881 until being replaced
by the AFL.
Samuel Gompers, the father of the AFL had been instrumental in the work
and formation of both organizations. Finally in La Crosse the unions of both the
Knights of Labor and the AFL affiliates choose to work together in harmony for the
betterment of the community‟s workers. The Knights of Labor, admittedly a more
progressive organization being all-inclusive of workers, regardless of gender or race,
and the AFL, which at this time was, yet a single crafts oriented body of tradesmen. 42
..Have Joined Hands, Labor Unions and Knights of Labor to Work in Harmony
..They Organize A New Society
..It Will Be Known as Grand Labor Union, Officers Elected
So, ran the headings in the newspaper story that appeared in local La Crosse
newspapers in October of 1891. 43 The Grand Labor Council was formed from a
coalition of the Knights of Labor and the Trades Union assembly of La Crosse early in
the month of October. Boycotts, strikes and lockouts, were cited as the reason for
the formation of this labor body. The principal labor organization behind this
initiative was the Knights of Labor Assembly No. 4990. Inviting three delegates
from each labor union throughout the city, discussions began and resulted in the
creation of the council.
These delegates agreed upon by-Laws, a constitution, and rules of order.
Taking this information back to their unions, votes were taken and the members
39 La Crosse Daily News, January 30, 1886
40 The Value of a Dollar, Gale Research Inc., Detroit, MI, 1994
41 Also known as Assembly No. 4282, and probably in existence under that number in 1884. Probably
reassigned a new number after a change of the industries of which it represented workers in La Crosse.
42 AFL-CIO American Federalist, March 1981
43 La Crosse Daily Press, October 16, 1891
30

accepted and approved the formation of the council. James Collins was elected as
the first President, Frank Mathias was chosen as Secretary. Mathias was a member
of Cigarmakers Local 61. Even while this body was being created, the Knights of
Labor were still advancing their cause in La Crosse by forming another Assembly of
Bohemians (20 charter members) at White Beaver Hall, on October 15.
The Grand Labor Council would exist for only six years. The men that served
as the Councils‟ President during the last five years were: 1892; Leonard Stallman
(Cigarmakers Local 61), 1893; Fred Snell, 1894; Leonard Stallman (Cigarmakers
Local 61), 1895; Frank Grebner, and in the last year of its‟ existence, 1896; the
president was Frank Dunscombe.
At the time of its‟ last year in existence the following unions comprised the
membership of the Grand Labor Council: Typographical Union No. 274, Stone Masons
Union No. 4, Hod Carriers Union No. 1, Brewers Union No. 81, Barbers Union No. 91,
Cigarmakers Union No. 61, Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Union No. 472,
Woodworkers Union No. 35, Clerks Union No. 103, Coopers Union No. 39,
Horseshoers Union No. 52, Teamsters Union No. 560, Plumbers Union No. 31, Tailors
Union No. 66 and, Molder‟s Union No. 70. The following Railroad Brotherhoods were
members, Locomotive Engineers Division 13, Switchmen‟s Union Gateway City Lodge
44, Railroad Carmen Union No. 5, Order of Railroad Conductors La Crosse Division
61, Locomotive Firemen Guard Rail Lodge 176, and Railway Trainmen Gateway City
Lodge 168.
The Knights of Labor had five Assemblies, Scandia Assembly 2466, Humboldt
Assembly 8242, Gateway Assembly 4999 44 , Northern Star Assembly 3987 and
Norden Assembly 3162 45 . The Farmer‟s Alliance was also affiliated during the years
the Council was in existence and was an important member of that group.
Wages of 1891 were as follows, plumbers $2.87, bricklayers $3.51, farm
labor $1.37, hodcarriers $1.77, painters $2.09, stonemasons $3.18, plasterers $3.20
and stationary engineers earned $2.26. Workweeks ran from 48 hours a week for
the plumbers and stationary engineers worked a week of 63 hours. The dollars
buying power was fixed at 76 cents. 46 In order to better judge what these daily
wages meant to the worker and family during the year of 1891, it is necessary to
look at the average prices for goods during this period. A five pound bag of flour
cost 15 cents, Round steak meat cost around 12 cents per pound, while pork chops
went for 11 cents a pound and bacon 12 to 23 cents a pound. A pound of butter cost
27 cents and a dozen eggs were 22 cents. A gallon of milk (delivered) cost 27 cents
and a five-pound bag of sugar ran 30 cents.
Chronological List of Grand Labor Council Presidents
Grand Labor Council (1891-1896)
1891 James Collins
1892 Leonard Stallman
1893 Fred Snell
1894 Leonard Stallman
1895 Frank Grebner
1896 Frank Dunscombe
44 This is an error, this group was also known as White Beaver Assembly No. 4990, and was in existence as
of January 1885 as noted in Philippi's City Directory, 1885
45 A Bohemian Assembly existed in the City at one point, as indicated in Philippi's City Directory, which
listed six different assemblies in town in 1893.
46 The Value of a Dollar, Gale Research, Inc., Detroit, MI, 1976
31

1897 - Founding of the First AFL Central Labor Union
The Knights of Labor chapter drew to a close and the creation of the modern
labor movement began in La Crosse with the chartering of the AFL central labor body
in 1897. After discussion with Frank Weber of the Wisconsin State Federation of
Labor, the unions of La Crosse moved to affiliate with the American Federation of
Labor as a Central Labor Body. Frank Weber issued a call for a meeting at Labor Hall
in La Crosse at eight o‟ clock on Tuesday February19, 1897. On Wednesday at the
same hour, the carpenters, wood workers and cabinet workers were called out to
meet with Mr. Weber to hear the reasons and need for forming a central labor body.
Weber was quoted in the paper as closing his meetings with the statement; “Come
and join and help improve your condition. Without organization there can be no
amelioration of our craft.” 47 Weber was reported by the papers to be ready to go to
Minnesota and Iowa to affect the same organizations of unions after finishing up in
Wisconsin.
On February 1, 1897, all the attending members of the cities‟ AFL unions
elected officers for the Central Labor Council. Frank Weber chaired the meeting and
assisted while the following officers were chosen; President Frank J. Dunscombe
(Printer), Vice President William F. Key; Recording/Corresponding Secretary Charles
Holtze; Financial Secretary August Didisch; Treasurer Henry Kowalke; and Sergeant
At Arms John Walnhofer. Each union that chooses to be represented by the Central
Labor Union would receive five delegates. Politics was to be avoided at all costs,
stated the unionists. 48
Secretary Holtze sent in the five-dollar affiliation fee and filled out the
affiliation form and mailed it to President Samuel Gompers, dating it February 9,
1897. The application form gave the title of the union as the Central Labor Union
and noted that the body would meet on the first and third Mondays of each month at
413 Jay Street.
This was the building known as Bartl‟s Hall in La Crosse. Typographical Union
Number 274, Cigarmakers Local 61 and Brewery Workers Local 81 were the
applicants on the form, which was approved by President Gompers on February 17,
1897. The letter sent along with the application was sent on Cigarmakers Local 61
stationary by Secretary Holtze and read; “Dear Sir and President, Enclosed you will
find application for Certificate of Affiliation with the American Federation of Labor.
Also five dollars for the Charter, Mr. F.J. Weber is in the City and is doing good work
here and we sincerely hope that the good work will continue in the future. We have
a seal from the A.F. of L. from the old central labor union. Yours Fraternally, Charles
Holtze.” 49
From official AFL union archives, I doubt the statement by Charles Holtze, as
to his stating to President Gompers there existed a prior Central Labor Union seal. I
think rather that he was referring to an earlier A.F.L. affiliated individual labor
union‟s seal. I have found no evidence of any AFL organization of labor unions
existing in La Crosse prior to the February 7, 1897 when the Central Labor Union
applied for and was approved by AFL President Sam Gompers. La Crosse quickly
moved into the work of organizing workers and joined the Wisconsin Federation of
Labor, affiliating with that body in 1897 as well. The AFL-CIO archives hold no
evidence of an earlier Central Labor Body.
47 La Crosse Daily News, January 18, 1897
48 La Crosse Morning Chronicle, January 20, 1897
49 Copy of application for a certificate of affiliation, George Meany Memorial Archives, Silver Springs,
Maryland, Lee Sayrs, archivist, 1997
32

By 1898 the La Crosse Central Labor Union was hosting a State Convention of
the Wisconsin AFL. Locally, President Dunscombe was also the Vice President of his
local, Charles Baumann serving as President. The Master Plumber‟s Association of La
Crosse was lead by James A. Trane as President, Albert V. Fetter as Secretary and
J.S. Thill as it‟s treasurer. 50
1902 Second AFL Central Body
Created; the La Crosse Trades and
Labor Council
Although the records of the AFL
Central Labor Body were turned over to
the
1902 Trades and Labor Council, they are
not to be found and no further record of
this body exists. While the facts are
somewhat obscured by a lack of
documentation, evidence weighs heavy
enough to declare that the first AFL
labor body died from lack of support
and/or activity on its own behalf. For in
early 1902, a new AFL charter was
applied for. The Central Labor Union
first chartered in 1897, had held its meeting at the Union Hall located at 10th and
Mississippi streets on February 7, 1902 to discuss forming a new labor group.
Ten local unions sent delegates to this meeting. Temporary officers were
chosen for the new Council. They were John Krisner, President, Paul Utermoehl, Vice
President, Henry Kowlake, Secretary, Benjamin Neurater, Treasurer and as Trustees,
John Voves, Albert Major and P.T. Brady. A committee consisting of Paul Utermehl,
Peter Louck and Henry Kowlake were selected to compose the bodies‟ by-laws.
A letter from Mr. Frank Weber; general organizer for the AFL in Milwaukee,
was read. Mr. Weber stating he would hold meetings in La Crosse on March 10, 11
and 12, to assist the unions in forming a labor body. Peter Utermehl and H.G.
Schauland were picked to serve as a press committee for the Council. A meeting for
the newly formed body was scheduled for February 21. 51 Paul Uttermohl was to be
the general union organizer for the city of La Crosse, was the outcome of the
meeting of February 21. Uttermohl was a member of the Typographical Union of La
Crosse.
A local reporter for the Chronicle spotted several union leaders on the street
on March 3rd and interviewed them about the upcoming labor meetings. They told
him that La Crosse would soon be one of the strongest labor cities in the tri-state
area. Over the preceding five weeks, at least five new unions were formed in La
Crosse. The existing unions were reported to be the Cigarmakers, Plumbers, Tailors,
Brewery hands, Coopers, Brick and Stone Masons, Typographical, Carpenters,
Plasterers and Paperhangers. Several more were in existence as well, it was
reported. The arrival of Mr. Weber was expected to induce the Iron Workers,
Molders and Clerks into the ranks of unionized employees as well. 52
American Federation of Labor organizer, Frank Weber of Milwaukee, arrived in
La Crosse on the morning of Thursday, March 6 and helped reestablish the labor
50 Philippi's City Directory, 1897. James Trane went on to found the Trane Company, one of La Crosse’s
largest employer.
51 La Crosse Chronicle, February 8, 1902
52 La Crosse Chronicle, February 22, 1902
33
La Crosse Trades and Labor Council Banner (held in the
office of today’s Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO

movement within the city. He scheduled meetings to be held on March 7, 8 and 9 a
Friday, Saturday and a Sunday. The Friday and Saturday meetings were held in the
evening in the Union Hall, which was located over the John Malin‟s Saloon at 204
South 4th Street.
Sprechen Sie Duetsch, or do you speak English?
The Sunday afternoon meeting was held at the Gateway City Hall. Addresses
were given in German and English during these meetings. 53 He had been conducting
organizing meetings in Madison prior to coming to La Crosse. The AFL had charged
him with firing up the workers of Wisconsin and enlarging the union movement of the
state. He succeeded! On Friday, holding forth above Malin‟s Saloon, Mr. Weber
inspired the unionists of La Crosse into forming a new labor body. At an open
meeting unionism in general was discussed and offers made to assist any workers
interested in forming unions here in the city. Then the old AFL affiliated locals
remained and went into closed session to plan chartering and to elect officers for the
Council. 54 These unionists applied to President Gompers for a charter on March 15,
1902.Founding Fathers
The unions that formed the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council were:
Cigarmakers Local 61, Brewery Workers Local 81, Typographical Local 448, Tailors
Local 66, Beer Bottlers Local 247, Coopers Local 85 and Painters Local 374 55
The first delegates to represent the founding unions of the La Crosse Trades
and Labor Council were:
1. Henry Kowalke, A. Major and Charles Blye of the Cigarmakers
2. Charles Menninger, Otto Martin and Gilbert Shophner of the Coopers
3. Herman Schauland, Frank Liesenfeld and Tom Caffery of the Printers
4. R.E. Kelly, A.J. Ender and Mat Kjos of the Painters and Decorators
5. Joseph Verchota, A.L. Kubal and O. Rassmusen of the Tailors
6. Jake Schaller, Ben Newsatter and Louis Tuma of the Brewery Workers
7. John Voves, William Weis and Thomas Walchuck of the Beer Bottlers
At this initial formation of the labor body, each affiliate seated three
delegates. Of these seven founding unions of organized labor of La Crosse, none
exists today, save the printers and painters unions‟ which still have a membership in
La Crosse. The Painters and Decorators Union is now an affiliate of the Painters and
Allied Trades International Union. The tailors are gone, along with the Cigarmakers,
the beer bottlers and coopers are gone having been absorbed into the brewery
workers union many years ago. Clothes makers of today are far too often children
and young women working for paltry wages in foreign and domestic sweatshops.
Cigarmakers are for all practical purposes a craft of the past. Coopers likewise, as
beer bottlers were replaced by automatic machinery. The minutes of the first
meeting of the newly chartered Trades and Labor Council indicate the usual order of
business for a new group. Copies of the By-laws and Constitution were motioned to
be purchased and Mr. O‟Brien was to be invited to the next meeting to swear in the
officers. The delegates adjourned until April 5. 56
A.J. O‟Brien called the April 5 meeting to order and initiated all the officers.
Mr. Schaller was unanimously elected the President; Vice President Uttermoehl
resigned and was replaced by Mr. Charles Minninger. The other officers remained
the same. O‟Brien then presented the AFL charter to the Council and gave a talk. A
circular regarding a boycott by the garment workers was introduced and a committee
53
La Crosse Chronicle, March 4, 1902
54
La Crosse Daily Press, March 6, 1902
55
Ibid.
56
Minutes of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council (copies held by the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO)
34

was nominated to investigate the case. A motion was approved to secure
Birnbaum‟s Hall at the corner of 10th and Mississippi Streets for the Council‟s next
meeting. 57
At the May 15, 1902 meeting the delegates decided to accept the committee‟s
recommendation to lease Funk‟s Hall at the corner of 3rd and Jay Streets at the rate
of ten dollars per month, for one year. This did not include chairs or lights. The
Council had the right to renew for an additional two years. The committee was
ordered to begin negotiations for the Hall. By June 13, 1902 the Council had a new
organizer, a Mr. Blye, Mr. O‟Brien having resigned. The Council directed the
Secretary to write to President Samuel Gompers and ask him to revoke the
certificate of organizer O‟Brien and inform him, that the Council elected Mr. Blye
unanimously. President Gompers replied quickly and his letter was read at the July
11 meeting of the Council. 58 Twenty meetings of the 1902 Labor Council were held.
Expansion and Growth
By the second year of its‟ existence the Trades and Labor Council had
expanded with the addition of eight more unions. These were the electrical workers,
retail clerks, musicians, carpenters, barbers, stage employees, horseshoers and
wood workers. Officers chosen for the Council at this closed meeting, were as
follows; President George Krisner, Vice President Paul Uttermoehl, Secretary Henry
Kowalke, and Treasurer Benjamin Neurauter. Also present at this initial chartering
meeting was a Mr. A.J. O‟Brien of Superior, Wisconsin a District Organizer for the
AFL. Mr. O‟Brien indicated to the press of the city that he was going to relocate his
home here in La Crosse to serve the needs of organized for the city‟s‟ workers. 59
By the meeting of September 19, arrangements for the rental of Funke‟s Hall
had been completed. Rent was to be $12.50 per month, and the lease was to be for
three years, with the right to renew for another three at the same rate. The Council
approved the report. 60 At the October 3 meeting, the Charter from the State
Federation of Labor had been received and was ordered framed. 61
Draping the Minutes in Memory of a Fallen Brother
The first death that a record of exists in the minutes of the Council, occurred
at this time. The following resolution was placed in the minutes. Whereas; God in
his infinite wisdom has deemed it wise to remove from our midst a friend, a brother,
and a faithful worker for humanity in the person of Alex Weidmer and whereas; the
deceased was earnest and conscientious in his endeavor to strengthen the fraternal
ties that bind man to his fellow man. Therefore be it Resolved; That we the Trades
and Labor Council extend to his family and kindred in this their hour of grief
sympathy, and be it further Resolve; That our Charter be draped in mourning for the
space of thirty days, a copy of these resolutions to be placed upon the records and a
copy sent to his grief stricken family. 62 The minutes for the remainder of the year,
demonstrate a concern over the falling off of attendance by many of the affiliates
delegates and the struggling of the Councils‟ activists to find a method to boost
attendance and interest. A common thread of the fabric of labor, that continues to
this very day with our modern unions and their union members.
57 Ibid.
58 Ibid.
59 La Crosse Daily Press, March 8, 1902
60 Minutes of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council
61 Ibid.
62 Ibid.
35

Political Agenda of Labor
In 1911 the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council had an official program of
legislation that it urged its members to pursue. In fact, it had 31 of them listed in its
1911 constitution and bylaws. They were contained in the Preamble and were as
follows:
1. Collective ownership by the people of all the means of production and
distribution and all means of communication and transportation.
2. The public ownership of all industries owned by monopolies, trusts and
combines.
3. Adoption of a constitutional amendment requiring the election of our
president by the people.
4. A thorough reform of the judiciary laws.
5. Abolition of all indirect taxes.
6. Abolition of contract work in public services.
7. Reduction of hours of work.
8. Equal pay and rights for all men and women.
9. Federal prohibition of all contract work.
10. The right of recall of elected officials by the people.
11. Creation of postal deposit and saving banks.
12. Creation of Social Security.
13. Abolition of war.
14. Adoption of the Swiss military system.
State Issues
1. Sanitary inspection of all places of work.
2. Abolition of contract prison labor.
3. Prohibition of child labor under the age of 18.
4. Compulsory education for all at the public expense.
5. Liability by employers for injury to the health, body or loss of life of their
employees.
6. Discontinuance of contract system on public works.
7. First lien for workers' wages.
8. Creation of an employment plan for all citizens.
9. Creation of a living wage law.
10. Payment of weekly wages in lawful money only.
Municipal Issues
1. Municipal ownership of gas and electric plants and, telephones and street
railways.
2. Eight-hour days for all public employees.
3. All public services work performed by municipal employees.
4. Equal pay for men and women.
5. Revision of municipal code.
6. Equal and affordable pay for all public officials.
7. Use of halls in municipal buildings by the public for free, to discuss public
issues.
A very ambitious list and some issues felt to be so important that they were
listed numerous times.
Women‟s Auxiliary of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council
The exact date of the founding of the Auxiliary is not known. Several copies
of their Constitution and By-Laws are extant and they shed some light on the
36

principals under which the auxiliary operated. The Women‟s Auxiliary was to meet
the second and fourth Tuesday of each month and dues were to be $1 a year.
By-Laws, Article IV-Objects
A. Bring within the folds of our association, every wife, mother, sister and
daughter of member or actual members in good standing of the National or
International Unions affiliated with the AFL.
B. To assist either husband, father, brother or son in his endeavor to secure and
maintain suitable wages and conditions of employment by every honorable
means and to promote the social gatherings of his shop mates and their
friends.
C. To cheer them in times of industrial
trouble and to assist them to secure
their rights.
D. To assist the families of members
who may have sickness, death, or
misfortunes of any kind overtake
them.
E. To educate women on the principals
of trade unionism.
F. To encourage and support the Union
Label when buying goods and
services.
G. To work for equal pay for women.
H. Abolish the exploitation of children in
the workplace.
Standing Committees
A.
B.
Welfare
Entertainment
Early Labor Temple, circa 1920-1935
C. Auditing
D. Membership
E. Union Label
F. Sunshine*
G. Purchasing
*The Sunshine Committee shall consist of two members, one for the south
side and one for the north side whose duty it shall be to send expressions of
sympathy from the Auxiliary.
The AFL and Later the AFL-CIO Labor
Temple
Organized labor‟s home since the
end of the citywide strike in 1920 was the
Labor Temple located at 423 King Street in
La Crosse. Originally built in 1890, the
building was then the home of the
Norwegians‟ Workingman‟s Society. That
group constructed the building complete
with towers, and fancywork for the sum of
$3,500.
In 1899, the YMCA bought the
property for $13,000. In 1921 the Labor
Temple Association (affiliated with the local
AFL) purchased the building for $24,000.
37
AFL Labor Temple on King Street, 1950's.
Exterior and Bar

At a special stockholders meeting
held in June, 1937, the Board voted to
make some improvements in the Hall. The
repair and repainting of the meeting rooms
on the 2nd floor were the first to
undertaken. Then, the dance hall was
remodeled, a new floor laid and new
lighting fixtures installed. New offices were
built on the first floor and a new boiler
installed. The AFL was headquartered
there until 1958 when it merged with the
CIO and the hall then became known as the
AFL-CIO Labor Temple. In 1981 the
building was sold to the La Crosse
Telephone Company and the La Crosse
AFL-CIO moved to 1920 Ward Avenue. The
Labor Temple was razed by June 27, 1981.
Sadly, the author has learned that at the time the Labor Council departed the
Labor Temple many of the early papers and records of the AFL and AFL-CIO were
discarded or left behind. A few of them (including the minute books of the AFL)
ended up being donated by the La Crosse Telephone Company to the local university
(University of Wisconsin, La Crosse) 63 . They now reside in the Special Collections
department of the UWL, in La Crosse.
The back copies of the AFL‟s publication, The Annual Labor Review, and The
Labor Leader, ended up in the trash bin at the time of the sale of the building. Many
of them were recovered by a union member of BSEIU Local 21 (the custodial services
union, which became the SEIU International Union of today) who contacted the
Union Herald several decades later and who restored many of the annual publications
to the labor newspaper.
By 1981, the time of the sale of the AFL-CIO Labor Temple, an attempt was
made to create the La Crosse Union Center Corporation, to construct a new union
hall in La Crosse. A subscription pledge drive was conducted and $274,750.00 was
pledged by 23 local unions to buy and build a new hall. This was reported to be
some $125,250.00 short of the necessary funds needed to move forward with the
planned hall. Nevertheless, the attempt to create a Labor Temple went on for
several years. By 1984 a set of By-laws was drawn up and offered for approval.
In this set of By-laws, the initial Board of Directors was to be comprised of the
following: Tom Roellich, Bob Gifford, Jerry Powell, Don Brague, Dave Stark, Barb
Donaldson, Babe (Alfred) Harnish, Fran Schoen and Dan Mihalovic
Despite tremendous efforts and hours of work, the hall did not come to be. A
few of La Crosse‟s unions rented offices in the building located at 1920 Ward Avenue.
But, it was privately owned and the unions were simply tenants.
August 1, 1980, Scheduled Opening of New Labor Temple on Ward Avenue
The new labor temple was approximately 12,000 square feet in size. It would
be available for local unions to rent offices and contained several meeting rooms and
a large meeting hall. 109 parking spaces were on site and without a parking meter
as they were located on private land. A lot of the old fixtures of the Labor Temple
Bar were to be used in the new bar in the Ward Avenue building. 64 Today, a portion
63 Photocopies of all the minutes books owned now by the UWL have been photocopied and placed in the
files of the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO
64 Never happened
38

of the back bar of the AFL Labor Temple resides at Sloopy‟s Bar and Grill on the
north side of La Crosse. It is a beer barrel shaped item and is still in use.
Williams Construction was the general contractor for the project, Mutch
Electric did the electrical work, Hengel Brothers did the plumbing, and Peterson-
Hasinki did the heating for the project. The address of the new building was 1920
Ward Avenue.
Monies were raised and pledged but, the major union sponsors couldn‟t agree
to mutual terms of ownership and the building went into private ownership. It
remains in use to this date. Over the years most of the union tenants have
departed. Laborers Local 140, IBEW Local 14, Teamsters Local 695, Operative
Plasterers and Cement Masons Area 599, Local 257, SEIU Local 150 and the joint
officers of the Union Herald, Inc. and the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO remain as the
only union tenants as of 2009. The union offices of the Carpenters Local 1143,
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 434, Steel Workers Local 14, Teamsters Local 1081
and the Western Wisconsin Building and Trades Council all moved to other sites or
closed their offices after going out of existence.
Congress of Industrial Organization, the CIO in La Crosse
The La Crosse Industrial Council, CIO existed in La Crosse from 1937 to 1958.
It represented thousands of union workers employed by the Auto-Lite, Motor Meter
Maid, Allis Chalmers, Rubber Mills and La Crosse Cooler Company as well as those
employed by the Swift Meat Packing Company in La Crosse, along with other unions
at local foundries and elsewhere. Many of these workplaces were employers of
United Auto Worker union members.
The CIO moved into the Pioneer Hall at Fifth and Market Streets in La Crosse
in August of 1937. In the local newspaper the leaders of the CIO stated, “The
principal reason for the purchase of Pioneer Hall was to have a place large enough to
accommodate the large membership of the organizations. The unions also are
interested in recreational facilities, such as bowling alleys, gymnasium, stage and
dance hall.”
In 1954, the CIO owned Pioneer Hall Association amended its bylaws with the
State of Wisconsin. From this record can be stated with certainty the membership of
the CIO as it stood in 1954. The name was changed to, The Congress of Industrial
Organizations Labor Hall Association of La Crosse, Wisconsin Incorporated.
Listed Directors
Paul Bigley, Arthur Witt, John Hammes, Adrian Drecktrah, Vern Koenen,
Clarence Beranek, Bernard Leecher, James Beranek, Wiley Ford, Earl Van Thomme,
Louis Peterson, Joseph Johnson, Frank Kostecki, John Schnell, Walter Powers and
Harold Lee. The amendment passed by a vote of 10 to 1, on May 13, 1954.
CIO Affiliated Local Unions.
Local 175, Local 316, Local 395, Local 401, Local 1263, Local 14, Local 81,
Local 633 comprised the founding unions of the hall.
Chartering of the La Crosse Industrial Union Council, CIO
The La Crosse Industrial Union Council was formed by the joint meeting held
by three of the larger CIO union in La Crosse in 1937. It was established in
September 11, 1937. A national charter was applied for in December 14, 1938 and
a Wisconsin charter in March 22, 1939. By January 11, 1939, Floyd Robinson was
acting as the CIO Business Agent.
39

Charter Officers of the CIO;
President, Charles Shoger, USW Local 396, Vice President, Roy Wood, URW
Local 14, Recording Secretary, Orville Evenson, UAW Local 396, Financial
Secretary/Treasurer, Ernest Aumock, URW Local 14.
Walter Ruther in La Crosse, May 16, 1951
Walter Reuther the president of the United Auto Workers International Union
came to La Crosse on Wednesday, May 16 and stayed here until Saturday, May 19.
The night of May 17, he and his assistant Jack Conway, along with Harvey Kitzman
and Donald Youlton and the seven presidents of the UAW Locals of La Crosse
attended a fish fry hosted by Harry Cavins, president of UAW Local 316. They dined
on pike, catfish, trout and smoked trout. Reuther told Cavins not to dress up for the
event as he was coming in sportsman garb to the event.
Chronological Listing of CIO Presidents, La Crosse*
*Left blank where information is lacking or unclear.
1937 Charles Shoger
1938
1939 Roy Wood
1940 Roy Wood
1941 Roy Wood
1942 Roy Wood
1943 Peter Pendleton, UAW Local 396
1944
1945
1946 Carl Gillmeister
1947 Leslie Burch
1948 Leslie Burch
1949 Oscar Harebo
1950 Rowena Bigsbee/L. Koeneen (Koeneen, served in Nov. and Dec.)
1951 William Largos
1952 Henry Lueth
1953 Paul Bigley, UAW Local 396
1954 Paul Bigley
1955 Paul Bigley
1956 Paul Bigley
1957 Thomas Pretasky, Brewery Workers Local 81
1958 Robert Gavin, UAW Local 316
Pioneer Hall
The CIO purchased Pioneer Hall on August 6, 1937. By 1957 the CIO in La
Crosse reported to its members a four-year break down of their hall expenses. From
1954 to 1957 the hall had profits of about eleven thousand dollars with expenses of
over twenty-six thousand. The shortfall was mostly made up by per capita payments
from the local CIO unions which comprised the La Crosse Industrial Council. Even
with these per capita taxes the hall was losing an average of $330 a month.
In a communication to all local CIO unions a report was issued that read in
part, “We feel that the day may not be too far away when our brothers in the AFL
will realize that they are also supporting a white elephant, and may want to merge in
one building, it would be at that time we would probably want to add the third
story.” In reality, the concerns over the old worn out building was moot, for by the
40
Parade Banner of the
La Crosse CIO. Held today in
the officers of the Western
Wisconsin AFL-CIO

next year, the La Crosse CIO and AFL Councils were merged into the La Crosse AFL-
CIO Council and one building was achieved. 65
CIO Hall Monthly Expenses, 1957
Stamps $3.00
Officers‟ expense $60.00
Northern States Power $106.81
Trustees Audit $12.80
Harrison Young, Garbage Hauling $14.00
La Crosse Telephone Company $7.00
AFL-CIO Hall Expenses, 1981
Janitor $11,072.78
With-holding taxes $701.99
Utilities $15,032.28
Office and Administration $384.71
Janitor Supplies $587.99
Insurance $3,243.00
Legal Fees $6,295.90
La Crosse Offers to Buy Pioneer Hall
The city of La Crosse made an offer of $37,500 for Pioneer Hall. They wanted
to demolish it and turn the site into a new firehouse. The CIO accepted the offer
and on February 16, 1966 the building was knocked down, and an era ended.
Today, the site houses Station One of the La Crosse Fire Department and ironically
still houses union members around the clock. The fire fighters that work, sleep and
eat there are members of IAFF Local 127.
Good Bye – Pioneer Hall, 1966
After 28 years of service to unions, Pioneer Hall closed in 1966. It was
purchased in 1937 by UAW Locals, 395 and 396 in partnership with Rubber Workers
Local 14. A dozen years later six additional unions joined the Pioneer Hall
Association. They were Local 81 Brewery Workers of the Heileman and Peerless
Breweries, UAW Local 175 workers of Dolly Madison Dairies‟, Gateway Glass, P.
Lorillard Tobacco Company, Oak Grove Cemetery Association, Miller Broom Company
and the Bump Pump Company. UAW Local 316 of La Crosse Trailer, UAW Local 401
of Allis-Chalmers and UAW Local 1263 of Northern Plastics and Local 633 from the
Swift Packinghouse union. Due to the disintegration of the Northern Engraving
Company and the closing of the Auto-Lite, the Rubber Mills Union was the only
charter member left at the closing of the Union Hall on December 24, 1965. In April
of 2009 the handful of remaining members of Local 14L
(now known as USW Local 2-150) saw the company leave town and the era of the
Rubber Mills/La Crosse Footwear ended with a whiper on a sad note.
Wisconsin CIO State Presidents
1937-1939 Emil Costello
1939-1941 Harvey Kitzman
1941-1944 Thomas White
1945-1951 Herman Steffes
1952-1958 Charles Schultz
65 Letter in possession of author
41

Merger, the creation of the AFL-CIO in La Crosse, 1959
On Wednesday evening, February 4, 1959 the charter
of the newly merged AFL and CIO councils was granted in La
Crosse. Delegates representing the 38 AFL organizations and
the 9 CIO organizations had met since December 1, 1958 in
merger talks. Speakers and guests attended the ceremony
held at the Mary E. Sawyer Auditorium. Circuit Court Judge,
Lincoln Neprud acted as the master of ceremonies. Addresses
were given by Mayor Milo Knutson, Eugene Moats, (assistant
to George Meany of the AFL-CI0), and Lieutenant Governor
Philo Nash. The charter was signed by President George
Meaner. About 600 people attended the ceremony. The first
officers of the AFL-CIO were; Bernard Thill, president; Gerhard
Nesseth, recording secretary; Bernard Sauer, financial
secretary; Robert Gavin, vice president; Roy Smith, business
agent and corresponding secretary.
Mayor Knutson said during his speech, “in this merger
La Crosse AFL-CIO officers and delegates at a Labor Council meeting in 1959 after the merger of the AFL and Cio
labor itself as an organized movement recognizes that in preserving the dignity of
the individual laborer and in promoting the welfare of the nation, it must put aside all
petty squabbling, the lack of charity within its own ranks and must conduct itself as
a movement, dedicated to the welfare of all people, and to the country as a whole.”
He would prove to be as harsh a critic of labor as reading between the lines of his
quote above exposes. His views were quite conservative and he had no time or love
for the unions of La Crosse.
Name Change , 2003
The La Crosse AFL-CIO in response to successful affiliations of AFSCME Local
1947 and IAM Lodge 1771 of Sparta, USWA Local 2-150 of Tomah and AFSCME Local
2918 of Viroqua amended its name to that of the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO. A
new charter was issued by the AFL-CIO dated August 11, 2003 and signed by
President Sweeney. It noted the following La Crosse unionists on the charter; Terry
Hicks, Mike Koziara, Mary Von Ruden, Bridget Flood, Kathy Hanratty, Dan Hanson
and Dave Stark. Of those just listed all except Bridget and Kathy remain active in
the labor council today. The charter was signed by President John W. Sweeney,
Richard Trumka and Linda Chavez Thompson for the AFL-CIO.
42
Parade Banner of the La Crosse
AFL-CIO, held by today’s
Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO

Chronological List of Labor Council Presidents and Their Occupations
Central Labor Council (1897-1901)
1897 Frank Dunscombe Printer
1898 H. A. Hotl Printer
1899 Ed Schelbe Cigarmaker
1900 Ed Schelbe Cigarmaker
1901 Leonard Stalllman Cigarmaker
La Crosse Trades and Labor
Council (1902-1958)
1902 John Krisner Cooper
1903 Isaac Emberson Blacksmith
1904 Bert Chandler clerk
1905 Bert Chandler clerk
1906 Bert Chandler clerk
1907 Emil Hickel Cigarmaker
1908 Emil Hickel Cigarmaker
1909 George Nagle Brewery Worker
1910 Theodore Strauss IBEW
1911 Theodore Strauss IBEW
1912 Joseph Wagner Cigarmaker
1913 J. C. Woford Printer
1914 J. C. Woford Printer
1915 J. C. Woford Printer
1916 Rueben Knutson Steamfitter
1917 Rueben Knutson Steamfitter
1918 Rueben Knutson Steamfitter
1919 Joseph Verchota Tailor
1920 Joseph Verchota Tailor
1921 Joseph Verchota Tailor
1922 Joseph Verchota Tailor
1923 Joseph Verchota Tailor
1024 Joseph Verchota Tailor
1925 Joseph Verchota Tailor
1926 Joseph Verchota Tailor
1927 Joseph Verchota Tailor
1928 Joseph Verchota Tailor
1929 Joseph Verchota Tailor
1930 Joseph Verchota Tailor
1931 Joseph Verchota Tailor
1932 Joseph Verchota Tailor
1933 Joseph Verchota Tailor
1934 Joseph Verchota Tailor
1935 George Nagle Custodian
1936 Robert Franklin Streetcar
1937 George Hall Painter
1938 Robert Franklin Streetcar
1939 Leonard Killian Brewery
1940 Leonard Killian Brewery
1941 Leonard Killian Brewery
43
1942 John Darling Streetcar
1943 John Darling Streetcar
1944 John Darling Streetcar
1945 John Darling Bus Driver
1946 John Darling Bus Driver
1947 John Darling Bus Driver
1948 John Darling Bus Driver
1949 John Darling Bus Driver
1950 John Darling Bus Driver
1951 John Darling Bus Driver
1952 John Darling Bus Driver/ret.
1953 John Darling Bus Driver/ret.
1954 Bernard Thill Steamfitter
1955 Bernard Thill Steamfitter
1956 Bernard Thill Steamfitter
1957 Bernard Thill Steamfitter
1958 Bernard Thill Steamfitter
La Crosse AFL-CIO
(1959-2002)
1959 Bernard Thill Steamfitter
1960 Bernard Thill Steamfitter
1961 Bernard Thill Steamfitter
1962 Bernard Thill Steamfitter
1963 Bernard Thill Steamfitter
1964 Roger Grandgaard Laborer
1965 Roger Grandgaard Laborer
1966 Roger Grandgaard Laborer
1967 Roger Grandgaard Laborer
1968 Mike Larkin Brewery
1969 Mike Larkin Brewery
1970 David Forer Machinist
1971 David Forer Machinist
1972 David Forer Machinist
1973 David Forer Machinist
1974 David Forer Machinist
1975 David Forer Machinist
1976 David Forer Machinist
Vic Bolhen Machinst
1977 Frank Bennington Office
1978 Dave Forer Machinist
1979 John Dingledein Plasterer
1980 Vic Samb Machinist
1981 Sue Weibel State Worker
1972 Sue Weibel State Worker
1983 Sue Weibel State Worker
1984 Sue Beil State Worker
1985 Ken French Machinist
1986 David Forer Machinist
1987 David Forer Machinist
1988 Bernard Ruesgen Baker

1989 Don Brague City Worker
1990 Dave Branson Steamfitter
1991 Wayne Ellefson Jr. Machinist
1992 Richard Knobloch Teacher
1993 Gerald Monti Machinist
1994 Kathy Berrier Rubber Worker
1995 Kathy Berrier Rubber Worker
Terry Hicks* (acting)Bus Driver
1996 Terry Hicks Bus Driver
1997 Terry Hicks Bus Driver
1998 Terry Hicks Bus Driver
1999 Terry Hicks Bus Driver
2000 Terry Hicks Bus Driver
2001 Terry Hicks Bus Driver
2002 Terry Hicks Bus Driver/ret.
Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO
(2003-to 2008)
2003 Terry Hicks Bus Driver/ret.
2004 Terry Hicks Bus Driver/ret.
2005 Terry Hicks Bus Driver/ret.
2006 Terry Hicks Bus Driver/ret.
2007 Terry Hicks Bus Driver/ret.
2008 Terry Hicks Bus Driver/ret.
2009 Terry Hicks Bus Driver/ret.
Years of Service to Organized Labor
The five presidents whose photo is shown on this page,
account for 63 years of leadership of the 113 years the labor
council has been chartered and working for the men and women of
the Coulee region.
Serving one-years terms as president have been a; printer,
painter, blacksmith, baker, city worker and a teacher. Serving for
several years the labor council was lead by various machinists,
Terry Hicks
14 (15*) Years
cigarmakers and a tailor. A couple of those years an electrician
served as the president along with a laborer and a rubber worker.
Brewery workers and a state employee also took a turn at the helm along the way.
John Darling and Terry Hicks, both members of ATU Local 519 remained
serving as CLC presidents after retiring from bus driving.
(Asa) Bert Chandler was president of the labor council from 1904 through
1906. In 1912 he was employed as a clerk at the Grand Union Tea Company in La
Crosse. He was married and had one daughter named Vera. Even though it was
reported he left his home one day in good spirits he committed suicide on that day in
1912 by hanging himself. He was a Spanish American War veteran and a member of
the Eagles Club. He had a sister that also took her own life.
44
Joseph Verchota
16 Years
Bernard Thill
10 Years
John Darling
12 Years
Dave Forer
10 Years

Labor News From Trades and Labor Council Minute Books
First Year Growing Pains
Feeling their way as they met bi-monthly (and sometimes tri-monthly), the
men and women of La Crosse‟s local labor community had the responsibility not only
of running the meetings of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council, they also faced
the dual duties of assisting in the formation of other skilled and trades unions. An
ancillary duty shouldered by the delegates was the promotion of the Union Label, the
delegates and their locals‟ members were charged with supporting union services
and products throughout their professional and domestic lives.
Officers chosen for the Council were as follows; President George Krisner,
Vice President Paul Uttermoehl, Secretary Henry Kowalke, and Treasurer Benjamin
Neurauter. Also present at this initial chartering meeting was a Mr. A.J. O‟Brien of
Superior, Wisconsin a District Organizer for the AFL. Mr. O‟Brien indicated to the
press of the city that he was going to relocate his home here in La Crosse to serve
the organized labor needs of the cities‟ workers.
At the May 1, 1902 meeting the Cooper‟s Union reported that they had won
five cents a keg pay raise. Organizer O‟Brian also rescinded his resignation and
returned as the labor council‟s organizer. The next meeting on May 15, saw the
successful leasing of Funk Hall for its meetings for the sum of $10 a month. A
resolution in support of the local plumbers was also enacted at this meeting.
“Resolved, whereas the plumbers are engaged in a struggle to better their condition
by increasing their wage scale and to shorten their hours of labor, therefore, be it
resolved, that we extend to them our support in every way that they may desire.”
The minutes state, “This resolution adopted after some discussion and ordered
spread on the minutes.” Meeting a third time in May on the 30th, a 4th of July picnic
was being planned.
At the July 25th meeting a report on the Brewery Strike and the Open Shop
movement in La Crosse was discussed by many of the unions and the Coopers and
Brewers unions reported that only the Bartle‟s Brewery with having signed the wage
scale and being thus, Fair. In August at the local public newspapers had not signed
a wage scale and all members were asked to boycott them. A prize was to be given
to the union commanding the largest percentage of its membership in the 1902
Labor Day Parade. Brother Emberson was chosen as the Parade Marshal, but had to
decline and Brother Bittner; a brewery worker accepted the nomination.
In September the minutes reflect the ongoing labor dispute at the local
telephone company. Using the term Hello Girls to describe the telephone operators,
it was noted that their organization was all broke up and some had deserted to the
company, leaving the Union. The company was said to be out to victimize three of
the union‟s girls. The Pamperin and Wiggerhorn Tobacco Company was reported by
the Cigarmakers Union as employing five small girls. The Brewers Union reported
that all of the City‟s Breweries were now unionized. They were the Michel, Bartl,
Gund, Heileman and Erickson Breweries. Funk‟s Hall was now leased for three years
by the labor council. The La Crosse Trades and Labor Council also voted to affiliate
with the Wisconsin Federation of Labor (Wisconsin AFL).
At the October 3 meeting, the Charter from the State Federation of Labor had
been received and was ordered framed by the local firm owned by Oyden Oden.
Later, in October the House Committee of the Labor Council reported that they had
failed to get the three-year lease signed by Funke, and was again seeking a hall to
meet in. In November, the Morning Chronicle and the Daily Press were recognized
as being union and using the union label on their publications. Joseph Verchota, a
45

union tailor and future Mayor of La Crosse (as well as long-term president of the La
Crosse Trades and Labor Council) first appears on the labor scene and is sworn in as
a delegate of Local 61.
Brother Wittcraft, a union barber was seated as a new delegate during the
November 28 LTLC meeting. At this meeting he spoke and told the delegates that he
would attend the meetings regularly and that the Central Body should have men who
would sacrifice their little comforts to attend to its duties. At the end of their first
year of existence the LTLC (La Crosse Trades and Labor Council) had 14 unions
affiliated with the central labor body.
FOUNDING UNIONS OF THE FIRST LABOR COUNCIL
They were:
1. Journeymen Barbers
2. United Brewery Workers
3. Beer Bottlers
4. Retail Clerks Association
5. Cooper Union
6. Journeymen Horseshoers
7. Musicians Protective Union
8. Cigarmakers
9. Carpenters and Joiners
10. Amalgamated Wood Workers
11. Journeymen Tailors
12. Electric Workers
13. Typographical Workers
14. Painters and Decorators
Of these, the carpenters, electrical workers, and retail clerks/barbers, remain
as active affiliates of the current central labor council, the Western Wisconsin AFL-
CIO. Horseshoers having disappeared, along with most of the stage workers and to
a degree, wood workers. The barbers and retail clerks were absorbed into the
United Food and Commercial Workers Union along with the Amalgamated Meat
Cutters and Butcher Workmen of America. The LTLC organizer assisted in the
formation of two new unions in December, they being the Machinist‟s of the
Railroads and Railway Freight Workers. 66
Year Two, 1903, Pearl Buttons and Cigars
The Local Molders Union and the Bartenders Union affiliated with the LTLC at
the close of 1902, and were now listed in the dues-paying section of the financial
report of the LTLC. On January 8, a special meeting was called to mediate the
dispute between the Coopers Union and the La Crosse Cooperage Firm. At this
meeting the council placed a guard at the door of the meeting room. A motion was
made, seconded and passed that the By-Laws be amended to allow the use of a
password to gain entry to future LTLC meetings. The La Crosse Cooperage Company
was placed on the unfair list at this meeting. A committee was appointed to meet
with the Company and give them until Tuesday to settle the dispute between them
and the Coopers. At the February 6 meeting a motion was passed to buy a box of
cigars to pass around amongst the delegates. On March 20, the minutes show that
two new unions were organized in February. The April 3 minutes report that John
Rae, a member of the Horseshoers Union was sworn in as a delegate.
66 Minute Books of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council
46

Credentials were received from the Button Workers Protective Union naming,
Cora Nash, Lottie Connison and Elizabeth Speclar as temporary delegates. The
Button Workers reported that the Wisconsin Pearl Button Company tried to reduce
the wages of the workers by 16 2/3%, causing 56 of them to leave work. 13 went
back almost immediately, but, 4 of them were convinced to sign up as union
members. Charles Blye, the LTLC organizer asked for a $10 donation to the Button
Workers and a $100 cash reserve to assist the locked-out Button Workers. He told
the LTLC that $4 a week would be needed to assist these workers if the lock-out
persisted. He had promised this help to the Button Workers when assisting them in
organizing their union. A motion was also passed to ask all LTLC affiliates to assess
their members 20 cents a week to assist the Button Workers.
At the May 1 meeting, the Button Workers Special Committee told the
delegates that about 50 hands had quit during the week and that the organization
was about 165 members strong. All affiliates were asked to do what they could to
help these workers again. At the May 15 meeting it was reported that one button
cutter and a few boys and girls had went back to work. At the June 12 meeting the
Button Workers reported that many members were going back to the factory and
that their union meetings were poorly attended. Most of the members were
expected to return to work is a settlement is not gained soon. At the July 10
meeting it was reported that the Button Workers Union‟s president had resigned and
it looked like there was nothing left of the union. But, at the July 24 meeting the
Button Workers told the delegates they were going to elect a new president and
other officers. The August 7 meeting found the Button Workers reporting that they
did not have enough members to hold a meeting. At the November 13 meeting,
George Hall (now the LTLC organizer) is instructed to organize the Button Workers
again. At the December 11 meeting he reported that he had called on the Wisconsin
Pearl Button Works management, and that they had agreed to make no distinction
between union and no-union men.
Year Three, 1904
George Hall (LTLC organizer) reported on February 12 that he had organized
a team drivers union. At the February 26 meeting, George Hall gave two weeks
notice that he was resigning as the LTLC organizer. Clothing Store owner, Mr.
Newburg instructed his men to either join the union or quit his employment shows
the March 11 meeting. The November 11 minutes show that an Ivan Abrahamson
was now the organizer.
Year Four, 1905, Newspapers Merged
William Panke was elected organizer reports the July 28 minutes. The
October 13 minutes state that the blackboard used to list unfair local firms should
also list local firms that employed non-union men. The next meeting (October 27)
saw a motion passed instructing all delegates to report to their unions the facts
surrounding the trouble between the electricians and the telephone companies in
town. All union men having telephones were to be asked to phone the telephone
company and ask them for an immediate settlement or to inform them to remove
their personal telephone in lieu of one. In March the delegates learned that
Wallace‟s Flour Mill was now union. The local newspaper, The Leader Press was
using the union label and the La Crosse Chronicle was not using it. In April the
horseshoers reported that all of their members were employed for the first time in a
year. The Leader Press and The La Crosse Chronicle had merged and threw a few
union printers out of work by doing it. In May the delegates learned that Carpenters
Local 1308 was forming up nicely. In the June minutes Carpenters Local 1108 was
47

mentioned. In the July minutes Carpenters Local 1308 reported through their
delegates that they had voted to purchase white caps to wear in the Labor Day
Parade. In October Local 1308 was withdrawing from the LTLC until their treasury
was in better shape. By November Local 1308 had hired a new organizer, but, he
left after a couple of weeks, disgusted by the lack of response he had received from
the men he was trying to organize. By December, Local 1308 was dropped from the
list of affiliates of the LTLC.
1907, a Busy Year for Local Labor
All local unions were urged to use Yeoman‟s Hall for their union meetings.
And they were also asked to display their union banners on the stage of the ballroom
in the Hall. A masked ball was to be held by the LTLC. The rules were suspended
during the January 25 meeting to allow Carpenters Local 1308 to explain their
condition. A motion passed to allow them back into the ranks of the Council‟s
affiliates. The union was also given a reprieve of paying per capita taxes for three
months to assist them in getting their affairs on firm ground. A resolution was
passed and given to the Mayor and the Common Council in opposition to the $500
that body had just voted to use on streetcar fares for the school children of La
Crosse on La Crosse‟s North Side. The Labor Council felt that the money would
benefit some and not others. The resolution also stated that the many workers who
ride the streetcar should be able to do so free of charge. Three delegates from Local
1308 were seated at the February 22 meeting. The Glove Workers Union reported
that it was still waiting for its charter to arrive. The Labor Council voted in favor of
purchasing a desk for the LTLC‟s use.
In March the Glove Workers Union reported that it had 17 workers signed up
and was expecting to sign up more. Carpenters Local 1308 reported in March that it
had gained 15 new members. Organizer Panke reported that he had organized the
men at the La Crosse Rubber Mills under the heading of Rubber Boot and Shoe
Workers. Carpenters Local 1308 gained another 9 members. In April Local 1308
gained another 13 new members and their International Organizer, Mr. Carlin signed
up another 25 men. Panke organized the Car Workers on the Burlington Rail Road
with 32 charter members in number.
The Rubber Mills Union was failing already by May 10. It was reported that 7
members were left out of 34. Most quit because of the small amount of pay. The
Car Workers gained another 6 members and the Glove Workers Union withdrew from
the Council by letter. In June the Burlington Blacksmiths had organized the whole
system. The Rubber Boot and Shoe Workers Union were demanding higher wages
and then walked out on strike. They gained 2 new members.
1909, ATU Local 519 Joins the Council 67
Newly formed Amalgamated Streetcar Workers Local 519 seated Armin
Ruegg, Charles Kantor and Robert Franklin as delegates to the Council in May.
Carpenters Local 1308 reported that Kuhn‟s Old Factory was reopening. ATU Local
519 had two men fired on May 28 due to the unionization of the firm. By June 11,
John Rae, the LTLC Organizer reported that Local 519 was experiencing problems as
the company won‟t recognize their union. LTLC President, George Nagle and the
delegates pass a resolution expressing, „hearty sympathy‟ with Local 519 members.
Brother Reeves (ATU International Representative) spoke to the LTLC and said, “true
67 This local has been an affiliate of the Local Labor Council for 100 consecutive years
as of May, 2009
48

union men didn‟t need much talking to but, he wanted to impress those present with
that his local got more knocks than any other local but, they are still in the swim and
constantly on the firing line.” Continuing he also said, “We have many battles after
some of the boys have been shot down and we are going to win this one if it takes
six weeks or more.” Reeves also stated that Local 519 was in touch with all the
classes, more so than any other local union.
Brother Fay also attended this union meeting and said he could see that local
labor was standing strong in support of Local 519 forming their union. He told the
delegates that the Company was most disrespectful of the men trying to form their
union. The council passed a resolution that included such phrases as; “Whereas the
unwarranted course of the La Crosse City Railway Company has visited upon our fair
city a condition of chaos and the act prompts the righteous resentment of our whole
people and inspires a unanimous demand that the said directors retract from their
distasteful policy.” The resolution also stated; “Resolved, that we protest against the
submission to the operation of the cars in this city by the incompetent strikebreakers
now in the employ of the company and that the city authorities be notified
of this protest.”
In July the minutes reported that a council resolution was given to Mr.
Edwards of the Streetcar Company and that a mass meeting held on behalf of the
striking members of Local 519 was a great success. In August the Glove Workers
were back and busy. Local 519 reported that it was unionized and that Conductors
Number 82 and 101 were non-union and all union brothers should look out for them
when using the streetcars. John Rae, the Council‟s organizer asked for and got a
resolution passed thanking Wisconsin State Mediator Mr. Humphrey for his work on
the Local 519 case. A resolution thanking labor attorney, Hartwell was also passed.
He had served as Local 519‟s attorney throughout the union drive and mediation
hearing.
The August 27 minutes show that organizer Rae got 29 men to sign up at the
Rubber Mills to form a local union and that he had sent for a charter. The blackboard
used by the Council to report union goods and services was now to be used only to
list the names and addresses of the Secretary‟s of all the affiliated unions. A
resolution was passed at this meeting stating that the Trades and Labor Council had
an opportunity to read the arbitration findings and found them to be fair the
company and the union and to the “innocent third party, the public.”
In September, Sam Orton, Albert Panke and Albert Gaisson were seated as
delegates of the Rubber Mills Union. They reported that their charter and union
supplies had arrived. John Rae reported in October that he had organized the
Freight Handlers of the city. Also reported in October was the fact that 3 more
rubber workers were signed up for the union. They also reported that their dues
books had not yet arrived. ATU Local 519 reported that it had gained a closed shop
clause in its contract with their employer.
November saw Carpenters Local 1308 gaining one new member and Gund‟s
Saloon on 4th Street being painted by non-union painters because they were
working $20 cheaper than union painters. The North side newspaper, The Argus
wrote about publishing a North Side paper with lots of labor news. The Gund Saloon
issue was resolved. Organizer Rae was trying to get the girls at the Rubber Mills to
join the union. The year ended with news given in December noting that Rubber
Workers asked that only those delegates with credentials issued prior to December
1, 1909 were to be seated at the Council. A motion was passed to try to get a Union
Bakery started in town.
49

1910, Union Bread
Union bread was a topic still on the table at the onset of 1910. At the first
meeting that year it was reported that „gold medal‟ flour, a non-union flour, was
selling quite briskly in La Crosse. Organized John Rae reported that sacks of union
flour from the St. Cloud Mill were available for $5.70 apiece and each local union was
encouraged to purchase as many as possible. Later in January, a Union Debate was
scheduled to be held on February 17, entitled, “Should Unions Form a Cooperative
Store?” This was to be held at the Franklin Club in La Crosse.
Delegates learned in February that the Rubber Mills was selling shares of
stock to union men, employed there, in order to break the local union as the men
could not remain in the union if they became stockholders in the company. Twentyfive
barrels of flour were purchased per the request made in January. Organizer Rae
reported that he was busy trying to organize a box makers union (these workers
manufactured beer boxes). Late in the month, the City Mills Flour plant contacted
the Council seeking to get their men signed up in a union as they wished to sell “Best
of All” union-made flour.
Only 3 union men attended the debate, which went against the union
viewpoint, it was reported at a March meeting of the Council. An April meeting saw
the announcement of two brands of union-flour now being sold in the City, with the
City Mills now being unionized. Gund‟s Brewery stuck at the union when it fired one
of its employees for „being too strong a union man.”
In the June 24th meeting minutes it is written that the girls of the bottling
department organized with a good showing, at the Gund Brewery. A communication
was received notifying the council that the laundry workers international union was
in town trying to organize their workers.
The next month, (July) saw contract negotiations proceeding between Seglke
and Kohls and Carpenters Local 1308. The union took a strike vote and the results
were, 84 yes, and 2 no. Later in the month, Local 1308 struck the company.
At the August 12th meeting the minutes show that Local 1408 went into the factory
in a body to retrieve their tools. They also were noted as having a large picket force
in use. It was noted that the company was unable to hire machine hands and that
this helped the strikers. Local 1308 called the strike off shortly before the
September 23rd meeting of the council.
In the minutes of November 11th the Printers Union gave a long speech
asking that the Labor Council stay out of politics. The council has endorsed a
candidate on the Socialist ticket and the Printers Union felt this was meddling and
unhealthy for labor. A committee comprised of Nagle, Chandler and Serres was
appointed to look into the matter and to report back their recommendations.
November minutes tell of a new broom factory being built in La Crosse and that is
was to be a union one. The rubber workers in town were reported to be suffering,
because of inequities in wages being paid to employees, a tactic used to disrupt the
local it was reported. Some were earning much less than others for the same work.
1911, Stoves, Buttons and Gloves
The Molders Union at the Summit Stove factory reported in January that their
members received a raise in wages. Selgke and Kohls did not hire any of the former
officers of Carpenters Local 1308 in retaliation of the recent strike it was noted.
The organizer‟s report in the March 10 minutes tells of the Button Workers
having recently tried to form a union. The Flour and Cereal Workers of La Crosse
were considered as being in rough shape having only 398 members in all the locals
employed at the city breweries. A new charter however was expected.
50

In the October minutes it
was reported that the Glove
Workers Union, employed by the
La Crosse Knitting Company, had
dissolved. By November it was
reported that union organizers
hoped to reform the union.
1912, Candy Work was not
too Sweet
By January of 1912, only
five blacksmiths were left in the
union and this was not enough
to retain the charter. But by
March two new blacksmith
members were expected to join
the local and they still hung on
to their charter. In May the
Coopers Union reported that the
La Crosse Cooperage Company
had closed its doors. A Sheet
Metal Workers Union was
expected to form soon. By June
a charter had arrived and the Local was up and running. July minutes show that a
report was given to the delegates stating that all the workers at the La Crosse
Knitting Works were non-union and all gloves sold locally were without a union label.
The Constitution and By Laws of a new Union Cards and Label Department of the La
Crosse Trades and Labor Council were detailed in the minutes. This body would be
charged with publicizing and promoting the use and purchase of union products and
services within the area by all workers.
In October the Flour and Cereal workers were unionized. Peerless Lacota
Flour would carry the union label. Girls working for the Funke‟s Candy Factory were
paid 80 cents a day and if late were docked an hour‟s pay. By November two girls
had appeared at Brother John Londkoski that was employed by Funke‟s Candy
Factory to report on their conditions at work. They had broken down in tears
speaking to him of the overwork they were bearing. A motion was made to direct
the organized to bring this to attention of the Local Labor Commissioner and if he
failed to act to take it to the State Commission. In December a Factory Inspector
was in town looking into the charges of abuse at the Funke Candy Factory. During
this month a death was noted in the minutes of A.B. Chandler. He was lauded as a
true-union man and it was noted that his shoes would prove to be hard to fill. 68
1913, Gompers Competitor in Town
John Mitchell, the only man to defeat Samuel Gompers for the presidency of
the AFL, was in town on a speaking tour. The February 28th minutes contained a
resolution that related to Brother Mitchell being labeled a teacher of violence and
anarchy, by a local unionist. The resolution condemning the attack and stating the
council‟s support was too sent to Mitchell, each local union and was to be published
in the local newspapers. March minutes show that the local saloon keepers were
laying in a large supply of union beer in anticipation of an April 1st strike by the
68 Minute Books of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council
Joseph Funk Candy Company, 200-2004 Front Street, circa 1900
Women are dipping chocolates
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
51

ewery workers unions. IBEW Local 135 was trying to round up inside and outside
wiremen and get them signed up as union members in the La Crosse area. They
asked local union tradesmen to demand the union card when they were on any
construction job, as it would assist Local 135 greatly.
In June Heileman‟s Brewery had opened a box factory for its product and was
staffing it with union men. By July the Trades and Labor organizer reported that he
had sent for a charter for the stationary firemen of the city to form their union. It
was reported that packers, sewers and truckers were on strike at the Listman Mill.
The July minutes show that the labor council rented 1,000 beer glasses for Labor
Day.
In July, organizer John Rae reported that he had found a few firemen who
were ready to join a union and that he would have more to report in the future. In
September Local 317 of the Stationary Firemen had John Weber sworn in as a
delegate. The October minutes show that the Coopers Union had 3 men out of 43
working, due to the closure of the La Crosse Cooperage Company earlier that year.
1914, Union Beer Boxes Please
At the February meeting of the council, the organizer reported that he had
met with Mr. Gund of the Gund Brewery on the matter of buying only union-made
beer boxes. Mr. Gund told the organizer that he would be willing to buy union-made
boxes from out of town providers instead of the box factory in La Crosse. Carpenters
Local 689 represented the box makers of La Crosse.
In February a non-union steamfitter was laid off at the Heileman Brewery and
a union steamfitter hired to finish the work started by the previous employee.
The Stationary Firemen walked out on strike in May when their demand for
another employee on each shift was denied. They were employed by the Gas Works.
Also this month the Trades and Labor Council completed a deal to lease the halls
located at 417 Jay Street. Unions and their delegates were reminded to please turn
out lights, close windows and lock the doors of the hall when their meetings
conclude.
In August, ATU Local 519 reported to the delegates that members of the
Brewers and Beer Bottlers Unions were jumping onto the streetcars as they pass the
breweries and then are riding on them out to the end of the line without paying the
fare. Members of 519 have been warned by management about this practice. At an
August meeting the delegates voted to purchase a buffet (furniture piece) to raffle
off for Labor Day. Delegates were told it would be displayed in the window at
Tillman Brothers Furniture Store. A new Printing Pressmen‟s Union was formed this
month with 14 charter members. Organizer Rae met with employees of the Boot and
Shoe factory and sent for a charter for them for a union.
The October minutes contain an inventory of the Labor Council‟s property. It
included at this time, 27 cuspidors, 63 chairs, 1 roll top desk, 8 wrenches, 1 ice tong,
4 glass washers and 1 photo of the officers of the National AFL along with 1 charter
for the council. 69
1914, Kelly‟s Army Encamps at La Crosse
On May 29, 1914 a fast freight brought Kelly‟s Army into town at 12:15 a.m.
on the Milwaukee Road Railroad. They traveled here from Hastings, Minnesota.
Kelly‟s Army was comprised of unemployed workers and veteran‟s who were lobbying
and demonstrating publicly for government assistance. Three railroad detectives and
two La Crosse police officers met the army as it left the train in the North Side yard.
69 Minute Books of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council
52

These officers and detectives accompanied the army to the jungles, which were
located near Grand Crossing and the Burlington Railroad Yard.
La Crosse merchants and the City Father‟s provided 100 loaves of bread, 2
sacks of potatoes, 10 pounds of coffee, 75 rings of bologna and 75 rings of liverwurst
to the hungry army of the poor and encouraged them to move on in the morning.
1915, Rubber Workers Still Bouncing Around
Once again the minutes show that a charter had been sent for on behalf of
the Rubber Workers. In the minutes for the second meeting of that month, a report
was given that these Rubber Workers had received an AFL charter, had elected
officers and had 89 members signed up. In March the labor council wired AFL
president, Samuel Gompers that they needed help with the situation of the now
locked out Rubber workers, as the factory had shut down because of the newly
formed union by their employees.
Under the heading of new business, the lockout was discussed. Organized
labor had tried to broker a meeting with the owners of the Rubber Mills but they
refused to do so. The AFL has sent an organizer to town to assist in the situation.
He told the delegates that some local groups were working underground to break the
strike of the Rubber Workers. He cited them as, the Grocers Association and The
Religious Movement of the community. He said the clergy were advising strikers to
return to work and that several butchers and grocers on the North Side were
refusing credit to the striking workers. The factory conditions were cited as being
unfair. Girls were forced to work long hours to make a fair wage and everyone was
exposed to fumes from gasoline and benzene.
1916, Rubber Workers and the IBEW and Carpenter‟s Unions
The minute books from January note that an IBEW union electrician was
working at the Rubber Mills. The Rubber Workers asked the IBEW to have the man
removed and he was, it was reported at the second meeting in January.
A carpenter was working at the Mills the April minutes state. He was
contacted and left the Mills and applied for membership with Carpenters Local 1143.
The Labor Council leased the entire 3 rd Floor of 425 and 417 Jay Street for 3
years to use as union offices. They agreed to rent of $300 a year.
From the May minutes; two railcars full of shoes were returned to the Mills,
unsold. Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 31 asks union members to buy union
caskets from L.H. White a local undertaker. From the December minutes; the Box
Company closed its doors.
1917, Fire Fighters Union
In the January minutes the organizer‟s report shows that he had tried to
organize the Fire Fighters once again. This time he reported that the Chief of the
Fire Department put a stop to it. However, the organizer stated that the men
wanted a union and that he would try again later. Organizer, John Rae heard from
the AFL in February and learned that 25 U.S. cities had unionized fire departments.
March 9th minutes relate that Carpenters Local 689 surrendered its charter
and were merged into Carpenters Local 1143.
1918, Fire Fighters Unionize
The February 8th minutes contain a report on the death of the Council‟s
organizer, John Rae. Mrs. Rae asked that the Labor Council provide union men to
serve as pall bearers for her late husband. Brothers; Verchota, Nagle, Greenman
and Knutson were so selected. A motion was passed that a notice be taken out in
53

the public newspapers advising all union members to attend the funeral of John Rae.
The minutes were ordered draped for 30 days with the resolution of condolences and
two minutes of silence was observed. Reuben Knutson was elected as the organizer
to replace the late John Rae.
April 14th minutes state that the four union barber shops in La Crosse were
located as follows; Jay Street between 4th and 5th, La Crosse Street across from the
North Western Railroad Depot, North 3rd Street one on the north side and at 12th
and Pine streets.
In the May minutes a report by the Barbers Union detailed a plan by that
unionto escort any drafted member to the train when they depart for the service,
and they challenged other locals to do the same. Railway Carmen delegates were
sworn in for that local and they were; W. Didish, Thune, Wells and Rood.
The La Crosse Plow Works fired a man on July 10th from the Plow Shop for
being too active on unionism. A union representative accompanied the fired member
to a meeting with the owner, Mr. Hirsheimer, but he refused to reinstate him. A
meeting was scheduled for July 13th. A motion was made to purchase American
Flags for the two Labor Council meeting halls. It was reported that small ones could
be bought from the Park Store but that they only had 13 stars.
The Flu epidemic caused the members at the September 11th meeting to
authorize the Executive Board of the Labor Council to conduct business if a general
meeting could not be heard due to health concerns. Fire Fighters Local 127 formed a
union and affiliated with the Trades and Labor Council reported the October 8th
minutes. The November 22nd minutes point out the endorsement of a charter for
the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way and Railway Shop Laborers and the
delegates so voted. On December 27th the delegates voted to allow newly formed
unions a release from the required 7 union label rule to seat delegates for the first
six months of membership.
1919, Machinists Lodge 546
Machinists Lodge 546 of the Burlington Railroad initiated 11 new members
who had formerly been employed by the National Gauge Company. The Railway
Machinists now had 36 members in their lodge. Politics was on the mind of the
delegates during the February meeting, it was reported that Mayor Bentley was
consulted about placing labor friendly officials in city government. He advised the
labor council to investigate all candidates and to feel free to field labor members as
candidates as well. He also appointed Reuben Knutson to fill the vacancy in the 13th
Ward, a sign of labor support the delegates avowed. 70
1919, the Famous La Crosse Tractor
The La Crosse Tractor Company placed an ad in the local newspaper touting
their product produced in La Crosse in 1919. The ad noted; “Saves One Man, Saves
Horses, Saves Fuel Cost, Burns Kerosene, NO-Splash Oiler, Turns Short in Either
Direction, Simple…Accessible, Has No Equal in Soft Ground or on Side Hills.”
The company further stated that the La Crosse Tractor cost only $1,150 and
$1,250 and was superior to other tractors. The tractor was being sold by the Ristow
Motor Company of La Crosse. “Manufacturers-Not-Assemblers” read the ad
1920, Bakers Union
Local 201 dropped out the Labor Council in January, and the Council voted to
purchase up to 150 chairs for the meeting hall. In February it reported that Railroad
70 Minute Books of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council
54

Carmen Local 722 had received their charter on January 22, with 22 charter
members. A Ladies‟ Auxiliary was also formed for Local 722. The Blacksmiths
dropped affiliation with the LT&C reported the February minutes. April 16 minutes
reported on newly formed Bakery and Confectionary Workers Local 372.
Late in the year, the November minutes note the motion to approve a 30-day
option to purchase by the L&TC of Yeoman‟s Hall for a labor temple. A mass meeting
was to be called to discuss the issue. A price of $24,000 was cited as the purchase
price.
1921, Yeoman's Hall Purchase Plans
January 21 minutes detail the plan to make a down payment of $2,000 on
Yeoman‟s Hall and a plan to pay $1,500 on a quarterly basis to complete the sale.
February 4, 1921 minutes speak of a newsboy‟s strike at the Tribune and its
consequent settlement. In March a communication is received from the Spaug
Candy Company, in which it apologies for signing the 1920 Open Shop agreement, of
the late City-Wide strike of 1920.
1921, La Crosse Trades and Labor Council Organizer
Appointed to Industrial Board
Reuben Knutson the organizer for the Labor Council had his name submitted
to the Wisconsin Industrial Board by Governor Blaine. On the first vote, Knutson was
not approved for the position. The governor resubmitted his name and Senators
Skogmo and Peterson changed their former votes against him and he was approved
by a vote of 15 to 10. Knutson would start serving his term on July 1.
A committee of La Crosse citizens planned to hold a reception for Reuben
Knutson at Eagle‟s Hall to send him off to his appointment in Madison. As at this
time, the wages and workplace conditions of women and children were on the
forefront, so it was expected that a large number of women would attend this affair
in support of Knutson‟s appointment, it was to be open to the public. Alderman J. B.
Murray was the chairman of the Knutson reception. It was to begin at 8 p.m. and
last until 9 p.m. Musicians Local 1 would provide music for the event.
Speakers included, Charolotte Kohn, Standley Gordon, J. Verchota, Ben
Franke, Mayor A. Bentley, Reverend J. Panzlau and William Doerflinger. Joseph
Verchota, president of the Trades and Labor Council sent out an invitation to
organized labor that read; To all members of organized labor, whereas, a voluntary
group of citizens not affiliated with organized labor has arranged an informal
reception to be held Wednesday evening, June 29 at Eagle‟s Hall, in recognition of
the honor bestowed upon our esteemed brother, R. G. Knutson, by the governor of
the state in appointing him to a responsible position in the state government and,
Whereas; we reluctantly consent to his removal from our midst while
appreciating the enlarged opportunity afforded him to serve in his chosen work,
Now, therefore; I, Joseph J. Verchota, president of the Trades and Labor
Council, do officially request that every fellow trades unionist improve this
opportunity to express the high esteem and good will felt for our brother fellow
worker whose labors in our midst have in my judgment abundantly merited this
recognition by the executive of the state.
At a special meeting of the City Council, a similar resolution was introduced.
It thanked him for his service in the council as an alderman representing the 13th
ward. The resolution also invited everyone to attend and honor Mr. Knutson. A
large group of business owners, elected officials, labor leaders and community
activists assisted in the planning of the reception.
55

Following the end of his reception, Reuben (Rube) Knutson was escorted to
the Northwestern Railroad depot and put on board a train bound for Madison.
Knutson was given a gold watch and pencil set at the reception by Alderman Murray.
When Reuben Knutson took the stage at the reception he told the crowd, “My one
big ambition in life has always been to do every problem I have had to undertake in
the most righteous way I know of, to render a service to my employer and the
employee. My new ambition is to render a service to the whole people of Wisconsin.
I am leaving La Crosse feeling that practically all employees and employers will say I
have been fair and square with them.”
Labor attorney Frank Hartwell read another resolution from the people of La
Crosse that echoed the same remarks as those resolutions made by the Labor and
City councils. William Doerflinger said of Knutson, “This is an occasion when we feel
sad and glad. When I learned that Mr. Knutson had been appointed to the Industrial
Commission, I wrote to Governor Blaine congratulating him on this wise
appointment. Mr. Knutson is 100 per cent efficient. I have known Mr. Knutson
personally only since he has been the organizer for the Trades and Labor. Shortly
after he took that position he came in and said, „Let‟s talk it over.‟ He is a peace
loving man; he doesn‟t like the fight. But, when he does, let me tell you he can
fight. He is an inspiration to those who come in contact with him.”
1928, None Union Building and Trades Work Done
The La Crosse Trades and Labor Council‟s Organizer‟s reports are available for
the year of 1928, in them we learn that men were covering the pipes at the Rubber
Mills and upon his investigation he learned they were not union. They told him they
would like to join a union but, that there were no union asbestos workers outside of
Milwaukee at this time. The organizer reported that he “had considerable trouble
getting names and addresses of the membership of local unions and railroad
organizations. I find that about ½ of the addresses are wrong and that the
secretaries do no cooperate with the office in furnishing addresses of their
members.” He was seeking this information in order to mail the Council‟s Journal.
1929, Cigars for all
The organizer was informed that non-union men were working on the interior
of the National Gauge Company. He went there and upon finding this to be true, had
a meeting with the manager, Mr. Forgie. He agreed to remove them. Acting as a
hiring hall in 1929 the organizer reported that he placed men at work on jobs at; the
Rubber Mills (carpenters), Northern States Power and for Frank Schwalbe
(carpenters) and the Jack Hall painting contractor‟s work (painters). The organizer
stopped in at the Pool Room between Main and 6 th Streets and could not find a single
union cigar on sale. He asked the Cigarmakers to send a member around to take
orders for union cigars for some of the local businesses, despite their busy schedule
of making cigars.
Organizer‟s Report for the two weeks ending September 6, 1929
The organizer wrote, "The auto mechanics are entering their 4 th week on
strike. There has been no change in the strike situation in the past week except that
the strikers are more determined than ever to not go back to work under the
deplorable conditions they have. They are going to continue to picket until the strike
is won. Some organizations have given financial assistance but they would like to
have every organization adopt resolutions and give all the financial assistance
possible so that this fight may be won. Some of the employers are complaining
about the poor business and would like to sign up but are afraid to do so on account
56

of their affiliation with the dealers association. We are expecting some change in
this situation in the near future.”
1930, Grocery Clerks and Auto Mechanics
The retail clerks were trying to organize all the stores in town. They wished
to adopt a 6 p.m. closing time agreement. All the union stores in town had agreed
to stop selling goods at that time. In his report for the weeks ending January 3 rd ,
1930 the organizer reported that; the auto mechanics were still on strike. All
garages that have not signed the agreement are to be considered unfair and union
members are advised not to buy cars from them.
From the Files of Today's Labor Council
1995, OSHA Rally
On Sunday, December 17, 1995, the La Crosse
AFL-CIO hosted an OSHA rally held outside by the
Workers Memorial. Ron Kind, Lee Rasch and Mark
Weinhold (of Eau Claire) were the speakers. Terry Hicks
served as the moderator. Due to the extremely cold
weather it was sparsely attended. Hicks‟ family, wife,
son and daughter and a handful of others listened to the
speakers who spoke on the attempts by the current
administration to gut existing OSHA laws.
1996, Hard Times Supper
The labor council held a public event on September 1, 1996 which was called
a Hard Times Supper and Public Rally. It was held at American Legion Post 52 in La
Crosse. Wisconsin President David Newby was to be the keynote speaker. Elected
officials and candidates for public office were invited but were not to be asked to
speak. Rather they were there to hear from union members and the general public
about their concerns about working-class issues.
A free meal, consisting of beans and franks, buttered bread and coffee and
milk was served, symbolizing HARD TIMES. A mock grave yard complete with a
simulated coffin was set up and contained signs depicting deceased American Labor
Laws. Voter registration materials were also provided to those attending.
1997, Local Labor History Will Soon be Told
An August 17th article in the La Crosse Tribune announced the plan to print a
history of organized labor in the La Crosse area. In it the author (Terry Hicks) asked
the readers of the newspaper to contact him with any union history that had to
share. Ironically, it would be some additional 12 years before this book would come
to light. It would finally be published late in June of 2009.
Other Union Activities by the Labor Council, 1999
Living Wage
A common council committee unanimously approved a living wage resolution
on January 5th. Mayor John Medinger had introduced the resolution at the behest of
the La Crosse AFL-CIO and was an outspoken proponent of it. This was the second
time the living wage had came up having first been introduced in 1998. The La
Crosse Chamber of Commerce came out against the resolution. The resolution would
go before the Committee of the Whole on January 14th.
57
Hicks serving as moderator

1999 , SEIU Local 150 Rally
A rally was held Cameron Park on September 28, 1999. About 40 union
housekeepers at Gundersen Clinic whom were outsourced and replaced by a
contracting outside agency and for nurses trying to unionize at Gundersen Lutheran
Medical Center. The rally attracted union firefighters, state employees, rubber
workers, transit workers, machinists and other workers. The union drive was
defeated and the workers did not gain reinstatement.
2000, Footwear Rally Held
More than 200 Footwear employees, representatives from farmers and
environmental and labor unions held a rally in the parking lot across the street from
the factory on Saturday February 26, 2000.
The rally was held to protest the upcoming vote by Congress on passing a bill
known as Permanently Normalizing Trade with China or (PNTR). Organized labor
took an early stand against this bill and was urging Congressman Ron Kind to vote
against it. Representative Kind told the La Crosse Tribune, “I‟m fully supportive of
having better working conditions and environmental standards in China.” He went
on to say, “We just have a disagreement on what the next strategy is to bring that
about.” Organized labor was more concerned with protecting the manufacturing of
foot wear in La Crosse and did not begin to agree with this bill. 71
Global Trade and Local Jobs
February 17, 2005
Free-trade agreements
have cost thousands of
American jobs, said Terry Hicks,
president of the Western
Wisconsin AFL-CIO Council, at
the first session Thursday night
in a three-part community
forum on global trade and local
jobs.
But Tom Still, president
of the Wisconsin Technology
Council, defended the idea of
free trade and said China is
buying such Wisconsin products
as electrical machinery and
equipment, medical devices and
wood products. About 40 people
attended the session Thursday at Western Wisconsin Technical College.
"Unfortunately, one of the largest exports of America right now is American
jobs," Hicks said. He criticized the North American Free Trade Agreement and
normalized trade relations with China. Instead of creating thousands of jobs in
America, NAFTA caused the loss of thousands of jobs, Hicks said. "They were shipped
off on the NAFTA Express, riding full-speed down the slippery slope of lost jobs, in a
race to the bottom for the lowest wages available."
"I think it needs to be tweaked, there's no question," Still said of NAFTA. But
he said Canada is Wisconsin's number-one trading partner, and Mexico is its
number-two trading partner.
71 Minute Books of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council
After the passage of yet another Free Trade treaty, a demonstration was
held in front of Congressman Ron Kinds' La Crosse Office
58

2009, Present Day
The Labor Council gathered at a local restaurant for its annual Holiday gathering as shown in this 2003 photo
The Labor Council continues running the Workers Memorial Day and Labor
Day events in La Crosse. Additionally, it keeps an eye on political matters that affect
working families and lobbies appropriately when needed. The Employee Free Choice
Act was pending when this book went to press. It is a bill that makes it a bit easier
for employees to choose whether they wish to be represented by a union
organization or not. Current law does not adequately protect such workers from
harassment of outright firing for bringing up a union membership subject.
An agreement reached on the national level involving NEA unions, and the
national AFL-CIO allows and encourages local teachers unions to affiliate with central
labor bodies. Locally, no action has yet occurred.
The delegates of the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO hold monthly meeting at
which union business is discussed and actions are planned on behalf of the labor
community or affiliated unions.
Building and Construction Trades Council History
1. Structural Building Trades Alliance of America – 1905
The building trades of La Crosse applied for a membership with the SBTAA
(see above) dated December 1, 1905. The unions comprising this alliance were;
Painters Union No. 374, Hod Carriers and Common Laborer‟s No. 140, Plumbers
Union No. 31, Electrical Workers Local No. 135 and Carpenters and Joiners Local
1143. The La Crosse Alliance was scheduled to meet on the second and fourth
Friday of each month at 204 South Fourth Street in Malin‟s Hall.
2. On February 26, 1913
These same skilled trades applied for a charter with the Building Trades
Department of the American Federation of Labor. Their organization was named the
Building Trades Council. On the charter application the following unions were noted
as desiring to become members of to not affiliate.
La Crosse Building and Trades Council - 1913
Union Status
59

Asbestos Workers Not Organized
Bridge and Structural Iron Workers Not Organized
Carpenters and Joiners Refused to join
Cement Workers Not Organized
Electrical Workers Local 135, Theodore Strauss
Elevator Workers Not Organized
Steam Engineers Not Organized
Granite Cutters Not Organized
Hod Carriers and Laborers Local 140, Leslie Weisbecker
Lathers Not Organized
Machinists Refused to join
Marble Workers Not Organized
Metal Workers Local 416, A. Birnbaum
Painters Local 374, E. Hall
Plasterers Refuse to join
Plumbers Local 31, Frank Brennan
Roofers Composition Not Organized
Roofers Slate and Tile Not Organized
Stonecutters Not Organized
Tile Layers Not Organized
The application for the charter was signed by L. Weisbecker, Secretary.
3. La Crosse Building Trades Council Formed, 1915
The Labor unions involved in the construction trades formed a separate body
in December of 1915. This council represented eight unions. It continues to this
day, Steve Severson of IBT Local 695 currently is (2009) serving as the current
president of the Western Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades Council.
4. La Crosse Building and Trades Council, 1938
A new charter application was sent in dated, August 12, 1938. The name of
the local organization was to be the Building and Construction Trades Council. The
Trades applicants were asked to indicate whether the Affiliated Unions of the Building
and Construction Trades Council were affiliated with a Central Labor Union. The
Bricklayers, Carpenters and Joiners, Painters, Plumbers and Sheet Metal Workers
were marked as being Central Labor Council members. The Trades unions claimed
jurisdiction over the City of La Crosse. They agreed to obey the jurisdictional
directions laid down in the AFL By-Laws.
Union Delegate
Asbestos Workers
Boilermakers
Bridge and Structural Iron Workers
Bricklayers Ben Beison
Carpenters and Joiners Grant Thrune
Electrical Workers
Elevator Workers
Operating Engineers
Granite Cutters
Hod Carriers and Laborers Harold Lassig
Lathers
Marble Workers
Painters Frank Hayek
60

Plasterers Leslie Weisbecker
Plumbers Alex Nicholson
Roofers
Sheet Metal Workers William Priebe 72
Stonecutters
Teamsters Eugene Zenker
The application for the charter was signed by Edward Lee, Secretary, and
President Frank Pafenfuss.
Building and Trades Wage Report to the AFL, 1932
The local building and trades council reported the following wages to the AFL
Building and Trades Department in 1932. Wages that were in effect until May 1 st .
Craft Hourly Wage Workday Workweek
Bricklayers $1.35 8 5-days
Building Laborers 40 to 40 cents 8 5-days
Hod Carriers and Mud Mixers 75 cents 8 5-days
Carpenters $1 8
Cement Finishers $1 8 5-days
Electricians $1 8 5-days
Lathers 90 cents 8 5-days
Painters $1 8 5-days
Plasterers $1.35 8 5-days
Plumbers $1.25 8 5-days
Roofers-Composition $1 8 5-days
Roofers-Slate and Tile $1 8 5-days
Sheet Metal Workers $1 8 5-days
Steam Fitters $1.25 8 5-days
Stone Cutters $1 8 5-days
Stone Masons $1 8 5-days
Teamsters 50-55 cents 9 73 5-days
Western Wisconsin Building and Trades Council
On January 4, 2006, the La Crosse and Eau Claire Building and Trade Councils
merged. The La Crosse office was closed and moved to Eau Claire. Steve Severson
of Teamsters Local 695 is currently the president. The meetings alternate each time
they are held either in Eau Claire or La Crosse.
Local Labor Publications
Labor Review, Labor Leader
In 1917 to 1959 the La Crosse AFL published the Labor Review and La Crosse
Labor Leader. This was a magazine sized annual publication. It carried union and
business advertising and a comprehensive listing of unions, union employers and
union officers. No complete library exists of the run of annuals, but, circumstantial
evidence strongly suggests it was published during the period cited.
Chronological List of Editors of the Labor Review and Labor Leader
Labor Review
72 AFL-CIO archives, Silver Springs, Maryland
73 AFL-CIO archives, Silver Springs, Maryland
61

The title of the AFL annual publication for the years 1917-1941 74
Year (s) Editor
1917-1936
1937-1940 D. Russell Wartinbee
1941 D. R. Kinney
Labor Leader
The title of the AFL annual publication for the
years
Year (s) Editor
1942-1959 75
1942-1945 Pat Toland
1946 J. Lienlokken and W. Roth
1947-1950 D. Russell Wartinbee
1951-1959
The La Crosse Union Herald, Inc. Chartering
First annual issue (1917) top left
Last annual issue (1959) top right
The La Crosse Union Herald was chartered by
the State of Wisconsin on December 4, 1953. The founding directors listed on the
charter are; Archie Kohn, Joseph Gilles, Wiley Ford, Minner Hether, John Howard,
Gerhard Nesseth, Paul Bigley and Louis Youngman. The La Crosse Industrial Unions
Council founded the La Crosse Union Herald, a monthly newspaper consisting of
reports, notices and labor news from the CIO unions of the La Crosse area. It
continues to the present day.
No less a labor luminary than CIO president Walter Reuther helped the
launching of the La Crosse Union Herald newspaper by running an article in the
August, 1951 edition. He praised the UAW CIO Unions that comprised the majority
of the unions that founded the paper. UAW Locals, 124, 175, 316, 395, 396 and 401
along with Rubber Workers Local 14 and Brewery Workers Local 81 made up the
subscribing unions of the paper, in 1951.
Reuther wrote, “The UAW-CIO locals in La Crosse are to be congratulated for
launching the La Crosse Union Herald, and for cooperating so wholeheartedly in the
publication of a paper devoted to the welfare of their community.” Reuther wrote
about the status of world and local events when he penned, “The tasks we face in
the times ahead are many and difficult. On the International front, it is our duty to
resist communist aggression and to assist the democratic in other countries to build
and expand the institution of freedom.” Here in American he wrote…”Our struggle at
home is a fight for full employment, for fair employment, for civil rights, for
increased participation of all people in the decisions by which democracy carries out
the will of our citizenry.”
He ended his article with a couple of paragraphs dedicated to the value of
labor papers. He wrote, “A labor paper dedicated to the common interests of the
community it serves is one of the most decisive weapons in this struggle. It can do
much to educate the public mind and to rally public opinion for and against the
issues up for decision in our democratic bodies. It can keep the torch burning
brightly for justice, decency, fair play and human brotherhood.
I am certain that the La Crosse Union Herald will do that kind of a job-and
that it will make valuable contributions to the work of building a brighter future for
all Americans.”
The Union Herald has had twelve editors in its 58 years run. Louis Youngman
held the job as the newspaper's editor for over half of that run, having worked as
74 Partial collection held by the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO files
75 Ibid.
62

such for 27 years. Terry Hicks is the next in seniority based on years' of service
having worked as editor for ten years. Between them they account for 37 of the 58
years of the publishing of this local labor newspaper.
La Crosse Union Herald, Inc.
This was the title of monthly newspaper originally published by the CIO
unions of La Crosse, then jointly by the CIO and AFL after their merger; from 1959
to the present day. It changed its name in 2003 and became known as the Union
Herald, Inc.
La Crosse Union Herald, Inc. Editors
Year Time of Service
Richard Woodfuff 1951 About 1 year
Louis Youngman 1952-1979 About 27 years
Walter Van Dyke 1979 About 1 year
John Robers 1980 Less than 1 year
Robert Gifford 1981-1984 About 3 three years
Dan Gardner 1985 Less than 1 year
Patricia Ertl 1986-1989 About 3 years
Elizabeth Reque 1989 Less than 1 year
John Roesler 1990-1993 About 3 years
Jean Heberlein-Muehenkamp 1993-1998 About 5 years
Bridget Flood 1998-1999 3 months
Terry Hicks 1999-2003 About 5 years
Union Herald, Inc.
Editors Year Time of Service
Terry Hicks 2004-2009 5 years (10 in total)
La Crosse Union Herald Inc. Editors
Richard Woodruff in 1950 was an assembler for the
Electric Auto Lite factory, located on the far north side of La
Crosse. At that time he lived on Farwell Street in La Crosse.
Louis Youngman in 1953 was a toolmaker at the Allis
Chalmers factory and lived on Johnson Street in La Crosse.
He served as editor of the labor newspaper for 27
years.Walter Van Dyke was a welder working for the Trane
Company in 1970. At that time he lived on Loomis Street in
La Crosse. John Robers was a welder working for the Trane
Company in 1984 and was living on Hinkley Road. Bob
Gifford was a student and was living on West Avenue in
Louis Youngman
1983.Liz (Elizabeth) Reque was the Secretary for Carpenters
Local 1143 in 1986 and was living on Elm Drive.
Dan Gardner was a student at the UWL while serving as editor. Patricia Ertl
was residing on Division Street in La Crosse at the time she was the editor.John
Roesler was a member of IAM Lodge 1115, and was employed in the Tool Room at
Trane Company. Jean Heberlein-Muehlenkamp is a Union Representative of SEIU
Local 150, she was formerly employed at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital and Clinic.
Bridget Flood is employed by La Crosse County and is a member of AFSCME
Local 2484.
Terry Hicks is a member of ATU Local 519 and is retired from the city of La
Crosse where he had been employed as a bus driver. Hicks has served as editor of
the labor newspaper for 10 years as of this publication's printing.
63

Union Herald Inc. (name of paper changed) Editors
Terry Hicks is a member of ATU Local 519 and is retired from the city of La
Crosse where he was employed as a bus driver.
A La Crosse Union Herald Reader
As a labor newspaper the La Crosse Union Herald had some faithful readers.
One of them, John Byers, a member of Rubber Workers Local 14 penned a poem for
the paper.
The Herald by John Byers
The labor Union Herald Ads from Union Bars, 1938 Labor Review
Of the City of La Crosse
It‟s meant to help the working man
To save expense and loss.
It tells of what is going on
That we informed may be
In matters that important are
Concerning you and me.
It tells of labor‟s battles
That they might in profit share
Profit from the work performed
Which they consider fair.
We need a sheet that will represent
A cause so just and right
We need to lend advice and aid
To keep things looking bright. 76
La Crosse Union Herald Recipe
The June 1951 issue of the La Crosse Union Herald newspaper ran an
interesting recipe for Meat Tarts. “Here‟s a dish that provides a nice change from the
conventional main course and one that can be made even with leftover meat. (if
there‟s any meat leftover)”
Meat Tarts
Sift 2 cups of flour, and blend into it 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Add ½ cup of
sour cream, and knead for about 8 to 10 minutes. Cut into rounds with a biscuit
cutter, or glass. Make a filling of ½ pound of leftover chopped cooked meat, 1 onionminced,
a teaspoon of butter and salt and pepper to taste. Brown the onion in
butter, add meat and seasonings and mix well. Put a spoonful of the filling in the
center of each dough round, and close tight by pinching into an oblong shape.
Brush over tops with egg yolk, and bake at about 400 degrees until the crust is
brown.”
76 La Crosse Union Herald newspaper files
64

Chapter Four: Local Unions’ History
“My friends, it is solidarity of labor we want. We do not want to find fault with each
other, but to solidify our forces and say to each other, „We must be together, our
masters are joined together and we must do the same thing.‟” Mother Jones, 1902
The Birth of Unions and Unionization in La Crosse
The Last Workers Were First Known La Crosse Union 1863
Research indicates that the first unified employees‟ action by a group of union
workers in the city occurred in 1863. That was by the many boot and shoemakers of
the city. This was very early in the development of the city and the union movement
itself had not yet coalesced into a significant force. Work was extremely labor
intensive and lengthy in nature. A mix of thirteen firms employing boot and
shoemakers provided footwear for the city. These craftsmen supplied the footwear
for the men, women, and children working in all of these aforementioned businesses
and industries.
These industries were small shops each employing just a few workers.
Needless to say, lumberjacks, coopers, bartenders or any other worker, could not
long earn a living for long without replacement footwear. Shoes and boots were
quickly worn out in these manual-labor jobs. 77
Inflation caused by the Civil War was the factor that had the dollars‟
purchasing power down to just sixty cents of its‟ prewar buying power, while local
wages had remained the same. Prices of all local goods had risen by this same
percentage. This, coupled with the owners practice of not paying workers weekly or
even paying them always in full, resulted in every increasing hardships for these and
all other workers of the city. Banding together, the boot and shoemakers notified
their employers of the necessity of increasing their daily wages from current rates of
from one dollar and twelve cents to one dollar and seventy-five cents up to two
dollars for the manufacture of a pair of boots or shoes. When these journeymen
cobblers demanded this raise they met with two differing opinions in the local press.
The editor of the republican paper took the side of the employers, while the
democratic paper supported the workers viewpoint. 78 An editorial stated that the
workers would price themselves out of competition if their wages exceeded those of
the eastern manufacturers. Continuing with these public statements, he assured the
buying public that these manufacturers could (at the old prices) continue to supply
shoes and boots. 79 The opposing viewpoint as stated by the editor of the other
paper completely supported the contentions of the journeymen shoemakers.
Citing the existing policy of one of the cities‟ employers, the firm of Vogle and
Hohl, to pay its workers the wage rate of two dollars a pair; he noted that several
other firms seemed ready to agree. “When men are properly paid we notice they
are generally contented.” Apparently he was an astute observer of local labor, for
the very next day, the short-lived strike was settled. The entire article follows. “It
is well- the shoe makers of this city have with little trouble, succeeded in their
demands for an increase of wages, and resume work, with brisk fingers and cheerful
hearts. This is right. Every man who labors for a livelihood, is deserving of wages
sufficient to live on respectfully, and should than the content. All such increase of
wages comes from the public, who will not expect men to labor in 1863 for the same
per diem as in 1860, when the cost of living was not for half what it now is. We
77 Seminar paper, UWL June 1967, Raymond Knutson
78 La Crosse Weekly Republican, September 9, 1863
79 Ibid
65

congratulate the journeymen
shoe makers of this city on their
increase of wages, and the quiet,
orderly way they went to work to
obtain what they wanted.” 80
The same editor followed
up this defense of the right of
workers to demand and receive
increased wages with an article
the next day under the heading,
Mechanics, and Their Wages.
During this era the term
mechanics was liberally applied
to any craft for trade that
required a length of time to
acquire and perfect the skills of
any occupation. Illustrating his
point he referred to those that
lay stone, made wagons, clothes,
set type, plastered walls, printed newspapers or made watches. 81
CB&Q R.R. roundhouse employees on May 23, 1940
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
A Pay Check of Cats, Dogs and Old Tires?
The Daily Democrat editor chastised the employers that paid their mechanics
partial wages and paid them tardily.
These quotes give the gist of his
arguments, “If an employer is good,
he can pay. If he cannot pay
promptly, he is not a fit man to
work for safely,” and “The laborer is
worthy of his wages, and he is a
foolish man to work if he does not
receive them- not in cats, dogs, old
wagon tires, and watermelon rinds,
but in cash or its full equivalent- is
foolish to work and live from week
to week on promises made to the
ear but broken to the heart.” In
closing he advised them to not
spend their hard earned wages at
whiskey shops and saloons. He
poignantly stated that this resulted
in ragged clothes, dirty children and
an empty larder and a half starved
wife. 82
Chicago Milwaukee St Paul R.R. crew
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
Apparently workers and employers were both still evolving good social and
moral attitudes towards employment and citizenship. This labor dispute was not a
80 La Crosse Daily Democrat, September 1, 1863
81 Marcus (Brick) Pomeroy came to La Crosse in 1860 and began the Weekly Democrat. He took a
decidedly anti-Lincoln/Republican stand on all issues and had a large following in the South. The
circulation of his paper was purported to be over 100,00 issues. He was one of the founders of The
Greenback Party in Wisconsin, which existed during the years, 1876-1880.
82 La Crosse Weekly Democrat, September 1, 1863
66

lesson soon lost on this group of workers because just a few years later they were to
form a state and then national organization for craftsmen of their trade.
Burlington Northern R.R. at North side Depot
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
67
1878, First Permanent
Local Union Formed,
Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers Division 13
Railroad unions were
the long-lasting Labor
Associations in City formed in
1878. The honor of forming
the first successful union
organization in La Crosse to
succeed in organizing and
representing workers goes to
the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers Division 13. This
union was chartered in October
of 1878. As this predated the
founding of the AFL, Division
13 (and any other railroad unions) must have been early members of the Knights of
Labor, or an independent union standing alone.
Sam H. Reed an engineer of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad was
the first President of Division 13. 83 Other Railroad unions formed about this time as
well, but information on actual dates has not been forthcoming. However what is
known is that by the 1884 La Crosse City Directory, at least two additional
Brotherhoods of railroad workers were extant in La Crosse.
After a merger with the Teamsters by the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers and the Teamsters
this union became known by
the designation, Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers and
Trainmen, International
Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Division 13. Today,
members of Division 13 are
comprised of Locomotive
Engineers and Trainmen who work for the BNSF R.R. out of La Crosse. They operate
freight trains to Chicago, Galesburg and Savanna, Illinois as well as Minneapolis and
Saint Paul, Minnesota. They also service local industries around La Crosse. There
are approximately 132 members in this union. Members of Division 13 haul freight
and raw materials throughout the Midwest in their jobs with the railroad.
83 Information received from the BLET International Union by Author, in 1997.
Southside La Crosse Depot of the
Burlington R.R. circa 1942
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library,
University of Wisconsin – La Crosse

National Association of Stationary Engineers Local 8
This was the
National Association of
Stationary Engineers
Local 8, which was
chartered on October 5,
1882, and was therefore
one of the earliest unions
in town. The stationary
description in the union
title referred to the fact
that they operated and
maintained machinery
that was not installed in
either trains or steam
boats, but rather was
used to drive machinery
or move water, or heat
buildings.
CB % Q R.R. shop circa 1925-1936
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 139
Members of Local 139 operate most of the heavy equipment on construction
sites throughout the area. They operated the cranes, earthmovers, bulldozers, and
many other pieces of heavy equipment. There are 450/500 Journeymen and 30
Apprentices in the area.
Over the past one hundred years, members of this union have helped
construct, both of the current hospitals and clinics in La Crosse and Onalaska. The
Mississippi River Bridges, the La Crosse Airport, Public Housing projects, and the
former Gund Brewery and many downtown La Crosse Projects, such as parking
ramps, and buildings. Ward Avenue, West Avenue, and many other streets have
been paved by members of Local 139.
68
Milwaukee Road
R.R. 1946 (note
the steel bridge
which today has
been replaced
Photo, Courtesy,
Murphy Library,
University of
Wisconsin – La
Crosse

The Genoa and Alma Dams and the recent restoration of Islands are a few
more of the projects these craftsmen have accomplished.
The current major employers of Local 139 members are; J.F. Brennan, Mathy
Construction, Millstone, St. Joseph Contracting, McHugh Excavating, Modern Crane
Service, Coulee Crane Service, Harry Viner, Inc., Gerke Excavating and McHugh
Excavating.
1884, Cigarmakers Local 61
La Crosse‟s second AFL affiliated union to succeed in
forming a local union, was that of the Cigarmakers Local 61.
These unionists developed a union body that worked towards
the goals of an organized labor in the city and would send
many labor leaders to lead the labor community for many
years. This union was chartered on May 31, 1884.
Cigarmakers Local Union No. 61 comprised of the many
Cigarmake
rs that
worked
throughout
the city.
Woman employed at the Pamperin Cigar Box Factory, 1912, second
floor of 114-116 North Front Street
Photo courtesy of the UWL Special Collections Archive
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La
Crosse
69
Early La Crosse
Cigarmaker,
Frank Schneider
One of the major employers of
the Cigarmakers was the firm of
Pamperin Company on Second
Street. 84 The firm tried to resist
the formation of this union but
the workers stood firm in their
resolve and eventually after a
dispute of several months the
employer came to terms and
recognized the workers. The
union‟s first president was
William F. Key and the first
vice-president was Joseph
Padesky. Fred Bennett was the
first recording secretary and
Joseph Voves the first corresponding secretary. Peter Pfeiffer served the local as it‟s‟
first financial secretary and Frank Schneider as the first treasurer. Other charter
members were, Alis F. Spettel, John A. Westergard, Jake Kubal, Charles Horn,
Edward Pfeiffer and William J, Hegenbarth. 85
By 1890, Cigarmakers Union No. 61 was meeting in Union Hall, 206 South
Fourth Street, and La Crosse. Albert Major was serving as President, William J.
Hegenbarth was Vice President, Leonard Stallman was the Secretary, R.H. Major was
Recording Secretary and John Bitzer was the Treasurer.
84 John Pamperin founded this company having moved to La Crosse from McGregor, Iowa. He had began
manufacturing cigars in Iowa. In 1886 he took Eugene Wiggenhorn as a business partner and remained in
partnership with him until 1903. At that time he sold out to Wiggenhorn and moved to 113-115 Second
Street and established his own cigar manufactory. In 1905 he founded the Pamperin Leaf Tobacco
Company with his two sons, Louis and Paul. The building of this firm still stands today at the same
addresses.
85 Official Labor Review, La Crosse Trades and Labor Council, 1917

In 1891 A. Schoemheinz served as President, Frank Schneider was the Vice
President, Leonard Stallman still retained the post of Secretary and John Bitzer
continued as the union‟s Treasurer.
Perhaps it is only fair and quite proper that the cities‟ first successful union
should be one from the Cigarmakers. After all the premier unionist of the country in
the days of the creation the AFL was another cigar maker, Samuel Gompers. The
Cigarmakers only earned this honor due to the circumstances that delayed the
permanent establishment of the tailors‟ union in La Crosse.
This union was temporarily begun in either 1876 or 1877 but it did not exist
too long in its first attempt at organization of local cigar workers. It was dissolved as
the Journeymen‟s National Union was not yet established and the local union needed
the support of
allied
tradesmen of
the same craft
to survive. 86
During
the year of
1884 the
average wages
for bricklayers
were around
$2.71 a day
for a 60 hour workweek, while carpenters and
joiners were being paid an average of $2.53 a
day for the same shift. Glassblowers were at
the top of the pay scale earning a days‟ salary of
$4.08 and a shorter workweek of 51 hours.
Farm labor was now being paid $1.25 a day for a
63-hour workweek. An 1884 dollar purchased
81.5 cents worth of goods. 87
Put out that Cigar!
Cigar making came to an end in La
Crosse in 1945, with one exception. Otto
Brietzke continued to manufacture cigars in a
home shop until 1962 under a licensing deal
with the Pamperin Cigar Company. Pamperin
continued in business manufacturing chewing
and smoking tobacco. They made it under three
brands; Black Rose, La Roma and Billy Bounce. They manufactured and packaged
dozens of brands for other distributors. In 1963 they employed 10 girls, engaged in
packaging the various brands. Cigar making was done on the third floor of the
factory. Twenty windows ventilated the working rooms. At one time 46 cigarmakers
and from twelve to twenty boys stripping tobacco were employed in the cigar making
trade. These workers made up to 12,000 cigars a day. Some of the brands of cigars
made were; Belle of La Crosse, La flor de Espana and the Navigator, Sweet Henry
and Stubbs.
86 Ibid.
87 The Value of a Dollar, Gale Research Inc., Detroit, MI, 1994
70

1888, Tailors Local 66
The tailor‟s union was close to winning the honors for being the first union to
succeed in the La Crosse area. It did come into being and establish its self as a
viable union just four years after the Cigarmakers. Receiving a charter from the
National organization in June of 1888, the tailors of this city formed Tailor‟s Union
Local No. 66 in June 1888. This union began with thirty members and had grown
rapidly until by January of 1889, it had organized and affiliated every tailor in town.
1889 also saw the first bill of prices presented by the tailors to their employers as a
contract demand.
After a short, two day strike, the employers agreed to the wage scale and the
dispute was settled with a raise of ten percent being gained by the men. Wage
demands of ten percent were asked again in 1903, 1910 and 1913, and additionally
a five percent wage increase was gained in 1905. This resulted in the tailors
increasing their wages forty-five percent by 1917, after their union‟s founding.
In 1890 the Tailor‟s Union was meeting in Union Hall, 206 South 4th Street and Ole
Rasmussen was the President, with Frank Mathias serving as Secretary. By 1891
Frank Mathias was the President, Joseph Merlik was the Secretary and Andrew
Euglestad was the Treasurer. 88
1889, Bricklayers and
Masons Local No. 1
Early in 1889,
the Bricklayers of La
Crosse formed a union
for their trade. On April
29, local craftsmen
received a charter from
the International and
formed Bricklayers and
Masons Local No. 1.
The first President was
John Kicky, Financial
Secretary John Weyers,
Vice President Louise
Bishop, Corresponding
Secretary H.E. Warsaw
and Treasurer Joseph
Kokta.
By 1890 the
union was meeting with
the other aforementioned city unions at Union Hall and the officers at this time were,
H.E. Warsaw the President, Henry Klick the Vice President, Joseph Kokta the
Financial Secretary, Frank Techmer, Treasurer,
John McGrath Deputy and B. Jansky was the Sergeant At Arms.
In 1891 the City Directory showed a few changes of leadership in the union,
Albert Novak was now President, David Wallace was the Vice President, James Hilden
was the Deputy and John Orden was the Sergeant At Arms. These craftsmen built
many of the buildings that formed the downtown district of this city as well as many
of the private homes of this area. The allied craft of plumbing and steam fitting
formed a union shortly after the bricklayers.
88 Official Labor Review, La Crosse Trades and Labor Council, 1917
Bricklayer’s and Cement Mason’s International Union Local 1, posing after or before
a Labor Day Parade
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
71

In 2000, members of BAC WI 1 donated their time and talents to lay the
blocks and bricks that comprise the columns and interior structure of the Workers
Memorial Monument under the director of business manager, Dave Hahn.
1890, United Association of Journeymen, Plumbers, Gas Fitters, Steamfitters
and Steamfitter Helpers, Local 31 (434)
On June 2, 1890, Local 31 was chartered by the International Union. This
makes Local 31 (434) the second oldest surviving AFL affiliated union in the La
Crosse area. Local 434 was formed on September 1, 1997 when Local 31 (La
Crosse), Local 778 (Rudolph), Local 557 (Wausau), and Local 385 (Eau Claire) were
combined. In 2002 Local 807 (Wisconsin Rapids Mill fitters) voted to consolidate into
434.
Hengel’s Plumbing - 1923, an early employer
of Union Plumbers and steamfitters.
Photo courtesy of Dave Branson, UA Local
434, La Crosse
Bottom row left to right; George Knutson and
Bernie Buhler
Second row left to right; Joe Hengel, Vic
Hengel, Ethel Vechota (Guenther), John
Hengel and Ray Hengel
Top row left to right; Louis Specht, Arana
Papenfuss, Jimmy Tischer, Louis Urban, Otto
Rudner, Bill Buehler, Pete Greenwalt, Abner
Love and Clinton Burns
Local 434's present
contractors are Hengel Brothers,
Coulee Region Mechanical, La
Crosse Mechanical, Modern
Mechanical Contractors, S&S Mechanical, Advanced Plumbing Systems, Johnson
Controls, Complete Control, Winona Controls, Galesville Excavating, Plumbing, and
Heating, and O‟Laughlin Plumbing. Former contractors include Ristow Process
Piping, LL Sage, Lovold, F.M. Branson,
Projects worked on Trane Company, Rubber Mills, Norplex, City Hall, La
Crosse County Courthouse, La Crosse County Jail, Heilemans, La Crosse Schools,
UWL, Western Technical College, Lutheran Hospital, St Francis Hospital, Genoa Power
House, French Island Power House, waste water treatment plant, Valley View Mall,
Radisson hotel, Midway Motor Lodge,
La Crosse used to have city heat in the downtown area and Local 31 installed
the steam pipe systems in businesses and houses in the downtown area. Even
though the systems have all been converted the original pipe and equipment still
exists in many of the stores in La Crosse.
Local 434's Plumbers work on domestic water systems, they install, service
and maintain those systems. The Steamfitters install piping systems for HVAC and
process piping systems. They work in residential, commercial and industrial settings,
They join copper, carbon steel, stainless steel, fiberglass, and plastic pipe. They join
the pipe by welding, soldering, threading, or gluing. They also install boilers, heat
exchangers, air handling units, pumps and other equipment. Service Techs, service
HVAC and process piping systems.
In years past, Local 31 worked on the Prisoner of War facility at Camp McCoy,
the original U.S. Post Office in La Crosse, the Mississippi River Bridge, the Local
Breweries and the locks and dams when they were built in the 1930's. In 2000
members of 434 worked on the Winona, Dresbach and Genoa Locks.
72

Some of the past business agents of Local 31 are; A. Evenson 1903, James
Smith 1903, A. Evenson again in 1906, Bernard Reicher in 1906, Charles Milliken in
1909 and Peter Greenwald also in 1909.
1890, National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 59
Branch 59 was chartered on September 29, 1890 in La Crosse. Signing the
charter were local officers, A.E. Daniels, president, I.H. Engh, vice president, E. F.
Kevin, treasurer and G.L. Kingsley Jr., secretary. The charter was granted to the
members of Branch 59 with the proviso that it required said members to be guided
and governed by the NALC International Constitution and By-Laws.
The fifth annual convention of letter carriers and clerks of Wisconsin was held
in La Crosse starting on July 14, 1913. J.A. Snyder of La Crosse chaired the
convention. At the lunch break the convention adjourned and those in attendance
went throughout La Crosse on an auto tour of the city. Twenty-three union
members attended the first day's sessions. A resolution thanking Senator Robert La
Flotte for his support of a Postal Appropriations Bill that made the starting wage
scale the sum of an annual wage of $800 for letter carriers, was passed.
1892, United Brewery Workmen of America Local 81
Local 81 was chartered on February 1, 1892.
1900, Coopers Local 85
Coopers International Union Local No. 85 was begun in
1900. These craftsmen were employed by the brewing industry in
La Crosse and hand-made the barrels and kegs for all the beer
manufactured by the various brewers of the city. Young children
were employed as cooper‟s helpers.
1901, Typographical Union Local 448
This union was chartered in 1901 and attended the meeting held at Brewer‟s
Hall of 10 th and Mississippi Streets, with other local unions in order to found the
Central Labor Body.
In 1901 the President was W.F. Koehn, and the first vice president was Frank
Geisenheimer. This union first held its meetings on the 1 st Sunday of the month. In
1902 union dues were raised to 85 cents a
month, with a 25 cent refund to each
member attending the union meeting. The
1904 minutes show that the Labor Day
Parade uniform to be worn was; White Duck
pants, white shirts, white hats, and white
umbrellas. The 1904 minutes also report
that a Mrs. S. Lawrence was admitted as an
apprentice. Miss Mary Thomas of Trinidad
had her union card accepted and was placed
on the active list.
A contract between Local 448 and the
La Crosse Tribune, signed on May 20, 1908
(one-year) gave the newspaper a union label
if they employed union members in; the
composing room and the departments
thereof, who are mechanics and workmen.
The same agreement with the same date was
73
Typographical Workers Local 448 on the job at a local
newspaper
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin
– La Crosse

signed between the union the La
Crosse Press Company.
In 1911 the wages for
members of this union were $16 a
week for foremen and $17 a week
for machine operators in book and
office jobs. Machine operators in
charge of three machines or more
were to get $18 a week, and $2
more per each additional machine
per week.
Local 448 ceased to exist
as of June 30, 1980.
1901, Beer Bottlers Local 247
Organized on March 4,
1901, employed the city‟s
breweries. On page 102 in the
April 1919 minutes of the labor
council it was reported by the delegates of this union that they had reached an
agreement with their employers granting them a $3 a week pay hike. Local 247
merged into Brewery Workers Local 81 in 1919.
1902, Barbers Local 21,
1902-1982
On May 8, the
barbers of La Crosse
organized Local 21 of the
Journeymen Barbers
International Union of
America. About 28
journeymen barbers were
charter members when this
union first formed. They
were working long hours
each day, laboring until
midnight on Saturdays and
until about 1p.m. on
Sundays. The union started
to work with the employers
of town to change these
conditions.
Local 21 would
represent the Barbers of the La Crosse area for just over eight decades. By 1982,
the industry had shrunk to numbers that could not support remaining an individual
International Union. Local 21 was merged into United Food and Commercial Workers
Local 1444 89 on July 1, 1882. 90
Ad by the Union Barbers of 19 , taken from the Labor Leader of that year
89 Now known as Local 1473 after a merger between locals 73 and 1444
90 Official Labor Review, La Crosse Trades and Labor Council, 1917
Coopers Local 85 at a Labor Day Parade
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
74

1902, Musicians Local 21
The next group of laborers to unionize was the musicians. On June 19, they
organized with the following charter members; W.B Carter, Charles Pavek, Julius
Hegenbarth, N.T. Wilcox, M. Langstad, F. Ponwar, E. Kreutz and Carl Rudolph. 91
1902, Brewery Workers Local 81
Local 81 was re-chartered on October 14, 1902. It dissolved and was merged
into Local 695 on August 1, 2000, due to a lack of business at the Heileman Brewery.
The business woes were brought about in no small part due to stock market
manipulations by outside owners over the
course of a decade or so of business
dealings.
In 1946 the G. Heileman Brewing
Company began holding the “Old Style
Family Picnic” for its workers. The August
24, 1957 picnic was held at Veteran‟s
Memorial Park during Heileman‟s 104 th
Year. Roast beef, mashed potatoes and
gravy, stewed cabbage, baked beans,
pineapple salad and coffee was served for
the noon meal. The evening meal
consisted of hot baked ham sandwiches,
“Stew a la Townsend” and coffee. Of
course a bar was set up and music was
provided by “Professor Hefti and his six
piece beer baron orchestra.” Errol
Townsend and Pete Isenman were picnic
chairmen. 92
1902, Electrical Workers Local 135
On August 25, 15 charter members formed Local 135 of the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. McNulty and Collins were instrumental in forming
this local at this time. Local 135 was merged into IBEW Local 953 on January 1,
1987, and then became IBEW Local 14 on July, 1993. 93
IBEW Local 135/14
As of 2008, there were 600 Journeyman Electricians and 102 Apprentices on
the books of Local 14. Headquartered out of Fall Creek, Wisconsin and led by
Business Representative, Dean Licht, this union also maintains Union Offices in La
Crosse, lead by Business Representative, Bill Beeler. At the Local 14 Building in Fall
Creek (formerly a public school) the Local's principal officer runs the business of the
union.
IBEW members are what is known in the trade as inside electricians. They
are construction electricians that are qualified to work on everything from residential
remodeling to new power plants. Over the many decades, members of this Local
have helped to build such things as; The Mississippi River Bridge, The La Crosse
Airport (the present one and the past one), Lutheran Hospital and St. Francis
91 Ibid.
92 Ibid.
93 Ibid.
75
Bartender’s Local 479, February 14, 1944
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of
Wisconsin – La Crosse

Hospital throughout the years, the U.S. Post Office (now and in the past), some
members of Local 14 do electrical maintenance at the Trane Company.
In the past, Local 14 members worked as maintenance electricians for the G.
Heileman Brewery. Today that work is the jurisdiction of IBEW Local 953 (outside)
electricians. However, Local 14 continues to work on projects as they arise at the
brewery related to remodeling or new construction.
Local 135 members helped to construct Logan and Central High Schools.
Local 14 members worked on most Public Schools throughout the city and area,
along with projects at the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse, Viterbo College, and
Western Technical College.
Local 135 members wired City Hall, and the La Crosse County Building that
was built in 1964. Today, Local 14 members wire the current County Building and
City Hall and are currently wiring the new Law Enforcement Building.
When the Valley View Mall was constructed in the 1990‟s, Local 14 wired the
project. Today the members work on store remodeling projects.
This Local has wired the Schu Public Housing Project, the High-Rises for
elderly and handicapped public housing and continue wiring them as needed.
Highway 14/61, west of the Mississippi River Bridge was wired by Local 14
members. Mississippi River dams at Genoa, Alma, Lynxville and Guttenberg, Iowa
have been wired by members of this union. The Catholic Diocese Cathedral, St.
Joseph‟s was wired by Local 14 as was the new Shrine. The Viterbo Fine Arts
Building and Festival Foods stores were worked on by Local 14.
The major employers of Local 14 are; Kish and Sons Electric, Stanek Electric,
Klich Electric, Wettstein Brothers Electric, Mutch Electric, A.A. Hanson Electric, T.D.
Padesky Electric, Weigel Electric and Clough Electric.
In 2000, La Crosse business agent for Local 14, Jerry Jensen assisted in
securing donations of electrical materials and supplies for the Workers Memorial
Monument. Jerry himself, did the wiring on the project.
1902, Bartenders Local 479
The many breweries of the city spawned many taverns or saloons and the
gentlemen that dispensed the beverages manufactured by the cities‟ breweries also
formed their own union. On October 12, 7 bartenders chartered Local 479 of the
Bartenders Union into existence. 94 This union was merged into HERE 95 and became
HERE Local 479, which exists today as the union representing food service workers
at the UWL.
1902, Carpenters Local 1143
In April the Carpenters formed a union beginning with 51 charter members.
These workers formed Local 1143 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners of America. This Local is still thriving and going strong in the La Crosse area
to date. 96 Members of Local 1143 under the direction of Business Agent, Brian
Gentry laid the forms used to pour the foundation of the Workers Memorial
Monument in 1999.
1902, Journeymen Horseshoers Local 52
In July, the Journeymen Horseshoers Local 52 was chartered with about 20
original members. They placed a stamping on their work of J.H.U. as their union
94 Ibid.
95 Hotel Employees Restaurant Employees
96 Ibid.
76

label on the shoes they made or repaired. This union would soon lose out because of
the onset of the automobile. 97
1902-1979, Retail Clerks Local 640
The last union to be formed in 1902 was the retail clerks Local 640, which
started with only 32 members. Most of the area‟s grocery stores were staffed by
members of Local 640, up until a merger with the Barbers, Meat cutters and Retail
Clerks formed local unions belonging to the United Food and Commercial Workers
International Union. Local 640 lasted over seven decades in the La Crosse area. In
1979 it was merged into United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1444 98 , and
ceased to exist as an individual International Union. 99
1902, IAM Lodge 546
The International Association of Machinists Enterprise Lodge No. 546 was the
next La Crosse union to be formed. These men were employed by the local railroad
shops. On January 27, it began with charter members; Alois Swinzrod Sr., Jubert
Tauver, Ben Nottingham, John J. Jensen, G.W. Graves, Carl Thurmo, Henry
Kotsborski, Eddie Preschl, Julius Brabrant, Kerngan, John Reed, Frank Sommers, Ed
Miller, W.A. Roth, Theodore Locke, Nick Jehlen, Frank Padesky, Louis R. Sundvey,
Clayton Anderson, Anton Smarsty and Frank Petrosi.
1903, Boot and Shoe Workers Local 334
The 1903 convention proceedings cite Local 344 as having dissolved in 1903.
Meat cutters Local 293, 1903-1979
In March Local 293 of the Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North
America was chartered. It started with 20 members. Most of the area‟s grocery
stores had unionized meat cutters along with small meat markets throughout the
city. Local 293 lasted over seven decades in the La Crosse area. In 1979 it was
merged into United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1444, and ceased to exist
as an individual International Union.
1903, Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Gateway City Lodge 278
The Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America, Gateway City Lodge No. 278
was chartered in April. It began with 28 charter members. These workers were the
laborers that built and repaired all the various models of rolling stock used by the
railroads of the city. This local seated delegates at the labor council as early as
February 1919, when Leo Bezosky and Ed Behling were seated. John Cumming was
not allowed to be sworn-in as he did not have the required 7 union labels on his
person at the time of the meeting.
1903, Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 257
Local 497 was chartered on March 11, 1903 in La Crosse. The first president
of the Local was William Gautsch and the first secretary was William Wahler.
Local 497 merged with Local 563 of Eau Claire in April 1986. At the time of the
merger Local 497‟s officers were; Mike Haggerty, Business agent; Arnie Frick,
President and Gerald Molzahn, secretary.
97 Official Labor Review, La Crosse Trades and Labor Council, 1917
98 Now Local 1473
99 Ibid.
77

On April 1, 1997 Local 257 merged with Madison Local 204. At the time of
this merger, Jim Williams was the business agent, Don Fitzgibbons was the president
and Gerald Molzahn was the secretary. It became known as Local 257, Area 599.
Members of this union have labored on such projects as; the Shrine of
Gudalupe, the Pammel Creek flood project (a six year job), cement work at Fort
McCoy and Volk Field, and prisons in Black River Falls, Mauston and New Lisbon.
They also are employed by local firms such as; Market and Johnson, Fowler and
Hammer, R.J. Jurowski, Peter Nelson Lunda, C.D. Smith, and Ed Kramer and Son.
They do much work on local highways and bridges also. In the past members
of this union have helped construct the following projects; the Mississippi River
Bridge at La Crosse, Gundersen Clinic and Lutheran Hospital construction projects
along with similar work at St. Francis Hospital. They worked on the runways at the
old La Crosse Airport as well as the current ones.
Several members of Jim Williams' family assisted in doing the cement work
on the Workers Memorial Monument when the concrete was set in 1999. This
included Jim's father and son. Jim was and is the Local's Business agent in La
Crosse.
1903, Individual Team Owners Local 618
The 1903 Convention proceedings of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO note this Local in
existence at that time.
1904, Laborers Local 140
Local 140 was chartered on January 22, 1904 in La Crosse. It was originally
called the International Hod Carriers‟ Building and Common Laborer‟s Union, Local
140. Tom Kriyowa was the Local‟s first president and Andrew Bloom was the first
vice president. The union had an office in Malin‟s Hall in La Crosse.
In 1999, members of Local 140 worked as tenders to assist the Bricklayer's
during the construction of the Workers Memorial Monument.
Members of this Local have worked on most of the construction projects
throughout the La Crosse area over the decades.
1905, Blacksmiths and Helpers Union No. 468
John Rae‟s union was chartered in January of 1905 with 26 charter members
enrolled. This union was made up primarily of the cities blacksmiths. The several of
the cities‟ railroads employed most of these blacksmiths. Wages were 27 cents per
hour in 1905. The workday was 10 hours long and they were paid straight time for
any overtime they put in. Helpers were paid 16 cents per hour.
1907, Theatrical, Stage Employees Local 141
Local 141 of the International Alliance of Theatrical, Stage Employees and
Motion Picture Machine Operators of the U.S. and Canada were chartered on October
20, 1907. It had 15 charter members. This union had members working in the
several theatres in town.
1907, Brotherhood of Railway Clerks Lodge 139
Local 139 elected officers at a union meeting on April 24, 1907. The officers
of the union were; F.O. Chamberlain president, R.D. Chamberlain vice president,
S.W. Rowland recording secretary, Ed Homestead financial secretary/treasurer.
Meeting in the freight office of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, 48
charter members were sworn in. For the yearly rental fee of $44 Lienlokken Hall was
chosen as the union meeting location. In the minutes of one of the early meetings of
78

this union an entertainment committee was charged with purchasing 12 decks of
playing cards and an indoor baseball bat and ball for the use of the membership.
An informal meeting of the Brotherhood was held at Lienlocken Hall on May
10th. Nine clerks were sworn-in at this meeting. Lienlocken Hall was rented for the
annual fee of $40 to hold future meetings of the union. The recording secretary was
instructed to correspond with all clerks and railway employees wishing to join the
union and secure the Local‟s charter from the Grand Lodge in Kansas City, Kansas.
At the second regular meeting of the Railway Clerks Union, held on May 28, 1907,
twenty-five members were present. Little business was conducted. Meeting
adjourned.
On June 25, the meeting of the Union was called to order by President
Chamberlain. The union members present voted 23 to none on the question of
whether or not to affiliate with the AFL.
At the July 23rd Union meeting, Labor Day plans were formed. A family
Brotherhood picnic was planned for a location on the River. A vote was taken on the
question of whether to purchase intoxicants for the picnic and the vote was 14 no
and 3 yes. On a vote on the question of whether or not to have the union provide a
picnic lunch for the members, the majority voted that each member should bring
their own lunch.
1909, Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employers
Local 519
Local 519 was
chartered on May 9, 1909.
See chapter eight in this
book for the complete
details of formations of
this union.
1910, Boot and Shoe
Workers Local 468
Two charters were
granted in 1910. On
October 17, the Boot and
Shoe Workers Union
chartered Local No. 468 in
La Crosse. International
General Organizer,
Charles E. James of St.
Paul, Minnesota, organized
it here. It began with only
10 members. It was a
rebirth of the craftsmen who made up La Crosse‟s first union, which was covered
earlier in this work.
1910, Electrical Workers Local 135, 1910-1987
1929 Cadillac buses, first bus equipment to be used by members of ATU Local 519
when service began in 1929
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
The other charter granted was a re-chartering of Electrical Workers Local 135,
and it occurred on May 20, 1910. Once again 10 charter members formed Local 135
due to a spilt in the Carpenters Brotherhood Union. Again it was McNulty and
Collins. This was a mixed local with inside and outside linemen as well as telephone
workers. Local 135 merged with IBEW Local 953 in January of 1987.
79

1911, Teamsters Local 199 (695)
The Teamsters were first organized in La Crosse in 1911 by La Crosse Trades
and Labor Council organizer, John Rae. They formed Local 199, the charter
members were; A.J. Hardie, C.J. Peterson, A. Johnson, John Harnish, Theodore
Smith, O. Dansberry, O.H. Olson and Fred Roher. These Teamsters delivered the ice
and coal throughout the city and local area. To plan for the formation of a union a
meeting was held at the Meade Stone Company Barn on February 17.
A team holders‟ meeting was held and about ten team owners who rent out
their teams were present. It was nearly a unanimous vote to form a union and set
uniform prices. A special meeting is to be held to adopt a price scale and accept a
charter. Local 199 was merged into Teamsters Local 695 on July 1, 1983.
Steve Severson and Gene Gowy are the Local business representatives for
Local 695 in the La Crosse area. Members of Local 695 hauled the cement in that
was used to construct the Workers Memorial Monument in 1999.
1912, Sheet Metal Workers Local 316, 1912-1964
Local 316 was chartered on June 20, 1912. The first president of this local
was Louis Hanson. The first financial secretary/treasurer was Clarence Randall.
Local 316 merged with other Wisconsin Sheet Metal Workers' Locals on October1,
1982 and formed Sheet Metal Workers Local 18. The owner of Winona Heating &
Ventilating Company donated the steel roofing that was used for the roof of the
Workers Memorial Monument in 2000. Members of Local 316 installed the roofing.
Local 316 merged with nine other Wisconsin Sheet Metal Locals and fomred
Local 18 on October 1, 1982.
1914, Printing and Pressmen and Assistant‟s Union No. 189-C
Local 189 was organized on August 13, 1914. In September 1915 the union
secured recognition by the employers in La Crosse. By 1916 only two employers
were holding out from signing agreements. On September 1, 1995 it merged with
Local 77-P of Neenah, Wisconsin. GCIU Local 77 now represents printing industry
workers in the area with members at Inland Printing of La Crosse and Monroe County
Publishers and Evans' Printing of Sparta.
1916, Plasterers Local 387
Local 387 of the Wood, Wire and Metal Lathers
Union were chartered on February 29, 1916. It began with
five charter members. The plasterers that chartered this
union were, Martin Engh, Clarence Gore, Theodore
Kocimski, Frank Novak and William Gillen.
1918, Fire Fighters Local 127
Reuben Knutson organized the City‟s Fire Fighters
in September of 1918. On September 16, all of the fiftythree
City Fire Fighters signed a charter and formed Local
127 affiliated with the International Association of Fire
Fighters. They also became an immediate affiliate of the
Trades and Labor Council. John T. Wright was chosen as
the Local‟s first president and William Stritt as the first
Secretary. Writing about this event in 1946, E.V.
Sciborski, then, Secretary of IAFF Local 127 had this to say
about the day when the men decided to form their union,
“A fire siren blasts the quiet air, motorists come to a dead
80
E.V. Sciborske

stop and pedestrians look about for the source of the siren. A fire engine or two
roars by. All eyes follow them until they turn a corner, then life returns to normal.
This is about the extent of interest shown in the functions of the fire department by
the average citizen of today because it is taken for granted as a foregone conclusion
that the blaze will be quickly extinguished by a well-trained and efficient
department.”
Sciborsik then spoke of the possible hardships and dangers of actually fighting
the fire, by the fire fighters and that, that is when the work really states for these
workers. Continuing he wrote, “What has this got to do with a labor union Well,
twenty-eight years or more ago the fire department in most of our towns and cities
was a political football of political patronage. The boss, who had won the last
election, had to find jobs for those who had helped him to victory. They might not
have been fire fighters. They might have been parasites on the body politic. But,
they were workers of the political machine and they had to be taken care of when
victory perched on the banner of their political boss. And so, unrestrained by civil
service or labor unions the boss would find places for them.
Local 127 joined sixty-five other fire fighter unions that organized that year,
representing 4,500 men. The Fire Fighters International Union had been chartered in
February of 1918, and went to work quickly organizing fire fighters all across the
country. Local 127 would address many issues facing workers local resolution until
January1, 1947. In 1946, when the men were lobbying for the 72-hour week, they
were still working an 84-hour week schedule and had been since they organized in
1918. A short history of the La Crosse Fire department indicates that the first full
time paid fire fighters were hired by the city in 1896. In
1939 the city had five fire stations and employed 73 men.
Motorized firefighting equipment began appearing
on the scene in 1912, when L. Coleman donated a twocylinder
passenger car to the city. In 1915, a motorized
hose car was bought and gradually other motorized
equipment replaced horse-drawn equipment. On April 14,
1926, the last horse-drawn wagon was replaced at
Station. Other early conditions in the fledgling union
were monthly union dues of 50 cents and meetings at the
Labor Hall at 417 Jay Street. A.B. Goodenougb, Peter
Ruud and Joseph C. Hundt were elected as the first
delegates to the Trades and Labor Council, from Local
127. 100
Top photo to the right, Joseph
Benjamin Malay, Grandfather
of author, center standing
Bottom photo to the right,
Henry Malay standing on the
left, Uncle of the Author
1918, BMWE Local 509
Local 509 is believed to have first chartered in
October or November of 1918 according to the minutes of
the Trades and Labor Council. Brotherhood of
Maintenance and Way Employees Lodge (later changed to
Local) 509
A seniority listing dated May 1, 1957 listed the
dates of hire of section laborers, track foremen, assistant
track foremen and bridge and builders foremen.
There were 124 section laborers, 56 track foremen, 63 assistant track
foremen and 81 men in the bridge and builders job listings. This included one
drawbridge engineer and five men employed in water service repair. Additionally, six
drawbridge workers labored at the Winona drawbridge.
100 Annual Labor Review, La Crosse Trades and Labor Council, 1939
81

Seniority List for Section Laborers
1. M. Welch
2. N. Bataglia
3. H. Haigh
4. I. Garcia
5. E. Johnson
6. J. P. Malay
7. E. Simon
8. E. Trego
9. P. Darrington
10. D. Limen
11. R. Malay
12. J. B. Malay
J.P., J.B. and R.H. Malay also ranked, 4, 11 and
28th on the track foremen seniority list.
Early Officers of Lodge 509
1953
Louis Spiker, president
L. Cordes, vice president
Kenneth Clow, secretary treasurer
1954
Louis Spiker, president
L. Cordes, vice president
Kenneth Clow, secretary treasurer
1955
Francis Conner, president
L. Cordes, vice president
Kenneth Clow, secretary treasurer
1956
L. Cordes, president
Francis Conner, vice president
Kenneth Clow, secretary treasurer
1957
L. Cordes, president
Francis Conner, vice president
Kenneth Clow, secretary treasurer
In 1955, the Constitution and
By-Laws stated, Any maintenance of
way employee or Railway Shop Laborer
who is not commonly known as a
railway official, who is sober, moral
and otherwise of good character, is
eligible to membership in the BMWE.
The initiation fee was set at $10 and
the dues were $14 a year.
This union also made us of an ever-changing password, which was distributed
numerically and had to be deciphered to learn the word phrase. One for example
was: 42-22-8-5-28-35-22-42, 32-17-36, 2-14-35-22, which deciphered into
Register To Vote, and expired on December 31, 1956. 101
101 From the minute books of Local 509, loaned by Jerry Weiss and Mike Kozaria to author in 2008
82
Left to right; Henry Malay, unknown, Joseph
B. Malay and unknown, members of BMWE
Local 509, Unlce and Grandfather of author
Grandfather of author
BMWE Local 509 working tracks near 500 Copeland Avenue
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin –
La Crosse

From the early minute books of Lodge 509
CB & Q R.R. Gandy Dancers circa 1910 near Prairie Du Chien
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La
Crosse
83
October 26, 1952
“There will be no
November meeting at La Crosse
as he Hall has been converted to
apartments.” "The next meeting
is to be held at CIO Hall, La
Crosse on March 22, 1953.” On
May 24, 1953 the meeting is to be
held at City Hall, in Prescott,
Wisconsin. On July 26, 1953 the
meeting is to be held at the
American Legion Post in Prairie Du
Chien. On April 25, 1954 the
meeting is to be held at Trainmen
Hall, 1230½ Caledonia Street, La
Crosse.
On March 27, 1955 aA bill
was entered for payment of the
lunch eaten at the conclusion of
this meeting in La Crosse. It detailed the purchase of the following items; Dill
Pickles, 33 cents , Bread, 48 cents, Cheddar Cheese, 60 cents, One quarter pound of
butter, 18 cents, Miracle Whip Sandwich Spread, 21 cents,
Meat (sandwich), 74 cents, Hard boiled eggs, 12 cents. A total cost of $2.66 cents
for 25 sandwiches. A bill was also presented to the treasurer for a case of beer,
$3.25 and two bottles of pop, 20 cents. 102
Local 509 works for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and maintains
the electric rails, frogs, ties, and steel rails and is in
charge of the Railway Right-Of-Way. They renew
ties, rails and surface renewal. They weld
continuous rail (thermite weld) and do all track
maintenance work.
1919, IBEW Local 953
This local was chartered on May 26, 1919 in
Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In January 1987 Local 135 of
La Crosse merged with Local 953. Local 990 merged
with Local 953 in July of 1975. Members of IBEW
Local 953 were called in to assist with the electrical
service that was provided to serve the Workers
Memorial Monument.
1919, Express Division of Railway Clerks No.
2084
Road master, James Benjamin
Malay,
Great-grandfather of author
The 1920 proceedings of the Wisconsin State Federation of Labor list No.
2084 as having formed on August 26, 1919.
102 From the minute books of Local 509, loaned by Jerry Weiss and Mike Kozaria to author in 2008

1920'S -BSEI Local 21 was chartered during the 20's
Members of this union worked at La Crosse public schools, the Labor Temple
and several union offices throughout La Crosse. Later, this International Union
became known as SEIU (Service Employees International Union)
1920, Brewery Workers Local 247
Local 247 was merged into
Local 81 in 1920, according to the
1920 Wisconsin AFL-CIO
Convention proceedings.
1920 Rail Road Unions Form
Their Own Co-op
At a meeting at Union Hall
on the north side of La Crosse in
April of 1920, the La Crosse
Cooperative Association was
formed which will allow
consumers to purchase food, fuel,
clothing and other necessities of
life through the power of coop
buying. The Co-op was formed to
combat the high cost of living the
railroaders were facing. The store
was to be located at 1607 George
Street. A coal and fuel yard has
been purchased near the store.
Holsum Bakery Sales Convention 1945
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
Members may purchase shares of
stock for the price of $50 each,
with a limit of two shares by any stockholder.
Attorney Frank With row presided at the
founding meeting at Union Hall, giving a short
talk on the cooperation that can be gained by
a local coop. Mayor Arthur Bentley also
addressed the meeting.
1923, Iron Workers Local 383
Iron Worker International Organizer,
Joseph Burns organized Local 383 with 14
charter members on August 17, 1923. Every
project in La Crosse and the surrounding area
that had steel hung used members of Local
383.
This includes the locks and dams,
airport, Mississippi River bridges, shopping
centers, schools, factories, churches and
Members of Local 383, all volunteers, gave their labor and
much more. Some of the projects these
skills to construct this monument to Veteran's in front of the
newly constructed UWL Stadium, which they also built.
trades workers labored on include; Shopko
(North and South), City Hall, County jail and
Courthouse, Civic Center, Heileman Brew House, Logan and Central High schools,
Radisson Hotel and the Valley View Mall.
84

The MacDonald's restaurant on the North side of La Crosse used one steel
beam in its construction, that beam was put in by Local 383. When the old Mary E.
Sawyer Auditorium was built it used rivets to connect the steel. That was the last
job in La Crosse to be riveted together.
Members of Local 383 volunteered their labor to construct the Large Eagle in
front of Veteran's Memorial Stadium. Members of 383 of course, worked on the new
stadium. The U.S. Bank Building, St. Josephs' Cathedral and the new shrine were
projects also using Local 383.
For many decades, Swanson's Heavy Moving used members of Local 383,
continuing to do so until they went out of business in 2004. Workers Memorial
Monument at 7th and Cook Streets in La Crosse had its steel framework constructed
by La Crosse business agent, Tom Lee and volunteers from Local 383. Apprentices
from Local 383 constructed the other fallen Workers monument in Milwaukee.
Modern Crane and Coulee Crane are contractors with members of Local 383
on the payroll. Members of this Local put together and take apart the large cranes
used on such projects as the new Transit Center in La Crosse as part of their work.
At this time the local business agent for Local 383 is David Thesing and the Business
Manager is long-time La Crosse resident, Mike Grimslid.
In 1999, members of Local 383, under the direction of then La Crosse
business manager Tom Lee, put up the steel superstructure of the Workers Memorial
Monument.
1933, UWA Local 14
Local 14 of the United Rubber Workers Union was formed in 1933. Floyd
Robinson was the president, John Soller, vice president, Ernest Aumock, financial
secretary and Arthur Evans the recording secretary of the local in 1939. The men
and women of this union were employed at the La Crosse Rubber Mills. 1940 saw
Grover McHenry installed as president, Lloyd Miller, vice president, Roy Wood,
financial secretary and Arthur Evans as the corresponding secretary. In 2009 this
Local went out of existence and their records and charter were surrendered to USW
Local 2-150 bringing to an end over a century of footwear manufacturing and
employment in La Crosse.
1935, Teamsters Local 695
Local 695 was chartered on March 13, 1935. It absorbed IBT Local 199 of La
Crosse on July 1, 1983.
1937, UCAPA Local 448
Local 448 was affiliated with the CIO in 1937 and then with the International
United Cannery, Agricultural, Packing and Allied Workers of America in June of 1939.
These workers were employed by the Oak Grove Cemetery under the name;
Memorial Park Workers Local No 448. At this time they also absorbed the
Homestead Dairy employees into Local 448. Art Veglahn, president, Armin Gossfeld,
vice president, John Schnell, secretary treasurer and George Jacobus the recording
secretary.
1937, IBEW Local 990
The employees of the La Crosse Telephone Company won an election on
November 11, 1937 and formed IBEW Local 953.
85

1937, Bakers Local 386
Local 386 was chartered on June 24, 1937 by the Bakery and Confectionary
International Union. On May 5, 1958 it merged with Local 395 of Winona, Minnesota
and became Local 390. On February 8, 1960 Local 390 merged with Local 22.
Local 395 was chartered on July 20, 1937. Local 22 was chartered on
January 1, 1973 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1937, Foundry Workers Union, Local 93
Members of Local 93 were
under contract with the John
Torrance and Son Foundry in
1937. In 1936 the foundry was
located at 116 Jay Street. At that
time it manufactured ornamental
railing, machine castings, castings,
structural angels, beams, plates
and reinforcing bars. These were
used at Lumber Mills and city
drinking fountains, parts for stoves
and anchors and sled runners.
Today metal construction
materials were used to build Logan
High School, Central High School,
and many other building projects.
Members of this union work with
cast iron – grey and nihard
castings and ductile iron castings.
1937, IAM Lodge 1115
Lodge 1115 was chartered in September 16, 1937. The members are
employed at Crown Beverage, Luxco, Trane Tool Room, LB &B (Fort McCoy) and at
Union Office Solutions in Viroqua.
They are machinists who work at maintenance, sales, bus driving as they are
in an amalgamated Lodge. At Crown Beverage they manufacture 12 ounce
aluminum beverage cans. At Luxco they do tool and die and machine work. At LB
&B they work as bus drivers and building and grounds maintenance, while at Union
Office Solutions they work with Union office supplies and equipment.
Many UAW Locals Existed in La Crosse
John Torrance founded his company in 1876.
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin –
La Crosse
1937, Local 248
Some of the workers at the La Crosse Plant of Allis Chalmers became
members of UAW Local 248 on March 16, 1937 when a charter was issued.
1937, Local 395
Members of the Northern Engraving plant in La Crosse became members of
Local 395 on April 13, 1937 when a charter was issued. The charter was finally
revoked on March 12, 1991. Local 395 members were employed by the Northern
Engraving and Manufacturing Company. The local officers in 1937 were; Merritt
Gibson, president, Orlando Christianson, vice president, Gay Nesseth , recording
secretary, John Mier, financial secretary, and Russell Johnson treasurer.
86

The officers for 1939 were; Malcolm Lloyd, president, William Lagas, vice
president, Abraham VanVoorhis, recording secretary and Orville Evenson, financial
secretary/treasurer. The officers for 1940 were; William Lagas, president, Malcolm
Lloyd, vice president, Abraham VanVoorhis, recording secretary and Orville Evenson,
financial secretary/treasurer.
In 1940 the officers for the local were; Merritt Gibson, president, Ed Schmidt,
vice president, Gerhart Nesseth, recording secretary, John Mier, financial secretary
and Russell Johnson, treasurer.
1937, Local 396
Local 396 was chartered on April 30, 1937, just a few days after Local 395
sprung into being. These workers were employed by the La Crosse Auto Lite
company. They made gauges and instruments for the automobile industry. The
charter of Local 396 was revoked after the plant's sale and closing. It was revoked
on April 4, 1962. Local 396 was the union at the Motor Meter Gauge and Equipment
Company, a division of the Electric Auto-Lite Company in La Crosse. Local 396 was
soon embroiled in an internal power struggle within the CIO in early 1939 and found
its membership evenly divided between two factions within the CIO. The Local
wisely avoided both competing conventions of the dissident CIO and in May 1, 1939
re-affiliated with the united CIO. On July 22, 1939 a contract was signed between
the union and the company and higher vacation pay, wage increases and other
improvements were granted.
UAW Local 124, 1942
Local 124 had members working at the Gateway Glass Company and the
Bump Pump Company when it was chartered on January 28, 1942. It had its charter
revoked on October 10, 1956 when the Bump Pump Company was bought up by
Northern Plastics. The members would then be represented by Local 1263.
In 1954, Local 124 settled with the Gateway Glass Company when the
Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that the company was guilty of an unfair labor
practice charge the Union charged them with in 1951. 43 members of Local 124
received checks with two years of back pay. This Local settled a contract with the
Bump Pump Company in 1956 and gained 6 cents an hour pay raise and another 9.4
cents boost in fringe benefits.
UAW Local 316, 1943
Local 316 was chartered on February 1, 1943. by the United Auto Workers
International Union. The members were then employed by the La Crosse Trailer and
Equipment Company located in La Crosse. As this union sprang into being during
World War Two, manufacturing semi-trailers for the U.S. Army occupied a large
amount of their working hours.
In the early 1960‟s, the La Crosse Trailer and Equipment Company was sold
to the Brown Manufacturing Company. Times were tough during this period of the
unions‟ history. In fact the company was purchasing fuel oil for its boiler five gallons
at a time on a cash only basis.
In the last part of 1966 the company was sold to Dietrick and Gamble. In
July of 1967, Paper, Calmenson and Company purchased the business. Two of the
La Crosse plants were sold off at the time. By January 1968 the company was
liquidated due to the poor shape the La Crosse Trailer Company was in. So, by 1968
the company was engaged in manufacturing equipment by burning, welding, forming
and fabricating steel products. Due to the ebbs and flows of the economy, the
membership of Local 316 sunk from a high of almost 100 to a low of only ten during
the late 1970‟s and early 1980‟s. By 1991 the membership had grown to 33
87

members. Today it is three times that number. 103 Today the number is currently
less than 100 members.
UAW Local 401, 1946
Local 401 was chartered on December 26, 1946. It would later be merged
into Local 316 after the La Crosse Trailer Company became PACAL. This charter was
revoked on November 11, 1971.
UAW Local 175, 1948
The employees of the Miller Broom Company were cited as an affiliate of the
La Crosse Industrial Labor Council in 1939 on the charter application submitted to
the CIO. The workers there lost their union later on and were gone from the scene
when a charter was issued in 1948.
1952, UAW Local 150
This local was chartered in 1950 and at that time represented workers at
Vanant Products. In 1957 this local became affiliated with the Allied Industrial
Workers of America and remained known as Local 150. Vanant Products changed
its name to Vanpak Products and the members remained represented by Local 150.
The following years saw several name changes by the company. In 1962 it
became Plastixfilm, then Tomah Products in 1963. In 1966 the three corporate
names were merged back into one and returned to being the Vanpak Products
In 1971 the Company was purchased by Union Camp and named as such.
In 1993 the AIW and United Paper workers International Union merged and
became United Papermakers and the Local became designated as Local 7150. In
1999 the United Paper workers International and the Oil, Chemical and Energy
Workers International Union merged into Paper, Allied Industrial, Chemical and
Energy Workers International Union or PACE. This changed the Local‟s designation
to Local 7-150.
2000 saw the Union Camp and International Paper Companies merged into
one company known as International Paper. In late 2003, International Paper sold
the Tomah operation to the Sterling Group. This was an investment group from
Texas. Exopack became the factory‟s name. Originally, Sterling Group had tried to
name the Tomah Company Exotch, only to learn after several months under that
name that another company had rights to that name, hence Exopac.
On April 14, 2005 another merger occurred. PACE and the United Steel
Workers of America (USW) joined forces and the two Internationals became known
as the USW International. The acronym stands for United Steel, Paper and Forestry,
Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International
Union. Now, PACE Local 7-150 became USW Local 2-150, 2 designating the District
and 150 maintaining the Local‟s original union number through the years.
In 2006 the Sterling Group sold Exopac to an investment group known as Sun
Capital Partners out of Boca Raton, Florida. No name change of the local company
happened this time.
USW Local 2-150 became engaged in discussions with USW Local 14L of La
Crosse, a USW local that had shrunk from hundreds of members down to a couple of
dozen members with the changes that happened at La Crosse Footwear. On January
8, 2008, Local 14L was merged into USW Local 2-150 and the Local became
designated USW Local 2.150-1.
103 Information provided by Lester Hanson, former Secretary Treasurer of Local 316.
88

Over the course of
many years a small number of
union members have served
as president of this union.
Those men were; Jesse
O‟Connor, Billie Makin, Glen
Pergande, Russ Miller, Dewitt
Zimmerman and current
president, Kurt Randorf.
History of Tomah Plant
Vanpak Products was
founded by Paul Van Antwerpt
in September 1945 under the
name Vanant. In 1952 the
current building was
constructed and put into
operation in 1953. During the
early 50‟s the plant
manufactured military
packaging used to pack
ammunition. In 1956 the
company moved to the former
Railroad Commissary Building
and began to manufacture
polyethylene and cellophane
bags.
[Authors' father, Elton Hicks manning the pump during a flood, on the
North side in the 50’s] He was a member of Local 180 when he retired
member of Local 407
In 1961, the first extruder was installed at the factory. The factory employed
65 persons at that time. As of 2008, Exopac extrudes more than 30 million pounds
of polyethylene film annually. It employs 235 workers.
The manufacturing process uses glossy pellets the size of hailstones that are
stored in metal tubs. These slippery waxy pellets are fed into extruders that heat
and melt the pellets. The fluid is then blown straight up into the air to form a
continuous tube. The tube cools as it rises up into a tower and through a collapsing
tent. It is then trimmed to the size being manufactured. It is formed and printed
into many different kinds of plastic bags for its customers. 104
UAW Local 448, 1948
Employees of Iron Products, and the Hirsheimer Foundry. Became GMP Local
479 of today. This Local was chartered on May 17, 1948 and had its charter revoked
on May 13, 1980 when it became merged into GMP Local 479.
UAW Local 1263, 1956
Local 1263 was chartered on January 20, 1956 and at that time the union
members worked for the Northern Plastics Company. At some point the name of the
Company was changed to Norplex and remained as such until 1988, when it became
Norplex Oak, it changed to Norplex in 1994. Allied Signal. In 1995 it became ISOLA
Laminate Systems. Isola closed on March 31, 2002.
In 1966 UAW Local 1263 members paid union dues in the amount of $5 a
month. There were 224 union members. They earned an hourly wage of from
between $2.80 to $3.05 an hour. They worked three shifts and were divided into;
104 From information provided by Kurt Randorf, president of USW Local 2-150, 2008.
89

the Press Crews, Treater Department and Shipping Departments. There was a long
list of violations of the company‟s work rules such as;
GROUP A.
Stealing from the Company
Falsifying a time card
Breaking tools or equipment on purpose
Carelessness on the job
Smoking in any nonsmoking areas of the plant
And giving false information pertaining to employment
GROUP B.
Refusing to obey orders
Drinking alcoholic beverages on the job
Defacing the walls
Spitting on the floor
Fighting
And borrowing Company property for use off site
GROUP C.
Failing to obey safety rules
Failing to wear safety glasses
Doing personal work on the job
Not using power guards
Tardiness
And horseplay on the job
WAGES AND MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS 1966-2002
1966-1969 - Wages were from $3.30 to $3.80 an hour with 224 to 334 members.
1973- Wages were from $3.25 to $3.95 an hour.
1976 - Wages were from $5.07 to $6.14 an hour with 169 members in the union.
1979 - There were 169 members in the union.
1982 - Wages were from $6.20 to $7.54 an hour with 184 members in the union.
1983 - There were 179 members in the union.
1985 - Wages were from $8.06 to $9.39 an hour with 182 members in the union.
1988-1991 - Wages were from $8.69 to $9.60 an hour with 219 members.
1991-1994 - There were 209 members in the union.
1995 - Wages were from $9.06 to $11.29 an hour with 182 members in the union.
1994-1997 - There were 173 members in the union.
1997-2001 - Wages were from $13.65 to $16.35 an hour with 173 members. 105
UAW Local 1452, 1966
Local 1452 was chartered on December 29, 1966 and had its charter revoked
on March 20, 1982. More information on this and other UAW Locals may be found in
the chapter six, Striking Unions, in this book.
105 From Collectively Bargained Local 1263 contracts, 1966-2004
90

Federal Labor Unions, La Crosse
There were ten (more were probably chartered but information prior to 1930
is not available in the AFL-CIO‟s archives) Federal Labor Unions that existed for a
time in the La Crosse area. These were unions so-named FLU‟s as they were
directly affiliated with the National AFL (not AFL-CIO, because they all occurred pre-
1955) due to the Wagner Act making it easier to form a union in that era of labor
management relations.
1903, Button Workers FLU Local Union No. 10980/16598
Local 10980 is known to have been in existence by as early as 1903, as they
are listed as being an affiliate of the Wisconsin Federation of Labor, in the 1903
proceedings of the Convention in Manitowoc. Local No. 16598 is cited in the 1920
Wisconsin AFL-CIO Convention proceedings as having formed on July 30, 1919.
1946, Allis Chalmers Workers FLU Local Union No. 1424
Nothing is known of this local, other than it‟s number. It was quickly
dissolved when one of two or three other International unions organized the Plow
factory. It evolved into UAW Local 401 eventually.
1915-1919, FLU Numbers 16415 and 14791
Rubber Workers Federal Labor Union No. 14791 first shows up in official
records on March 12, 1915. Then it seems to have been abandoned until a few
years later. On page 87 of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council in the minutes of
the February 14, 1919 meeting this union is mentioned. It is noted in the minutes
that the union seated three delegates, John Bernanek, Fred Frommelt and John
Stifter.
1933, FLU No. 18558
See chapter ten on the Trane Company for the history of this union.
1933, FLU No. 18672
The members of Local 18672 were workers that manufactured automobile
accessories in La Crosse. They formed their union assisted by Herman Burgehartdt,
the Trades and Labor Council organizer on September 8, 1933. The secretary of the
union at the time of chartering was Robert Valiquette of 1442 Rose Street, in La
Crosse. This union was suspended on May 10, 1937 after 3 years and nine months
of life.
1937, FLU No. 20994
Members of this local were service station attendants, laboring at various
gasoline stations in La Crosse. They were assisted in forming their union by Trades
and Labor Council organizer, Robert Franklin. They formed a union on July 13, 1937.
Their local was suspended on February 9, 1939, after about one year and seven
months.
1937, FLU No. 21093
This local sprang into being on August 9, 1937, assisted by Trades and Labor
Council organizer, Robert Franklin. Their local was suspended on September 9, 1938
after one year and one month of service to its members. These workers were
employed in the wholesale trade in La Crosse. Franklin wrote on the application for
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affiliation to the AFL, “The women that I have organized in the garment workers
make only women‟s dresses.
1939, FLU No. 22053
Once upon a time, the La Crosse Tribune had union reporters. This was Local
22053 also known as Newspaper Writers and Reporters Union Local 22053. It began
its life on June 5, 1939. George Hall was now the organizer for the La Crosse Trades
and Labor Council and he reported on the application, “Some time ago I wrote to
Brother William Green (AFL president) in regards to forming an organization in one of
our newspaper plants here and I received a communication referring me to David
Sigman, one of the International‟s organizers. Since that time we held a meeting,
On April 14, and signed up the majority of the members. Brother Henry Rutz was
the organizer sent in to assist me with this organization. I would go into detail, but I
presume Brother Rutz has sent his report to the International Office. He suggested
that they would be organized as a Federal Labor Union and the name that they would
like to use is „La Crosse Tribune Office and Editorial Workers Union, Local No. __.‟ 106
(editors' note, this was left blank on the record that still exists)
The employees represented at the Tribune belonging to this union were; one
reporter/ news writer, one state editor/general reporter/news writer, one telegraph
editor, one advertising clerical worker/collector, one sports editor and reporter, one
women‟s page editor/reporter, one advertising solicitor, one politics/general
reporting person and one private secretary to the organizer. This union died on April
8, 1946.
1941, FLU No. 21186
The employees of the La Crosse Garment Company formed FLU Local 21186
on September 9, 1937, assisted by Trades and Labor organizer, Robert Franklin.
They transferred their union affiliation to the International Lady Garment Workers
Union on March 7, 1941.
1942, FLU No. 22688
Employees of three companies banded together to form Local 22688. They
labored for the La Crosse Steel Roofing and Corrugating Company, the Milcor Steel
Company and the Badger Corrugating Company. They chartered their union on April
10, 1941. They suspended operations on August 12, 1942.
Forming this union was a joint effort between George Hall and the Sheet
Metal Workers International Union, because of a jurisdictional conflict. The Sheet
Metal Workers turned these employees down because their wages were so low they
would not be able to negotiate their compensation to comparable levels of existing
unionized sheet metal workers in the La Crosse area. Their wages would have to be
63 cents an hour higher to compare with existing union sheet metal workers. Hall
wrote the AFL and said he hoped to add the workers at the La Crosse Novelty Box
manufacturer to this local union in the future.
1945, FLU No. 22152
Workers at the Service Transfer and Storage Company formed Local 22152.
There were 20 people working for this company. They were employed as follows;
three rate clerks, three solicitors, five stenographers, one cashier, six clerks, one
claim agent and one collector. The charter application indicated that these workers
received excellent assistance from George Hall the organizer of the Trades and Labor
106 This was left blank by the organizer and was never filled in on the original application sent to the AFL
92

Council assisted by Frank Weiker of the American Federation of Office Employees.
They were chartered on September 9, 1939 and transferred into the Office
Employees International on March 16, 1945. 107
1940, AFT Local 652 Chartered on April 27, 1940
In May of 1940, Local 652 had 32 members. By 1950 the Local had 112
members. By 1960 the membership was down to 90. By September 1964, the Local
disbanded and surrendered it‟s charter.
Brewery Workers Local 81 Chartered with Wisconsin State Council of
Brewery Workers
Local 81 received a charter from the state body on September 27, 1940.
1941, AFSCME Local 407
The employees of the city of La Crosse in the street, park, sewer, water and
other non protective services jobs were first organized in December 12, 1941 as
AFSCME Local 407. In 1958 on February 18, the Local disaffiliated with AFSCME and
affiliated with SEIU becoming SEIU Local
180, which it remains to date.
1943, AFSCME Local 227
The employees of the La Crosse
County Highway and Parks Department
were formed into a union on October 4,
1943. They continue to be represented
by this Local to date.
1944, La Crosse Policemen‟s Union
Local AFSCME Local 125
La Crosse Police Department
officers formed an AFL affiliated union in
1944. Of the 23 officers eligible to join
the union, 33 signed cards. The unions‟
first officers were; Edwards Stokes
chairman, Garfield Kirkhorn vice
chairman, Leonard Bennet secretary
treasurer and Gregory Yehle, Frank
Rendler and Emil Sicorski serving as the
unions‟ first grievance committee.
1945, Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 44
Local 44 was originally chartered as Federal Union No. 22152 on September
9, 1939. FLU No. 22152 became Local OPEIU Local 44 on February 1, 1945. It was
disbanded on July 1, 1994.
1945, AFSCME Local 333
The employees of the State of Wisconsin serving as State Inspectors formed
Local 333 on May 2, 1945.
107 Charter information on Federal Labor Unions taken from information provided by the Archives of the
AFL-CIO, Silver Springs, Maryland, George Meany Memorial Library
93

1949, AFSCME Local 1215
On March 15, 1958 the Wardens and Rangers employed by the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources formed their local union.
1947, IBEW Local 990
Local 990 was chartered on July 1, 1947. It was merged into IBEW Local 953
on June 1, 1975.
1949, AFSCME Local 1218
On March 15, 1958 the clerical and related employees of the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources formed Local 1218.
1955, AFSCME Local 750
On October 25, 1955 Local 750 was chartered to represent the employees of
the La Crosse County Home and Infirmary. This local disbanded on January 1, 1959.
1956, United Packinghouse Workers of America Local 633
(Formerly UAW Local 175)
The workers at the La Crosse Swift Company ran a union campaign and won
their rights to their local union when Local 633 was recognized by the NLRB on
November 27, 1956. The vote to form a union was 79 in favor to 1 opposed. The
first officers of the union were: Clarence Hanson, president, Leo Taylor, vice
president Minnie Hether, recording secretary, Roger Benson, financial secretary,
Frank Stickler, chief steward. At the first union meeting of this local the following
members were sworn-in; Helen Olson, Clara Ledeburh, Violet Trapp, Lily Hermanson,
Ola Belle, Evelyn Campbell, Virginia Harwick, Maxine Joseph, Genevieve Chance and
Joy Hanson (Clarence Hanson‟s wife).
They had withdrew from UAW Local 175 and had to run an election to join the
United Packinghouse Workers Union. Members of Swift Companies, milk and butter
plant and their poultry plant were members of UAW Local 175 beginning in 1948.
Prior to that, they had been in UAW Local 448 and other Locals.
In 1965 Swift closed the butter and milk processing plants in La Crosse and
installed 2 butter-cutting machines. Local 633 shrank to 20 members with this move
of operations by Swift.
Clarence Hanson was the correspondent for Local 633 and after the plant
closed he went to work at the Rubber Mills and became their correspondent for the
Union Herald newspaper. His columns with extensively filled with union news for
both of these unions when he wrote for them.
1956, AFSCME Local 194
On July 1, 1956, the custodians of the University of Wisconsin La Crosse
formed Local 194. On September 1, 2007 their local was merged into AFSCME Local
1449.
1956, AFSCME Local 459
On August 20, 1956 Local 459 was formed to represent the Monroe County
Hospital and Home employees. This local disbanded on January 1, 1959.
94

1956, GMP Local 437
The foundry workers at the Torrance Foundry formed Local 437 on March 1,
1956. On April 25, 1988 the International Molders and Allied Workmen Union
merged with the Glass Plastic and Allied Workers to form the GMP.
The Molders Union was first chartered in 1859. Undergoing many name
changes it was the International Molders Union from 1907 to 1934. From 1934 to
1961 it was the International Molders and Foundry Workers International Union.
From 1961 to 1988 it was the International Molders and Allied Workers Union. Since
then it has been known as the Glass Molders and Plastic workers International Union
is the current name of the union.
In the past members of Local 437 manufactured ornamental railings, sled
runners, wood burning stoves, anchors, drinking fountains (Bubblers), architectural
columns and parts for lumber mills.
This Local cast parts for Logan High School, Central High School, and the
1895 Hunter‟s Bridge. Today they cast Grey, and Nihard parts and ductile iron
castings as well.
1958, AFSCME Local 758
On March 31, 1958 the employees of the Wisconsin Department of
Transportation formed Local 758.
1961, UPWA Local 633 Badger Division
Employees of the Warner-Swazey Company formed into UPWA Local 633
Badger Division, in Winona, Minnesota in October, 1961. The first officers of this
union were; Edmond Frasch, president, Lester Hogden, vice president, Frank
Vondrasek, recording secretary, and Stanley Shargey, financial secretary.
1962, AFSCME Local 1527
These employees of Vernon County highway department formed a union on
June 19, 1962 and the local continues to represent them to date.
1962, AFSCME Local 1667
These employees of Vernon Manor in Vernon County formed a union on
October 12, 1962 and continue to be represented by this local to date.
IAM District Lodge 66
District #66 was chartered August 26, 1981 in the city of La Crosse, WI by
the IAM Grand Lodge. The first year started with (5) locals; Local Lodge 21, Local
Lodge 173, Local Lodge 1030, Local Lodge 1115 and Local Lodge 1771 followed by
Local Lodge 2191 thirteen years later. Today, Lodge 173 has been merged into Local
Lodge 1115, and the council represents five Local Lodges. This council is lead by
Directing Business Representative, Rick Mickschl today. The first Directing Business
Representative was Dan Mihalovic and the second was Tom O'Heron, with Rick
Mickschl being the current Directing Business Representative for the District.
1967, BSE Local 180 then SEIU Local 180
This union representing City of La Crosse municipal employees was granted a
charter on January 19, 1967. They were first identified as Building and Service
Employees Union then renamed Service Employees International Union.
95

1967, AFSCME Local 1947
The employees of the Rolling Hills Rehabilitation and Nursing Home formed a
union on November 1, 1967. They continue to be represented by this local to date in
their workplace in Sparta. 108 Members of this union cook the food, maintain the
building and provide care for the residents there.
967, SEIU Local 150
Members of this union are employed by the Onalaska School District,
Gundersen/Lutheran Hospital and Clinic, Town of Onalaska, Hillview Nursing Home
and the offices of IAM Lodges 21 and District Lodge 66 and Carpenters Local 1143.
Gundersen Lutheran Hospital and Clinic and the Hillview Nursing Home were
unionized in the late 1960's, workers for the City of Onalaska (public school
custodians) became unionized in the late 1970's, the town of Onalaska and the town
of Campbell saw the union formed in the late 1990's.
1970, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1444 (1473)
Local 1444 was chartered on June 1, 1970. The first president of the local
was Lyle Harbort and the first secretary treasurer was Anthony Rezzo. In 1979 the
Retail Clerks and Amalgamated Meat Cutters International Unions merged with the
UFCW International. On June 1, 2006, UFCW Local‟s 73A and 1444 merged and
became UFCW Local 1473.
1971, APWU Local 360
The postal workers of La Crosse became members of APWU Local 360 after
the creation of this International Union in that year. They formerly were represented
by a previous International for many decades in the La Crosse post office.
1971, Ironworkers Local 825
Consisting of shop men, International Organizer Joseph Palma organized No.
825 on November 27, 1971. These union members were employed by the River
Steel Company. The current president if Kenneth Crowley.
1973, Teamsters Local 1081
Absorbing Local 81, the Heileman Brewery workers charted their union as IBT
Local 1081 on November 21, 1973. The union members listed on the charter are;
William Akright, Frank Liberte, Clarence Ferrier, Thomas Howe and William Beranek.
Local 1081 merged with Local 695 on August 1, 2000, when it was dissolved due to
having too few members because of the closing of the brewery. Ronald Buschman
was the Secretary/Treasurer of Local 1081 at the time of the merger.
1973, AFT Local 3605, Also referred to as WFT (Wisconsin Federation of
Teachers)
The American Federation of Teachers had recognized the formation of a union
at the Western Wisconsin Technical Institute in October. However a charter was not
yet granted due to two other union drives competing for the same members. The
Wisconsin Education Association Council and an Independent Union not affiliated with
either AFT or WEAC.
108 Most AFSCME chartering dates provided by Secretaries of the AFSCME Council’s offices in Madison,
WI., 2008
96

A informational leaflet was distributed noting the 1972-1973 Membership
numbers for NEA (National Association of Educators) and the AFT. NEA – 1.3 million
members, AFT 3.6 hundred thousand members. WEAC affiliates with current
bargaining rights was listed as being 425 job sites and 7 for WFT (or AFT in
Wisconsin). Eight Technical Colleges in Wisconsin had WEAC memberships and five
had WFT memberships.
Jack Rheil (president of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO and a La Crosse native) wrote
a letter supporting the WFT. The Madison AFT union also sent a letter of support
for the WFT. AFT mailed out a newsletter noting that an election at WWTI would
take place in room 105 in the Coleman building on or after December 7 and prior to
December 21 st . A hospitality party was held on November 26, 1973 hosted by the
WWTC bargaining committee.
Company Union Holds a Preemptive Election on December 6 th
The WFT filed a prohibited practice complaint against the La Crosse
Independent Teachers Association election of December 6 th . This Independent union
was being led by Charles Richardson, the District Director of WWTI so it was in fact a
COMPANY UNION. The State of Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission ruled
on October 10, 1974 that the December 6, 1973 election was to be set aside and
that this union could petition for another election which was to be held by October 1,
1974. The Independent Union failed to seek another election, however. The
commission further ruled that no union election could take place or be recognized for
one year, to end June 1, 1975.
The Wisconsin Employment Relations Committee had ruled that WWTI should
cease and desist showing any preference to any Faculty Personnel Policies
Committee or any other organization. Robert Beeson had been the president of the
Independent union.
AFT Local 3605 Gains First Contract, May 7, 1975
The newly formed union had 175 teachers as members. The first contract
won them a 6% raise the first year and 5% the second year, with the third year left
open to negotiations.
In 1976, Bob Berry, Dick Roellig and Art Armstrong were elected as La Crosse
AFL-CIO Delegated to represent Local 3605 on the council.
Officers of AFT Local 3605
The first president of the local appears to have been Joyce Davidson in 1976.
In 1977 John Grass succeeded Joyce and became the president. By December of
1977 Ken Wastlund was elected president of the local. Doug Farmer became a
delegate to the Labor Council in December of 1978. By November 1979, John Grass
had became president. In 1981 Jeff Janis was president. Clay Pollert was the vice
president and Tom Vedell was the treasurer. In 1987 the president of the local was
Mary Anne Braithwaite, Wayne Lemar was the vice president and Margaret
McCloskey was the staff representative.
Federation Membership, Some Facts and Fiction
During a membership drive the Committee submitted an interesting article for
the Local‟s newsletter. It gave 6 excuses why a teacher wouldn‟t join the union.
1. I‟m going to retire soon.
2. I‟m quitting or going to get another job.
3. I want to wait until fall. Don‟t bother me now.
4. I‟m not happy with…………
97

5. I don‟t have time to become involved or I‟m not sure I‟d be allowed to
become involved.
6. Unions aren‟t professional.
Here are the union‟s 6 answers.
1. The union will play an important role in legislation involving
retirement.
2. Signing a dues authorization card means dues will be deducted only
for as long as you work at WWTI.
3. Some people have been using this excuse for two years now. At any
rate our dues check off won‟t begin until Fall.
4. Not happy, it is your union, join in and make it work for you and
5. Everyone is invited to become involved with the union, but
membership in and of itself is still a valuable contribution to the cause.
6. Fact, all but one Wisconsin Technical Institute are represented by a
union. 95% of all public school teachers are unionized.
1974, AFSCME Local 2470
On October 1, 1964 the employees of the Monroe County Highway
department and City of Sparta formed Local 2470.
1974, AFSCME Local 2748
On August 1, 1974 the professional employees of the State of Wisconsin
formed their statewide local. The members working in La Crosse, Monroe and
Vernon Counties are contained in Local 2748, Chapter 10.
1975, AFSCME Local 2484
On November 1, 1975 Local 2484 was chartered. AFSCME Local 2484
members work as; clerical staff, nurses, economic support workers, social workers,
juvenile detention workers, fiscal workers, computer operators, maintenance
workers, labor workers and as environmental workers.
1976, AFSCME Local 1403
1976.
The employees of the Lakeview Health Care Center formed a union on April 1,
1976, AFSCME Local 2918
The employees of the Vernon County Government formed their local on April
1, 1976.
1976, AFSCME Local 1449
The clerical and related employees of the UWL system formed their local
union on September 1, 1976.
1983, IBT Local 199/695
Local 199 merged with Local 695 on July 1, 1983. George Walinski was the
Secretary/Treasurer of Local 199 of La Crosse at this time of this merger.
1991, IAM Brazed Aluminum Workers Local Lodge 2191
On September 17, 1990 a vote was taken asking the members if they wished
to pursue a separate union local apart from Lodge 21. The vote was affirmative and
on January 1, 1997, Lodge 2191 was chartered as a standalone Lodge. The first
98

officers were; Don Melcher chairman, Dennis Gerke committeeman and Greg Haug
committeeman.
The vote to form this union occurred on September 17, 1990 when a vote
was taken to form an individual Lodge. The members at that time were members of
IAM Lodge 1115. Members of this union manufacture aluminum heat exchangers for
industry.
1995, GCIU Local 77P
Local printers in Local 189-C became members of Local 77P on September 1,
1995 when a merger of Internationals created the Graphic Communications
International Union on that date.
2000, AFSCME Local 180
The employees of Monroe County formed their union on July 1, 2000. They
work for the Tomah School District and The City of Tomah.
2002, AFSCME Local 136
The employees of Monroe County Public Schools formed their union on
December 1, 2002.
2002, AFSCME Local 138
The employees of the Monroe County Courthouse formed their union on
December 1, 2002.
GCIU Local 77-P
On January 1, 2005 the Graphic Communication International Union merged
with the brotherhood of Teamsters and became GCC/IBT Local 77-P.
2006, UFCW Local 73A and 1444 Merged
On June 1, 2006, UFCW Locals 73A (meat cutters) and 1444 (store
employees) merged and became UFCW Local 1473.
2008, AFSCME Local 136A
Secretarial staff working for the Holmen School District formed a new union
late in (December) 2008. Their union has 31 members.
2008, AFSCME Local 340
Social workers formed a new local late in (December) 2008 for those who
were involved with long-term health care needs of the clients of La Crosse County, in
an organization titled, Western Wisconsin Cares. This new union numbers some 96
members strong.
2009, AFSCME Local 1151
The workers at the La Crosse County Jail formed a local early in (January)
2009. At the time of the writing of this book the chartering date was not yet
approved. This union has approximately 43 members.
99

Local Unions, Date of Chartering Unknown
This is a listing of unions that exist or existed in the La Crosse area
during the years of 1921 up until the current time. It is not exact nor is it all
inclusive; however it is the best that can be compiled at this time.
1911, Glove Makers Union Local 12
During the Wisconsin Federation of Labor Convention of 1911, Frank Prellwitz
is listed as a delegate to the Convention that was being held in La Crosse. He is
listed as being a member of Glove Workers Local 12.
Allied Industrial Workers No. 124
This union was made up of Badger company employees, nothing else known
of this union.
Teachers Local 414
Vernon County employees, nothing else is known of this union.
United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 2001
Date of chartering unknown. The members were employed by Segelke and
Kohlhaus Company, E. Hackner Company and Weisse Manufacturing Company. They
made doors and window sashes and church furniture.
IBEW Local 749
Employed by the Northern States Power Company circa 1937.
Machinists Local 1109, 1940
The date of chartering is unknown but in 1940 the officers of this local
employed by the Allis Chalmers plant in La Crosse were; Emil Franzmann, president,
Ray Schwartz, vice president, Al Reese, financial secretary and Norris Knutson the
recording secretary. Tom Cuta was the local‟s business agent. These workers were
employed by the Allis Chalmers Company.
Foundry Workers Local 93
Circa 1937 employed by the John Torrance and Sons Foundry. Became
today's GMP Local 437.
Laundry Workers Local 31
Circa 1937 employed by the Modern Laundry Company and Groves and Stein
Dry Cleaners. Taken from the 1941 Labor Review is the history of this company.
The Modern Laundry and Dry Cleaning Company had been under the same
management since 1907 (1941). At that time (1907), W.E. Barber, a former
newspaperman, purchased the Modern Steam Laundry located at 116 North 3rd
Street. That plant burnt down in 1909 and he relocated the plant to 310-312 State
Street. By 1918 business dictated an expansion so a building at 122 North 3rd
Street was bought. Another expansion took place in 1926 and the company moved
to 212-218 5th Avenue South. In 1940, 105 workers labored for the company. The
company used 14 vehicles to deliver the laundry to its customers.
Brewery Workers Local 129
Employees at the La Crosse City Breweries, makers of Peerless Beer.
100

1884-1885, Marine Engineers‟ Association Lodge 12 (Knights of Labor?)
Nothing further is known of this union.
Order of Railway Conductors Division 61
Nothing further is known of this union.
1885-1886, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen Guardrail Lodge 186
Nothing further is known of this union.
Boilermakers Local 107
Members of Local 107 build and maintain the beer brewing vessels at the City
Brewery.
Switchmen‟s Gateway City Lodge No. 22
Switchmen‟s union, Gateway City Lodge Number 22 existed in 1895 and was
officered by Henry Brinckman as the Master of the lodge. F.E. DeMell served as Vice
Master, J.E. Wilson was the Chaplin, William Miller kept the books as treasurer, while
Carl Deerkop was the guard and M.J. Foley acted as Conductor. This union held its
union meeting at the Knights of Phthias Hall at 715 Rose Street.
1893, Horseshoers Branch 52 Master Horse Shoer's Local 52
The City Directory of 1893 mentioned many more unions. Carpenter‟s and
Joiner‟s Local 335 was listed. Two organizations existed for the City‟s Horseshoers in
1893, the Master Horse Shoer‟s Union and the International Horse Shoer‟s Branch
52. Both held their meetings at Union Hall. Branch 52‟s President was P.H Moran
and E.W. Moodie was the organization‟s Secretary. Branch 52 did not survive in this
first attempt to unionize this craft, as they would later re-charter under the same
number early in the next century.
The Master Horseshoers formed a union early in May and elected their officers
at that time. Florence Sullivan, President, Frank Stuesser, Vice President, Neil
Gavin, Secretary, Henry Ritter, Treasurer. Twelve of the city‟s blacksmith shops
were organized. Voight and Ritter, E.R. Savage, Fred Beckmann, Frank Stuesser,
Dennis Mercier, William Stentz, Neil Gavin, Earnest Nimocks, E.M. Lockman, J.H.
Bristow, Florence Sullivan and Phillip Pliger.
Only one city shop remained outside of the unionized shops. A uniform
pricing guide was agreed upon. New hand shoes were to cost fifty cents and
machine shoes would run forty cents. Resetting shoes would cost twenty cents. The
union complained about the hardware merchants selling shoes to farmers and others
at the same prices they were selling them to Horseshoers.
Beer Bottlers Branch No. 1
Branch No. 1 of the Beer Bottlers‟ union was increasing in number at the
cities breweries in 1911. This union was made up of the girls who are employed in
the cities breweries. Mr. Schultz, who operated a blacksmith shop on Jay Street in
La Crosse, was authorized to post an International Horseshoers‟ Union, proving to
the public that his shop is unionized.
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen Guardrail No. 168
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, Guardrail No. 168 was listed and
was meeting in the Railroad Hall, located at 1200 Caledonia Street in a 1895 City
Directory. Union officials at that time for this union were F. Stirneman, E.W. Rang,
101

Willis Hawley and John Conway. The Locomotive Engineers union at this time was
lead by A.R. Carver, William Hart, Robert Stanley, James McMahon, Charles Whiting,
P. McMahon and James McLinden. They shared the Hall at 1200 Caledonia Street.
By the year 1895 several additional Railroad Unions had been formed in La Crosse,
including a women‟s auxiliary.
This was a group of women whose husbands, sons, brothers, or uncles were
members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Division Number 13. This
union purchased a lot and built their own union hall. It was constructed on the north
side of La Crosse on Caledonia Street at 1203 Caledonia and was known as the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Hall. Both the men and women used this hall
for social and union meetings. It still stands today at the same location. The
Auxiliary was lead by Mrs. E. H. Colton as the President along with Mrs. William Hart
as the Vice President.
Railroad Conductors Local 61 Circa, 1895
The order of Railroad Conductors, La Crosse Division No. 61 was noted as
meeting every Sunday at 500 North 3rd Street and was led by W.D. Jones, Willis
Wade and Jerry Mullen. No other information could be found for Local 61.
Railroad Ladies Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen Gateway City Lodge No. 76 Circa: 1895
The Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen Gateway City Lodge Number 76 also
was chartered at this time and was meeting at the BLE Hall. J.J.C. Moore was the
Master with P.A. Hendrick serving as Secretary and W.F. Bennett the Financier. Also
joining their union brothers in meeting at the BLE Hall were the men of Railroad
Carmen‟s Union Division Number 5. Charles Bauch was the Chief Carman and Nick
Zimmer was the Secretary with L. Hober serving as the Treasurer.
Carpenters Local 378 Circa: 1890
By the time the City Directory of 1890, several additional unions had formed
in La Crosse. Carpenter‟s Local 378 was probably made up of workers employed in
the many lumber mills of the city. Also representing these workers was the union
comprised of the men who ran the steam engines at many industries and public
buildings throughout the area.
Carpenters Local 35
Nothing further is known of this union.
Barbers Local 91 Circa: 1890
Other unions that sprang into being about this time were the Journeymen
Barbers International Union Local No. 91 meetings were held in the International
Order of Odd Fellows Temple on the corner of Rose and St. Paul Streets on the city‟s
north side. T.T. Giles was President, H. Taggert was the Vice President, George
Klipple was the Corresponding Secretary, G. Houska was the Financial Secretary and
Bert Larson was the Treasurer.
Painters Local 26 Circa: 1897
Nothing further is know of them.
102

Coopers Local 39 Circa: 1897
39.
Employed by the local breweries of La Crosse, nothing else is known of Local
Local 560 Circa: 1897
Nothing else is known of Local 560.
Local 472 Circa 1897
The workers involved in painting and wallpapering had a union at this time,
Painter‟s and Decorator‟s Union Local No. 226. They met at Solberg‟s Hall at the
corner of 3rd and Pearl. Local 226 would be short-lived, as it would re-charter later
in the next century. Teamsters Local 560 and Coopers Local 39, along with Brewers
Local 81, all held meetings in Union Hall in 1893. Local Union No. 472 was noted as
meeting in Wannebo‟s Hall. What craft or trade Local 472 represented is unknown.
Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers Local 374 is the current representative of
these union workers
Postal Clerks Local 988 Circa: 1911
Nothing further is known of this union. This local may be have preceded the
current Postal Workers Union, APWU Local 360 at the La Crosse Post Office.
Boot and Shoe Repairers Union Local 468 Circa: 1917
Held its meetings at 105 North 3rd Street during this year.
IAM Lodge 1030 IAM
Members of this union are employed by Peerless Chain in Winona, Minnesota.
Lodge 1771
Members of this Lodge are employed by Northern Engraving in Sparta,
Wisconsin.
IBT Local 344
Members of this Teamster Local work at the United Parcel Service in La
Crosse.
Heat and Frost Local 19
Skilled tradesmen engaged in insulating and other construction activities.
Represented by Brett Large and Greg Hunt, business manager and representative.
UTU Local 311
This is a United Transportation Union representing some of the railroad
workers in the La Crosse area.
Sprinklerfitters Local 669
Members of this local install fire prevention plumbing throughout the Coulee
Region.
AFGE Local 1346
Members of this union work at the La Crosse office of the Social Security
Administration.
103

Ads from Union Bars
Labor Review, 1938
Women Labore Activists listed in the 1935/36 Labor Review annual publications
104

Chapter Five: Locally Held Labor Conventions
“Our mission has been the protection of the wage worker now; to increase his
wages; to cut hours off the long workday, which was killing him; to improve the
safety and the sanitary conditions of the workshop; to free him from the tyranny,
petty or otherwise, which served to make his existence a slavery.”
Samuel Gompers, President AFL
First Wisconsin State Federation of Labor Convention to be Held in La Crosse
1898 2nd Annual Convention of the Wisconsin AFL
In June of 1898, Wisconsin was celebrating its semi-centennial of Statehood,
and La Crosse labor was hosting its first state AFL Convention. On June 14, 1898
the convention opened. Union Hall on 4th Street was tried as the meeting location
but was quickly found to be too objectionable to the delegates attending. A nonunion
brewer owned the hall and the unionists would not have anything to do with
his property. The convention adjourned and held a quick meeting and chose
Frohsinn Hall on the corner of 210 South 4th and Pearl Streets as the convention
location. H.A. Holt of Cigarmakers Local 61 was the President of the Central Labor
Union of La Crosse in 1898. Frank Grebner also of Cigarmakers Local 61 was chosen
as the convention‟s Sergeant At Arms. Fred Stenke of Brewers Local 81 was the
other La Crosse Delegate at the convention. Miss Addie Hoak of Garment Workers
Local 126 of Oshkosh was elected as the assistant secretary. Martin Jenko of the
WSFL convened the convention in the afternoon and by motion, Charles Teney of the
Federated Trades Council of Milwaukee, was chosen as temporary chair and later as
the permanent chair.
All told, there were twenty-seven delegates in attendance. Milwaukee sent
seven, Oshkosh five, Racine two, Kenosha two, Green Bay two, Sheboygan two,
Janesville two, Appleton one, and Marshfield one. 109 Milwaukee‟s delegates
represented cigar markers, coopers, brewers, brewery teamsters, Horseshoers and
the Federated Trades Council. Oshkosh had delegates from the garment workers,
Cigarmakers and amalgamated wood workers unions. Racine sent members from
their Trades and Labor Council and the Cigarmakers. A tanner and a carpenter
delegate represented Kenosha. Green Bay sent a cooper and a delegate from the
Federated Trades Council of that city. Sheboygan had in attendance an iron molder
and a delegate from the Central Labor Council. Janesville sent a barber and a
delegate from the Federated Trades Council. Appleton was represented by a cigar
maker and Marshfield by a member from the amalgamated wood workers.
In the evening the delegates attended a mass meeting in the 4th Street Park
where they listened to Frank Weber, Charles Teney, Mr. Charles Helmich and M. H.
Whitaker. Attendance was reported as being quite light. Frank Weber made a few
strong statements condemning the poor attendance of the mass meeting by the
workingmen of La Crosse. 110 It would seem that the battle to overcome apathy is
an ever present one that all groups continue to face.
Boycott Scab Beer Delegates Informed
The second day of the convention convened and the delegates were read a
communication from President Charles Gechtold of the Brewery Workers
International Union of St. Louis, Missouri. He had been in La Crosse back in 1894
during the lock- out of coopers and brewery workers by the city‟s breweries. The
communication was directed to the convention and read as follows: Fellow Workmen
109 La Crosse Daily Chronicle, June 15, 1898
110 La Crosse Daily Press, La Crosse Daily Republican, La Crosse Daily Chronicle; all June 4, 1898
105

and Brothers- The National Union of the United Brewery Workmen of the United
States herewith wishes you best success for your convention, and desires to tender
you its sincere thanks for the noble aid you have given it in its long fight in the
interest of the brewery workers of your state.
You are aware of the fact that the John Gund Brewing Co. of La Crosse, Wis.,
has recognized our organization and its rules again, and has been stricken from the
unfair list, but still the rest of the breweries of La Crosse refuse to do the same, and
are therefore on the unfair list. Also Conrad Schreier‟s brewery and malt house in
Sheboygan is keeping up its enmity against organized labor, like most of the malt
houses of your State, who are paying the most miserable wages for the hardest work
in the brewery trade. We therefore ask your organization for its further most
energetic moral aid in these our fights. Do your best to urge all members of
organized labor to withhold their patronage from those scab firms, so that they will
finally see themselves obliged either to run their establishments under union rules or
quit business altogether and let liberal people take hold of them. Please also aid us
to bring our union label more thoroughly in use by instructing your members to
make a demand for our union label and the show their card. Hoping your convention
will prove successful to the noble cause of Labor, and that it may find ways to work
towards the great aims of our cause, the abolition of the wage slavery system, I
remain, fraternally yours, Charles Bechtold, National Secretary.
Weber Waxes Eloquently
Frank Weber spoke to the convention next and made several interesting
comments. He spoke of the belief of many labor unions that supply and demand set
the wage rates. He spoke to them on this issue and said; “It is the standard of living
that is chiefly instrumental in fixing wages, and not supply and demand. The most
intelligent and skillful workers in every trade are found in trades unions, and it is
because they are the most intelligent and skillful that their aspirations are higher,
their independence greater and their general ideas of the rights and conditions of
labor broader than those of non-union men. Yet when union men obtain better
wages and shorter hours for themselves, they lift up the non-union men with them,
and by rising the standard of wages really extends the benefits of unionism to all.”
He continued speaking to the delegates and stated “There is no more
civilizing agency in existence than the trades union. It educates its members to be
independent and manly; it teaches them their rights as workers and their duties as
citizens, and it not only teaches but also defends its members when their rights are
invaded. It aims to lift up all workingmen to an equality with those of worth, it
proclaims the gospel of worth, not the gospel of wealth and blood; its ideas are
broad and fraternal; it honors all toil; for the wealth and beauty of the world have
sprung from the labor of hand and brain.”
“The trades union is the van of every great report. Long before the secret
ballot system was known to the outside world or had been adopted by any State, the
trades unions had endorsed and practiced it in electing their officers. The trades
unions succeeded in reducing the hours of labor from twelve to ten and are now
reducing them to eight.” Weber ended his talk with a few verses from the English
poet Shelly. Rise like a lion after slumber, in unvanquishable numbers, shake your
chains to earth like dew, which in sleep hath fallen on you, ye are many - they are
few.” 111
One of the city's daily newspapers printed an artist's drawing of Frank Weber,
Martin Jesko and W.F. Key of the WSFL in the paper. In the afternoon the delegates
111 Official proceedings of the Sixth Annual Convention of the Wisconsin Federation of Labor; June 1,4
15,n16,, 1898
106

gathered at the Hotel La Crosse and at two o‟ clock they boarded carriages and were
taken on a ride and tour of the city. They visited all the breweries and factories and
mills and were driven over all the main residence streets and also visited all the
cemeteries and parks. The business men‟s Board of Trade arranged for the
carriages. 112
The delegates once again attended an open air mass meeting in the park on
King Street, between fourth and fifth streets and a larger crowd was in attendance.
Organizer Weber spoke and received vigorous applause. A farewell party and dance
was held at Frohsinn Hall and the first AFL labor convention drew to a successful
close.
Wisconsin‟s Victor Berger Challenges Samuel Gompers
The 13th National Convention of the AFL was meeting in St. Louis in
November. The issue of the Closed Shop was being discussed on the floor of the
convention. Victor Berger, the Socialist member of Congress from Wisconsin was
reputed to be considering a run against Gompers for the leadership of the AFL.
Radicals hope to force a debate on the issue of a nationwide strike on the matter of
the closed shop.
On the second day of the convention Victor Berger was recognized by the
chair and received a standing ovation. Speaking, he said, “I was elected to Congress
simply because the socialist voters outnumbered the others.”
1911, 15th Annual Convention of the Wisconsin AFL
Second Wisconsin Federation of Labor Convention Held in City
The Wisconsin Federation of Labor‟s 19th annual convention was held in La
Crosse in July of 1911. This would prove to be quite an interesting convention for
both La Crosse and Wisconsin unionists. The proceedings were scheduled to last four
days, July 19, 20, 21 and 22. The site of the convention was the Knights of Pythias
Hall on the north side of town. The agenda of the opening morning included
speeches by Trades and Labor Council President Theodore Strauss, Mayor John
Dengler, C.E. James of St. Paul (an Organizer for the International union of Boot and
Shoe Workers of America), and welcoming remarks by Frank J. Weber of the
Federation. La Crosse unionist John Rae was selected to introduce these
speakers. 113
When the convention convened on the morning of July 19, fifty-one delegates
were in attendance. Of these fifty-one unionists, fourteen were from La Crosse
unions.
List of 1911, Delegates:
Joseph Bruha, Carpenters Local 1143
Thomas Daly, ATU Local 519
M. Jansky, Painters and Decorators Local 374
Henry Kessler, Beer Bottlers Local 247
Alex Major, Cigarmakers Local 61
William Mitchell, Meat Cutters Local 293
Frank Prellwitz, Glove Makers Local 12
H. Rogentin, Brewery Workers Local 81
Edward Rossberg, Journeymen Barbers Local 21
George Schwanzle, Brewery Workers Local 81
112 La Crosse Daily Press, June 15, 1898
113 La Crosse Leader Press, July 18, 1911
107

L.A. Weisbecker, Typographical Local 448
Theodore Strauss, IBEW Local 135
O.D. Wilbur, Blacksmiths Helpers Local 468
A.J. Warner, Bartenders Local 479
The International Organizer of the Boot and Shoe Workers Union, C.E. James
spoke to the convention and heaped praise on the Wisconsin unions. He made the
statement that the workers of Wisconsin purchased more union label bearing shoes
and boots than any other state in the nation. Standing committees were also
selected and Frank Prellwitz of the Glove Workers of La Crosse was chosen to serve
on the Resolutions Committee along with Thomas Zick of Watertown Charles Burhop
of Sheboygan and Charles Schurr of Milwaukee. There was one additional delegate
on this committee.
Carl Sandburg in Town as Convention Delegate
He was a delegate from the Newswriters Union Local 9 of
Milwaukee named Carl Sandburg. He was to become one of the
preeminent American poet and authors. At eight in the evening
the convention reconvened, Frank Weber spoke and said
“Comrades and Fellow Trade Unionists: Another year in the
annuals of organized labor of Wisconsin has come and gone...
...When the men and women that toil for wages realize
that Trade Unionism is a living, throbbing protest against
existing social conditions-against the avarice and soulless
greed-the capitalist class, that thinks of its joys and wantonly
filches the years from it that robs childhood that ought to be
spent on the playground, and places it in the factory to be
sweated into profits...” 114
Carl Sandburg
He also spoke on the subject of women in labor
and said, “...It is to the interest of society that the weak and defenseless should be
protected against the avarice of the strong... The employers of woman labor say
they are adults and why should they be classed with children? Our answer as trade
unionists is, that it is to the interest of society that female labor should be limited so
as not to injure the motherhood and family life of a nation...” The private detectives
used to destroy strikes met with a few words also, “...One of the foulest and blackest
stains upon the pages of American history is the devilish work of the private, or
corporation detectives. In no other civilized country would they be tolerated...”
The convention convened again on the second day at 9:30 a.m. Secretary
Treasurer Fred Brockhausen gave his report. In it he listed the unions that had
affiliated with the State Federation during the year. Nine La Crosse unions were
listed, being those of Locals 448, 135, 1143, 21, 12, 640, 293, and 519. They
represented; the typographical, electrical, carpentry, barbers, garment, clerk,
painters, meat cutters and streetcar employees respectively.
Republicans On Board, Democrats Rock the Boat
Brockhausen also gave a legislative report and spoke on the nation‟s first
workmen‟s compensation law that had just been enacted by the Wisconsin
legislature. He noted that the prime movers of this bill were; Senators Albert
Sanborn of Ashland and John Blaine of Boscobel and Assemblymen Taylor Freye of
114 From the 1911 Convention proceedings of the State Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Library, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin.
108

Eau Claire; all republicans. Surprisingly he stated, “The democrats, almost to a man,
acted as obstructionists in this entire matter.” The convention recessed at 2 p.m.
after the completion of the report. Reassembled shortly after the 2 p.m. recess, the
convention heard from the committee on building and trades and adjourned after
their report. The delegates were then taken on an automobile tour of the city from
six until eight o‟ clock and then finished the day with a banquet at the Hotel Doering.
The third day of the convention began with an address by the Wisconsin
Commissioner of Labor, J.D. Beck. He discussed the recent labor legislation that
created an Industrial Commission for Wisconsin. Assistant Commissioner of Labor,
Taylor Freye spoke next on the Workmen‟s Compensation Bill. Republican
Assemblyman, J.E. Connell of La Crosse, followed these gentlemen and spoke about
both matters to the convention. Frank Weber closed out the discussion on the
subject. Then the convention paused until the afternoon. Several resolutions were
discussed when the convention took up business again, and quickly moved on the
Committee on Resolutions of which Sandburg was a leading member. The first
matter addressed by this committee was resolution numberfive; it dealt with the
issue of the arrest of the McNamara brothers of Los Angles, which happened in
Indianapolis, Indiana by private detectives.
Carl Sandburg Works on Resolution
Delegate Sandburg‟s socialism influenced the wording of the resolution which
included the following text: Resolved, That we condemn all private detective
agencies or associations for the fact that they contain a large proportion of thugs,
spies, bloodhounds, conspirators and conscienceless sleuths of the blackest kind,
who will carry out deeds to obtain the all mighty dollar; be it further Resolved, That
we hereby serve notice on the Merchants and Manufacturers; Association or any
other organization composed of the profit-taking class, that the organized workers of
Wisconsin are just as determined to fight for labor‟s rights as they are to crush and
enslave labor; be it further Resolved, That we appeal to the working-class of America
to be on the alert with a view to prevent any attempt by the exploiters of labor in
California to stage at Los Angeles any reproduction of the famous judicial
headhunter‟s dance enacted at Chicago a quarter of a century ago;..
Prison Labor?
Resolution number nine dealt with prison labor in Wisconsin and Sandburg
and the committee wrote strong language on this subject also, saying in part,
Whereas, We recognize in the following report a humane, intelligent and
advantageous treatment of the offenders of the laws.
Resolution Number 9 , Whereas, The State of Wisconsin is still dealing with its
prison problem under the shameful contract system-a-killing-sweatshop system of
making stocking and overalls, whereas private persons, not citizens of the state and
members of the prison labor trust, make enormous profits-receiving the prison labor
with housing, clothing, attendance and machine power, all thrown in for 65 cents per
day, in return for which the prisoners must turn out 75 pairs of stockings per day at
the state prison, resulting in a deficit to the state of $30,000 annually;
and Whereas, Such prison products at best are of an inferior grade and are
palmed off on the public family mainly in the Western states under catch phrase
brands; therefore be it Resolved, By the Wisconsin State Federation of Labor, in its
nineteenth annual convention assembled, that we emphatically protest against any
long term renewals of the state prison labor contract before so authorized by the
1913 session of the State Legislature; and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be mailed to the governor of the
state and the State Board of Control. Signed; Theodore Zick, Carl Sandburg, Charles
109

Burhop, Frank Prellwitz and C.J. Schurr. The Resolution was adopted by the
convention. 115
Sandburg One More Time, Union Newspapers
The next resolution offered by the Resolution Committee and undoubtedly
influenced by newspaperman Sandburg, was resolution number 12, which treated
the press of Wisconsin and its treatment of labor. It read, Whereas, Organized Labor
is at the present time facing the most cunning attack ever yet undertaken for the
purpose of destroying the labor movement; and Whereas, the National Civic
Federation, The National Manufacturer‟s Association and state and city organizations
of employers hostile to unions and unionism, are carrying on a steady campaign of
misrepresentation, wrong information, lies and half-truths; and Whereas, The daily
newspapers owned and controlled by the capitalist press constitute a weapon for
attacking labor, day after day without cessation and in the face of these attacks and
their effect on public opinion, organized labor is helpless to make full reply; and
Whereas, The weekly paper which is today the official organ of the Wisconsin State
Federation of Labor has made a splendid record as a voice of labor, a defender of
working class rights, and as a recorder of important news or organized labor not
published elsewhere; and
Whereas, It is now proposed that this weekly paper be issued as a daily paper
to become a steady, daily influence over the whole State of Wisconsin, fighting the
battles of organized labor at all points; and Whereas, It will powerfully help to
educate the public to buy label goods; And Whereas, It will present to the people of
Wisconsin day after day all the facts and reasons connected with shorter hours,
higher wages, and better conditions, which facts and reasons are today suppressed
and shut out from the columns of the Wisconsin daily capitalist press;
And Whereas, It will fight hard every day of the week against child labor,
against vicious factory conditions; and Whereas, In case of strike in any city of
Wisconsin, it will stand ready to furnish special strike editions giving the people of
that city the union side of the case; And Whereas, It will stand for each and every
one of the planks of the economic platform of the American Federation of Labor; And
Whereas, It will be a daily challenge to the misstatements, the crafty half-truths, and
the outright falsehoods of the daily capitalist press;
And Whereas, It will at all times throw its full support for all measures in city
council, state legislature and national congress, for the benefit of organized labor and
the entire working class, at every opportunity, showing to the unorganized workers
the power and wisdom of organization; And Whereas, Bonds are offered for sale by
the Social-Democratic Publishing Company at ten dollars each, the funds so obtained
to apply on the establishment of this daily newspaper for the advancement of
organized labor;
Now Therefore Be It Resolved, Ten bonds, amounting in total to one hundred
dollars, be purchased by the Wisconsin State Federation of Labor from such available
funds as the Executive Board may direct. This resolution was accepted and adopted
by the delegates.
The delegates adjourned after this last resolution and had their evening
meals. Then they prepared for a river excursion on the Mississippi River. Boarding
two large launches, the delegates rode up and down the river for some time that
evening. 116
115
From the 1911 Convention proceedings of the State Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Library, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin.
116
From the 1911 Convention proceedings of the State Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Library, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin. Also read into the minutes at this time was a 1884 report by the Commissioner of Labor for the
110

Sandburg Speaks Briefly on Antagonistic Chamber of Commerce
On Saturday, the last day of the Convention, the delegates wrapped up
official business and turned to the good and welfare portion of the Convention.
Under this point of business, Carl Sandburg spoke at some length on the subject of
the antagonism of the public press towards the labor movement. This was reported
in the La Crosse press; Carl Sandburg, representing the newspaper writers; union of
Milwaukee, followed with a speech in which he said that labor news, when it harmed
corporations, is never reported but suppressed by the capitalists behind the
publications, reported the La Crosse newspaper, The Leader Press of July 22, 1911.
The year closed out after this successful convention of labor, with a decision
by the Labor Day Committee of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council to find
another location for the 1911 Labor Day event due to the cost of using the
fairgrounds. The old sharpshooter‟s park on the Mormon Coulee Road at the south
end of West Avenue was the location chosen. 117
AFL President, Samuel Gompers had an article on the subject treated in the
local press, as did Terrence Powderly and International Officer J.D. Cowper of the
Carpenters. Many famous quotes were cited also, such as that of Homer; Labor
Conquers All Things, Lowell; Blessed are the Horny hands of toil, and Elizabeth
Browning; Get Work, Be sure it‟s better than what you work to get.
Gompers‟ article detailed the eight-hour day movement and the need for such
an arrangement for all workers. Powderly‟s article told of the beginnings of Labor
Day and Cowper made a case for the value of union trained skilled labor in the
building and trades industry. 118 The Labor Day celebration utilized many tents set
up in the shooting park, and several thousand citizens were reported to have
attended the event during the day. An addition to the scheduled events was a
bowling alley, which was set up in the park for the day. Mr. James of the Boot and
Shoemakers Union spoke again. A dance closed out the day as had become
customary.
Carl Sandburg, Labor Agitator and Writer
This Pulitzer Prize winning writer had attended two Wisconsin AFL
Conventions in La Crosse. Sandburg was born in Galesburg, Illinois on January 6,
1878. Sandburg worked as a party organizer for the Social Democratic Party of
Wisconsin starting in 1907. He traveled the state speaking to farmers and factory
workers. For a short period of time Sandburg filled in as Labor Editor for the
Manitowoc Daily Tribune. The Editor of that paper, Chester Wright became a
Secretary for Sam Gompers of the AFL. Sandburg went to work for the Milwaukee
Journal and Milwaukee Sentinel newspapers in Wisconsin as An editorial writer.
Carl joined Newspaper Writers‟ Local 9 while employed by The Journal. By
1912, newspaper strikes left the Chicago Daily Socialist newspaper as the only one in
print. Later this paper became the Chicago World, and after the strike ended,
Sandburg applied for a job and was hired. He left Wisconsin and never returned for
employment in the state again. 119
State of New York. This report, Why The Contract System Failed, pointed out that moral training of
offenders was preferable to using them to generate profits for private businesses.
117
La Crosse Argus, August 5, 1911
118
La Crosse Argus, September 2, 1911
119
From the 1911 Convention proceedings of the State Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Library, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin.
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1920, 24th Annual Convention of the Wisconsin AFL July 21 through July 24
The media had advance stories on the convention early in July. Political
issues and the annual election of the Federations‟ Officers were scheduled to receive
extra attention and action at Yeoman‟s Hall in La Crosse this year. The newspaper
noted that Wisconsin is the only state federation operating without a president at the
head of such an organization. Henry Ohl was reported as being without opposition
for reelection.
For the first time in history, farmers were invited to participate in the
convention proceedings. A river excursion was planned for the 200 to 300 delegates
the convention was expected to attract. A plea was made for a list of names along
with prices of anyone with rooms to rent to the conventions‟ delegates for the length
of the event, as there weren‟t enough hotel rooms available to house them all.
The La Crosse Trades and Labor Council announced plans for Wednesday, July
20, related to the upcoming convention. All unions were invited to assemble at
Market Square at 7 p.m. for a parade in honor of the Wisconsin Federation of Labor.
Rueben Knutson, the council organizer, asked that local people owning automobiles
to volunteer the use of them to escort delegates around town. The convention would
tour the city following the conclusion of the day‟s business on Thursday, July 22.
The Trades Union Liberty League (the Wet sub-organization) was scheduled to begin
on Tuesday, July 20 and the convention was to convene on Wednesday, July 21.
The Trades Union Liberty League formed itself officially and heard from the
“Boy Mayor” of Oshkosh, A.C. McHenry, who was also an ex-preacher. McHenry told
the League that he was pro-wet and was running for the U.S. Senate. William
Coleman, organizer for the Wisconsin AFL, spoke also and told the delegates that he
was a socialist candidate for the office of governor of Wisconsin.
McHenry told the crowd that he had never drank anything stronger than
water, but would vote to repeal prohibition if elected. McHenry orated, “Oh, for a
man like Lincoln,” which elicited a response from Coleman of, “The workers have
such a man; a man whose body is incarcerated but whose spirit is ever alive in the
breast of all who believe in liberty, justice and brotherly love – Eugene Debs,
candidate for the presidency.” On the night of the 21st, most if not all of the
delegates went on an excursion on the riverboat, G.W. Hill.
The convention convened and saw many socialists in attendance. E.A
Fitzpartick, secretary of the Central Board of Education, addressed the crowd in the
last business of the day on the opening day. Joseph Geerlings, delegate for the
Milwaukee Typographic Union had a battle on his hands to win a seat at the
convention. He was being opposed because he held anti-liquor views. He was vice
president of the Citizen‟s Council for Constitutional Law and Order, which was an
anti-saloon group. Charlie Schaad, a painter‟s union delegate also from Milwaukee
led a hot fight to keep Geerlings from being seated. Chairman Henry Ohl soothed
the rough feelings and helped to stop the battle and see that Geerlings was seated.
In the evening nearly 1,000 men and women paraded through the downtown streets.
Many of the marchers were women, delegates to the convention. Following the
conclusion of the parade, Raefel Mallen, representing the National Consumer‟s
Cooperative Association, spoke about establishing a Cooperative in La Crosse. He
noted that all stores are built up out of the difference between the costs of goods
and the prices paid by the consumer. He said that cooperatives were a great tool to
use to cut out the middleman.
Endorsement of Strike
July 22, the second day of the convention endorsed the local brewery strike
and pledged the Federation‟s total support. It declared the Gund and Heileman
Breweries unfair, along with the La Crosse Refining Company. On another local
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matter, the Convention supported the La Crosse Car Repairer‟s Union‟s request that
they agree with the railroad union in its request for sheds in which to do their work
during inclement and cold weather.
During the third day (July 23), the Federation adopted a plan to gather
labor/management information along the plans of Professor John Commons, of the
University of Wisconsin. The information gathered would be shared with the public
newspapers.
Debs' Pardon
A resolution calling for the absolute pardon of Eugene Debs was adopted and
was to be sent to President Wilson. Another resolution called for the restoration of
mailing rights to the Milwaukee Leader, a socialist newspaper that had lost its
mailing privileges due to its anti-war stance during World War I. Lastly, a resolution
supporting the demand for better working condition and higher wages by the
members of ATU Local 519 was passed. Delegates enjoyed an auto trip to West
Salem and back in time to attend a banquet at the Stoddard Hotel held at 8 p.m.
Three minute talks were followed by Carl Olson, the local Norwegian comedian and
the La Crosse Quartet furnished music for the evening.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Condemned
The American Chamber of Commerce and its subsidiary organizations were
condemned by the convention delegates. The delegates were told that the Chamber
was seeking union members to join its ranks simply to use them to gather
information about union activities. The last issue discussed was the proposed
League of Nations as an instrument of the international banking industry. It was
said that it would promote war and allow capitalists to profit from conflicts.
On July 24 the delegates passed a resolution which read;
Whereas: The Twenty-Eighth annual convention of the Wisconsin State Federation of
Labor has been one of the greatest ever held, and much of its success is due to the
cordial hospitality of La Crosse trade unionists, and city officials, therefore be it
Resolved: That we, the delegates to this convention, express our heartfelt
appreciation to Mayor A.A. Bentley and the citizens of La Crosse for their bounteous
hospitality, and to the local arrangements committee for its forethought in preparing
to handle the convention, and the care and comfort of the delegates in a manner
that has left nothing to be desired and be it father
Resolved: That we express our appreciation to the owners of automobiles
that so kindly put them at the disposal of the delegates on Thursday, and be it
further resolved: That we express our appreciation to the trade unionists of La
Crosse and all those who joined in making this meeting one of psychological force
upon the unorganized workers of this vicinity and upon the employers who are
opposing the efforts, of organized labor in the city of La Crosse.
During the final day of the convention, it was reported that sly digs at the
AFL, along with political matters were inserted between-the-lines during the final
business of the convention. Manitowoc was chosen as the next site of the
Convention. Reuben Knutson was noted as having been voted in as a member of the
State Federation‟s Executive Board. The AFL came in for criticism from the fact that
its members of the ruling committee were not chosen by the rank and file of the
unions comprising the AFL. The delegates also passed a resolution endorsing the
creation of a Farmer-Labor party in Wisconsin. Samuel Gompers, president of the
AFL, demanded that labor remain non-partisan. Resolutions opposing the issuance
of labor permits to boys and girls under the age of 18. Also called for was a law
requiring employers to pay workers once a week. Free text books, for all public
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schools were also called for. Victor Berger, the socialist congressman from
Milwaukee was recognized, the only politician to win such support.
Confusion followed the political endorsement of a Farmer-Labor political party
so, Henry Ohl, state organizer issued a statement to the press following the
convention. He told the public that labor intended its action to be an exhortation to
workers to use their political power in electing candidates. He stated, “Fear has been
expressed in some quarters that this plan may work detrimentally to the socialist
party. Labor does not share this fear. The workers are learning that socialists have
stood for all of labor‟s demands. The socialist movement in some districts however
has not been advanced to the stage where it is considered possible to elect
representatives on that ticket.” He concluded that the state federation would take
no part in the selection of candidates.
1920, Delegates from La Crosse:
George Berger, Barbers Local 21
P.L. Granum, Blacksmiths Local 468
Arthur Grosskopf, Brewers Local 81
E.A. Gerdl, Brewers Local 95
Leo Larson, Railroad Carmen Local 278
W.J. Didesch, Railroad Carmen Local 722
William Hauswirth, Coopers Local 85
N.A. Matson, Carpenters Local 1143
John Wurzel, Cigarmakers Local 61
W.E. Hanson, Railway Clerks Local 139
T.L. Kelly, Railway Clerks Local 2084
A.B. Goodenough, Fire Fighters Local 127
William Cichowski, Federal Labor Union No. 16598
John Troyank, Hod Carriers Local 140
George Nagle, Hotel Workers Local 479
William Grupp, Machinist Local 546
Alex Lierivert, Meat Cutters Local 293
Joseph Fontish, Molders Local 343
John Greenman, Painters Local 374
Ben Novak, Plasterers Local 257
R.H. Burcum, Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 31
Peter Siegar, ATU Local 519
F.B. Harget, Sheet Metal Workers Local 416
William McMahon, Stage Employees Local 141
William Hanson, Teamsters Local 199
Joseph Verchota, Tailors Local 61
J.J. Jansky, Typographers Local 448
1930, 34th Annual Convention of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, July 15 through 18
Held in La Crosse from July 15 through July 18, 1930, this convention was
attended by many unionists from La Crosse. A letter dated April 11, 1930 went out
to the unions of La Crosse soliciting participation in the annual publication of the
Labor Review for the purpose of advertising the union movement to the convention
delegates which were shortly expected in town.
In this letter, which was to go out under the signature of President Joseph
Verchota of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council, some interesting statements are
made. “Up to 1928 there was in La Crosse, one organization of long standing for the
business men, the Chamber of Commerce, our natural enemy. Later there sprang
up an organization called the Independent Master Craftsmen, another natural
114
Union Printers
Taken from 1938 Labor Review

enemy. Then the Third Street Merchants, after laying aside their petty jealousies
and hatreds for each other, came into being, not an enemy, however. Next the
Caledonia Street Merchants organized. Then the North Side Merchants Association,
and now we have the Community Merchants Association, organized to fight the chain
stores and maybe the unions too. Who knows?” There was no mincing of words in
this letter! e 1930 letter is not noted in the files of the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO
at this time. So, it is not possible to state what success this plea for participation
drew from our local unions.
1930, Delegates from La Crosse:
Barbers Local 21, William Gillette
Blacksmiths Local 468, P. Granum
Brewery Workers Local 81, August Buschmann
Bricklayers and Marble Masons Local 1, Robert Tooke
Building Service Workers Local 21, George Naegle
Carpenters Local 1143, Frank Morrison
Cigarmakers Local 61, Charles Horn
Electrical Workers Local 135, Paul Steingraber
Fire Fighters Local 127, T. Mann
Hod Carriers, Building and Common Laborers Local 140, Walter Temp
Machinists Local 546, Charles Knapp
Machinists Local 1075, William Ward
Painters and Decorators Local 374, Theodore Heideman
Plasterers Local 257, Al Molzahn
Street and Railway Workers Local 519, Peter Seiger
Theatrical Stage Employees & Motion Picture Machine Operators Local 141, Paul
Spettle
Teamsters and Auto Truck Drivers Local 199, Adolph Bachmann
Typographical Local 448, Albert Cuta
Central Bodies, Joseph Verchota
Building and Trades Council, William Merzenich
Fraternal Delegates
Women‟s Trade Union League, Carrie Gittens
Railroad Brotherhoods, Gardner Withrow
La Crosse AFL President and La Crosse Mayor Verchota Says, Welcome!
President Verchota of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council gave a
welcoming speech at the convention on Tuesday. He was followed by Mayor J.
Langdon. Wisconsin AFL President Henry Ohl took the gavel following the opening
speeches and convened the convention into order. Ohl introduced A. Kugler of the
Brewery, Cereal and Soft Drink Workers Union who gave an address on the subject
of the Volstead Act (prohibition) and its effects on workers. Kugler stated that
100,000 workers would become employed if this Act was repealed.
Machinery replacing workers was the topic of some of the speakers during the
second day of the convention. William Schoenberg of Chicago was a representative
of the Machinists International Union and told the delegates that in three months
time they would see railroads using track laying equipment that will lay 500% more
track that human labor can. He spoke of the glass factories installing glass-blowing
machinery that will replace human labor there.
On the third day of the convention the delegates passed a resolution asking
Governor Walter Kohler to pardon Elmer Hackbarth. Hackbarth was charged with
kidnapping in connection to an incident during a strike in Kenosha. He was serving a
5-year sentence. The convention adjourned mid-afternoon and the delegates were
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taken by automobile to Winona, Minnesota and back. They were served a picnic
lunch in Pettibone Park following the end of the tour.
Delegates Vote, Yes-Bring Back Our Beer
On the final day of the convention the delegates went on record as being in
favor of repealing the Volstead Act, in order to put thousands of men back to work.
The newspaper editorialized on the depression, saying, “…one need merely to watch
the freight trains passing through our city loaded with men, who, if work were
accessible, might in many cases prove to be honest, diligent citizens, to realize the
seriousness of the situation.” Giving labor its due the editorial wrote, “It will be
through the efforts of such groups as the Labor Federation now in convention in La
Crosse, that the process of recovery will be hastened, and that future slumps will be
prevented.” The editor also wrote that the Tribune and the City of La Crosse were
behind labor‟s efforts and told the delegates that they were engaged in work that
was doing a great service to their nation.
State CIO Convention Held in La Crosse, 1940
Boxing, Movies and John L. Lewis and Kitzman
In 1940, La Crosse hosted the 3rd Annual meeting of the Wisconsin CIO at
Pioneer Hall. Mayor Verchota gave the opening address on Thursday, November 14,
1940. Harvey Kitzman of Racine, the State CIO president gave his report next and
the remainder of the day was spent hearing committee reports.
The La Crosse CIO had five boxing matches scheduled for Thursday event.
Music and other entertainment was on line in the Blue Room of the Hall with the High
Hatters Orchestra providing the music.
Two hundred and seventeen CIO delegates protested the report of the rules
committee and demanded a roll call vote on the election of officers for the State CIO
when the convention convened on Thursday morning. Malcolm Lloyd of the Moto
Meter Gauge Company of La Crosse offered one of the amendments demanding the
roll call vote. It was defeated along with another vote on a similar amendment.
Roy Wood, president of the La Crosse CIO opened the convention and
Reverend Leroy Keegan of St. James Catholic Church offered the invocation. It was
announced that instead of a banquet originally scheduled for Friday, movies would be
shown in the Hall. They were; The Life of Emile Zola, China Strikes Back, and Which
Way America?
At the Thursday session of the convention, John L. Lewis was supported for
reelection as president of the national CIO by a narrow margin of a vote of 157 for
and 135 against.
Harvey Kitzman spoke at length on the issue of the split between the AFL and
the CIO and on the matter of defense plant manufacturing issues. He told the
delegates that while in favor of labor unity it must come at a mutual understanding
of all the issues and he said labor must not give up gains demanded by employers
taking advantage of the wave of patriotism that the pending war had stirred up.
Harvey Kitzman was unanimously reelected as Wisconsin CIO president and
left the convention to attend the CIO National Convention opening in Atlanta,
Georgia. Nicholas Fontecchio of the Steel Workers spoke to the delegates and
lamented the spilt support of the convention on reelecting John L. Lewis. President
Lewis had angered a large segment of the CIO by throwing his support in the
presidential election to Wendell Willkie, who was defeated by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
He urged all the delegates to get behind and support John L. Lewis who had won so
many benefits for all of the Industrial workers of the nation.
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During the last day of the convention, a resolution was unanimously adopted
supporting the proposal of John L. Lewis of the CIO that he would resign immediately
from his post, if William Green of the AFL would do the same. Then a joint meeting
would be held to merge the two disparate houses of labor and unite them.
John Meier, UAW Local 395, La Crosse was elected to the State CIO‟s
executive board and was installed by Roy Wood along with the other board
members.
1941, 43rd Annual Convention of the Wisconsin AFL August 18-22
500/600 Delegates Hear Verchota Speak Out Against War
Herman Seide, president of the Wisconsin AFL called the convention to order
on Monday, August 18, 1941 at the Avalon Ballroom. Unions around the state sent
400 delegates to this five day convention. A total of some 500 to 600 delegates are
expected to attend the convention.
Industrial accidents were on the mind of Seide, and he spoke of the need to
decrease such accidents as factories geared up for the war effort. Seide
recommended that local bodies of labor survey the employers in their cities to see
what could be done to bring both sides together on job safety.
Mayor Joseph Verchota spoke next, and received a large round of applause
when he stated he did not want to see American boys sent overseas to fight this war.
But, he added, “If America must arm to defend itself, let us arm to the teeth.” He
told the crowd that since his retirement from the La Crosse Trades and Labor
Council, he was granted a life membership to that body.
Leonard Killian, president of the La Crosse AFL spoke and noted that La
Crosse only had seen three strikes in 1940 because the majority of disputes were
being settled at the conference table.
The La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press published an editorial in the August
18th edition of the newspaper. In it they stated that the Federation was meeting at
a stressful time in American history. The paper welcomed the convention writing,
“...it is proper that La Crosse should provide the setting for this year‟s state
convention of the American Federation of Labor. We say this in compliment to the La
Crosse Trades and Labor organizer, Mr. George Hall, than whom there has been none
neither more cooperative nor more eager for harmonious employee/employer
relations in a period when confusion reigns in the nation generally.”
AFL general consul, Joseph Padaway spoke to the delegates on the second
day of the convention. He noted that labor needed to be vigilant on the moves to
enact the Peace Act and the Caitlin Act and he said labor will challenge the court on
whether they are constitutional or not.
Herman Seide was elected unanimously to the post of Wisconsin AFL
president and Elizabeth Bunce of Janesville, was elected as president of the Women‟s
Auxiliary of the same body.
At this convention a resolution was sent to committee asking whether the
convention could be removed from any city not conforming to the general policies of
the AFL. An effort had been made earlier in the year to remove the convention from
La Crosse.
Teachers Union Declares Solidarity
Irvin Kuenzle, International President of the Federated Teachers Unions spoke
to the convention and noted to it that, “The first loyalty of the teachers unions is to
their country. Their second loyalty is to the American Federation of Labor.” He
added, “We‟ll fight them till hell freezes over and after it freezes we‟ll put on our
117

skates and fight it out with hockey sticks.” He was referring to anyone opposing the
union movement.
Three Local Labor Men Seek State Posts
George Hall, Carroll Nolan and Verne Koennen were expected to be
nominated for posts in the Wisconsin Federation of Labor. Hall was the La Crosse
AFL organizer, Nolan was the president of the Trane Machinists Union and Koennen
was from the La Crosse Brewery Workers Union Local 81.
Delegates from the Milwaukee Fire Fighters Union proposed a resolution
asking for a 72-hour work week to be established for fire fighters. Delegates from
the state‟s AFSCME unions offered a proposal that asked that a retirement plan be
inaugurated for state employees.
John McDevitt of the Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union reported that hotels
in La Crosse threatened to close their doors to convention goers if pickets were
placed around the Stoddard Hotel during the union organizing drive.
Carrol Nolan withdrew his name from the race for a spot on the Wisconsin AFL
Executive Board, leaving Hall and Koennen the only two local candidates for the
posts. General Convention Chairman, George Hall announced that all Union men and
women of La Crosse were invited to attend the convention in the evening at the
Avalon Ballroom.
George Hall and Laverne Koennen were elected to the 14-member executive
board of the State Federation of Labor it was announced this day at the convention.
Milwaukee was chosen as the city at which the 1942 convention of the Federation
would be held. John Darling, of Local 519 was elected to the post of president of the
state council of street railway and motor coach employees. Darling was the vice
president of the La Crosse AFL.
Other action included a resolution introduced by Carroll Nolan and William
Eckert authorizing the Federation of Labor to hire two additional full-time organizers
if needed. Eckert was a member of Carpenter‟s Local 1143.
1941, Delegates from La Crosse:
George Berger, Barbers Local 21
John Schoen, Brewery Workers Local 81
Harry Leske, Brewery Workers Local 81
Laverne Koenen, Brewery Workers Local 81
Frank Gautsch, Bricklayers Local 1
Roy Smith, Building Service Employees Local 21
Edward Beissel, Carpenters Local 1143
James Matiak, Carpenters Local 1143
Charles Horn, Cigarmakers Local 61
Henry Reichert, Retail Clerks Local 640
Clifford Wetchen, IBEW Local B-749
Edward Rendler, Fire Fighters Local 127
Amelia Goyke, Garment Workers Local 379
Helen Richards, Garment Workers Local 379
Emmett Johnson, Hod Carriers Local 140
William Wordwell, Hod Carriers Local 140
Carl Tofte, Hotel and Restaurant Workers Local 479
Edward Frink, Laundry workers Local 31
Oris Nelson, Machinists Local 1109
Ray Infield, Machinists Local 1109
Earl Loeffler, Meat Cutters Local 293
Lloyd Halverson, Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers Local 374
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John Darling, Street and Electric Railway Workers Local 519
Nick Greenway, Stage Employees and Motion Picture Projectionists Local 141
Harry Bakken, Teamsters Local 199
Adolph Bachman, Teamsters Local 199
Carl Schaller, Teamsters Local 199
John Novak, Teamsters Local 199
David Sigman, Federal Labor Union 18558
Carroll Nolan, Federal Labor Union 18558
Paul Bakken, Federal Labor Union 18558
Darrell Ferris, Federal Labor Union 18558
Pat Toland, Federal Labor Union 22152
George Hall, La Crosse Central Labor Union
Herman Burgchardt, La Crosse Building Trades Council
Mrs. Everett Herring, La Crosse Women‟s Auxiliary
1951, Apprenticeship Completion Ceremony
Management and Labor worked together to put on an apprenticeship
completion ceremony that was held at the Labor Temple on September 26. The
program was sponsored jointly by the Associated Builders and the La Crosse Building
Trades Council. Tickets were sold for the event and national and state officials
attended the event. Also assisting in the event were The Industrial Commission, the
La Crosse Vocational School and the U.S. Department of Labor.
More than 40 apprentices completed their training and were honored for their
accomplishments. William Eckart, business agent of Carpenters Local 1143 and
George McKoskey, treasurer of the Associated Builders were the co-chairs for the
event. Arthur Schmitt, business agent for the IBEW Local is secretary and Edward
Beissel, organizer of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council was the treasurer.
Steamfitter Trades apprentices took part in the event. Those that had
completed their training received their Journeyman certificates. Journeymen must
have knowledge of, and be qualified to work with, hot water and steam heating, air
conditioning, oil burner installation and process piping (including refrigeration). The
steamfitter committee was appointed by the Industrial Commission on May 24, 1951.
Harvey Marin was chairman of the group, having become a Journeyman in 1936.
Stanley Lovold was a master plumber and steamfitter having earned his license in
1947 and was one of two management representatives on the commission. William
Denison, the first steamfitter apprentice in La Crosse indentured by the commission
became a journeyman in 1940. Walter Niebuhr was a journeyman for 12 years and
obtained his master‟s license and set up his own contracting firm and served as the
other employer representative.
Wisconsin Attorney General, Vernon Thompson spoke at the Apprenticeship
Banquet, saying, “Ceremonies of this sort offer the key to the basic strength
authority of the United States in world affairs.” 56 apprentices received their
journeymen certificates at the event. Harold Chesseman, general representative of
the Carpenters International Union and Rudolph Marigont, general reprehensive of
the IBEW presented the certificates to the journeymen of the carpenters and
electrical trades.
Journeymen Certificates Awarded To,
Bricklayers
Austin Fernholz, Ralph Geary, Earl Meyers Jr., Sherman Miller, Harold Molzahn,
William Williams, Virgil Wooley
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Electricians
Salvatore Anny, Donald Bauer, Fred Bauer, John Ecklund, Henry Fillner, Milton
Glende, Robert Follmann, George Londkoski, Wesley Lorenz, Wilbur Polachek, Robert
Pruent, Edward Stanek, Robert Weigel
Plasters and Cement Masons
Richard Bradburn, Logan Brickson, Richard Day, Ellsworth Giese, Robert Hether
Carpenters
Harold Baumbach, Stephen Gofus, Robert Goschke, John Howe, Melvin Johnson,
Patrick Kelley, Wayne Mickschl, Eugene Osgood, Robert Powers, John Quinn, Everett
Strittmatter, John Weiland, Kenneth Espenes, Painter and Decorators, Daniel
Grodevant, Howard Hoff, Donald Layland, Robert Miller, Henry Ryder
Plumbers
Marshall DeClute, John Hengel, Robert Hengel, Gerald McMullin, Harvey Nedland,
Francis Potaracke, Clifford Ristow, Robert Wood
Steamfitters
William Breuer, Donald Traaen
Glaziers
Stanley Thomas, John Johnson
Sheet Metal Workers
Robert Rose
The newspaper spoke of these men and wrote; “Long hours of skilled guidance
of other journeymen and courses furnished at the Vocational school have gone into
the making of these modern artisans.” The editorial stated that this program of
graduating journeymen began in 1948.
1957, State CIO Convention
Emil Mazey, of Detroit, Michigan, Secretary Treasurer of the United Auto
Workers of America was the keynote speaker of the CIO State Convention in La
Crosse in 1957. He spoke to over 400 delegates of the CIO at their convention held
at the Mary E. Sawyer Auditorium in La Crosse. This was a three day convention.
Mazey spoke of the McClellan Committee and its anti-union bias as it looked into socalled
union corruption. He briefly touched on the ongoing Kohler Strike in Wisconsin
also.
The CIO held this three-day convention in La Crosse at the Mary E. Sawyer
Auditorium in September of 1957. Senator William Proxmire spoke to the 400
delegates telling them, “I will fight for all groups within the dictates of my own
conscience. He told the unionists that he did not want to take instructions from any
small group of labor leaders at a meeting that was closed to the public and the press.
After receiving a standing ovation, Proxmire‟s remarks were met with quiet from the
assembled delegates.
1970, 6th Biannual Convention of Wisconsin AFL-CIO, October 5 through 8
In 1961, the Wisconsin AFL changed its annual convention to a Bi-annual
event. The first one held in La Crosse was the 6th Annual convention.
Four days before the convention was to convene the Tribune ran a notice about
its being held in La Crosse. The paper noted that about 700 delegates were expected.
Dave Forer, president of the La Crosse AFL-CIO convened the convention on Monday,
October 5. Monsignor John Paul gave the invocation, and then he introduced Mayor
Warren Loveland who welcomed the delegates to the city.
Then he turned the convention over to President John Schmidt, of the
Wisconsin AFL-CIO. Schmidt in part told the delegates, “As to the complaint that
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Organized Labor has lost its crusading zeal, it is worth noting that more social and
economic reform legislation was passed at the insistence of the AFL-CIO during the
administrations of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson than in any period since the New
Deal.”
Following a lengthy speech he concluded with, “The simplest and best answer
to the Republican Administration in Washington, and in Madison, is that they have
failed miserably. I think we have got the issues and the candidates to win one of the
most impressive victories for good and progressive government in the history of
Wisconsin…the convention is called to order.”
536 delegates were present at the opening of the convention.
1970, Delegates from La Crosse:
Erwin Schlicht, Brewery Workers Local 81
Stanley Thomas, Brewery Workers Local 81
George Jiracek, Building Service Workers Local 21
Patrick Kelly, Carpenters Local 1143
O.R. Neisus, IBEW Local 135
Harvey Smith, IBEW Local 990
Bruce Michalke, IBEW Local 990
Darrel Lee, Laborers Local 140
Roger Grangaard, Laborers Local 140
Leonard Affeldt, Machinists Lodge 21
Dale Freehoff, Machinists Lodge 21
Leonard Adsit, Machinist Lodge 1115
Edward Pretasky, Plasterers Local 257
Charles Burchell, Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 31
Nelson Miller, Printing Pressmen Local 189
Lyle Lintula, Rubber Workers Local 14
Oscar Swennes, Rubber Workers Local 14
Arthur Frey, Stage Employees Local 141
Robert Spacek, Typographical Workers Union Local 448
Rueben Brieske, La Crosse Building and Trades Council
Dave Forer, La Crosse AFL-CIO
La Crosse Native Jack Reihl Tabbed at New Secretary Treasurer
George Hall announced that his replacement was the only officially announced
candidate to replace himself as Wisconsin AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer. Hall had held
that post for 19 years. Hall had been a union painter, Reihl was a union carpenter.
Jack Reihl aged 40, was a member of Carpenters Local 1143 of La Crosse. He had
been serving as the Building Trades representative of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. Reihl
had also been a member of the La Crosse Common Council for six years and during
one term served as the Common Council President. He graduated in 1948 from Logan
High School. John Schmidt was unopposed for President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO at
this convention.
Henry Biemiller, national director of legislation for the National AFL-CIO spoke
at this convention and told the delegates that Nixon‟s administration was not good
based on the appointments he had made. He said the National Labor Relations Board
was becoming increasingly pro-business. He told the convention that labor was
working on a bill to raise the national minimum wage from $1.60 to at least $2.00 an
hour. Labor was also working on a national health insurance bill, which he said the
Wisconsin labor movement could take much credit for. Biemiller had high praise for
Senator William Proxmire but thought that Congressman Vernon Thompson should be
121

eady to retire. About 70 resolutions were presented during the course of this
convention.
The second day of the convention had Alexander Barken, national director of
political education speaking to the delegates. He said that Spiro Agnew insults their
intelligence when he comes to Wisconsin and that the GOP was using the issue of law
and order as the reason to keep the GOP in office. He also said, “This is a deliberate
campaign to throw up a smokescreen so people won‟t look at the real issue, which is
the bankrupt record of the Nixon Administration in economic affairs.”
Norman Hill of the A. Philip Randolph Institute spoke next and said that
republicans can‟t be allowed to play black workers against white workers, he said, “we
have lost the White House and the Supreme Court. If we lose Congress, it will be the
third strike and the ball game.”
John Schmidt and Jack Reihl were unanimously this day of the convention.
Gilbert Rohde, president of the Wisconsin Farmers Union spoke also and told the
delegates that the farmers were going to be in the corner of labor on their issues.
The retiring George Hall said of workers prior to the birth of unions, “workers
were like horses, as long as you fed him, he‟d work his head off all day.” Continuing
he said, “but, now they are more educated and they know what their rights are.”
1982, 12th Biannual Convention of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, October 11/14
This convention was called to order by Sue Weibel, president of the La Crosse
AFL-CIO. Former member of the paper workers Union, Father Konopacy, gave the
invocation. One of the convention speakers was Patricia Heim, the president of the La
Crosse United Way. She told the delegates that 1982 has seen the first Labor Liaison
hired and on staff in La Crosse‟s history. He was Arno Luce.
Firing Up The Troops
The Tribune editorialized in the Friday issue of the newspaper, “CONVENTIONS
generally are designed to fire up the troops as well as to conduct the business of the
delegates‟ parent body, and the state AFL-CIO convention in La Crosse was no
exception.” The piece ended with, “ORGANIZED labor, of course, has not escaped the
tensions that rock other institutions these days. Younger members are restless and in
some cases rebellious. They and the older leaders differ on the speed of social
change.”
1988, 15th Biannual Convention of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO October 10/12
Zielke and Medinger Welcome Convention Goers
Donald Brague, president of the La Crosse AFL-CIO opened the convention and
introduced, Therese Roellich, daughter of an IBEW Union family, to sing the National
Anthem. Brague then introduced Mayor Patrick Zielke. Mayor Zielke spoke and said,
“Being Mayor for the last 14 years, I have had a great many occasions to work with
people from organized labor. I have a great deal of respect for those who we work
with locally.”
State Assemblyman, John Medinger was then introduced by President Brague.
Medinger said in part, “I just want you to know, for those of you who do not know me
that I am from a union family also…” Continuing he said, “I remember the good times
and the bad times. I remember the strikes and I remember the first time my Dad
made $100 a week at Allis Chalmers plant here in La Crosse. I remember when the
plant closed up and he was thrown out of work at the age of 42, and I remember the
days after that. And, he said, “…during all those times, I have never heard my Dad
complain about the union. I have never had any regrets for some of the things that
we had to sacrifice to go through those strikes when I was young, because they all
122

served a purpose. It was a positive purpose; to advance the cause of the working
people.”
Make It Brief, Unionists Told Virgil Roberts in the Old Days
Brague then introduced State Assemblyman, Virgil Roberts who spoke saying,
“Many of you know that I have been around these halls for a long time, and I have
identified with your causes, the causes that we see posted around here. It has been
about 20 years that I have either been running for office or have been holding public
office in the State legislature. Before that I was a card-carrying member of the
Railway Labor Organizations, and my first union card was with the hod carriers.”
Speaking about the old Labor Temple (which had just been vacated the year
previously by labor) he reminisced about the times he would visit the various unions
when running for office and he related the following, “I remember that you would
come in the back of the room and walk up towards the front in order to speak. As I
came in, I would hear several individuals in the audience who would say, „Make it
brief”, I have not forgotten that, so this will conclude my remarks.”
1988, Delegates from La Crosse:
Donald Oldenburg, Carpenters Local 1143
Gerald Jensen, IBEW Local 953
John Tischer, IBEW Local 953
Richard Young, Operating Engineers Local 139
Sharon Fogel, Garment Workers Local 379
Lyle Anderson, Laborers Local 140
Darrell Lee, Laborers Local 140
Rita Chandler, Machinist Lodge 21
David Forer, Machinist Lodge 21
Raleigh Fox, Machinist Lodge 21
John Gaines, Machinist Lodge 21
Timothy Klug, Machinist Lodge 21
Oscar Miller, Machinist Lodge 21
Alvin Schroeder, Machinist Lodge 21
Alfred Harnish, Machinist Lodge 1115
Liz Reque, Officer and Professional Employees Local 44
Gil Purdy, Plumbers and Steamfitters
Les Snyder, SEIU Local 180
Jeanne Dahl, AFSCME Local 1218
Elizabeth Dwyer, AFT Local 3605
Donald Brague, La Crosse AFL-CIO
Ted James, Fraternal Delegate
1992, 17th Biannual Convention of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, September 28-30
September 28 - Vice President Monti Welcomes Crowd
Vice President Jerry Monti opened the Wisconsin AFL-CIO convention in lieu of
President Ken French, who did not attend the convention. Monti welcomed the
delegates and introduced the following speakers; James Schleifer, La Crosse Deputy
Chief of Police; Bill Sorenson, La Crosse Chamber of Commerce; John Medinger, 95th
Wisconsin Assembly District representative and Virgil Roberts, 94th Wisconsin
Assembly District representative.
Then Jack Reihl, president of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO took the gavel and
thanking Monti assumed the convention chair. Reihl especially thanked Assemblyman
123

John Medinger for the progressive support he had given labor when serving in the
state assembly.
In his speech to the convention, Reihl addressed many state political races and
the national elections as well. He also spoke of the pending NAFTA Bill (North
American Free Trade Agreement) which had not yet been signed into law. He said of
it, “The North American Free Trade Agreement would create a huge integrated
economy involving Canada, Mexico and the United States. Congress has the final say
over this agreement and will be debating it early next year. We must organize to
defeat the Bush Administration‟s version of the North American Free Trade
Agreement. If we are going to take NAFTA off our backs and off „fast track‟ for
approval, American workers are going to have to raise hell and be heard.”
He continued speaking of NAFTA and said, “The National AFL-CIO plans to
coordinate targeted demonstrations across the county in opposition to the treaty in its
present form. We said for years we want fair trade, not necessarily free trade if it is
not in our best interest. It is not free for American workers because the estimates are
550,000 (jobs) would be lost in this current agreement. If these estimates are correct
and if the current agreement goes into effect, it is really not free for American workers
who would be paid an average of $2.32 per hour and go home to communities
poisoned by unregulated industrial waste. It is only free for corporations who want to
freely take their capital and move it. They want to move our jobs out of the country.”
At 4:40 p.m. the convention recessed until the next day.
September 29, Constitutional Amendments On Tap
David Obey, Congressman from Wisconsin‟s 7th District addressed the
convention. Then the remainder of the day was taken up addressing constitutional
amendments to the Wisconsin AFL-CIO Constitution and many resolutions introduced
by the many committees of the convention.
Noteworthy was Resolution No. 15, which said in part, This resolution deals
with one of the great issues of our time: National Health Insurance. BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED: That the Wisconsin AFL-CIO recognizes that reform may come about in
stages and that the urgency of the current crisis demands that we support measures
that would move the nation toward our goal of universal health coverage. The motion
passed, and at the time of this book‟s publishing, the wait is still on for such insurance
or plan. After dealing with 29 additional resolutions and the many committee reports,
the convention recessed at 4:40 p.m.
September 30, Jack Reihl Speaks
In the morning of this session President Reihl gave an address on the
importance of the federal judiciary. He had just finished speaking of a federal
decision in favor of a steel manufacturer that asked to allow the union-negotiated
health insurance lapse when their workers retire, in opposition to the contract
previously agreed on. The court ruled in the corporation‟s favor. He said, “The
problem is, of course, that the federal judiciary in this country has been 70%
appointed by Reagan and Bush. When people say „It doesn‟t make any difference that
is running the country. It doesn‟t affect my day-to-day living,‟ let me tell you,
brothers and sisters, they are dead wrong. It does. And this is a horrible example of
Reaganism that you will find and that is the federal judiciary as it is now constituted.”
Reihl spoke of the difference between liberal and conservative political
disciplines and said, “There have been a few other liberal ideas down through the
years that the same conservatives have made the same arguments about. For
instance, the Emancipation Proclamation was a liberal idea that affected business and
freed the slaves. That was one of Lincoln‟s liberal ideas.” Continuing he said further,
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“Let me tell you, brothers and sisters, the only thing conservatives wish to conserve is
the wealth of this nation for the few of them.”
In the afternoon political endorsements were voted upon. For the 3rd
Congressional District, Paul Sacia was endorsed along with, 32nd Senate, Diane
Syder; 94th Assembly, Virgil Roberts; 95th Assembly, Mark Meyer and 96th
Assembly, Donald Strait.
Charlie Heymanns, aged 90 years, was invited to address the convention as he
was the oldest delegate in attendance. Charlie spoke and in part told the delegates,
“I came into the labor movement way back before many of you young people were
around. I joined the labor movement in 1933 when I helped organize the Kohler
plant, have worked there over 11 years. I was an officer of that union and I served in
that bitter seven-year bloody strike. In that strike I traveled throughout the Midwest
and attended State Federation of Labor conventions, besides Wisconsin, in Illinois,
Iowa, Minnesota, and Ohio. I spoke to hundreds of local unions at that time to keep
our picket line going and to advocate the boycott of Kohler products at that time.”
After rising to sing Solidarity Forever and the National Anthem, the convention
adjourned at 11:36 A.M.
1992, Delegates from La Crosse:
Dan Hanson, Local 22
Brian Gentry, Local 1143
Thomas Roellich, Local 953
Sharon Fogel, Local 379
Darrell Lee, Local 140
Kevin Lee, Local 140
Wayne Ellefson, IAM District Council 66
Albert Glass, Local 31
Kathy Berrier, Local 14
Gary Snyder, Local 14
Donna Mitley, District Council Garment Workers
David Forer, State Council Machinists
Mary Ann Braithwaite, State Council Teachers Jerry Monti, La Crosse AFL-CIO
1998, 20th Biannual Convention of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO September 28, 29,
30, La Crosse
BREADLINES, PICKET LINES AND FRONT LINES, was the name of an event
held on the Sunday prior to the convention‟s opening session. About 300 people
attended the event held at the La Crosse Center. President Hicks and his wife, son,
and daughter all wore period-appropriate clothing from the 19th century in
comm,emoration of this event. It honored labor‟s participation in Wisconsin‟s
Sesquicentennial celebration, hence the historical themed outfits. Many union history
displays were set up on the convention floor. The title of the event stood for the
depression era, the strike period following W.W. II as well as labor‟s contribution to
the supplying of the military during the conflict.
The La Crosse AFL-CIO also awarded three prizes to students from WWTC who
had created posters especially for this event. Father Bernard McGarty, accompanied
by a pianist, spoke on “A Century of Labor Progress: From Steamboats and Railroads
to Automobiles and Airplanes” was the title of his talk. He wore a steamboat captain‟s
hat to begin with, and then a railroader‟s and ended with a pilot‟s cap as he spoke and
sang. He opened each segment with an appropriate tune. He received a standing
ovation at the conclusion of his talk.
125

The Sunday event ended with a door prize drawing and music by the Greg
Balfany Band, which played music from
decades past.
Monday 28, Ghosts of Union Hall
The Fire Fighters Honor Guard opened
the convention followed by a welcoming speech
by La Crosse AFL-CIO president, Terry L.
Hicks. La Crosse AFL-CIO president, Terry L.
Hicks opened the convention with a few
remarks. He noted that 100 years ago (1898)
the Wisconsin AFL held its convention in La
Crosse. At that convention 27 delegates were
in attendance. Hicks told this convention‟s
delegates that if they looked up at the façade
of the building located at the South-West
corner of 4th and Jay Streets, they would be
able to view the „ghost of labor past‟ words of
UNION HALL on the building. The stone letters
had been chiseled off long ago, but a faint
outline was still visible. Hicks said the words of
Frank Weber (the 1898 Wisconsin AFL
president) spoke words 100 years ago that
were still applicable today. These words were, “There is no more civilizing agency in
existence than the trades union.”
Former Wisconsin AFL-CIO officers were in attendance at this convention.
They were George Hall, John Schmidt and Jack Rheil. Hall was an officer first in 1948
and again from 1958 to 1970. Schmidt served from 1960 to 1966 and from 1966 to
1986. Reihl served from 1970 to 1986 and from 1986 to 1994.
David Newby, president of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO told the delegates that…“The
labor movement is facing enormous threats despite the low unemployment levels and
what appears to be a sound economy. The purchasing power of our wages has not
caught up to 1989.” Secretary Treasurer, Phil Neuenfeldt spoke and said, “It‟s all our
responsibility to get our members to vote and to remind them that it doesn‟t matter
how rich they are because this is still America and its one person, one vote. There are
more of us than there are of them. If our members vote, we will win!”
Tuesday, 29th, On The Side of the Angels
Monsignor James Finucan gave the opening convocation at the start of the
second day of the convention. President David Newby introduced him by calling him
“a true friend of labor.” Monsignor Finucan had been involved years ago in the Kohler
strike and had intervened on behalf of labor. Years after the Kohler dispute,
Monsignor Finucan was interviewed by an author on his role in the matter for an
upcoming book. Monsignor Fincuan told the author, “Kohler was on one side, and I
was with the workers, on the side of the Angels.”
AFL-CIO president, John Sweeney was the keynote speaker on the second day
of the convention and he talked to the delegates about the challenges and fights labor
had been facing recently. He said, “I‟m proud to say that after three years of sweat
and sacrifice, we are beginning to win that struggle. We have not only jump-started
our stalled movement; we have it roaring around the track.”
126
National AFL-CIO President, John J. Sweeney and
La Crosse AFL-CIO President, Terry L. Hicks

AFL-CIO Rally on Social Security at Riverside Park
The delegates of the
convention led by presidents‟
John Sweeney, David Newby and
Terry Hicks marched in mass to
Riverside Park for a Social
Security rally. Terry Hicks
opened the event, introducing,
Leonard Roellich, Marilyn Wigdahl
and President Sweeney, prior to
their speeches.
Leonard Roellich, 88,
spoke of the benefits of unionism,
one of which was the Social
Security benefits he himself
began drawing 19 years ago.
Marilyn Wigdahl also spoke on
Riverside Park Social Security Rally, photo by author
Social Security. She agreed that
annual cost-of-living increases to
Social Security benefits “may be the only thing keeping you afloat.” She also told the
crowd that the retirement age should not be raised.
Wednesday 30, Veteran‟s Issue and Teaching Labor History
On the final day of the convention various committees met and reported their
resolutions to the delegates for their approval. These committees included; Building
Trades, Public Employees, Veteran‟s, chaired by La Crosse AFL-CIO vice president,
Jerry Monti, which addressed homeless veteran‟s and the need for retraining of them,
Community Services, Women‟s, Apprenticeship, Recreation, Resolutions, Human
Rights, Organization and Education, chaired by La Crosse AFL-CIO president, Terry L.
Hicks. The education committee recommended the development of a flyer to
distribute to schools to encourage the teaching of labor history.
Thursday October 1, End of Convention
Delegates to the 20th Biannual Convention stood and sang Solidarity Forever
at the conclusion of this convention.
The Wisconsin AFL-CIO‟s principal
three officers were reelected and the
Federation‟s board was also elected
and sworn-in.
1998, Delegates from La Crosse:
Brian Gentry, Carpenters Local 1143
Jerry Jensen, IBEW Local 14
Jeff Shuda, Molders Local 437
Terry Hicks, La Crosse AFL-CIO
Tom O‟Heron, IAM District Lodge 66
Tim Ballwahn, Laborers Local 140
Kevin Lee, Laborers Local 140
Wayne Ellefson Jr., IAM Lodge 21
Paul Mathison, IAM Lodge 21
Mark Meyer, IAM Lodge 21
Jerry Monti, IAM Lodge 21
Left to right; Mary Hicks, Terry P. Hicks, Amy Hicks and Terry L. Hicks
127

James Rathkt, IAM Lodge 21
Dean Simon, IAM Lodge 21
Jim Urbanek, IAM Lodge 21
Milt Tyler, IAM Lodge 1115
Ken Iverson, SEIU Local 180
Dave Stark, AFSCME Local 227
Carol Slawson, AFSCME Local 1449
Bridget Flood, AFSCME Local 2484
Bev Brower, Steel Workers Local 14L
Gary Snider, Steelworkers Local 14L
Harold Geary, Steelworkers Local 14L
Mary Ann Braithwaite, AFT Local 3605
2006, 24th Biannual Convention of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO September, 25-27
Monday September 25, Never Give Up
Again the convention headquarters was the La Crosse Center. And, once
again, Terry L. Hicks, president of the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO opened the
convention and made a few remarks. He spoke of the roots of unionism in La Crosse
which reached back to 1863. He also quoted Winston Churchill, saying, “Never give
up, never give up, and never give up!”
A Hmong cultural presentation of native
dance and music was given by Mr. Lee of the La
Crosse Hmong Mutual Assistance Association,
through arrangements made by Hicks.
The Wisconsin AFL-CIO announced that
Terry L. Hicks had won their Volunteer Organizer
Award, and he was brought up to accept it with a
speech made by Rick Mickschl, Directing Business
Representative of IAM District 66. Rick outlined
the years of work and the tireless efforts of Terry
in the pursuit of promoting organized labor.
Congressman Ron Kind spoke to the
convention and reminded labor of its collective
power for restoring dignity to working families.
Kind reminisced about his youth and his father‟s
time on the picket line as a member of IBEW
Local 990, during a strike of the La Crosse
Telephone Company in 1977-78. Kind also spoke
on the following issues; Federal Minimum Wage
(he supported an increase), Employee Free Choice Act (he supported it), Healthcare
Reform (he praised the Wisconsin model), Affordable Education and Job Training, The
Energy Crisis, Retirement Security and the Federal Budget.
Tuesday September 26, Governor Doyle
Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin spoke to the convention and told them thank
you for their endorsement in his race for reelection. “There is no better program than
a good paying job,” he told the delegates. He received loud applause when he told
the crowd, “The Republicans should stop lecturing us on fiscal responsibility. I
inherited a $3.2 billion deficit from one of those very people.”
2006, Delegates from La Crosse:
Mike Koziara, BMWE Local 509
128
Terry L. Hicks, winner of the 2006,
Volunteer Organizer Award

Kathy Hollon, Local 1449
Terry Hicks, Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO
Rick Mickschl, IAM District Lodge 66
Denise Grover, IAM Lodge 21
Brian Inglett, IAM Lodge 21
Raleigh Fox, IAM Lodge 21
Ernie Domnie, IAM Lodge 1115
James Jones, IAM Lodge 2191
Harley Evenson, IAM Lodge 2191
Al Fogel, Operating Engineers Local 139
Jean Muehlenkamp, SEIU Local 150
Ellen Parker, AFSCME Local 1449
Mary Von Ruden, AFSCME Local 1947
Dave Stark, AFSCME Local 227
Bridget Flood, AFSCME Local 2484
Kurt Randorf, Steelworkers Local 20150
Tim Marshall, AFSCME Local 2748
Cindy Ellefson, AFSCME Local 2748
Bill Brockmiller, AFSCME Local 2748
Bill Rudy, ATU Local 519
Tim Ballwahn, Laborers Local 140
Kevin Lee, Laborers Local 140
Dean Rink, IAM Lodge 1115
Milt Tyler, IAM Lodge 1115
Page 7, August 7, 1951 La Crosse Union Herald
129
Front page of June 1951, La Crosse Union Herald

Chapter Six: Striking Unions
“…for the cause of labor is no easy mistress to serve.”
Samuel Gompers, president AFL
List of Early La Crosse Industries, 1867-1917
(Not including, steamsboat builders or any of the railroads)
The number and variety of places of employment were legion in 1907 La
Crosse. From Door manufacturers to Carriage makers the worker of La Crosse had a
lot of choices of what type of work he or she wished to do. Consider the following list.
A quick check of the dozens of companies in the list will demonstrate the huge shift of
employment that has taken place in the City of La Crosse over the years.
Just a few of these companies exist at this date. Those in bold text are still in
business under the same name. Those underlined are in business under new names.
The one in italics has just ended over one hundred years of operation in La Crosse as
of 2009.
Company Name and Date of Incorporation
The Marinello Company, Inc. 1905
Advance Bedding Company, Inc. 1903
Badger Steel Roofing and Corrugating Company, Inc. 1903
Bump Paper Fastener Company, Inc. 1912 (merged with Northern Plastics)
Booth Manufacturing Company, Inc. 1904
City Fuel Company, Inc. 1916
City Grocery Company, Inc. 1910
Colman Lumber Company, Inc. 1899
C and J Michel Brewing Company, Inc. 1896
Darlington Electric Light and Water Power Company, Inc. 1899
Electric Supply and Construction Company, Inc. 1906
Franz Bartle Brewing Company, Inc. 1903
Gateway City Cooperage Company, Inc. 1904
Gateway City Steel Tank and Roofing Company, Inc. 1904
General Motor Car Company, Inc. 1912
Gibson Ice Cream Company, Inc. 1918
Groff and Derr Construction Company, Inc. 1906
Hackner Company, Inc. 1910
H. C. Hart Implement Company, Inc. 1895
Henry Salzer Company, Inc. 1889
Heileman Brewing Company, Inc. 1890
Hynne-Benrud Granite Company, Inc. 1905
The Ice Cream and Butter Company, Inc. 1904
Inland Printing Company, Inc. 1906
James Trane Plumbing Company, 1885 (became the Trane Company in 1917)
John Dengler Cigar and Tobacco Company, Inc. 1906
John Gund Brewing Company, Inc. 1890
Kratchwil Candy Company, Inc. 1906
John Paul Lumber Company, Inc. 1890
John Salzer Company, Inc. 1886
Joseph Funk Candy Company, Inc. 1880 – Closed in 1933
Kuhn Sash and Door Company, Inc. 1894
La Crosse Boiler Company, Inc. 1905
La Crosse Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Company, Inc. 1892
La Crosse Bottling Works, Inc. 1906
130

La Crosse Can Company, Inc. 1905
La Crosse Carriage Company, Inc.
La Crosse Clothing Company, Inc. 1903
La Crosse Cooperage Company, Inc. 1902
La Crosse Cornice and Ceiling Company, Inc. 1905
La Crosse Engraving Company, Inc. 1901
La Crosse Fish Company, Inc. 1917
La Crosse Floral Company, Inc. 1914
La Crosse Gas and Electric Company, Inc. 1901
La Crosse Garment Company, Inc. 1914
La Crosse Inter-Urban Telephone Company, Inc. 1903
La Crosse Knitting Works, Inc. 1885
La Crosse Monument Works, Inc. 1904
La Crosse Plow, Inc. 1893 (became the La Crosse Works of Allis Chalmers)
La Crosse Plumbing Supply Company, Inc. 1896
La Crosse Press Company, Inc. 1901
La Crosse Rubber Mills, Inc. 1897 (out of business in La Crosse by 2009)
La Crosse Rug Company, Inc. 1905
La Crosse Steam Laundry, Inc. 1891
La Crosse Steel Roofing and Corrugating Company, Inc.
La Crosse Stone Company, Inc. 1903
La Crosse Telephone Company, Inc. 1893 (became Centurytel)
La Crosse Threshing Machine Manufacturing Company, Inc. 1902
La Crosse Tractor Company, Inc. 1917
La Crosse Trane Company, Inc. 1917
La Crosse Water Power Company, Inc. 1906
La Crosse Wool and Fur Company, Inc. 1903
Listman Mill Company, Inc.
Litho Paint Sign Company, Inc. 1906
Medary Sadlery Company, Inc. 1867
National Gauge and Equipment Company, Inc. 1915
Northern Engraving Company, Inc. 1908 – La Crosse Plant closed in 1961
Onalaska Woolen Manufacturing Company, Inc. 1901
Pamperin and Wiggenhorn Cigar Company, Inc. 1886 – Closed in 1986
Reliable Steam Company, Inc. 1899
Segeke and Kohlhaus and Manufacturing Company, Inc. 1892 – Closed in 1960
Servis Tailoring and Furnishing Goods Company, Inc. 1904
Smith Manufacturing Company, Inc. 1888
Spence-McCord Drug Company, Inc. 1905
Stamping and Tool Company, Inc. 1903
Summit Foundry Company, Inc. 1897
Tribune Publishing Company, Inc. 1894
Valyu Garment Company, Inc. 1904
Vote and Berger Company, Inc. 1900
Western Banana Crate Manufacturing Company, Inc. 1905
Whitebreast Coal Company, Inc. 1901
Wisconsin Light and Power Company, Inc. 1905
Yeo and Clark Company, Inc. 1893
131

Reuben Trane, Trane Company and the Plumbers Strike of 1891
Shortly after the initial formation of the grand
labor council, a labor dispute involving the newly
organized plumbers and steamfitters arose. The
James A. Trane Company hired a non-union plumber
and local 31 (one year old at this time) ordered the
remaining union plumbers to walk out. This dispute
arose when the two union workers that had been
installing the steam heating apparatus at the State
Bank, received a telegram calling them home on
business in their home state of Minnesota. Trane
himself, was in Austin, Minnesota and when notified of
the work stoppage, sent word to his staff here locally
to employ another plumber to finish the job on time.
When local 31 heard about the non-union man put on
the job, they called out the remaining union men on
other Trane projects until the non-union man was
removed from the State Bank project.
Meeting with newspaper reporters the union
officials explain their point of view and state that the
problem was not simply that the non-union worker was
employed at the project, but that he was an
unemployed bricklayer who was not skilled in the field
of either plumbing or steam fitting. Upon the request of the master plumbers
association, other union plumbers of the city walked off the job. The man in question
was given an opportunity to join the union as a steamfitter‟s helper, but he declined to
do so.
This was an early case, which arose from a contractor trying to keep to a
written contract, and a union trying to maintain competent craftsmen employed in
their skilled trade. Both sides had to sit down and discuss the issues before this
dispute was resolved. 120
Trane Oldest Plumber in City
In 1910, James Trane was the
oldest plumber in the city of La
Crosse. 121 He had been a resident of the
city since 1865. In 1871, James Trane
went to work for the W.A. Roosevelt
Company of La Crosse and was
employed there for 14 years. In 1885
he opened up a plumbing shop at 112
Pearl Street. In 1886 he moved his
business to the Frankle Building on Pearl
Street. In 1889 his shop was located in
the Gund building which was between 3 rd
and 4 th Streets, downtown. Moving
again in 1890 he located at 320 Pearl
Street, the former Strauss Shoe Store.
In 1892 he again moved this time to the
Power‟s Building which was on 5 th Avenue and Jay Streets. In 1895 Trane had a
120 La Crosse Daily Press, October 29, 1891 and La Crosse Morning Chronicle, October 7, 1891
121 La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press, July 29, 1910
132
James Trane shop in 1890, 320 Pearl
Street
Photo, Courtesy,
UA Local 434, La Crosse
Trane shop, 1905-circa 1910, 115 Fifth Avenue
Photo, Courtesy, UA Local 434, La Crosse

uilding constructed that in 1910 housed the Tribune and Leader Press newspaper.
From 1905 up until at least 1910 he ran his business from 118 South 5 th Avenue.
He ran a general plumbing and heating shop using steam and hot water
devices. He also bid on waterworks and sewer jobs. He had invented the vapor
heating system by this time and it was in wide use in La Crosse.
Hammers and Saws fall silent throughout the Town, 1892
No sooner had the plumbers strike been settled when another strike began.
On April 20th, A.W. Trow and Co.‟s Lumber Mill saw trouble begin when the union
workers asked for a reduction in the work day of from eleven hours to ten hours per
day. The demand was denied and the mill shut down. The very next day, A.S. Trow
and Co. Agreed to the demand and established the ten hour day. 122 Holway‟s Mill on
the same day saw its workers make the same demand. All the other mills acceded to
the ten-hour day cause; Mr. Paul‟s foreman discharged two men, allegedly for not
doing their work.
The Labor Council issued a warning that a strike would occur if these men were
not taken back on the job. 123 Mr. Paul did not agree with this ultimatum and did not
allow the men to return. By the next day, over two hundred and fifty employees of
the John Paul Lumber Company were out on strike. 124 They left the shops in masse
and marched down the labor headquarters.
The Chronicle newspaper reported teamsters, to have left their teams standing
in harness when they struck, but notified the Daily Press newspaper the following day,
that in reality they cared for the teams and placed them in the barns before departing
on the strike. Loading crews left railroad cars half filled and office personnel had to
take over the tasks. The union men quickly telegraphed the Headquarters of the
Knights of Labor, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and explained the situation and
received permission to call a strike. 125
Blacklisted
The union issued a circular to the public, which read, To the Public-Why We
Are Blacklisted. We, the employees of John Paul & Co., finding that a secret system
of blacklist and discharge was being imposed on all our comrades who have exercised
their constitutional right to organize for their own protection, the same as has been
practiced by our employers, have through our duly authorized agents sent in our
protest against this gross and un-American injustice, and asked that the matter be
arbitrated. Our appeal being met with a positive refusal and insult, we therefore
realizing that in protection to our most sacred principle of American citizenship, Equal
rights to all and special privileges to none, do feel the necessity of taking our places
along side of our blacklisted comrades, collectively and simultaneously instead of
gradually and individually as we have been compelled to do heretofore. We also ask
that the influence of and sympathy of our fellow-townsmen be extended to us during
our stand for our principles and enforced idleness. It was signed; respectfully yours
for the cause of right, The Employees of the John Paul &Co. 126
The men also made two demands of their employer, the restoration of jobs to
the discharged men and the promise of continued work for them, and a general raise
of one and one half cent a day, for all men currently earning $1.50 a day or less.
122 La Crosse Daily Press, April 20, 1892
123 La Crosse Morning Chronicle, April 26, 1982
124 La Crosse Daily Press, April 27, 1892
125 Ibid., April 27, 1892
126 La Crosse Morning Chronicle, April 27, 1892
133

Mills‟ Response, Mayor‟s Involvement
The mill owner‟s answer was quick in coming, for the next day all the mills in
both La Crosse and Onalaska shut down. This threw somewhere from fifteen hundred
to two thousand men out of work. The Lumbermen‟s Exchange did this because they
were aware of the movement in La Crosse to call a general strike on May 1 by the
Knights of Labor, and wished to force the issue instead of waiting. The Knights of
Labor had a strike assistance fund available which would pay single men $4 a week
and married men $5 a week while out on an approved strike. (Or at least the union
wanted the owners to believe it would) 127
Mayor Copeland quickly agreed to act as a mediator and arranged a meeting
with Mr. Collins, President of the Grand Labor Council. At this meeting the Knight of
Labor representative agreed to appoint a labor committee of a dozen representatives
to meet with the mill owners on Thursday morning. 128
On Thursday morning the committee along with Mr. Fryre of the local labor
press met with the Mayor and the Lumbermen‟s group, and explained the situation to
them, detailing the demands of the workmen to them. The men were asking for a ten
hour work day, a raise of one and one half cents per day for all men earning $1.50 or
less, and lastly, no indiscriminate firing without just cause. 129 Then the men left and
after a short meeting, the mill owners took a stand to keep the mills closed. The
union leaders learned this from a meeting with the Mayor that evening, and stated
their intent to remain out on strike for as long as was necessary to win their
demands. 130
Mill owner, Pry Stands on a Log to Speak
A meeting on Friday (where Mr. Paul addressed the workman while standing on
a log) resulted in Mr. Copeland agreeing to rehire one of the discharged men,
admitting that he was fired because he had left his work and circulated among the
other men informing them of the Mill Workers Union. 131 One of the discharged men
had now left town and the other man Mr. Copeland refused to take back. The workers
meet and passed another resolution in which they publicly stuck to all three of their
demands. 132 The union men were solidly supportive of their strike and their cause,
they reported that they had signed up 150 new members into the Knights of Labor on
Monday and Tuesday 133 and expected more to join as the strike continued.
Said one union local official, “It is a case of union against union, it is a union of
capital against a union of labor. We are in this to stay and believe that we will win.
We have sent in our demands and we will hold for their acceptance if it takes all
summer.” 134
Now the press as an agent of agitation in the strike introduced the local
physician George Powell. He agreed to speak to a reporter and made the following
statements, I am no more responsible for this strike than you are. 135 I have given no
advice leading to it, and have not been consulted outside of chance conversation with
127 Ibid., April 28, 1892
128 Mayor F.A. Copeland served from 1891 until 1983. He was the owner of the largest sawmill in town,
The Copeland Mill, that was previously owned as the Washburn and Davidson Mill. He hardly was an
impartial mediator of this labor dispute.
129 La Crosse Morning Chronicle, April 29, 1892
130 La Crosse Daily Press, April 29, 1892
131 Ibid.
132 La Crosse Morning Chronicle, April 30, 1892
133 Here is proof of the Knights of Labor having an assembly with mill workers in La Crosse
134 La Crosse Daily Press, April 28, 1892
135 La Crosse Morning Chronicle, May 1, 1892
134

patients or friendly callers, and in all such cases I have said the men ought to meet
their employers either by a committee or personally, fix up the trouble and get to
work again. I am in favor with all of my heart of the laborer getting every penny his
work is worth, and if I could help him to the extent of his reasonable demands, I
would.
George Powell also cautioned the workers against humiliating the employer
simply to benefit the leaders of the Knights of Labor, if there was no legitimate reason
to continue the strike. The union continued to stick to its‟ demand of no discharges
for insufficient cause and the Mill owners agreed to a ten hour work day and the one
and one half cent an hour wage raise, but nothing else. They cited labor statistics
that showed this would cause them to be offering higher wages than those currently
being paid in Dubuque and Lansing, Iowa, where mill hands were earning $1.35 for 11
hours work. Other unions in La Crosse now witnessed their members going out on
strike for wage improvements, hodcarriers asked for 23 cents an hour for a 9 hour
day and Italians working on the local Railroads struck for a wage of $1.50 a day up
from the $1.25 they were earning. 136
Mill Owners Attempt Startup
Issuing a public statement through the papers on May 4, the mill owners
announced that they would start up the mills again on May 5. They stated that they
would honor the ten hour day, pay the same wages as offered last year and would
hire and fire as they saw fit, but not discriminate between union and nonunion men
when doing so. 137 True to their word, the Mill owners opened up two mills in
Onalaska with full crews. Mr. Collins of the Grand Labor Council stated, Should the
mills attempt to run, filling the places of the strikers with scabs, the people would see
a neat strike in which all labor organizations would take part and from which there
would be no compromise. 138 Strikers set up watches around the mills taking names
of those going to work, in hopes of persuading them to honor the strike when they
could speak with them. Mills still were short of men and were not able to operate at
full capacity. 139
Attempts at arbitration were made on May 6 but nothing was settled, almost
all of the union men stayed out and honored the strike, this day. 140 Internal strife
among the meetings of the Knights of Labor was reported in the local press on May 8.
It was reported that the strikers had received only one dollar from the strike fund,
which amounted to their initiation fee. Reports came in that workers in De Soto and
Prairie du Chien were anxious to have the mill jobs in La Crosse.
Another rumor started in the city was to the effect that if the strike continue,
Mr. Collins President of the Grand Labor Council would personally profit from its‟
continuance as it was known he was receiving either $6 or $8 dollars a day during the
dispute in salary and expenses. He replied in print and stated, “I only wish I was
getting it, (he replied with a twinkle in his eye) I don‟t care to refute the story, but I
am not getting that or any amount for my services.” In this same issue, the attitude
of Mr. Paul was expressed by the following quotes, “Mr. Collins, the less said about
unions the better it would be for all concerned, the mill owners are not dealing with
unions, but their employees.” 141
136 Ibid., May 2, 1892
137 Ibid., May 4, 1892
138 Ibid., May 5, 1892
139 Ibid., May 6, 1892
140 Ibid., May 7, 1892
141 La Crosse Daily Press, May 3, 1892
135

Battling Local Press
The north side Photographer, Frank Spettle of 306 Caledonia Street was
reported to be an organizer and influential member of the local Knights of Labor in an
issue of the Daily Press newspaper. Upon being interviewed by the paper, he stated
the true state of the case of the striker‟s demands and he urged the Mill Owners to
agree to them. Also reported in this same issue was an article indicating that an
official of the National Knights of Labor was in town with a bag of money to distribute
to the striking workers. He was reported to have given each strikers a few dollars. 142
As mentioned earlier, a labor press, The Voice of the People had begun
publishing in north La Crosse during this strike, that paper did not survive in any
archives that the author is aware of, but the Daily Press reprinted a letter to the editor
which is interesting in that it expresses the public opinion of one of the strikers, “I
would like to say a few words through the medium of the only labor paper in this city.
I live in La Crosse and have watched with much interest the strike and lockout, and
the great conflict of rights now being waged in La Crosse between the workingman on
one side and the owners of sawmills on the other. I am uncompromisingly in favor of
the men. Their demands are just and equitable. They have no banks or other
financial concerns to assist or promise assistance to them. They can‟t say we are
abundantly able to sit and wait, and live without doing anything. They do not control
the press of this city, as do the mill owners, if we may judge a man by his public
utterances.
The Morning Chronicle in an editorial May 3 stated that workingmen seemed to
realize that the claims made by the mill owners that they are paying more than the
other mills were paying, was true, but that Mr. Collins, as their spokesman, had no
reply except to insist on their demand. This is an insult thrown in the face of every
workingman who is now connected with this matter. It is an assertion that they are
incapable of knowing whether he is right or wrong. It is an assertion that they are
ignorant and irresponsible. It is more, it is a willful injustice done a body of men who
toil day after day for a pittance, and who give no inconsiderable part of their earnings
to support such leeches as he who penned this infamous sentence, so couched in
words as to leave its meaning doubtful.
Ever since this matter arose I have watched the press of this city and
invariably find that it misrepresents the situation, quoting at length what the mill men
have said in their defense as though it were gospel, putting in a little coloring here
and there, where the mill men have missed the point or made a bull of it. But I have
yet to find where they have quoted from the workingmen, or their representatives,
and given the public any idea of their side of the question-and yet they claim to be
NEWSPAPERS. They are not! They never were! They never will be as long as
principle is bartered for the favors of the rich.
The Leader has persistently misrepresented the situation by giving the points
favorable to the mill owners and remaining silent with reference to facts favorable to
the men. The Leader and Morning Chronicle are great institutions. So great indeed
that their names have become contemptible to all respectable citizens. Their editors
have appropriated the plans of each other, and today. Boodler Usher and Ickle Pen
Fince are well known personages. So I do not apprehend that the literature published
by them has much influence. It certainly ought not to have. They are not only met
by all these adverse influences, but there is another element that I have noticed in
this connection. All of the men who are getting a little better than starvation wages,
such as sawyers, filers, scaler, straw bosses, bookkeepers, foremen and even some of
142 Ibid., May 5, 1892
136

the paper-collar clerks are against the men. They are too good, too big, too well fixed
to train with the men.
They seem to ignore the fact that they were once common workingmen, and
that today they are not half as good as the workingmen. The men have principle and
will not barter it, as did Judas Iscariot. Judas had principle in one respect; however,
knowing his worthlessness he went out and hanged himself, as he ought to have
done.
These fellows who are too good to train with the union men, and who throw
their influence against the men, fail to see the significant fact that when the mill
owners have no use for them that they are unceremoniously fired and their services
dispensed with. The men are right. They will win if they will fight. They will fight
because they are conscious that they are right.
There is one point that the public seems not to understand clearly. The mill
men say they will reserve the right to hire and discharge their men, and allege that
the union would deny them of that right. The union does nothing of the kind. What
the union does say is that the men shall not be discharged because they are union
men. Quite a difference is there not, in those propositions, and yet the press of this
city has not till this day explained or elucidated this point, nor will it, because such a
course would not be in keeping with its past career.
There is another event of considerable significance, which occurred in the
Nineteenth ward of this city on the third of this month. An election was then held to
elect an alderman. There were two nominees, Geo. H. Pierce, Republican, and Geo.
HL Taylor, Democrat. The ward has hitherto been strongly Republican, so much so
that it was thought useless to run a Democrat. Mr. Pierce prides himself o the fact
that his is a non-union shop. During the recent carpenters strike he discharged all
his union men. The election was held and notwithstanding the fact that the ward is
Republican he was defeated by 96 to 42. The workingmen were in it, and have said
that no man can run a non-union shop and get their votes, even though they have to
change their political faith for the time being. It shows that the workingman knows
what they want and that they are not ignorant as the tinhorn statesman says
inferentially. Yours Respectfully. Abe Van Linda.” 143
A Union Man?
In the same issue under the pseudonym, A Union Man, the paper ran a letter,
which criticized the President of the Grand Labor Council, John Collins, accusing him of
having a bad attitude towards arbitration of the mill strike. “He is in no sense a
laboring man and cannot be in sympathy with them except to line his pockets with
money wrung from the poor working men...As a union man I protest that there are no
grievances which cannot be satisfactorily adjusted if Mr. Collins will get out of the way
and let some real laboring man talk. He is totally unfit for the place, having neither
the respect of the mill owners or the confidence of the strikers.
The very fact that he has blacklisted the three daily papers proves that he
fears the effect which the facts upon the other side of the case may have upon the
honest fair minded laboring men. The strikers themselves will soon get their eyes
opened and then Mr. Collins is quite likely to hear something drop. 144
A Scab?
John Young (wryly signing his rebuttal, A Scab) of 618 North 9th Street of La
Crosse replied to this anonymous letter in the next day‟s paper, in strong terms and
143 La Crosse Daily Press, May 6, 1892
144 La Crosse Daily News, May 6, 1892
137

coming to the defense of the Labor Council‟s President. “I would like to have the
privilege of contradicting the base lie published in the Daily Press on the 6th. I say
that any man that made any such report is a Liar and has not even got the principle of
a Scab. Any man that says Mr. James Collins has ever received one cent from the
order of Knights of Labor as a salary is a Liar. The Press has insulted every true
member of our assembly when it stated our leader was lining his pockets with money
from the poor laboring people: I would like to ask the Editor of the Press where John
Paul and all lumber corporations line their pockets from? But don‟t mention anything
about that in your paper it might hurt his feelings and that would not do...I would like
to ask a favor of the Editor of the Press, it is this, Please inform your news carriers to
shove the Press under the back gate, as I would be mortified to have any union man
see it laying in the front yard.” 145
One More Opinion Is Heard
This was not the only reply to A Union Man, for Mr. Peterson, a member of
the Executive Committee of strikers called upon the Daily Press and refuted a few of
the comments of the aforementioned gentleman. Mr. Peterson stated that he doubted
that the man was any kind of union worker at all and that if he was indeed such, he
would be asked to depart very quickly. He added that Mr. Collins had always stood
ready to arbitrate should the mill owners have ever should any inclination to do so. 146
Strike Ends
The strike ended on May 9. The Mill Owners terms were agreed to by the men.
John Dengler, the previous Mayor of La Crosse, was asked to help with the issue and
stepped in to settle the event. Mr. Collins agreed with the settlement upon receiving
the assurances of Mr. Dengler and the police reported that throughout this strike the
men had remained peaceful and law abiding. 147 The returning strikers reported to
work and some of them found their old places filled with new men. Mr. Dengler was
called in and after a short meeting assured the men that things were clear up in a few
days. The newspaper editorialized that no one hired during the strike ought to be
replaced by any returning striker. 148 The men won the ten-hour day, but not the
other issues, the dispute leaving both sides dissatisfied to some degree.
Hammers and Saws Fall Silent Once More, 1892
The Grand Labor Council had plenty of labor dispute issues prior to the next
Labor Day celebration in La Crosse. In March the carpenters went out on strike. Not a
union hammer has descended since eight o‟ clock ran a heading in the Daily Press of
March 31. Meetings held at the Knights of Labor hall attracted nearly two hundred
carpenters and they agreed to ask for a nine-hour day, wages of 25 and 30 cents per
hour and recognition of the union as their demands. The bosses meanwhile gathered
at the Builders Exchange and planned their response. 149
Soon the Knights of Labor and the other La Crosse unions planned a public
show of support for these mill workers and it was decided to hold a mass meeting on
April 10 at the Knights of Labor Hall. Several hundred union members gathered there
and then marched en masse to the Armory Hall. The striking carpenters lead the
procession with their banners flying. Upon arriving at Armory Hall, they joined
145 Ibid., May 7, 1892
146 Ibid. May 7, 1892
147 Ibid., May 10, 1892
148 Ibid., May 11, 1892
149 La Crosse Daily Press, March 31, 1892
138

additional hundreds of citizens until the crowd numbered over six hundred, including
many women.
Knights of Labor Speaking Program
The Knights brought in Mr. Frank Frye of Marinette to serve as the featured
speaker for the evening. He announced to those gathered there that he would give a
speech titled, why should Labor Be Organized? In this speech he explained to the
workers that every other group in America was already organized. He pointed to the
bankers, doctors, lawyers, courts, churches, and railroads as examples. He noted
that all these groups worked to profit their advocates financially and then asked the
workers why they should not do likewise. He also illustrated the point that it is not
the employed that set the wages as much as it is the unemployed that affect wages
the most.
He advised workers to insist
that their unions work to admit only
skilled tradesmen into their
organizations to ensure success in
improving marketability of their
particular labor. He further stated
that trained union workers would
encourage the spread of the
acceptance of union workers over
nonunion workers. The Knights and
La Crosse unions also gave notice at
this time that they had purchased
the La Crosse Times newspaper and
would replace it with a labor press to
be titled, The Voice of the People.
Not so coincidentally the editor of
this paper was to be none other than
Mr. Frank Frye of Marinette. This was to be a daily paper, publication to begin in April
of 1892. 150
John Paul Lumber Company, 1894, lumber piles 30 feet high
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
All Construction in Town Ceases
This strike now continued for some three weeks and caused nearly a complete
cessation of building projects within the city. The crux of the matter was the demand
of the carpenters as set forth in a resolution given to the employers in this form, We
the undersigned contractors, builders and owners of shops and factories where
carpenters and joiners are employed, do hereby agree to pay to every average
workman belonging to the local unions No. 335 and 472 of the North Side, of the
carpenters and joiners of the City of La Crosse, twenty-five cents per hour, and that
nine hours shall constitute a day‟s work and bind ourselves not to employ any nonunion
men any longer than eight days.
The employer‟s group balked at agreeing to this resolution until the unions
agreed to the following changes. Resolved, That two lower rates of wages per hour be
hereby established for union men who, after undergoing an impartial test, shall not be
found able to pass as average workmen; said rates of wages shall be twenty-two and
one half cents per hour for those second below average workmen; and Resolved
further, That a committee shall be appointed, consisting of two competent good
workmen of the union, two competent contractors and builders, and one respectable
150 Ibid., April 11, 1892
139

citizen, the latter to be chosen by the former four, said committee shall have power to
impartially adjust all disputes between employer and employee regarding the ability of
workmen and their claims to wages. Resolved further, That every contractor or
builder employing not over six union journeymen, shall be entitled to keep one
apprentice for every additional six union journeymen, and in conclusion. Resolved,
that the above agreement and amendment to the same, shall be in force for one year,
beginning form date.
This agreement was expected to profit both sides. Mr. W.F. Abrams, a
member of the Executive Board of the National Carpenters Union arrived in La Crosse
from Detroit to assist the men. He studied the resolutions and encouraged the men to
submit them to the bosses with his support for approving them. 151 This ended the
dispute, for on April 20th the union and employers agreed to the resolution and
amendment.
Tanning Hides Stops, 1893
After being approached by the Grand Labor Council with the demands of the
union tannery workers the union the Tanners of La Crosse went out on strike on May
1. Fifty men walked out of the La Crosse Tannery demanding a 50 cent wage hike
and the end of the practice of hiring nonunion men in the trade. The La Crosse
Tannery employed ten to fifteen non-union men.
Several of the union Tanners were formerly employed in Milwaukee and were
familiar with wages and conditions throughout the industry and advised the local men
of the same. The Company refused to accede to the demands. The owner of the
Tannery had to scramble to save the semi-processed hides during the early days of
the strike because of the threat of rainy weather. 152
No Chips off the Old Block Today, 1893
The Stone Mason‟s Helpers (four members) went out on strike demanding a
wage boost and the use of union help only in their craft. They had been employed by
a contractor to lay the foundation of a new barn on North Sixth Street. They asked
for a raise of pay to 22 ½ cents per hour. The contractor granted the raise to two of
the stone masons and discharged the other two. The Tanners accepted a wage raise
and conceded the issue of the right of their employer to hire nonunion workmen along
with union workmen.
No Hods to be Hoisted, 1893
Quickly joining the striking Stone Masons‟ Helpers, the Hodcarriers struck for a
wage increase the day following the Stone workers strike. The Hodcarriers asked for
a raise from $1.80 a day for a ten-hour days‟ work to that of $2.00 a day for a ninehour
day.
No Solder Flows, 1893
The Journeymen Tinners now struck for a nine-hour day and a wage rate of 25
cents an hour. Then at noon of the same day, a non-union stone mason was put on
the job. The two remaining union stone masons struck and the work stopped again.
The employers‟ of the cities‟ Tinsmiths took a hard stand and publicly stated their
intent to never yield to their union workers demands, even if it meant that not a
dollars‟ worth of tin was used in La Crosse in 1893.
151 La Crosse Daily Press, April 19, 1892
152 Ibid., May 2, 1893
140

No Working Side by Side, 1893
The Carpenters of the city entered into talks with their employers and asked to
be paid at the rate of 22.5 cents an hour starting rate. The existing rate being paid
the workers of only 20 cents an hour to start and rising up to only 25 cents an hour
for the top rate. A notice was published in the Daily Press, of May 9th, it stated that
as of now the members of the carpenters union of La Crosse will not work on the
same job with non-union men as of May 15th. 153
The Carpenters of the city took an equally strong stand when they published a
statement that read, “Members of Carpenters‟ Union of La Crosse would not work on
the same job with non-union men after May 15th, 1893. By order, the Carpenters‟
Union.” The Hodcarriers won their demands and got the wages they had asked for;
the issue of non-union men was ignored at this time by both sides.
Railroad Law Enacted for Rail Workers by Wisconsin, 1893
A notice from the Order of Railway Conductors Division No. 61 was printed in
the paper giving thanks to the Wisconsin legislature for the enactment of a law
regarding Railway employees. This union had come into being sometime prior to this
notice. 154 These local strikes continued for some time in the summer of 1893 and
met with varying degrees of success.
Early Activities of the Local Railroad
In December of 1886 it was reported to the public that 250 men were
employed in the new round house located at Grand Crossing on La Crosse‟s north
side. 500 more were expected by January of 1887. Grand Crossing at this time
consisted of two hotels, two saloons, a barber shop and sixty-two dwelling houses. A
meat market and a grocery store were badly needed the local press opined.
In the same month and year, two railroad employees had a dispute. One
grabbed a shovel and struck the other, severely injuring him. The Brotherhood of
Locomotive Firemen held their 4th Annual Ball at Union Hall on December 27, 1886.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers also planned to hold a ball on January 1st,
1887, also their 4th Annual Ball.
Ink Dries Up, 1893
The Printers of the Morning Chronicle were among those that struck during this
time. Mr. Usher the publisher had been paying the men eight dollars in cash each
Monday and the balance was given at the end of each month. Most of the workers
being married men; they walked out demanding a minimum of ten dollars in cash be
paid each Monday, as they could not live on the previous amount, while waiting for
the balance owed them. It was a rather common practice at this time to pay workers
partial wages while making them wait for the rest owed them, by giving script or
notes of demand. 155
Don‟t Roll Out the Barrels, 1894
Late in September of 1894 a dispute occurred in the barrel making trade of the
city‟s breweries. A beer boycott was announced in the newspaper and by hand bills
handed out in the streets. This happened because the G. Heileman Brewery decided
to purchase kegs on the open market instead of from the local Coopers. Local 39
called for a boycott of Heileman‟s beer in handbills that read, To Organized Labor
153 La Crosse Daily Press , May 2, 1893
154 La Crosse Chronicle, May 10, 1893
155 La Crosse Daily Press, May 17, 1893
141

Everywhere, Greetings: The following resolutions were unanimously adopted by
Coopers‟ Local Union No. 39, of La Crosse, Wis. and we earnestly request that you
give them due consideration: Whereas, the G. Heileman Brewing Co., of La Crosse,
Wis., are contemplating the use of unfair beer kegs exclusively, which if carried into
effect will greatly injure the workings and wages of the members of Local Union No.
39, C.I.U. 156 located at La Crosse, Wis. respectively; therefore be it Resolved, by said
local that we invite the undivided support of organized labor and those friendly to the
same and request them to withdraw their patronage of beer from the G. Heileman
Brewing Co.
This dispute had been brewing, since early in the spring and was brought to a
head two weeks before this resolution was passed by the union, when Heileman‟s
refused to stop buying beer barrels from Joseph Kabat who did not have union made
stamps on his barrels. Mr. Kabat had long operated a tavern on the corner of 10th
and Hood streets in La Crosse and had just recently put in a cooper shop. While Mr.
Kabat hired union men and paid union wages to his coopers, the coopers union had
not recognized the private cooper shop as a unionized workplace. 157
This matter of bar owners opening private cooper shops was not the only
problem facing the coopers union and their members. Machine made barrels were
entering the marketplace and threatening to destroy the need for handmade wooden
barrels. The National Cooperage Company sent a letter to the La Crosse newspapers
and gave their side of the story. 158 They stated that if machine made beer kegs were
cheaper, better, stronger, more durable and a handsome package, why not use them?
They drew the analogy of machines making beer kegs to the printing presses of the
day and asked why not also boycott them, and ask the editors to return to hand
presses? They stated that they employed more men in their barrel factory than the
handmade cooper shops did. 159
What impression these stories made on the general public can only be
speculated upon but the union made a response, dated September 25th, that
appeared in the papers on the 28th. They explained that the issue was not that of a
private cooperage shop, or only that of machine made beer kegs, they detailed the
issue of a local Company Store method that the affected bar owner was imposing on
his customers. It seems Mr. Kabat required anyone working for him at his cooperage
shop or bar to agree as a condition of employment that they would purchase all their
groceries, beer and other necessaries of life and the stores and saloons, which Mr.
Kabat either owned or had an arrangement with.
These articles were marked at typical Company Store higher than average
prices and deducted from the workmen‟s‟ wages prior to payment of their salary. The
Grand Labor Council by this time had a standing Arbitration Committee that had met
with Heileman officials but had failed to reach an accord. This information was printed
in the newspapers and signed by Charles Meininger, President of the Coopers‟ Union
along with Frank Leisgang the unions‟ Secretary and Leonard Stallman, President of
the Grand Labor Council and P.J. Liesenfeld the Council Secretary.
Former Barrel Maker Is Heard From
A former employee of the National Cooperage Company weighed in with a
letter to the Editor at this same time. He stated that the company might be able to
employ that many workers at one time but only had 38 men and boys employed at
156
Coopers International Union
157
La Crosse Chronicle, September 20, 1894
158
The National Cooperage Company was located in North La Crosse, and had purported to employ 75 men
in their barrel making business.
159
La Crosse Chronicle, September 23, 1894
142

this time. He explained that the 38 men and boys could turn out 525 machine made
barrels in one day, whereas the 30 hand coopers would need five and one half days to
complete the same amount. This meant that the National Cooperage Company could
manufacture in ten weeks all the barrels that would take the hand coopers the entire
year to do. This frightened these hand craftsmen to no end. 160
Escalation of the dispute was not long in coming. In early October the Grand
Labor Council acted on the matter. They explained to the public that the Master
Brewers Association, representing, the John Gund Company, G. Heileman Brewing
Company, C. And J. Michel, Franz Bartl, George Zeisler and Son, Voegle Brothers (all
of La Crosse) and the Joseph Hussa Brewing Company of Bangor, were trying to break
up the Coopers Union by refusing to purchase union made material from Local 39.
The Grand Labor Council tried to mediate the issue with the brewers but they
refused to meet with the representatives. The beer from the affected breweries was
declared to be unfair and organized labor and their friends were asked to stop
buying from these companies. The Onalaska Brewing Company was declared to be
friendly and all were urged to buy exclusively from this brewer. Five thousand copies
of the resolution were printed up and distributed throughout the county, the Council
declared. The Master Brewers Association did not take this threat lightly.
They posted a notice informing all their employees to quit the union. The men,
women and boys of the seven La Crosse County breweries held a meeting on October
15th and out of the 120 employees only a dozen voted to obey the notice. The other
105 quit their jobs in protest of the company‟s action. The meeting took place at
Malins‟ Hall and the men agreed that the union had won them reduced working hours
and increased wages and that they would stand by it. The Master Brewers let it be
known that they were not going to hire any replacement workers for at least a few
days. The union organized another meeting for the men. 161
At this meeting, the union declared, “While the master brewers claim that the
men have struck, the fact of the case is that the men have been locked out. The
brewery workmen are going to stand by the union and leave the work. Our contract
has four months to run, if they recognize the union we will return to work, but under
no other circumstances.” 162
Grand Labor Council Calls For Boycott
The Grand Labor Council also held a meeting on the same evening and
submitted a public reply to the situation to the press of the city. The Council stated
that they declared a boycott on the cities‟ breweries without the prodding of any
member of the Coopers‟ Union and that they stood ready to arbitrate the dispute at
any time. The employers association had a small defection from within their ranks
when the G.F. Voegele and Bro. Firm withdrew from the group and stated publicly
their support of the employees and acceptance of the union demands. Ernest Krause,
a driver for Bartles. Brewery broke ranks and left the union as a beer wagon driver.
Second assistant fire chief, John Marshall also took a job as a beer wagon driver with
Heilemans‟ Brewery. 163
The next development in the strike and lockout was the news that city tavern
owners would not be able to order beer from Milwaukee or St. Louis during the
dispute because of an agreement the Brewers‟ Association had signed guaranteeing
the promise not to sell beer in another brewers‟ territory during a strike or lockout.
160
La Crosse Daily Press, September 28, 1894
161
La Crosse Chronicle, October 16, 1894
162
Ibid.
163
La Crosse Daily Press, October 17, 1894
143

The Coopers‟ International Union telegrammed the local union and told them of their
plans to send a representative to town to assist in the dispute. 164
On October 19, Mr. Charles F. Bechtod, National Secretary of the United
Brewers of The United States, the union representative arrived in town from St. Louis.
He held a meeting with President Leonard Stallman of the Grand Labor Council along
with other local labor leaders and they in turn visited several of the local breweries.
He had no success with any of the employers, however. Meeting with Mr. Zeisler of
the brewery of the same name, the conversation grew heated. Mr. Bechtold said, “If
you do not settle the matter satisfactorily, we will have to turn our guns on you. We
brought the great Anhauser-Busch establishment to terms and we think we can do the
same with yours.” Zeisler responded, “We are being boycotted by your union now,
and I don‟t see that it is hurting us any.” This attitude was similar throughout the
cities‟ breweries and the two groups prepared for a long battle. 165
Boycott Posters Everywhere
Saturday morning the citizens of La Crosse arose to a city filled with boycott
posters and warnings. Attached to every saloon‟s door, window or storefront were
posters printed on red paper with a skull and crossbones drawing in black ink along
with the text, Scab Beer! Don‟t Patronize It! John Gund Brewing Co., C. & J. Michel
Co., La Crosse, Wis. The town was filled up with the posters during the night.
Telephone poles, beer wagons and every fence were festooned with the
warnings. The brewers and their representatives banded together and all the brewers
pledged to stand together in this boycott. This dispute would linger on and fester for
many years. It would be a matter addressed during the 1898 convention of the
Wisconsin State Federation of Labor in La Crosse; some four years after the lockout
had began.
Brief History of La Crosse Breweries
Nicolai Brewery 1854-1857
Gund Brewing Company 1854-1920
Bluff Brewery 1857-1870
Michel Brewing Company 1857-1965 (also known as La Crosse Breweries)
City Brewery 1858-1872
Bartl Brewery 1886-1933
G. Heileman Brewing Company 1858-199
Zeisler Brewery 1867-1902
Voegle Brewery 1888-1900
Berlin Weiss Brewery 1897-1906
Monitor Brewing Company 1900-1934
George Kuntz Brewery 1933-1937
Heinrich Brewery Circa 1940
Ziegler Old-Fashioned Brewery Circa 1948-1950
By 1884 La Crosse was producing the most beer of any city in Wisconsin. In
1906, 467 workers were employed in the breweries. By 1914, 990 workers were
employed in the breweries. In the beginning (1850‟s) brewery workers lived in
boarding houses owned by the breweries
164 Ibid. October 18, 1894
165 Ibid. October 20, 1894
144

Heileman Brewery Keg Room circa 1900
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of
Wisconsin – La Crosse
Painters and Paperhangers Strike for Higher Pay, 1902
The 70 painters and paperhanger‟s union members went out on strike on April
1, 1902 in La Crosse. By the very next day, the strike was settled. The men were
demanding a pay increase from 25 to 27 cents per hour. They also asked that no
non-union men would be allowed to work in a union shop. The two largest shops in
the city, O.J. Oyen‟s and B.L. Johnson‟s were employers of union and non-union men
alike.
“I find, that the sympathy of the public is fast deserting the unions, and that
there are a great many people who now prefer, and stipulate, that their work shall be
done by non-union labor,” said Mr. B.L. Johnson. A non-union painter added his
comments to the affair stating, “The funniest thing that I can see about this strike is
the fact that while there is only work in La Crosse for about 25 or 30 painters, there
are 70 strikers.”
The strike had occurred when the painters arrived on the job on April 1 and
were told that the bosses were refusing to pay the 27 ½ cent an hour union scale.
They called the result a lock-out and not a strike.
Mr. Edwards Hires Milwaukee and Dubuque Men to lay Tracks, 1902
The Grand Labor Council passed a resolution condemning the La Crosse City
Street Railroad for using outside labor to construct a new line of streetcar tracks. In
part the resolution read, “Resolved, that we ask nothing in charity, no favors not due
us, and only that which of right belongs to our citizens, and request the discharge of
all men from other places at present engaged in laying tracks or doing such work as
con be done by the workingmen of La Crosse, and we ask as a matter of right and
justice that the places of such discharged men be filled by actual members of this city.
And to this end we request the Grand Council to meet on the evening Monday, May
8th, to take action on the above statement.” It was signed by Fred Schell, president
of the Grand Labor Council.
145
Gund Brewery Bottling Department, September 1897. Note
the young men and women that made up the workforce
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin
– La Crosse

The Seeds of Discontent Are Planted Among Street Railway Workers, 1902
The La Crosse Street Railway Company was constructing lines to electrify the
streetcar lines in the city during the month of May and the work drew the attention of
the Grand Labor Council because of the use of nonunion workers. President Fred
Schnell of the Grand Labor Council met with President Edwards of the streetcar
company and complained of his use of outside nonunion workers from Milwaukee,
Dubuque, Iowa and other locations instead of employing local union workers. Schnell
argued that since the streetcar company enjoyed the support of the local government
and local citizens it ought to utilize local workers. Mr. Edwards replied that he would
not discharge any of his employees and would not require any of them to belong to a
union. This attitude and policy would ultimately lead to a violent strike and citywide
labor dispute in 1909, when the streetcar company employees themselves sought to
form a union. This major labor dispute is detailed in chapter 10. 166
Murder of Supervisor of Wisconsin Pearl Button Company, 1910
Matt Ruesgen, a button cutter employed by the Pearl Button Company shot
and killed John H. Studier, the plant superintendent. This action was precipitated by a
dispute between Studier and Ruesgen on the job where an argument broke out
between the two men. Matt Ruesgen and three other button cutters were tallying up
their weeks‟ work, by the customary weighing up of the produced. The men charged
the Superintendent with short-weighing them and giving them “the worst of it,” when
the accounting occurred. Immediately after the weighing in, Ruesgen left the factory
and did not return for the afternoon shift.
Matt Ruesgen was a 26 year old man, a veteran of the U.S. Army and a man
with a reputation of being a bit of a tough character. He lived with his parents at 515
St. Andrew Street in La Crosse. John Studier was also 26 years old and himself was a
native of Amsterdam, New York. Both men were single.
Ruesgen drew his pay of $11.09 before he left the plant, and headed across
the street to a bar, where he drank a beer. After finishing his beer he returned to the
Button Factory to get his overalls and tools. In the afternoon he was again back at
the bar have a beer or two. He had purchased a 32 caliber Savage revolver two
weeks prior at the Fred Kroner Hardware store. He had told anyone who would listen
that he was to have been paid at least $14 for his recent button cutting. A strike was
threatened at the time of the weigh-in but, did not occur.
The facts of the incident came out in a coroner‟s jury held on June 14. Two
boys, Joseph and Elmer Johnson, 11 and 15 years old were across the street from
where the shooting took place. They saw Ruesgen draw his revolver and fire it at
Studier saying, “There, take that!” Ruesgen shot Studier three times and after the
man had fallen to the ground fired one more shot into him. After the shooting,
Ruesgen ran across the La Crosse River Bridge and along the Burlington Railroad
tracks and on into the marsh. Eventually, he ended up on the North Side of a La
Crosse, where he showed up at a friend‟s home there.
John Paliwoda, lived at 520 Loomis Street and had a woodshed on the back
part of his lot. Learning of the friendship that existed between Paliwoda and Ruesgen,
officers, William Horschak, Frank Groescher, and Timothy Mahoney along with
Detective Frank Youlton went to Paliwoda‟s home to search for Ruesgen. After
searching the home, the officers tried to search the woodshed on the property.
Finding it locked, they asked Paliwoda to provide the key to open it and he agreed to
the request. Upon opening the door, the officers found Matt Ruesgen hiding in a
166 Also see the book, We Walk, by Terry L. Hicks, 1994, it is in the collection of the La Crosse Public
Library.
146

corner of the shed. Asked whether he had a weapon or not, he told the officers he
had thrown the revolver into the La Crosse River. The Chief of police had taken a
death-bed statement from John Studier and he had indicated that Mr. McWille would
know who shot him and why.
Accidental Shooting of a Button Cutter, 1910
Just a few days after John Studier was shot and killed by Matt Ruesgen a
button cutter at the Pearl Button Company, Frank Bauer, and another button cutter
was shot and killed. This time though, it was not a murder or the result of a labor
dispute. Frank Bauer was accidentally shot and killed by Harry Nieber, a 14-year old
boy who was target shooting with a 22 caliber gun in the river bottoms. Nieber and
five other boys had been shooting at tin cans and swimming in the afternoon of the
accident. Firing the last shell, Harry fired at a tin can floating along in the La Crosse
River and missed, but, the bullet glanced off the water and struck Frank Bauer, killing
him. The distraught boy hid from his friends and family and was found alone crying
behind the school house at 6th and Vine Streets by his brother. Frank Bauer was
married.
Button Makers Drop Their Clamshells, 1911
The cutting department of the Wisconsin Pearl Button Company in La Crosse
struck the company in May of 1911. The company‟s manager, Mr. D.W. MacWillie
reported that the strikers had failed to accept several offers made by the company.
He told the local press that several towns along the Mississippi River were offering the
company bonuses to relocate there, in an attempt to scare the strikers into an early
settlement of the strike. The button cutting department of the company had the most
men employed at the highest wages of any other department in the company.
The striking button cutters held a union meeting at Malin‟s Hall (Fourth and Jay
Streets) and discussed their strike. The company was still holding to the proposal
that they be allowed to recall the striking button cutters as business required, the
union was holding out for a full recall. Mr. MacWillie, manager of the company,
submitted a proposal to the strikers whom immediately contacted their Labor
attorney, Fred Hartwell. A conference was held between the company and the union
and both parties told the press that a strike settlement was going to occur within 24hours.
True to their word, a settlement was reached the following day. The terms of
the agreement were kept secret by both sides. All remaining differences would be
settled by an arbitration committee. The button cutting department had been
removed to Lake City, Minnesota, but machinery was being installed at the La Crosse
plant, thusly employing more men than before the strike.
La Crosse Trades and Labor Council, organizer, John Rae, told the local press
that the button cutters strike was settled and the men were rapidly being called back.
Some of the striking button cutters wanted to reopen negotiations with the company
but, John Rae advised them to stick to the agreement. They were troubled with the
clause that allowed the company to recall workers as needed and not all at once.
These men also wanted stronger language in the agreement recognizing their union.
Button Company Good Employer
That was the headline of an article that appeared in the La Crosse Tribune in
August 1912. The Wisconsin Pearl Button Company had begun giving an annual picnic
for all of its employees in 1911. The Company picked up all expenses for this
employee event and chartered a Steamer, The Frontenac, and a barge, the
Mississippi, and hired a band to play for the workers as the steamer and barge worked
its way up the river to Dresden Park. The entire day was spent at the park.
147

Much of the article dealt with the employer/employee grievance process used
by the company for the mutual benefit of the company and the employees. Should
any complaint arise, a committee of employees (made up of three workers from the
affected department) may request to meet with the Board of Directors immediately to
resolve the problem. Should that not work they could then proceed to a board of
arbitration. This board was to be comprised of three members. One from the
company, one from the workers, and the third one to be mutually chosen by the
company and worker members‟ from the local community. The findings of this three
person board were to be binding on both parties and work was to continue during the
hearings.
Wisconsin Pearl Button Company Closed in 1933
The Hawkeye Pearl Button Company of Muscatine, Iowa purchased the stock
and equipment of the Wisconsin Pearl Button Company, disclosed Walter Erickson,
trustee of the Button factory in La Crosse. While the Hawkeye Company talked about
the possibility of reopening the La Crosse Plant, it was to remain closed forever as a
Button plant
1910, One Hundred Mill men Walk Out
The two factories of the Segelke & Kohlhaus Manufacturing Company saw one
hundred of the company‟s employees walk out on strike for an nine-hour workday, in
July of 1910. The men belonged to
Carpenter‟s Union Local 1308.
Negotiations had been ongoing for a
week. The men currently were working
ten-hour days.
The day after the strike occurred
it was reported that the employees of
the Hackner Factory were seeking
improvements in their working
conditions and wages also. The two
groups of union members met with
Labor Organizer Phillip Carlin of
Minneapolis in Centennial Hall to discuss
the issues. By the third day of the
strike, nine boys working in the plant
walked out in sympathy with the strikers.
Jobs for the striking workers were
promised by Organizer Carlin if this
became necessary.
A Tribune reporter attended a roll-call of the striking workers at Centennial Hall
on July 19 and reported in the paper that he heard 96 men answer the call. The
union reported that 10 of the strikers were on Militia Duty at Camp Douglas and that
the total number of union strikers was 112. No further news of this strike was
discovered in local newspaper microfilms and the result of it are unknown.
Barbers Pick Up Their Scissors, 1913
The barbers settled with their employers signed an agreement on April 1st
that gave the union men shorter hours of work. Their workday would be ten hours
and eleven hours a day on alternation weeks. The barbers were to earn $15 a week
and half of all the sales over and above $22 dollars.
148
Schubert’s Barber Shop, early 1940’s, located in local bank
building, Barbers Local 21
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library,
University of Wisconsin – La Crosse

Three-Year Contract signed by Brewers, 1913
Negotiations had been going on for thirty days between the brewers and their
union employees. It was reported in the paper that an agreement was nearly at
hand. The next day Mr. John Gannon, secretary of the Bottler‟s union, representing
the girls employed at the breweries, and Mr. Otto Martin, secretary of the Brewers
along with Mr. Otto Kowalke, secretary of the joint local executive board denied very
strongly that the quart of beer allowance enjoyed by each man each day had anything
to do with the strike. The agreement to which the employer and union came to is not
to be made public. 167
Ice Man Cometh Not! Labor Dispute, 1913
Teamsters of the companies involved in the ice and fuel business of
the city was members of Local 199. On April 7, they struck for higher wages and
shorter hours. L.C. Jenks of the Arctic Ice and Fuel Company reported to the media,
that the men wanted a wage increase and year-round employment. These workers
were currently being employed as full-time workers only six months out of each year.
They were seeking an increase of an additional month of work each year and a clause
in their contract calling for the employers to seek a union man at the union‟s
headquarters before being allowed to hire any non-union help, when extra help was
needed.
The next day that this was reported in the paper, union representatives‟
attorney Fred Hartwell and Trades and Labor Council Organizer John Rae, informed
the public that the icemen were now locked out, not on strike. The employer wanted
the union workers to sign individual working agreements, and was not prepared to
recognize the union at this time, they stated. Union representatives went into the
details of the companies‟ pricing schedules and allowed that as they were not enjoying
a price increase in the cost of materials, they could very well afford the wage increase
that the men were asking for.
Grosch and Mader, ice-dealers, answered the following day and argued that
they had kept their prices the same for the past sixteen years. Ceasing to offer fullseason
contracts was the only change they had adopted because of the increased cost
of storing ice, year-round packed in sawdust. Sawdust having increased in cost from
four dollars a ton up to almost six dollars a ton, while declining in quality. They asked
the public to examine the record of their production of high-quality ice procured from
the Mississippi River over the past fifteen years and to remember the high quality of
that product. 168
No Barrels Banded, 1913
La Crosse coopers had now been out on strike for a month. Reports appeared
in the papers stating that they were on strike because of a clause the employers
wished to insert in their labor contracts that would allow them to change the hourly
wage in the middle of the agreement if deemed necessary. It read; when other
competing machine-union factories are not paying less. This is accepted by the local
coopers would be disastrous and the brewers knew it full well. After a months‟
duration of being out on strike and having constructed no barrels, the coopers were
counting on a shortage of the kegs and barrels to have its affect. Henry Knoch of
Milwaukee was in town as a representative of the Coopers National Union and he was
assisting the men and encouraging them to stand firm. A La Crosse Tribune reporter
stated that the local brewers told him that they were indeed facing a severe shortage
167 La Crosse Morning Chronicle, August 28, 1902
168 La Crosse Tribune, April 1, 1913
149

and that they had ordered two boxcar loads of kegs and barrels from suppliers in St.
Louis and Chicago. 169
Drop That Tin, 1913
Sheet metal workers signed up four firms out of the fifteen that employed their
members during this same time. Vice President Henry Rumpel of the National Union
had been in town assisting them. John Rae of the Trades and Labor Council reported
that eighteen men were out on strike between the remaining unsigned shops and that
this included two corrugating and roofing firms. Another issue for these craftsmen
was the length of their workdays, they were asking for a nine-hour day, down one
hour from the ten-hour days currently being required. 170
Carpenters‟ Wage Scale Settled
E. Melvin, of the Carpenters International Union held several meetings with the
carpenters and their employers and was able to guide them both to an acceptable
contract. The wage scale for carpenters under the new agreement was to be 65 cents
an hour for the first year and 75 cents an hour during the second year of the contract.
This amounted to a raise from the current wage scale of 50 cents per hour, affecting
about 100 local carpenters. The 50 cents an hour rate was a pre-war wage agreed
upon at the time of that era‟s cost-of-living.
Box Company Struck, Coopers Remain Out, Metal Workers Too, 1913
The employees of the La Crosse Box Company also were out on strike in
another local dispute. Manager William L. Joosten reported that ten of the firms‟
seventeen employees had left the job after being refused a wage increase. Box
makers and coopers remained out on strike and the sheet metal workers were given
union-work in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Green Bay, Oshkosh and Aurora,
while they held out.
Henry Rumpel returned to town and reported that if the employers of the sheet
metal workers did not come to terms with the men he would place the case before the
La Crosse Trades and Labor Council for additional actions. These actions represent a
sampling of the labor actions that were occurring in the La Crosse area during the
summer of 1913. 171
More Strikes During, 1913
On April 1, 1913, an outbreak of strikes and labor disputes erupted in the city
The journeymen barbers signed an agreement with their employers that while not
giving them all they wished did gain them a wage boost and a shorter workday.
Previously, they had been working a workweek of eleven-hour days. Now, they were
to have a workweek of ten-hour days, alternated by a week of eleven-hour days. On
the wage issue, they were to receive ten dollars a week and fifty percent of all profits
earned each day, which exceeded an amount in excess of twenty-two dollars. At the
same time that the barbers were settling their contract, the brewers were continuing
to negotiate with their employers. Fred Hartwell was the union‟s attorney and he
announced that the brewery owners were close to coming to an agreement with their
union workers.
Ice and Fuel Teamsters remained off the job, even though their contract had
expired. Sheet Metal workers also kept working, without contracts. For thirty days,
169 La Crosse Tribune, May 2, 1013
170 Ibid., May 14, 1913
171 Ibid.
150

the brewery workers had been toiling without the benefit of a new contract. Otto
Kowalke, John Gannon, Otto Martin, Sheldon Weber, H. Heberlein and Louis Schreiber
were the union representatives that were trying to come to agreeable terms with the
owners. John Rae of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council, and John Rader of the
International Union were assisting them. The union representatives refuted the claim
that was made in the local press that one of the sticking points was the daily quota of
a quart of beer, allowed each worker on the job. 172
Equal Rights for Women Debate, North side of Town, 1913
During this month, an interesting public debate occurred at the Franklin Club,
located on the north side of town. The question being debated was, “Resolved, that
the state of Wisconsin should enact a minimum wage law of eight dollars a week for
women.” The jury ruled against those that argued in favor of the resolution, and
sided with those that opposed the question. The main theme of the argument was
whether or not low wages were the prevailing cause of a lowering of the moral code of
women.
Those speaking against the question cited saloons, the wine room, and the
back alley as the leading causes of immorality. Low wages were cited as not being
the reason, they reasoned.
Unorganized girls do not make a living wage and often were forced to turn to
immoral means to make a living, the supporters of the question argued. “We are on
the wrong track,” said a Mr. Baker. “A man will arise some day that will be strong
willed enough to wipe out these evils,” he said.
The view was not shared by local labor leader D.L. Wartinbee, who countered
saying, “the proposed enactment is to allow women to have the benefits of life. A
man or women today working for little or nothing has nothing to look forward to in
life. Why should one person live in a mansion, and another in a hovel in a country
that overflows in riches?”
Professor Harry Spence argued against the resolution saying, “more girls would
leave school in order to work and have more money than their parents could give
them. Girls would not make any better use of eight dollars a week than of four
dollars. A high wage scale would allow the girls to lie off occasionally and this would
make factory conditions bad. Girls have not the interest in work that men have, as
they do not look into the future welfare of the business they are working for, as they
expect to marry someday.” 173
Today we view these opinions as repulsive to our sensibilities, but to
understand the philosophies of the leaders of this era, and their treatment of the
issues of the day, these views must be examined in light of the conditions existing in
1913. The equal treatment of women workers was a long way off in 1913, and on
some points, is still a long ways off yet today!
Candy Makers Ask for Longer Work Day for Girls Employed by Them, 1913
Eight candy manufacturers in Milwaukee applied to the State Industrial
Commission to amend the work day regulations and allow them to work their women
employees longer than 10 hours a day during „rush‟ periods of seasonal candy orders.
They told the commission that they could not produce enough candy in a 10-hour shift
to meet the demands of order during holiday periods.
The commission denied their request. They stated that is was the decision of
the commission to keep the hours of employment limited to the 10-hours that already
172 La Crosse Tribune, April 1 and 2, 1913
173 Ibid., April 4, 1913
151

existed. They said that in investigating the conditions of women‟s employment it was
found that in most industries women‟s hours of work should be decreased instead of
being increased. It also found that higher pay would reduce the problems of finding
enough workers to produce the amount of product needed during times of high
demand, as well as improving the quality of the finished product.
Then the commission made what today would be a highly controversial
statement they said, “That women must be protected by the state because the
welfare of the race is dependent upon them.” This was a telling symptom of the
societal mores of the era.
1913, Bottlers Strike at Gund‟s Brewery
Emil Putsch had been a President of the Bottlers Union at the Gund Brewery.
He was offered a job as a foreman (assistant superintendent was his official job title)
there and accepted it. Apparently, the promotion went to his head as he was cited as
the reason for the strike. The Bottlers Union asked for the discharge or removal of
Putsch at the brewery. When denied this request a strike was called. Putsch was
declared too unfair to continue working with. The Union held a meeting at Centennial
Hall and took a strike vote, which was approved.
The 60 men belonging to the union reported to work and cleaned up all work
they had underway, as well as cleaning the machines. One man was allowed to stay
on the job to load city delivery wagons. The day after the strike began, Emil Putsch
resigned his job. So ended this short strike. 174
1914, Shortage of Working Women in La Crosse!
A shortage of women willing to work in housework, stores, offices and factories
was cited by a labor expert of the United according to Mr. Philips of that bureau. "Is
La Crosse a Girl less Town, For They Sure Are Few”, said Mr. Phillips. He complained
that his phone was ringing all day long with requests for women workers for jobs in
the city. He stated that he just couldn‟t find any. In other labor matters in the month
of May, Reuben Knutson was charged with arranging a large labor section for the
Memorial Day Parade in honor of the recently won war, and to demonstrate labor‟s
support and effort in this event.
The Tumultuous Year of 1919
The Labor Council and the La Crosse labor movement would have World War I
to deal with early in the decade and then would close out the era with a the onset of a
city-wide labor dispute. This would prove to be a pivotal time in the formation of the
behavior of the forces of labor and management in the city for many years to follow.
And, in fact, it would proof to be the first and last city-wide labor dispute ever to take
place in La Crosse to date.
An interesting anecdote detailing the attitude of some towards the idle worker
appeared in the March 28, 1919 La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press. A reporter
wrote, “Deluge of Tramps Heralds Arrival of Spring Here The tramp season is open in
La Crosse. The bunk room door of the Mill Street police station, rusty from months of
disuse, squeaked open last night to admit twelve knights of the road who arrived in
side-door Pullmans from parts of the compass during the afternoon and evening.
Most of the vags were young men who, in a spirit of adventure are roaming around
the country without funds, but in the party were a few old-time weary willies who
never worked and never will, except under duress.”
174 La Crosse Tribune, March 20, 21, 1913
152

Deal With Unions or Bolshevists
The headline in the La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press of March 29, 1919
read; Deal With Unions Or With Bolshevists Warns Labor Chief In Address. A crowd
exceeding 500 in number attended a lecture on March 27 and heard G.W. Perkins,
president of the Cigarmakers International Union give in a concluding speech that
closed a two-day conference of a Readjustment Conference of Western Wisconsin. In
part he told the crowd, “The trades union movement is the only movement right now
that can advance wages, shorten hours, protect labor and get decent working
conditions. It can‟t be done by the pulpit or press. It must be done by the working
men and women, organized to demand their fair share of what they produce. The
manufacturers and the big industries, particularly the trusts, will either deal with a
bonafide trade‟s union movement or have a bolshevist‟s movement on their hands
that they won‟t like to deal with.”
Mainly comprised of union men and women the audience nevertheless had a
number of business owners and manufacturers present. The event was hosted by the
University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. Prohibition was a subject that elicited a few
questions from the audience. It was known as the NO BEER NO WORK, movement.
Mr. Perkins answered, “I‟m not a prohibitionist, and there is too much interference
with personal liberty on the part of alleged reformers. But I am asked if the
prohibition movement will mean serious labor trouble. I answer no. Prohibition has
been passed by legal and conventional methods. We may protest and ask for the
repeal of the law, but I do not believe there will be a strike.”
Socialism was another topic that brought a question to the speaker and he
said, “Economic democracy as understood by labor does not mean socialism.” He
added, “We are interested in right treatment not in financial management of
industry.” The current cost-of-living concerns raised a number of queries also. “Buy
from yourselves, and you will kill socialism in a holy minute. Let me tell you that
dividing up all the wealth in the country won‟t make us all bloated capitalists. There‟s
not enough!”
IBEW Electricians Strike on May Day, 1919
On May Day, the local electricians experienced a short-lived strike in La
Crosse. They struck for higher wages and an eight-hour workday and for overtime
pay. The carpenters also joined in and asked for a closed shop as well. Their
contracts having expired at the time the electrician‟s strike had begun. IBEW
(International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) organizer John Lyons came to town
and went to work helping the local electricians with their contract demands. A
settlement was soon reached and the licensing of electricians was agreed upon, union
hiring practices started, but a closed-shop agreement was denied. However, a costof-living
clause was granted and the City of La Crosse was charged with enforcing an
electrical inspection ordinance at this time. 175
175 La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press, May 1, 2, 3, and 6, 1915
153

Molders Strike, 1919, Involves La Crosse Tractor Foundry
The La Crosse Tractor
Foundry shut down its
operation on May 2nd. The
union men consider the
closing of the plant a lock-out.
They had recently asked for a
wage boost. The
superintendent stated that the
shutdown was due to a lack of
work. In fact J.B. Highland,
the superintendent said, “We
are through with our
production of castings.” And,
Tribune ad from May 18, 1919
he continued, “we have closed the foundry for an
indefinite period. When we will reopen depends
entirely upon business during the next six weeks or so.
All of our schedules are finished and we now have on
hand 900 tractors on the north side.” He responded
further with, “This is not a lock-out.”
As for the 30 men that were out of work the
superintendent admitted that they had recently asked
for a wage scale of 72 ½ cents an hour. Reuben
Knutson the local labor organizer told the press that
the union strikers were not ready to make any
comment. He did note though that the foreman of the
foundry had just hired a man as a molder and
informed the new hire that if he knew of two or three
other molders he could put them to work right away.
The molders and machine operators of the
National Gauge and Equipment Company and the
Torrance and James foundries along with the La Crosse
Tractor Company were awaiting a reply to their request
for wages of 72 ½ cents per hour. 176
Barbers and Carpenters Submit Wage Scales, 1919
Two weeks ago the barbers submitted a wage scale to the owners of the cities
barber shops. They asked for a raise of $2 a week. This would amount to wages of
176 La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press, May 2, 1919
Funk Boiler Works circa 1905-1908
La Crosse Foundries in 1900 employed 108 workers
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
154

$20 a week and 60% of all money earned in the shop over $30 a week. The
carpenters were also waiting for an answer to their request for wage increases. They
hand called for an International Representative to assist them in negotiations. The
barbers settled their wage demands the following day, when it was reported at their
union meeting that the employers agreed to the wage requests.
Molders Strike, 1919
This strike would involve the National Gauge Company, James Foundry and the
Torrance Foundry. Fifty-three molders, machine operators and apprentices in four La
Crosse factories went on strike. They made a wage demand of 72 ½ cents per hour.
The walkout in the James Foundry and the National Gauge Equipment Company
happened after the union consulted with La Crosse organizes Reuben Knutson of the
La Crosse Building and Trades Council. At the Torrance Foundry the men working
there finished up the work that remained to be done in their shop and then left their
jobs. Molders and machine operators at the La Crosse Plow Company were still
working, but, they agreed that they would not take any work away from the striking
workers at the other three plants where the men were on strike.
Barbers Scissor‟s Still Silent
The barbers and carpenters were still on strike the same issue of the
newspaper reported. 177 Four additional men walked out on strike from the National
Gauge Equipment Company. The Gauge announced the same day that they were
adopting an eight-hour work day and that they were granting an increase in wages of
a 5%. This wage amounted to an increase of two to three cents per hour. 178
Trouble Breaks Out at the National Gauge Company
Trouble began on the North side of La Crosse in May when an apprentice
molder deserted the strikers and came out of the factory on a Thursday evening after
finishing work. He was met by three Molders and four apprentices, Federal Labor
Union members whom had struck on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. John
Miller (John Mueller) was the name of the apprentice who had returned to work and
had crossed the picket line. It all began when a new hire was approached by
picketers and engaged in an argument with the union picketers. The picketers
admitted to laying a hand on the shoulder of the picket-crossing worker but, denied
threatening him at all. F.A. Richter, the Superintendent of the Plant was nearby in his
auto and when he spotted the incident, and he got out of his auto and told the strikers
that they could speak with the man but, must keep their hands off of him.
The union men insist that Mr. Richter used abusive language in giving these
instructions to them. An official of the company told the press that witnesses assured
him that the rough talk was started by the picketers. R.G. Knutson, the AFL union
organizer had suspected troubled might be brewing and was also on site to keep an
eye on things that evening. The picketers said that an office employee of the
company was also handing about and that he stated that he would, “like to take a
poke” at some of the picketers.
Organizer Knutson, cautioned the strikers to hold their tempers and restrain
from any violence. Knutson spoke to the La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press, and
told them, “One of the owners of this plant recently told me he would fire an
employee for calling union man a union blackguard, just as quickly as he would fire a
union employee for calling a non-union man a scab blackguard.” Continuing he
177 Ibid., May 9, 1919
178 La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press, May 8, 1919
155

stated, “I hope this affair comes to his attention. It is just as much an assault to call
a man a vile name as to strike him, and it takes less courage. You can‟t call a man a
bad name and get away with it. Just because he is a workman; he‟s human, and he‟ll
fight if you abuse him.” Finishing his statement he said, “We‟re not looking for any
trouble, but if trouble is to be avoided both sides must treat the other fellow
decently.” 179
The La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press editorialized in the paper, under a
heading, The Better Way to Run a Strike. The article was pro-union in the sense that
it noted that good wages make good consumers for the local economy. It cautioned
both sides of a labor dispute to use common sense and to keep the discussions civil.
Interestingly enough, the editor noted that the 1909 streetcar strike was won due to
the help of the crowd that sympathized with the striking workers.
The following day another editorial was published. It had the header, The Gulf
Between Employer and Men. It stated that the employer felt the molders‟ wage
demands were excessive and if granted would result in an operating loss for the
National Gauge and Equipment Company. The newspaper discussed the value of
unions and unionized workers and made a case for the value of them. In part it
stated, “We do not presume to run other people‟s business for them. We hazard no
opinion as to the merits of any specific wage controversy. But we do believe that in
collective bargaining lies the best treatment of all wage questions.” 180
Tribune Calls For Calm
The La Crosse Tribune had an editorial on this subject in the next days‟ paper.
They editorialized on the way to run a strike and advised the strikers to keep the
public good will, by remaining cool and calm on the picket line. The Tribune
remembered past labor history of La Crosse and the value of good public relations
when it advised the strikers. The La Crosse streetcar strike was won largely with the
help of the crowd that walked and sympathized. That friendly feeling exists today. It is
worth keeping. But the sympathy of the masses depends upon orderly procedure.
Every avoidable sign of violence is a mistake.”
This was not the only labor supportive editorial to emanate from the local
paper, the following day had another one. The paper wrote on the difference between
the men and their employers in the molder‟s strike. The paper addressed the claims of
the employers that union contracts and the wage demands coming from them would
deprive them of the ability to make enough profits to stay in business.
The paper made the case for workers and said that, “The American trade
unionist is a man of considerable education. He is level headed. He hasn‟t the
slightest notion of tearing down the plant, or destroying its business, or in other words
of biting off his own nose to spite his face. He wants factories to exist, and he wants
them to make money, because he wants his share of the money they make, and the
more they make the bigger his share will be. He‟ll demand as good wages as the plant
can pay, but he will not make demands that will destroy the business, which is HIS
business-not if he knows it.” The press did not stop there.
The editorial went on and stated, “That is just where the non-union plants
suffer, in our opinion. The men seldom really know much about the actual status of
the business, because their leaders are usually barred from the firm‟ confidence. We
believe from our own experience m the past fourteen years in which we have
conducted a union plant that if the factories now involved in strikes had been
unionized on a friendly basis when the strike questions arose, everything would have
been settled without a man leaving his job. As it is they are deadlocked-And why are
179
La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press, May 9, 1919
180
Ibid., May 10, 1919
156

they deadlocked? Simply because they can‟t get together.” The editor had even
stronger words of praise for unionized workplaces to come!
“We do not presume to run other people‟s business for them.” “We are not
inexperience. We deliberately chose trades unionism as the medium through which we
would deal with the men associated with us in this industry. We have found it
wonderfully satisfactory. We are impressed, and marvel that not all others are
impressed, by the fact that modem labor troubles are largely confined to non-union
plants. Than unionism there exists no other avenue for the uniform, fair and
practically permanent settlement of industrial disputes. As fast as men cease to fight
it, and turn to intelligent cooperation with it, there will be peace and a larger measure
of justice to both employer and employee.”
Picket Line Crosser, His Side of the Story
The worker that was accused of crossing the picket line at the National Gauge
Company (John Miller 181 ) John Mueller has his side of story told in a statement MADE
to the La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press newspaper. "I am not a scab. I am not
and never was a molder‟s apprentice. Jam not taking the place of a striking molder.
Jam working on the same bench I have occupied for the past ten months, doing the
same class of work. I did not, as was said in the newspapers, go out on Wednesday
and then desert the strikers. I did not strike, or quit, at all.” Mr. Mueller went on in
the article to state that he was a member of a federal union that was not called out on
strike. He further stated that there were an additional 164 members of this union,
who also were at work at the plant. 182
He wondered out loud why he was being singled out for this embarrassment.
Trades and Labor Council organizer, Reuben Knutson was not long in responding to
the public comments of Mr. Mueller. Mr. Knutson stated that he could not let the
statements of Mr. Mueller go unanswered and several had asked that he unionists to
publicly reply. He said in answer, “In the first place, I wish to say that if my
experience and service in the labor movement has qualified me to make an intelligent
statement relative to this situation, then I will say that Mr. John Mueller who went
back to work at the National Gauge and Equipment Company, fills about all the
requirements to be called what he have been called.” 183
Knutson explained that Mr. Mueller was indeed a member of the federal trade
union at the Gauge, but that he was one of four molders at that plant, that were the
only workers asked to honor the molders strike. He also stated that Mueller received
at strike call in front of thirty witnesses and agreed to the details. 184
The molders union held their regularly scheduled union meeting a few days later and
at it Mr. John V. Mueller was fined $25. He was also expelled from the union for
crossing the picket line. Mr. Mueller did not attend to defend himself. Mueller had sent
in his resignation, but this was rejected. This closed the case on this matter.
An apprentice molder crossed the picket line at the National Gauge and
Equipment Company and had words with the picketers there. John Miller reported he
was called a scab and the office workers of the company in turn, shared a few insults
with the union picketers. Reuben Knutson, organizer for the Trades and Labor Council
was on hand to keep things from getting violent. Both union and management leaders
spoke of the difficulty in keeping emotions from overruling reason during these
situations. 185
181
Spelled this way in the newspaper of May 9, 1919.
182
La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press, May 11, 1919
183
Ibid.
184
Ibid., May 13, 1919
185
La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press, May 11-17, 1919
157

Green Bay Labor Leader Speaks at Eagle‟s Club
Paul Huybrecht of Green Bay spoke to a crowd of about 60 union men at the
Eagles Club in La Crosse on May Day. He called their attention to the lockout by the
La Crosse Tractor Factory of that very afternoon. He spoke of the cause of unionism
so eloquently that he succeeded in signing up many of the listeners in the Machinists
Union, he represented. Mr. Huybrecht advised the listeners to elect union men to local
school boards, and other elective offices, if they wanted to see an improvement in
their lives. 186
Foundry‟s Turn Off the Forges
Foundry workers and molders found themselves out on strike at several plants
in La Crosse in early May. The foundry of the La Crosse Tractor Company posted a
bulletin that announced the shutting down of the plant indefinitely, just hours after
the Union workers had asked for a raise. This threw about fifty men out of work. J.B.
Highland, the plant superintendent claimed that the shutdown was not a lockout. We
are through with our production of cast as. We have closed the foundry for an
indefinite period. When we will reopen depends entirely upon business during the next
six weeks or so. All our schedules are finished and we now have on hand about 900
tractors on the north side.
This is not a lockout. I had that report come to me from two or three sources
but everything is wide open here, the doors and gates are not closed. On January 1
we figured on so much production and we have the schedule here to show for it. That
schedule is out and there is no more work so long as the tractors we have here do not
move.”
By the next day the picture had changed a bit. Now the molders and machine
operators and their apprentices in four factories were out on strike. Along with the La
Crosse Tractor Company, the James Foundry, the National Gauge and Equipment
Company and the Torrance Foundry were on strike. All these workers were out for a
wage of 72 1/2 cents an hour. Mr. Wilkerson of the International was in town to assist
the strikers.
Plow Company, Unfair Says Local Labor
(Purchased by Allis-Chalmers in 1929)
The failure of the La Crosse Plow Company to accept the War Labor Boards‟
finding in the case of a man recently fired from the concern caused the La Crosse
Trades and Labor Council to pass a resolution placing the La Crosse Plow Company on
the „unfair‟ list of employers. The company had told U.S. Conciliator they fired Mr.
Albert Reichgeld because he had joined Blacksmiths‟ Local 468 and was actively
recruiting other Plow employees to join that union. The vice president of the factory,
Mr. Harry Hirschheimer, admitted to Mr. Reichgeld and Rueben Knutson that Mr.
Reichgeld had not used company time to talk union business with anyone at the Plow
Company.
The War Labor Board then informed Hirschheimer, “Whereas, it is a clearly
established fact that the discharged employee was not using the time of his employer
or his other employees in his activities, and it would therefore be considered as
„legitimate trade union activities‟ according to the principles and policies promulgated
by President Wilson‟s proclamation and established by the national war labor board,
which clause reads, to-wit: Employers should not discharge workers for membership
in trade unions nor for legitimate trade union activities.
186 La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press, May 2, 1919
158

After all
honorable means at our
command locally has
been used we appealed
to the U.S. Department
of labor for the services
of a commissioner of
conciliation who arrived
about September 26th,
and after several
conferences with Mr.
Hirschheimer failed to
secure a settlement
through conciliatory
methods, this being our
last resort to secure a
settlement, the matter
was then submitted to
the national war labor
Allis Chalmers Factory circa 1940
board. The board found
in favor of the union and instructed Mr. Hirschheimer to return Mr. Reichgeld to his
job with back pay. Mr. Hirschheimer refused to do so.
The Labor Council then officially declared the company unfair and asked people to not
purchase any of the products manufactured by La Crosse Plow until they complied
with the labor board‟s order.
The War Board had found in favor of the employee and his union in a ruling
dated March 5, 1919, and stated that Albert Reichgeld should be reinstated and paid
for lost time. The hearing had been held during the winter of 1918. Reuben Knutson
gave the ruling to the La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press for publication. The case
was Docket No. 675. The ruling stated:
1. Right To Organize
The principles upon which this board is founded to guarantee the right of employees
to organize and bargain collectively and there should be no discrimination or coercion
directed against proper activities of this kind. Employees in the exercise of their right
to organize should not use coercion measures of any kind to compel persons to join
their unions, nor to reduce employers to bargain or deal with their unions.
As the right of workers to bargain collectively through committees is
recognized by the board, the company shall recognize and deal with such committees
after they have been constituted by the employees.
2. Reinstatement of Discharged Employees
The right of the workers of this company to organize in trade unions or to join the
same and bargain collectively is affirmed. We therefore recommend that Albert
Reichgeld, who was discharged on July 10, be paid for the time lost since his
dismissal, minus any earnings received by him for services rendered in other
employment. We recommend this action because the evidence shows that his work
was satisfactory and that his dismissal was due to his union affiliation and activity.
The failure of the La Crosse Plow Company to accept the War Labor Boards‟
finding in the case of a man recently fired from the concern caused the La Crosse
Trades and Labor Council to pass a resolution placing the La Crosse Plow Company on
the „unfair‟ list of employers. The company had told U.S. Conciliator they fired Mr.
Albert Reichgeld because he had joined Blacksmiths‟ Local 468 and was actively
recruiting other Plow employees to join that union. The vice president of the factory,
159

Mr. Harry Hirschheimer, admitted to Mr. Reichgeld and Rueben Knutson that Mr.
Reichgeld had not used company time to talk union business with anyone at the Plow
Company.
The War Labor Board then informed Hirschheimer, “Whereas, it is a clearly
established fact that the discharged employee was not using the time of his employer
or his other employees in his activities, and it would therefore be considered as
„legitimate trade union activities‟ according to the principles and policies promulgated
by President Wilson‟s proclamation and established by the national war labor board,
which clause reads, to-wit: Employers should not discharge workers for membership
in trade unions nor for legitimate trade union activities.
After all honorable means at our command locally has been used we appealed
to the U.S. Department of labor for the services of a commissioner of conciliation who
arrived about September 26th, and after several conferences with Mr. Hirschheimer
failed to secure a settlement through conciliatory methods, this being our last resort
to secure a settlement, the matter was then submitted to the national war labor
board. The board found in favor of the union and instructed Mr. Hirschheimer to
return Mr. Reichgeld to his job with back pay. Mr. Hirschheimer refused to do so.
The Labor Council then officially declared the company unfair and asked people to not
purchase any of the products manufactured by La Crosse Plow until they complied
with the labor board‟s order.
Plow Factory Still Tilling Along
Molders and machine operators were still at work at the La Crosse Plow Factory
but these union workers had agreed not to accept the work of any of the foundry men
or their firms that were out on strike. Mr. Wilkerson said that the men were asking for
a contract that would pay them 80 cents an hour and give them an eight-hour day of
work. Contracts with the carpenters and barbers were up at this time also, said
Reuben Knutson, organizer for the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council.
The foundry men of the Torrance Foundry finished up all the work on hand,
and walked off the job. Mr. William Torrance said that when he received orders for
more work, he would speak to the strikers about the wage issue.
History of the Torrance Foundry
John Torrance learned the molder‟s trade in Glasgow, Scotland. In 1852 he
immigrated to the United States, living in Troy and Delhi, New York. On January 24,
1857 a son was born to him who he named William, at Adairsville, Kentucky where
John Torrance was working as a molder. In 1858 the family moved to Houston
County, Minnesota. In the spring of 1859 the family moved to La Crosse. Torrance
was employed in La Crosse by the Leach and Paul Foundry. By 1863 Torrance was
the foreman of this foundry. In 1863, John Torrance and Archibald Gould stated a
foundry at the foot of State Street. This burnt down in 1865. In November, 1876 the
John Torrance and Son La Crosse Foundry was started up. It was located near 2nd
and La Crosse Streets. The first metal was poured there in January 4, 1877. The
building was destroyed by fire on May 17, 1882 and the foundry relocated to 116 Jay
Street.
This company originally cast parts for stoves and repaired parts for river
barges and steamboats. The company cast some of the steel and iron used to
construct the La Crosse River Bridge. By 1940 the company had moved to molding
iron castings and steel products for construction work. William Torrance the son, and
grandson, Meredith Torrance ran the company in 1940.
Today, Trane Company is one of the largest customers of the foundry.
Containing two huge furnaces, the foundry heats iron to a temperature of 2,750
160

degrees Fahrenheit prior to pouring in moulds for the many products it manufactures.
The products range from 1 pound to 450 pounds. Most of the customers of the
foundry are located in the Midwest. The pig iron used by the foundry is imported from
Brazil and Russia. The company employs 80 people.
Powder Noses and Out They Go Upon Marinello Strike, 1919
So read the headline about the women workers of the Marinello plant, on
South Fifth Street. Eighteen girls stopped filling the white jars of cold cream and
walked out on a strike. However, according to a Miss Hattie Chamberlain, plant
superintendent, they quit. “The girls quit, it isn‟t a strike. They can‟t come back; a
couple of disgruntled ones made the rest go. We‟ve filled all their places. We had a
hundred applications on the waiting list. If they intended it for a strike they planned it
poorly.” This dispute arose, over a changeover from weekly wages to piecework. The
company was dragging its‟ feet in setting rates, and the workers grew frustrated and
angry.
Gompers Comes Out Swinging!, 1919
President Gompers rejected the offers of those who wanted to create an
honorary office for him in the AFL because they felt he was war-torn. He had recently
suffered the death of his wife, and a serious illness of his daughter. He was injured in
an accident and was thought to be worn-out from the just completed world war
experiences. He did not want this pity or sympathy however. "The enemies of the
American Federation of Labor, who would weaken or destroy it, have every year
publicly avowed their determination to defeat me at each forthcoming convention.
They hid their hatred of the American Federation of Labor by aiming their
shafts of bitterness and opposition at me. I am neither war-torn, nor weary of the
work. I am not a quitter, nor can there be any easy berth provided for me. I shall be
the president of the American Federation of Labor or a worker among the rank and
file. Those who want to get rid of me as president of the American Federation of Labor
will not have to try their hand at the convention, where the bona fide delegates will
have their right of selection, nor can I be coaxed out of service by a pretense of over
kindness. When ferreted down, the rumor that I desire to retire from the presidency
of the American Federation of Labor, will be found in the wish of someone who hates
me for my Americanism or for my loyalty to the cause of labor, and who has
conceived the this gentle method of trying to dispatch me from the field of active work
in the great cause of labor, justice and humanity.”
Organizer Reuben Knutson was elected as a delegate to the AFL convention in
Atlantic City for 1919. Mr. Knutson reported that although President Gompers was
showing his age a bit, he felt he was still capable of doing the work of the Federations‟
Presidential office. President Woodrow Wilson, he reported, sent a lengthy telegram
which recounted the large role labor played in winning World War I, and that he was
sending Secretary of Labor William Wilson to the convention.
Alderman W. Roellig Asks for 8-Hour Day for City Workers, 1919
George Bradish was reappointed as the city engineer by Mayor Arthur Bentley.
At the common council meeting at which this occurred alderman W. Roellig introduced
a resolution calling for an eight-hour work day for all city employees. The resolution
called for hours of work from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each week day. The proposal kept
the wage rates the same for the reduced hours of work. A discussion of this 8-hour
work day proposal sparked a discussion about those workers in the city‟s fire
department. City Attorney Oscar Sweenes was to present a legal opinion on the
question.
161

Railroad Shop men Strike Milwaukee Road Shops, 1919
One hundred machinists, boilermakers and blacksmiths walked out of the
Milwaukee Road shops on August 6, 1919. The striking shop men attended a meeting
at Fjelstad‟s Hall that evening. Burlington Shop men were awaiting word from their
business agent as to whether or not they were to walk out also. This walkout was a
part of a larger strike across the country and state. The La Crosse terminal was the
last station to shut down on the line.
Due to the many brotherhoods that represented the various railroad workers in
the La Crosse shops a call for a federated craft organization was going to be
addressed at the meeting of the union workers that evening. Maintenance and Way
union workers were threatening to join the strike in La Crosse very soon after the first
wave of strikers hit the streets. Word was received from their business agent in
Washington, D. C. to stay on the job until the mediators and negotiators there had a
chance to work things out. But if the men were requested to do the work or duties of
any of the striking workmen, they were to walk out immediately. 187
Federated Craft Union Formed For Railroad Unions
A Federated Crafts Organization was successfully formed at Fjelstad‟s Hall and
Officers were elected. John Johnson, of the machinists was elected president, John
Pelkofer of the blacksmiths was elected vice president. W.W. Schabarker of the
machinists, Godfrey of the boilermakers, Allen of the sheet metal workers, and White
of the electrical workers were officers also. This would now allow the brotherhoods to
strike in masse should the need arise. William Kathary, President of the Burlington
Machinists Brotherhood wired their Business Agent, Felix Ekland and asked for word
on whether the C.B. & Q members should join the strike.
Maintenance and Way Local 509 Joins Strike
125 members of the BMWE union went on strike at the Milwaukee Yards on
August 8. They had voted 68 to 4 to do so. A large number of non-union workers in
the yards also walked out with them in sympathy of the union strikers. The railroad
reported that
freight was
running late
and that only a
small amount
of it was in the
freight house
in La Crosse.
This
was
contemplated,
despite the
decision by
their
International
in Detroit that
they remain
on the job.
Local tensions
may have
187 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, August 6, 1919
CB & Q R.R. Roundhouse, North side La Crosse, 1939
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
162

added fuel to the sympathy of these workers to walk out. “One of the striking railroad
workers told the local press, “It is the most quiet strike so far that we have ever
experienced.” For the present time, the strikers were told to cease from gathering in
any numbers throughout the city, to stay away from the Railroad shops and to stay at
home, in fact.
Strike News
Word had been received overnight that the men at Dubuque, Savannah and
North McGregor had struck now. The foremen of the railroad shops were left on the
job by the union and they hurriedly put away the acetylene welders to safeguard the
shop from accidental fires. Then they too might be called out on strike. Reuben
Knutson, the local AFL organizer reported that for now the Burlington and C.B. & Q.
workers were going to remain on the job.
William Kathary, Burlington R.R. Machinist Union President, wired their
business agent on the strike matter in La Crosse. A rumor circulated that the
railroads had created a new job position that they called a Assistant Locomotive
Engineer and were going to use them for the machinist work that was left undone by
.the strikers. The BLET president denied any such movement. Another rumor
started that the strikers would be drafted and sent back to work on the railroad. “This
thing will be settled peacefully, unless radical steps like this are suggested.” He
added, “We‟ll fight before we go to work on the point of a bayonet.”
Special Police Guard Roundhouse
During this dispute, the Milwaukee Railroad, to keep the unionists out of the
roundhouse and yards, hired special police. Two clerks were still at work in La Crosse,
because the union did not want to interfere with time sheets or the local payroll
duties. The north side of La Crosse soon had over two hundred and fifty railroad men
on strike and sitting at home. It was a very quiet strike. Many of the men were
reported to be keeping busy fishing or working as laborers elsewhere. The engineers
were still on the job and the feeling among the other brotherhoods was that they
would not find any meals for sale on the north side of town today and would have to
plan on eating elsewhere. Railroad officials in hopes called union leaders to a meeting
of luring them back to work, without success. The Burlington men still remained on
the job, and prospects of them joining the strike seemed less likely. Locally the men
had this to say about the strike.
“This strike is not only for higher wages, but also as a giant protest against the
high cost of living and the general order of things, which, if continued in its present
form, cannot be endured.” Some leaders felt a settlement was imminent while others
were not so confident. 188
The author‟s grandfather, Joseph B. Malay, was a member of BMWE Local 509
at the time of this strike. He had joined the union in 1918 when he was hired on as a
section laborer in June of 1918. He worked as a section laborer until December of
1921 when he was assigned as a Crossing Watchman. In January of 1923 he went to
work in the C.B. & Q. roundhouse. In April of 1925 he briefly worked in the freight
house. By April of 1925 he was working as an engine wiper in the track department.
From April of 1925 until the end of 1931 he worked as a section laborer. From 1932
until his retirement on May 15, 1963 he was a section foreman. He last held that job
at the Railroad section known as Calvert.
Joseph Benjamin Malay‟s father, James Benjamin Malay also was a member of
BMWE Local 509. He hired on in August 1, 1900 on the C.B. & Q. R.R. as a section
188 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, August 8, 1919
163

laborer. He worked as such until May 25, 1911. From May 12, 1911 until his
retirement on November 30, 1937 he served as a section foreman.
225 Men Out On Strike, Engineers Won‟t Eat, They Cry
Many of the striking railroad workers were laboring away at other temporary
work while a good deal of the men was taking advantage of their time off to go
fishing, it was reported. The assistant engineers were still on the job and feelings
against them were running at a fever-pitch. The strikers stated emphatically that
these men would not be able to purchase or eat anywhere on the north side of La
Crosse and that they would need to establish headquarters somewhere away from La
Crosse. The Burlington men were still on the job.
Burlington Shop Men Vote Overwhelmingly for a Strike
Workers at the Burlington shops at Grand Crossing took a strike vote. The
result was 45 to 2, in favor of a strike. The timetable for this strike was to be August
24, if the shop-men‟s‟ demands of the already striking workers were not met by that
time. This action put to rest the hope of a settlement of this dispute being expected
any time in the near future. Passenger trains while still running during the strike;
were operating from one to four hours behind schedule. The Brotherhood of Railway
Engineers ordered the traveling engineers off the job, and that sore spot was healed.
It was reported that the strikers were now employed in such jobs as working on
county roads, shoveling sand, driving teams, working on farms and many other jobs
throughout the area. No pickets have been posted anywhere and the men were being
kept away from the roundhouses and yards. 189
Car Repairers Union Votes to hold off on strike until August 24
The Milwaukee Roads‟ Car Repairers Union held a meeting at Fjelstad‟s Hall
and voted by secret ballot to strike on August 24 along with the Burlington men, if a
settlement was not reached prior to that date.
The Milwaukee Road brought in several men from other systems to work in the
struck shops here, but labor peace still reigned. Local union officials reported that
many of the strikers had gotten jobs that were better than those they struck and they
would not return to the railroad even after the strike was finished. Very few freight
trains were now passing through the north side yards. In addition passenger trains
were experiencing longer delays.
The strike was showing signs of weakening in Chicago and Boston, but not in
La Crosse. In fact, the strikers moved their strike headquarters from the home of the
grievance committee chairman to a vacated store building on the corner of Rose and
St. James Streets. A telephone was ordered installed, giving some the idea that an
early settlement was not expected in La Crosse. 190
C.B. and Q. R.R. Machinists to strike by August 24, 1919
The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad machinists promised to strike by
August 24 if a settlement was not reached by then with the string Milwaukee Road
machinists. Some 50 machinists were employed by the C.B. & Q. at its Grand
Crossing facility.
189 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, August 10, 1919
190 Ibid., August 11, 1919
164

Sore Spot Resolved
The assistant engineers that had been placed in the unenviable positions of
taking the place of fellow striking railroaders were relieved to be recalled by the
orders of the Locomotive Engineers Brotherhood.
Smooth Sailing
This had been one of the quietest strikes ever seen in La Crosse. Despite the
fact that over 225 men were out on strike, no disorder of any kind has been reported
by them in the entire city. Over one third of the strikers were busy at work, shoveling
snow, working on country roads or working on local farms. The employer was well
behaved also. No strikebreakers of any kind were brought in to displace or displease
the union railroaders.
Carmen‟s Union Told to Resist Striking
John Kopacek, secretary of the local union of Car Repairers, was told by union
officials of his district office that his union was to resist joining the other Milwaukee
Road strikers and that they should remain on the job. Mr. Johnson, the business
agent for the Carmen‟s Local Union confirmed the order and told Kopacek that it came
from the international President, himself.
Strike May End
Predictions that the strike would end and an agreement would be settled on
were the rule of the day on August 10. Feelings however still ran high, a striker told a
reporter, “This strike is not only for higher wages, but, also as a giant protest against
the high cost of living and the general order of things which, if continued in its present
form, cannot be endured.” Freight was piling up and local people were canceling trips
that required railroad travel.
Striking Milwaukee Road workers return to work, 1919
Two hundred and twenty-five workmen march together and return to work in
the Milwaukee Roads‟ yards on August 15th, 1919. These men were members of the
maintenance department of the railroad. Albert Johnson is the chairman for the
striking railroad workers. The men had gathered at Rose and St. Cloud streets at
their headquarters and marched in a group back to work. During this strike there was
not one incident of violence reported. In an interesting footnote, the village of
Wyeville, Wisconsin was in the dark without electricity on the day the strike in La
Crosse ended. The railroad men there were still on strike and the village derived all
its electricity from the power generated by the roundhouse which was out of service.
Even the roundtable was out of action. When the railroaders at Wyeville struck, they
ran the Engines out of the roundhouse, put out the fires and locked the doors of the
roundhouse. No one was left to put the engines back in the stable, so to speak.
Diesels Arrive In La Crosse
On February 14, 1941, the first diesel operated locomotive arrived in La
Crosse. It was a diesel electric switching engine and was put to work on the C.B. & Q.
R.R. It was accompanied by another diesel electric, both engines having 600
horsepower.
UTU Division 311, 1991 One-Day Strike
Locomotive engineer, Art Gillham was interviewed by the La Crosse Tribune
and had this to say about the April 17th strike by the UTU rail workers in La Crosse.
165

“There‟s nothing moving, except the commuter lines.” No freight trains ran on
Burlington tracks on Wednesday. Amtrak trains ran as did freight trains on the Soo
Line which was not involved in this dispute. Jeff Hagerty, president of UTU Local 311
of La Crosse told the Tribune that he and his members hoped congress would keep its
nose out of this strike, but, that if they didn‟t it would mean that “the railroad is
making an end run on us.” Art Gillham also spoke to the press and told them that
union members did not want a settlement forced on them. “But we have no choice if
Congress imposes something,” said Gillham. Gillham ended with, “Either we go back
to work or we‟re lawbreakers.” Rail workers had been working without a contract
since the last one expired in July of 1988.
Union-Shop Elections at 8 La Crosse Workplaces, June 11, 1948
The NLRB announced the scheduling of eight union elections during the month
of June of 1948. On June 14, the employees of Consumer‟s Market would vote on two
questions, whether the Bakery Union Local 386 should represent them and whether
they wanted a union-shop or not. On June 18 the workers at Gateway Glass would
vote on whether or not they wanted a union-shop. Members of Federal Union No.
18558 of the Trane Company were to also vote on a union-shop. As were Tool and
Die Makers Local 1115, Segelke and Kohlhaus carpenters Local 2001 were deciding
the union-shop question too. Service Transfer and Storage Company employees were
voting on whether to join Office Workers Local 44 and the wood workers of the E.
Hackner Company were voting on whether workers must be members of Carpenters
Local 2001 as a basis of employment (union-shop).
Heileman Unionized By Brewer‟s Union, 1902
After a number of weeks of meetings and conferences, the Brewer‟s union
announced on August 22, 1902, that they had an agreement with the G. Heileman
Brewing Company on a union contract. The Heileman plant had been the largest nonunion
brewery in the city up until this agreement. Workers had been trying for
months to get the brewery to sign the union-scale of wages for brewery workers to no
avail.
General Organizer, Charles Bly, of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council had
been instrumental in securing the agreement. He worked closely with President S.
Schreiber and Secretary e. Bittner of the local branch of the United Brewery Workers
union. A plan was submitted to Heileman Manager, Mr. Mueller and after some time
and many meetings the plan was accepted.
The recognition of the Brewers‟ Union at Heilemans‟ brings in another 24
members to the Local Brewery Union. The contract signed was binding until April,
1904.
353 To 11, Beer Makers, Tell Heileman To Dry Up on June 20, 1948
By an overwhelming vote, the members of Brewery Workers Local 81 rejected
an offer from the G. Heileman Brewery of a $5 a week pay raise. “Our members are
more determined today than before to get an increase which will enable them to live
within their means,” said Laverne Koenen, president of Local 81.
Would the public like to know!
So read a full page ad taken out by Local 81 in a 4th of July edition of the La
Crosse Tribune and Leader Press. In part the article read, “The strike at the Heileman
Company has now entered its 7th week with little or no indication of an early
settlement. The committees of the Local and Company have met in negotiations
upward of 40 meetings, which might indicate the very slow progress that has been
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made to date.” The ad went on to state that the union had dropped its wage requests
by 50% and had agreed to discuss the contract item by item with the company. The
union spoke in this ad about the „outlandish‟ cost of living for its members at this
time.
They told the public that the Heileman Brewery had made great profits and had
transferred a surplus amount of money in the sum of $1,790,103.96, earned in 1947.
They added that in spite of this profit, the company increased the cost of the beer it
manufactured by 10 cents a case, or about $1.30 a barrel, early in 1948.
Then, the union published a statement about the information Heileman‟s had
provided the public, writing, “We now refer to a serious policy recently adopted by
certain officials of the Heileman Company, the policy of misleading statements,
misinformation and in some instances, as that given to the press and the radio
stations Friday, July 2, 1948, statements which are absolutely untrue, in the hope that
the public will accept them as the truth and then rally to the defense of the company,
who are now determined to reduce the living standard of a decent people to a pitiful
state of poverty and want.”
Then the union printed its version of the situation, “The offer of Local 81 was
as follows- Wages, $6.80 per week (a raise that is of the weekly pay rate) with a five
day work week. Holiday, Good Friday to be considered a holiday. Retroactive pay -
retroactive to April 1, 1948 Date of Contract - contract date to be April 1, 1948 to
April 1, 1949. Temporary employees - all new employees to state at $1.051/2 per
hour, the same as in our old contract. Arbitration clause - the arbitration clause to be
settled with the International and company lawyers.
The ad ended with the statement, “In their mad scramble for more and greater
profits certain Heileman officials have lost their vision as to the welfare of that fine
group of people who have made the phenomenal success of the Heileman Company a
reality.”
Beer Makers Tire of Meetings, 1948
After 36 meetings with their employers, Brewery Workers Local 81‟s
representative, Laverne Koenen told the media that, “we have been unable to obtain
what we feel would be an adequate wage increase to meet with current living costs.”
E. Brody, of Cincinnati, Ohio, an International Union officer assisted with the meetings
and told the media that despite record profits the companies did not wish to offer a
decent raise to their workers. They only would offer a raise amounting to $5 a week
for the men.
Beer Makers Go On Strike, May 21, 1948
In what would prove to be a very long strike the members of Brewery Workers
Local 81 struck for higher wages on May 21, 1948. 420 members of the union walked
out of the G. Heileman Brewery. 80 members of the union remained on the job at the
La Crosse Breweries. Union officers released a statement saying, “Both Heileman and
Peerless have been negotiating a new labor contract together. The current strike was
called against Heileman‟s only.”
The company‟s last offer was a raise of $5 a week and another $1 in benefit
improvements. Total average weekly wages would then be about $58. The men
would also receive 7 paid holidays, free beer and shift differentials. The union had
last asked for a raise of $15.80 a week. Laverne Koenen, secretary and business
agent for Local 81 told the Tribune, “The strike was called at the Heileman Brewing
Company and its malt house this morning. At this time there is no strike at the La
Crosse Breweries, Inc. We may do so later. We are withholding further comment on
the situation.”
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The company refused to compute its profits into the contract considerations,
wishing to compare other community wages as the basis for their wage rate. The
union said, “We are more concerned with the prices of bread, meat, and other
necessities than we are with the pattern of wages or profits of the company.”
Bill Monsoor‟s Market (by the Rubber Mills, 1103 St. Andrew Street)
Monsoor‟s Market was advertising the following meat prices at the time of the
Heileman strike. Catfish over 3 pounds 45 cents a pound, sirloin steak 65 cents a
pound, pork steak 59 cents a pound and bacon ends 29 cents a pound. Montgomery
Ward was selling a 4-quart pressure cooker for $11.45 and was offering pressure
cooking classes to boot.
Beer Talks Raise Foaming Along
After 32 days the strike at the Brewery dripped on. The 420 union members
had maintained pickets around the Brewery. Members of the Trane Company‟s union
were entering the second day of their strike. A setback occurred on the 42nd day of
the strike of the Brewery workers. Mayor C. Beranek had been arranging meetings
between brewery officials and the union and had thought he had brought the two
sides closer together. This would not be the case however.
Heileman negotiators released a statement to the press citing the high wage
and benefit offer they were making to the union and giving the union a deadline in
which to accept the offer. They then released to the press the details of the offer. In
this release they cite their wage offers of $5, then $5.30 and finally an offer of $6.80.
They complained that the union refused all these offers and even increased their
demands. They stated that the union also asked that aprons, boots, shoes, gloves
and glasses for the workers should be provided by the company. They said the union
had asked for dining rooms, hot and cold water showers, cooking facilities for each
department. Other provisions were also detailed in the press.
The union responded angrily. Their International representative E. Brody
replied in the press, “To engage in controversy of whatsoever nature through the
press as well as air lanes of the community is a practice which the International union
of brewery workers has never condoned. It would appear, however, that following
statements on local radio stations and in the press as of today, July 2, said
statements being attributed to the Heileman Brewing company, we have no
alternative but to defend ourselves from these very vicious and unfounded facts.
Four City Unions Had Been On Strike by July 2, 1948
Allis-Chalmers, Trane, Heileman and the Electric Auto-Lite had all struck their
employers and were on strike on July 2, 1948. But, on July 3, the members of UAW
Local 401 at Allis-Chalmers announced a settlement to their strike. Roman Buelow,
the president of Local 401 announced a contract agreement that was to run until April
15, 1950. The union gained vacation and holiday increases and a pay hike of 9 cents
an hour.
3 City Unions On Strike, July 8, 1948
The brewery workers were on strike against Heileman, the workers at Trane
and the Electric Auto-Lite had also struck their employers. Mayor C. Beranek was
busily trying to reconcile the parties and get the workers back to their jobs.
Revised Offer from Heileman to be voted on
A meeting was scheduled for 3 p.m. at Pioneer Hall on July 10, in order to
allow the members of Local 81 to vote on the latest offer from the Heileman Brewery.
168

The bargaining committee was recommending that the offer be accepted. Henry Rule
of the Wisconsin Labor Relations Board and the Mayor were both assisting in the
discussions leading up to the new offer.
The members voted to accept the offer. They would receive a raise of $8 a
week. Mechanics would be back on the job immediately and production workers
would follow a day or so later. The offer was a one-year contract, expiring on April 1,
1949. Good Friday was added as a paid holiday. Temporary workers were to join the
union within 30 days of employment. Engineers and firemen were to be paid time and
a half for all work performed on Sundays. The two other breweries in La Crosse
verbally agreed to the Heileman settlement as well.
Brewery Workers International Merged with Teamsters International, 1974
After 70 years of membership the International Brewery Workers Union ceased
to exist. The union had 40,000 members by 1974. Delegates meeting in Cincinnati,
Ohio voted 26,129 to merge and 4,756 not to merge. The merger was to take place
on December 1, 1973. It was expected to be totally completed by the end of 1974.
IBEW and Dairyland Power Company Dispute, 1948
IBEW Local B-953 served notice on the Dairyland Power Cooperative that
unless matters were resolved soon the workers would strike the power plant. A wage
increase of $5 a week was being offered to them, the same as the one offered to the
Brewery workers during the same time. The union was asking for a raise of $10 a
week for its 103 plant workers. The union had come down to a raise of $27.50 a
month, but, the company held to its $20 a month offer. The union then agreed to
come down to $27 a month increase. The company offered them $26. The union
came back with an answer of no; we need a raise of $27 month. The company
offered $26.75. Dairyland Power negotiators said, “If the men go out on strike, the
loss of wages in one work day would be more than many would gain in three years.”
The plants at Genoa, Baldwin, Chippewa Falls and Alma would be affected by a strike.
These plants served 53,000 Wisconsin farmers.
The IBEW union scheduled a meeting with the company. The union served
notice on the employer that if a settlement was not reached at that meeting, they
would return to their contract demand of a $40 a month pay boost. Lacking a
settlement, the union workers would shut down the machines in the four power
plants.
The next day a settlement was reached. The company agreed to the union‟s
request for a $27.50 pay hike. The union accepted an educational training program to
determine qualifications for jobs in the plants. It had taken in excess of 25 meetings
to come to this settlement. No power shortage had occurred however.
Labor/Management Event, At La Crosse County‟s Centennial Celebration,
1848-1948
Following a huge parade, the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the
founding of La Crosse County included a Labor/Management program to be held on
Saturday, July 17. Beginning at 7 p.m. at the City Fairgrounds, George Hableman
(president Wisconsin AFL), Robert Jordan (Wisconsin CIO), and Frank Sisson
(representing management) were the speakers.
George Hableman spoke first and talked about the trials and tribulations that
unions and employers have faced and will continue to face as progress is made. He
said in part, “We have a progressive and rich America because we are the best
educated country in the world. Our children have had great opportunities, but they,
too, must be bettered. We cannot accept these things merely as a contribution of
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society. It took pioneer fortitude to establish fine communities. We are proud of our
residency, and I am sure all of us, working for the progress of industry, business and
education, will make a stronger community and nation in the future.”
Frank Sisson spoke next, as a representative of management. He told those
listening that in his lifetime he had watched La Crosse grow from a city of 15,000 to
one of almost 50,000 citizens. He had been in food wholesaling for 50 years. He
spoke to the crowd saying, “The city of La Crosse, in the early days, had as its
industries the sawmills and the breweries. When we lost the sawmills, many persons
felt that we were doomed for a serious setback, but through the foresight of business
executives, who had visions of the future, and who concentrated their efforts to
bringing to the city industries of a permanent nature, we began on the long road of
reclamation.” He told the listeners that this very event was a great example of labor
and management cooperation.
Robert Jordan spoke last. He talked about how working people laid the
foundations of La Crosse. He spoke of the Mississippi River which brought about the
lumbering and railroad business that La Crosse had enjoyed for decades. He said,
“The men who laid the cornerstone of the first 100 years of life of your city have done
their work very well. But where are you going from here? Make no little plans; they
have no magic in themselves, and probably will not be realized. Make big plans; aim
high and hope and work. Remember that your sons and daughters are going to do
big things that would stagger us.”
Northern Engraving and UAW Local 395 Break Off Contract Talks, July 1950
After their contract expired, Local 395 began talks with their employer, the
Northern Engraving and Manufacturing Company of La Crosse. Talks stalled when a
stalemate was reached. Walter Marshall, the president of Local 395 stated that a
strike vote had been taken and approved but, that the local would not immediately
walk out.
Another meeting was scheduled at Pioneer Hall. The company had offered a
9.9 cent an hour raise and the union was asking for a 12 cent an hour raise. Charles
Gelatt, the general manager of the company declined any comment on the issue.
After the expiration of their contract on June 30th talks between the company
and the union came to a successful end on July 5th. A wage raise of from 5 to 17
cents per hour was accepted by the bargaining committee. The union membership
was yet to vote on the offer. A 1,000 life insurance policy was gained by the union
and three weeks' vacation after fifteen years of work also.
Ads from the 1938 Labor Review
Listing Union Meat Markets
170

AUTO LITE VOLTAGE REGULATOR DEPARTMENT 1959
Row 1 left to right; John (Red) Euler, Ezra Zumach, Armand Eggen, Charles (Bucket) Collins, (Bonnie) Osborne, Charles Terpek, Bob
Dolato, Art Heiser, Richard Charles, (Batch) Christopher, Bob Snodgrass, (Shorty) Egan, Hilman Kvam, Rosemary Shuda, Buby
Gilbertson and Don Meyers
Row 2 left to right; Dan Urban, Elfreida Jorgenson, Sally Hall, Beluah Sanders, Fern Every, Owen (Bob) Roberts, Herb Schreier, Harold
(Booker T) Holt, Hjalmer Johnson, Vaughn Johnson, Lloyd Mahlum, (Shorty) Heath, Beverly Lenz, Elva Schneider, Marie McGinnis,
Elaine Devine, Muriel Evenson and Ruth Hauser
Row 3 left to right; Hazel Mickelson, Lois Rowe, Ida Boardman, Erna Berthrong, Elfa Rothering, Bernice Blanchard, Mary Longway,
Lida Yeoman, Louise Kast, Larene Hanson, Agnes Frelund, Norma Sackmaster, Pat Kennedy, Helen Burr, Ellen Williams, Lorrie
Charles, Margaret Jensen, Julitta DeBoer, Mabel Johnson, Clara Peterson, Palma Nichols and Viola Swartz
Row 4 left to right; Beatrice Ross, Nora Leathead, Margaret Davidson, Thela Cheseboro, Edith Wittenberg, Laurine Solberg, Beatrice
Johnson, Carmel Jostad, Mabel Johnson, Leona MeLeod, Laura Lind, Fern Tomten, Lil Miller, Harriet Grosch, Grace Foley, Florence
Stachowitz, Hattie Faas, Ruth Snodgrass, Phyllis Foltz and Susan Limpert
Row 5 left to right; Inez Dinger, Lores Marshall, Edith MeLeod, Edith Thompson, Elsie LaFleur, Alice Bakke, Gladys Heringer, Evelyn
Ziegler, Louise Deyo, Bea Farley, Grace Halverson, Lenore Markey, June Hauser, Vera Berget, Ruth Mahlum, Vicki Abnet, Cleo Kruger,
Katherine Rickey, Margaret Johnson, Lil Blanchard, Margaret Wang, Estelle Tabbert, Bobby Kirkeng and Mel Spildie
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
The photo above is one of those happy accidents of work history. Someone
thought to type up the names of those in the workplace photo and we have them to
study today.
1961, UNION‟S ANSWER ON AUTO-LITE AND NORTHERN ENGRAVING
Mayor Milo Knutson appeared on television and stated that a mistake had been
made by the union at Auto-Lite and Northern Engraving. In regard to Auto-Lite UAW
Local 396 did everything is could to try to keep the plant in La Crosse. Local 396
voted to accept a new piece-rate wage that would have lowered wages over 30 cents
per hour. This agreement was reached in January, the plant closed in July, yet the
company never put the lower piece-rate into effect.
Business Week Magazine came up with what might be the best answer as to
why the plant was closed. Problems of the Auto-Lite Company had forced the
company to close seven plants, including the one in La Crosse. These problems were
born in Wall Street cited the magazine. The decision was made to consolidate the
company, which was enjoying profits of from 1.9 million during the first quarter of
1959 which were triple the profits during the same period in 1958.
Donald Yolton, a UAW International representative said, “Mr. Knutson is not
ignorant of the truth of these statements concerning Auto-Lite. I think he has
deliberately misrepresented what happened at Auto-Lite for the purpose of strike
171

eaking and I think the story on Northern Engraving will point this out more than
ever.” Speaking on the 1958 strike of Northern Engraving he wrote, the company not
the union terminated the contract in 1958. The union agreed prior to the strike to
continue under the terms of the old contract.
A three-year offer was given by the company and the union agreed to it, even
accepting a pay boost of only 3 cents an hour during the first year of the contract.
Mr. Gelatt wrote the union a letter stating that wage rates at Northern Engraving were
much higher than those of competitive plants. He wrote, “We believe there is only
one solution; our rates of pay and fringe costs must be closer to those of our
competitors.
This can be achieved either by instituting drastic pay reductions now or by
establishing a moratorium on any future increases of any kind until our competitors
have raised their wages to somewhere near ours and our competitive position is
thereby restored. Although the second method will take longer, we believe it may be
more acceptable to those now at work.”
In April of 1960 the union voted to take a cut of five cents per hour and to
forego the annual 6 cent per hour raise due them by the existing contract.
Yolton further wrote, “The Mayor‟s statement that a mistake in judgment was made at
Northern Engraving is hard to understand unless one is willing to accept him as being
extremely anti-union to the point where he is no longer impartial and fair. I say this
because Mr. Knutson knows all of these facts in the Engraving situation as he did at
Auto-Lite. I would, however, have to go along with the Mayor on one point. We did
make at least one mistake in judgment when dealing with Northern Engraving and I
am willing to take the blame for it. The mistake we made was that the president of
the union and I met with the Mayor to discuss Northern Engraving with him.
We came unannounced and he did not have time to write a speech. He was
quite frank with us. He said that Mr. Robert Ringdahl, the Plant Manager at Northern
Engraving was a real good friend of his and that we had nothing to worry about
because Mr. Ringdahl had told him that they had no intentions of moving the La
Crosse plant. He stated further that if anything new came up with this that he would
let us know.
This happened a year and a half ago and we have not heard one word from the
Mayor since that time. I can agree that we made a mistake in judgment when we
believed what he told us pertaining to Northern Engraving and when we wasted our
time talking to him.”
July 11, 1950, Indianhead Truck Drivers Strike
Members of Teamsters Local 199 went on strike after talks broke down; a
strike authorization vote had been taken four weeks prior. 28 local drivers employed
by the company along with 7 drivers leasing equipment from Indianhead struck. The
union was asking for a wage increase from $1.40 an hour to $1.61. Pickets were on
duty.
Adolph Bachmann, business agent for Local 199 reported that all 35 drivers
were still on strike the next day and no word had been received from St. Paul where
the company headquarters was located.
Strike Holds Up Opening of Seminary, 1950
The Holy Cross Seminary on Highway 35 was not going to be ready for its
expected September occupancy due to a labor shortage. Bricklayers were in short
demand and the work was falling behind reported Bishop McGavik. Plumbing, heating
and electrical work was nearly completed and reenrollment in the Seminary had
reached 100.
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AFL Union Local 199 Seeks Ruling on Picketing, 1950
The union met with Indianhead Trucking Company officials in circuit court in La
Crosse. The company told the court that they had not been served with a notice of
intent to strike by the union and that the picketing should cease.
1929, The Allis Chalmers La Crosse Plant
The Allis Chalmers Company purchased the La Crosse Plow Company in 1929.
At the time the Plow Company had a good selling line of farm equipment. Due to the
depression, the company‟s workforce fell from 150 workers in 1929 to 35 in 1933. A
large addition to the La Crosse plant was completed in 1936 due to an improvement
of the economy. By 1937 a new line of tractor cultivators was added to the plow and
harrow product-line.
Size of the Workforce, over the years
1929 150 men employed by Allis Chalmers
1933 35 men employed by Allis Chalmers
1934 164 men employed by Allis Chalmers
1935 407 men employed by Allis Chalmers
1937 600 men employed by Allis Chalmers
Allis Chalmers Raises Wages, 1930
Officials announced an increase of 10% for the 125 workers at the La Crosse
Plant. Allis Chalmers was making 3,000 pieces of farm machinery with the schedule
in place prior to the wage increase. Production was expected to increase during the
year.
The increase was announced by plant manager, Fred Pafenfuss and Allis
Chalmers President Max Babb, in La Crosse and Milwaukee respectively. One month
prior to the increase employment numbered 65 workers in La Crosse. The current
125 employees were expected to increase to 150 within weeks. In 1933 the La
Crosse plant made 300 machines. In 1935 production was predicted to rise to 12,000
machines and that the plant might employ up to 350 workers.
Allis-Chalmers La Crosse Plant boosts wages
Pay hikes of 10% were going into effect as of April 15, 1934 for the 125
employees of the local A-C plant. Mr. Pafenfuss told the workers of the raise and
noted that A-C was duplicating the pay raise in its other plants as well. He pointed
out that several months ago the La Crosse plant had only 60 people on its payroll. He
also predicted that another 25 workers would be added by May. The local plant had
increased its production of machines five-fold since 1933. Only 600 machines were
sent out that year, and this year a run of 3,000 machines was on schedule. He also
told the press that by the year 1935 he expected the plant could produce 12,000
machines a year. These were tractor-drawn machines. He felt that by 1935 350
workers would be employed locally.
1937, Machinists Local 1109
IAM Local 1109 represented employees of Allis Chalmers as early as 1937.
Sidney Stege was the president and Louis Hinyxzke was the vice president that year.
Norris Knutson was the financial secretary and Ralph Dawson was the treasurer.
Allis Chalmers Strike, 1946
On March 19, a strike vote was taken and the outcome was 593 in favor of
calling a strike if needed and 24 against such a move. By April 29th, a strike had
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een called. 900 UAW Local 248 Union members walked out of the plant at 7 a.m.
along with 200 office workers. Federal Local 1424 represented the workers. Pickets
stopped persons seeking to enter the plant and only five company executives were
allowed to enter. The plant‟s chief engineer and fireman (who were union members)
were also allowed to enter to safeguard the building from fire or other damages that
might occur in the unoccupied plant. Long lines of workers had milled about the plant
in the morning but left when informed of the strike.
A secret ballot was taken at Pioneer Hall on the pending contract offer by
members of Local 1424. Arthur Loomis, financial secretary of the union told the press
that 300 members of the union voted unanimously to accept the agreement that the
bargaining committee had negotiated. By September 23rd, Allis Chalmers union
members of Local 1424 held a secret ballot to vote on an offer by the company.
Six Allis Chalmers Workers Held for Trial, 1946
Six of seven Allis Chalmers workers, all foremen, were arrested and held for
trial after a scuffle over admission of workers to the struck plant. The six men were;
Harold Philpot of La Crosse, Andrew Underdahl of La Crescent, both foremen, and
Harold Lee of La Crosse a Northern Engraving employee, Clarence McCarty of La
Crosse, Charles Wenzel of La Crosse, both Allis Chalmers employees, and Lawrence
Powers of Onalaska, an employee of the Electric Auto-Lite Company were those
charged. Judge Ahlstrom dismissed the charges against Horace Des Jardains, La
Crosse Allis Chalmers foremen. Bonds of $100 were continued for each of the six
charged. They were charged with “preventing pursuit of work” under section 343.683
of Wisconsin Statutes. Both Local 1424 and management of the company met with a
federal conciliator at the Stoddard Hotel in an attempt to hammer out a settlement.
No progress was evident. On August 28, the 182-day strike ended and the 450 union
workers went back to work at 7 a.m., 210 non-union employees had remained on the
job during the strike.
Allis-Chalmers and Local 401 Sign Contract, 1948
In this year, the union members at Trane, Heileman and the Electric Auto-Lite
along with Allis Chalmers all went out on strike at the same time in the city of La
Crosse. Allis-Chalmers settled with UAW Local 401 early in July. A 3-year contract
was gained, expiring on April 15, 1950. Workers got an 8-cent an hour pay hike.
They also received an extra holiday and more vacation rights.
Alllis-Chalmers/UAW Local 401 Contract
On July 28, 1950 the company and the union signed a five-year contract
between themselves to expire on July 1, 1955. However, a wage reopener was
allowed on July 1, 1952 provided 30 days notice in writing was given. Some of the
provisions of this contract were;
No strikes or walkouts during the five years of the contract
Double time, is to be paid on Sundays and Holidays
One week of vacation for one year of service
Two weeks of vacation for 2 to 5 years of service
Three weeks of vacation for 6 to 15 years of service
Four weeks of vacation for 16 or more years of service
Sale of milk in the plant shall continue
Smoking in the plant is permitted
Lunching shall be permitted if it does not interfere with the work being performed
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Allis-Chalmers Strike, 1955
Company offers a 7 cent an hour raise, “Inadequate…” said UAW Local 401
president, Don Fitzpatrick. The employer was pushing for an on-site strike vote,
which would allow non-union employees to vote along with the union workers. The
union of course, was not going to allow this to occur. UAW By-Laws require a secret
ballot by union members requiring a two-thirds majority to carry the motion.
Members of Local 401 voted 738 to 38 to authorize a strike when necessary.
Seniority was the top issue between the company and the union and was delaying a
settlement of the labor dispute. Management in the past had forced older workers
into layoff while employing younger workers at the same job classification. UAW
Local 401 sent its bargaining committee chairman, Richard Deml to West Allis, to sit in
on the contract bargaining sessions. President Donald Fitzpatrick of Local 401 went
to West Allis to join Richard Deml in the contract talks being held there. He asked
Local 401 members to listen to the radio and to watch the La Crosse Tribune as well
as watching TV Channel 8 to receive news of the strike situation.
Union members of UAW Local 401 went on strike at 2 p.m. on Wednesday,
August 24th. Shortly before the walk-out time, a sound truck appeared on the site
notifying union members of a union meeting scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Vocational
School. A police car began cruising in the area about 1:40 p.m. At 2 p.m. picketing
began.
After the company agreed to go to mediation, the union issued a request to its
members to return to work at the Allis Chalmers plant. With the union workers back
on the job on August 26th, George Horn the plant manager said, “We are
exceptionally happy with the union‟s action in returning to work pending mediation of
the contract issues in dispute.” By September 1st the Allis Chalmers labor dispute
had been turned over to a Federal Mediator and talks were ongoing.
An announcement of the settling of the strike ran in the April 2nd edition of the
La Crosse Tribune. In the local newspaper the next day, the UAW called the contract
the best ever negotiated. The benefits won amounted to around 24 cents an hour.
On the company‟s side of the table, a „no strike clause‟ was negotiated into this
contract. The union also gained a „union-shop‟ clause, which gave non-union
members until November 1st of the current year to join the union, as a condition of
employment.
Allis-Chalmers Strike, 1959
The 700 union members of UAW Local 401 stuck the La Crosse Allis-Chalmers
plant joining nearly 13,000 other Allis-Chalmers strikers in other plants. F.J.
Pafenfuss informed the media that the odors of the plant here in La Crosse were open
for any worker that UAW worker that cared to come to work. The La Crosse plant
had 180 non-union employees also.
A dispute in the mode of bargaining was noted by union offices immediately
after the company agreement was released. Duane Greathouse, a UWA International
Vice President told the press that the company said, “…that further negotiations will
be held on the company‟s terms or not at all.” He continued, “The company position
is clear; its employees must settle on company terms or not at all.” “The union shall
continue its efforts to negotiate toward a fair and just settlement,” he ended with.
Norman Elstad, president of UAW Local 401 said that the union was prepared
to meet at any hour and on any day to discuss the issues. The company was opposed
to the pattern bargaining that the UAW imposed on each of the company‟s plants and
was quite vocal about saying so to local union officers. Elstad said, “If A-C claims that
it has no intention of pitting its workers against one another or discriminating against
its workers through local contracts; then it is the UAW‟s belief that those items that
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have uniform consideration can most easily be negotiated at one bargaining table and
incorporated into one contract.”
Allis-Chalmers Full Page Ad, Allis-Chalmers' Position on "Master Contract"
As the title of the ad implied, the company did not want to have to bargain on
a jointly negotiated contract. The ad's text read: The International UAW-AFL-CIO
Union demands that Allis-Chalmers sign a single or uniform labor contract for 14,000
Allis-Chalmers production workers at 8 different plants.
It doesn't fit Allis-Chalmers and here's why:
Our plants are not integrated
Our products from plant to plant are wholly different
For Example: La Crosse, Wisconsin is a plow factory
Gadson, Alabama is an electrical distribution transformer plant
Cedar Rapids, Iowa is a motor wagon and motor scraper plant
Terre Haute, Indiana with an elaborate transformer research laboratory produces
huge transformers, circuit breakers and switchgear
La Porte, Indiana is a harvesting machinery plant
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is an electrical transformer plant
West Allis, Wisconsin is a tractor plant making wheel tractors
West Allis, Wisconsin is a general machinery plant making capital equipment
And, each has a different management! All these plants have different
manufacturing problems. There are separate sales organizations that sell the
products. They are engineered differently, by different engineers with different highly
specialized backgrounds. NOW - The International UAW-AFL-CIO head office
representatives say that one labor contract or identical clauses in separate contracts
are a "MUST." IT JUST DOESN'T FIT OUR BUSINESS! IF THERE IS TO BE
CONFORMITY...Each plant is a part of its local community, and the conformity should
be to the local community. For example, why should the La Crosse plant conform to
the Terre Haute plant? Our knowledge of our own business and all our experience
indicates a requirement for local labor contracts, locally negotiated and locally
executed. We say "Let's get at it!"
UAW Local 401 Responds to Telegram from A-C
President Norm Elstad released the text of a telegram from the union to A-C to
the local media. In part it read, "In reply to your telegram of February 10, we have
told you in previous communications that our union stands ready to meet with your
representatives of the Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company at any time in
accordance with the procedures which were agreed upon long ago by the Company
and the union and which were in effect at the time the strike took place." It continued
and read, "On behalf of the Allis-Chalmers UAW local union we again ask the company
to reconsider its stubborn and arbitrary attitude which forced the Allis-Chalmers
workers on strike and is keeping them on strike."
Becoming somewhat upset with La Crosse Personnel Director George Sarazin
the telegram stated, "Your reference to my moral obligations comes with little grace
from a representative of this company which continues to ignore its moral
responsibilities to meet with duly accredited union committee of its workers ever since
the strike began." Federal conciliators were working with the company and union to
resolve the strike.
George Sazarin responded with a fifth request for a local meeting between
local 401 and A-C.'s bargaining committee. The company's view was that as the
contract had expired on February 2, the terms of the contract were now null and void.
The company asked for a meeting with the union to be held at the Vocational School
in La Crosse. The company stated, "The early settlement of this dispute is of vital
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importance to the 365 employees of average age 50 who were at work last August
when you obtained the vote of confidence, who already have endured on long fruitless
unnecessary strike since your union was certified, and who in the years remaining to
them could not possibly recoup the losses which they will suffer in another long
strike."
Continuing to try to divide the support of the union the company stated, "An
early settlement is of no less importance to the nearly 350 younger employees, who
have been recalled to work but recently after lengthy lay-offs and for whom after
another long strike we might not be able to provide jobs for a long, long, time." Then,
the company launched a body-blow to the union saying, "Even though you find us to
be off too 'little grace' to remind you of your moral obligations allow us to urge you in
charity to abandon yours visions of a nebulous and uncertain labor Utopia for future
generations in favor of the welfare of the generations still with us and to urge you to
meet with us Monday."
President Elstad of Local 401 commented in the press on the telegram recently
received from A-C. "I cannot allow your three-page telegram, which obviously was
meant for publicity and not for me to go unchallenged. I say this because I read it in
the La Crosse Tribune before I received it. Your solicitous consideration for our
members would carry more weight with us if we could forget your observation made
the negotiating table that you were opposed to central bargaining because it would
tend to make your job a clerical one."
Elstad then commented on the way that A-C was bargaining locally. He said,
"We believe that discussions between the company and the union should be carried
out over the bargaining table but the Allis-Chalmers Company has forced us to answer
its unfounded charges in the same medium it has used, the newspaper." He ended
his published comments with, "We are determined that our local union, together with
the other eight UAW dealing with Allis-Chalmers, shall not be hoodwinked by any
propaganda or false impressions left by anyone and that our members shall stand up
and be counted among those decent and honorable working people who have fought
for standards they have a right to expect in order to maintain the human dignity
which is their birthright."
George Sarazin answered Elstad's comments with, "Western Union's records
show that our telegram of Saturday, February 14, to Norman Elstad, president, Local
401, UAW-AFL-CIO, was filed at 7:43 p.m. and delivered to the union's official
headquarters by cab which left Western Union's office at 9:41 p.m. where it was
signed for by D. E. Kavanaugh. "We allowed him far more lead time than he allowed
to us in his night letter of February 10. We hope that this is not a repetition of 1946
when our employees were kept on strike for six months in support of aims of the big
UAW Local 248 in West Allis."
Two days after the battle of the telegrams an article was published on the front
page of the La Crosse Tribune which read; Woman Wants Strike Settled...Or Else. At
least one woman has taken the matter of a strike settlement at the Allis-Chalmers
Company, La Crosse Works into her own hands. She called the Tribune to say she is
going on strike herself. This was Mrs. Carl Shay, of Onalaska. She was the mother of
six children and she said that she issued her husband an ultimatum, go back to work
or she will leave him. She told the Tribune that she would like to hear from any other
women who wanted to join her strike.
Allis Chalmers filed a NLRB charge against the union, charging them with not
bargaining in good faith. Allis Chalmers told the local press that the UAW was evading
the issue, when pressed for a request to bargain locally. The UAW replied to the La
Crosse A-C Plant that, while they were open to some local bargaining they had not
given the company free rein to include everything in the contract. George Sarazin
said, "If the UAW persisted in its pre-strike master-uniform idea, the central
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negotiations proposed by the company would be unlikely to produce an early
settlement of the strike." He added, "It is our feeling here, that employees of the La
Crosse Works are not able to influence seriously the International‟s policy relative to a
negotiating procedure." For several days the A-C Plant in La Crosse had argued with
the UAW for local bargaining of the contract, with the union holding out for a mastercontract
instead.
Meetings between the union and the company resumed with a gathering at the
local YMCA. They went into recess for the Easter Holidays. Meetings sputtered on
and the strike dragged along into the middle of March. The company did cede two
points to the union in March. They agreed to eliminate their 'discipline control boards'
and grant four weeks of paid vacation to employees with 25 years or more of
employment with the company. Other items still lingered on.
By March 14, a federal mediator hinted that the end of the strike might be
near. A meeting was scheduled for March 14 to work things out. By March 21, the
settlement was reached. Local 401 members returned to their jobs, ending the 78day
strike. At the Vocational School a majority of the members of the union voted to
accept the latest offer. Norman Elstad and Albert Panke shut down the strike
headquarters the same day. George Sarazin, plant human resource director said, "I
don't how many of those may have taken out-of-town jobs and may not be able to
return immediately." He said he would send letters to all the workers who did not
return to work in the next few days. Wage increases of at least six cents an hour
were won. Some workers in more skilled jobs would receive up to eight cents an hour
more.
Auto-Lite Strike, 1948
A strike was pending at the Electric Auto-Lite La Crosse Plant on July 2, 1948.
As of June 1, 1948 there were 9,421 factory workers in La Crosse. Al Danielson,
president of UAW Local 396 told the local press that a federal conciliator was in town
assisting in the negotiations.
UAW Local 396 Walks
Despite the efforts of the federal conciliator, the 2,200 members of UAW Local
396 struck the Electric Auto-Lite and established picket lines using 50 union members.
The union and company had been negotiation for four months prior to this strike. The
company offered a 13 cent an hour pay raise to some employees and a 10 cent an
hour one to others. The union sought a straight across-the-board 13 cent raise. The
relocation of work to other Auto-Lite plants was an issue and the union asked for a
90-day notice if this should occur. Danielson told union members that a regular
meeting of the union would take place at Pioneer Hall.
11 Day Strike Over
Local 396 voted 741 to 0 to end the strike and accept the contract terms
offered. In a joint statement the company and union announced a 13 cents acrossthe-board
pay raise. It was suspected that the union had a union-shop agreement
with the company and some increased vacations rights as well.
Auto-Lite Wins Wage Escalator, 1951
The more than 2,000 Electric Auto-Lite workers, members of UAW Local 396,
gained a wage increase of 4 cents an hour each June 1, during the course of the 5year
deal. The last raise to be given on June 1, 1955.
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Auto Lite Company Strike, 1955-1956
Alvin Danielson, president of UAW Local 396 asked for a strike vote on
December 23rd, 1955. On January10th, 1056, 1,722 production workers voted on a
dispute over a contact clause affecting grievance discharges by the company. By
January 12th, the Auto-Lite was on strike. Pickets were put out and the strike quickly
entered a stalemate. Mediation was asked for and negotiations again started up on
January 20th. By January 23rd the grievance clause was accepted and the strike
ended.
Auto Lite Company Closing, 1959
UAW Local 396 asked the company to reopen negotiations immediately, on
May 8, 1959. Responding to the news that the plant might be scheduled for closing,
UAW Local 396 sent a letter to the Electric Auto-Lite Company headquarters in Toledo,
Ohio and asked for confirmation of the proposed closing date of July 3, 1959. While
attending a National Convention, Local 396 officers asked J.P. Falvey (Chairman of
Electric Auto-Lite) about the antiquated machinery existing in the La Crosse Auto-Lite
plant and was told by him, “There was no use spending money on a dead horse.” The
union was asking to have negotiations opened in order to offer to help keep the
factory running.
They stated to the local press that, “We informed Mr. Wistert (vice president of
Industrial Relations) on several occasions that we recognized that the company had a
problem and if there were some way that we could determine the extent of the
problem, we were willing to go as far as necessary to meet it.” Continuing they said,
“In other words, we asked that the company provide us with sufficient facts to base a
decision on whether a cut in wages was necessary, and if so, how much.” The union
ended with, “In absence of the proof that we requested, the union committee had to
assume that the company‟s proposal left room for bargaining.
Union Made Concessions
We did bargain, with the result that we accepted changes in the operation of
seniority in transfers and made a major concession to lower costs by accepting a new
time study system. As you know the company has not installed this system. We wish
to inform you that the offer to consider further adjustments is still open. On May 8,
the local union instructed this committee to reopen negotiations in an effort to make
adjustments necessary to keep this plant in profitable operation here. We seriously
believe that the company will benefit from such a proposal as a far better alternative
that attempting to establish these operations in other plants. While the bulk of the
operations leading to the assembly of instruments are of a fairly common nature in
industry, the knowledge gained by our employees in the assembly, adjustment and
operation of instruments simply cannot be replaced in time to build a good product at
a profit.
Even the transfer of foremen will not solve this problem. It is our experience
that workers learn the know-how of these operations from their fellow employees. In
view of these facts, which we are sure you can verify if necessary from company
personnel, and in view of the obvious cost of moving this work to other plants, we
strongly urge that you give reconsideration to your decision to close the La Crosse
Plant. We are prepared to meet immediately and suggest a June 1 deadline for a
mutually satisfactory agreement.”
The union told the local press that they knew that shipping costs were a factor
in the profitability of the La Crosse plant and that the equipment here was ancient.
This coupled with the three major auto manufacture‟s own manufacturing of gauges
was another problem for the industry. Officials of the union said, “In our mind Mr.
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Falvey‟s contention that excessive costs was the decisive reason is not true,” when
asked for the reason of the plant‟s closing possibilities. Continuing, “As to Mr.
Falvey‟s statement pertaining to the press releases and the company‟s continued
insistence upon a cost reduction at the time of negotiations, we are quite sure that the
die had been cast to close the La Crosse Plant at the time.”
The company told the local media that they would assist the workers in finding
work if the plant closed. The union responded, “As for the company‟s statement that
they would help the workers find employment…” “the company is at this time refusing
leaves of absence to people in our plant who have already obtained other employment
which under our present agreement states that an employee may request and not be
denied if the reason is acceptable to management.” The union concluded, “Evidently
Mr. Falvey and the company do not feel that throwing 1,300 persons out of work on
July 3 is a good enough reason to give them a leave of absence for other employment
at this time.”
An editorial in the May 21st issue of the La Crosse Tribune commented on the
problem of a trend by industry to locate closer to major markets was a leading cause
of many plants closing and relocating. Developing of community relations with
existing industry has been a phase somehow overlooked and mostly taken for
granted. Yet, existing industry is a bird in hand, worthy of more that equal attention
given to efforts to attract new industry. Aside from the hard- to-take, tragic blow to
individuals and families when jobs are wiped out, everyone in the community is
injured. Values of all sorts drop as homes must be thrown on a stagnated market,
furniture disposed of a fraction of its worth. As property values are depressed, taxes
must rise for businesses and householders. To overcome our loss, the positive
approach must be asserted, and soon. A flyer describing the La Crosse plant in word
and picture, the opportunities of a ready-made establishment awaiting conversion to
other manufacturing, bears broadcasting to industry everywhere.
May Issue of the Union Herald newspaper
Auto-Lite Plant to Close Here July 3 read the article title on page one of the
July issue of the Union Herald with a notation that the Union‟s response to the
company‟s contention that it was too late to do anything about the decision to close
the plant.
In their monthly column entitled, Local 396 NEWS Bargaining Committee
Report, UAW Local 396 chairman F. Lambert wrote, “Mr. Favley in answer to our letter
requesting the company for a meeting in an attempt to make a profitable and
competitive plant contends that the sole responsibility for the closing of the plant rests
with the local union. In view of this statement, we feel that the community should be
well aware of the facts involved that caused the company to make this decision.”
Much of the article was the same facts that had been already printed in the public
press; the following did not appear in the Tribune however. “…in reply to a statement
that after the conclusion of the contract it was then too late to successfully bid for the
1960 business, we want to inform the public that these bids had already been
submitted and let prior to the conclusion of negotiations.” Writing about the climate
of negotiations during 1959 Lambert wrote…“The first thing you have to have is trust
and faith in each other. With our previous plant manager we were assured of this and
he was assured of the same by the local union.” In conclusion he wrote… “We
enjoyed better labor relations in the La Crosse plant than probably any plant in the
corporation. Definitely less labor trouble than either the Bay City or Toledo Plants.”
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Governor Nelson Signs Unemployment Bill
Governor Gaylord Nelson signed into law a bill establishing a new and liberal
schedule of unemployment benefit eligibility starting on June 8, 1959. Meeting with
Governor Nelson, Bernard Thill, president La Crosse AFL-CIO; Leland Mulder,
assemblyman, Holmen; Raymond Bice, Senator, La Crosse; Gerald Peterson, 5th
Ward Supervisor; George Milne, La Crosse Chamber of Commerce; and Mayor Milo
Knutson discussed the Electric Auto-Lite situation. Governor Nelson agreed to fly to
Toledo, Ohio to ask the Auto-Lite to revoke its plans to close the La Crosse plant. The
labor climate and taxation in the La Crosse area were also topics of discussion at this
meeting.
It‟s All Over, 1959
It‟s all over, read the Tribune headline of July 5, 1959. Fred Rogowski a 25year
plant guard told the press that there had been no disturbances during the last
day of operations at the plant. One employee had tossed a firecracker and one had
squirted water from a small balloon and that was it. Tool Room employees filed out of
the building with their tools and tool chests for the last time. The plant had
manufactured speedometers and related devices along with thermometers and gauges
for the Chrysler Corporation. Some of the comments overheard from the departing
workers were; “Was nice knowing you,” “I hope to God it‟s for the better,” “Anything
I‟d say you couldn‟t print,” “I have nothing to say, go to hell,” “It will be the first rest
I‟ve had in 30 years,” “It‟s just terrible, I‟d hate to tell you how we feel,” and “24
years down the drain.”
At the main entrance to the plant still hung a large sign that read, Welcome
Back on one side and Goodbye Good Luck on the other probably stung the departing
workers on the last day of operation of the plant. The annual payroll of the company
placed eight million dollars in the community and would be terribly felt in the near
future by labor and management. THE LA CROSSE PLANT OF THE ELECTRIC
AUTO-LITE COMPANY HAS CLOSED, read the final line of the July 5, 1959 La
Crosse Tribune article. The Union revoked Local 396's charter on April 4, 1960
because of the plant closing.
St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral Cornerstone Ceremony, 1960
St. Joseph is the patron saint of workers. The La Crosse cathedral was built by
the Orville E. Madsen and Son General Contracting firm of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The owner, Mr. Orville Madsen was a card-carrying union bricklayer for 25 years prior
to entering the contracting business. Bishop John Treacy was the head of the La
Crosse Diocese at the time of the construction of the Cathedral.
The Cornerstone ceremony was conducted on September 11, 1960. There was
a noon luncheon at the Stoddard Hotel prior to the laying of the stone at 6th and Main
Streets. At 3 p.m. a speaking program at Western Wisconsin Technical College
featured AFL vice president/IBEW Secretary, Joseph Keenan. Governor Pilleo Nash
and Reverend William Smith also spoke. Keenan said in his comments, “people have
lost sight of the idea that unionism if not a way of life, it is simply a good way to a
better life.” In his comments, Keenan spoke of the need of a minimum wage of $1.25
an hour.
Bishop Joseph Tracey officiated at the cornerstone laying ceremony at 4:30
p.m. After the blessing of the cornerstone, Reverend William Smith said, “This is the
first time in the history of the Catholic Church in the United States and perhaps in the
world that a Cathedral has been consecrated and dedicated to God under the title of
St. Joseph the Workman.
181

Reverend James Finucan placed ten documents into a copper box which was
later sealed into the cornerstone. It contained the following items:
A cornerstone ceremony invitation
A sealed recording of the Cathedral Bells with remarks by Bishop Treacy
A list of the International Organized in the La Crosse Diocese
A list of the workmen employed in the construction of the Cathedral
Al list of the officers and locals of the La Crosse AFL-CIO Council
The Labor Day issue of the Union Herald
Three issues of the Times Review with articles relating to Cathedral contracts
An issue of the La Crosse Tribune with an advance story on the cornerstone
ceremonies
St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral Dedication Ceremony, 1962
A dedication event to
commemorate the completion of St.
Joseph the Workman Cathedral occurred
from May 14 through May 19 in 1962.
Monday, May 14, 10:30 a.m.
His eminence Archbishop Francis
Cardinal Spellman of New York presided
over the mass. Cardinal Richard Cardinal
Cushing also participated along with
Bishop John Treacy. Monsignors John
Paul, Thomas O‟Shaughnessy, Joseph
Kundinger and James Finucan of La
Crosse also participated. Newburg
Motors of La Crosse provided 40
convertibles and station wagons (all
white) for the procession to the
Cathedral for the dedication ceremony
which were scheduled for Tuesday, May
15, 5 p.m.; Wednesday, May 16, 11 a.m.; Thursday, May 17, 11 a.m.; and Friday,
May 18, 11 a.m.
Saturday, May 19, 10:30 a.m.
The exterior of the Cathedral is made of Wisconsin Lannon Stone and Buff
Oolithic Bedford Limestone. It is 216 feet and six inches high. Over the entrance to
the Cathedral is a statue of St. Joseph. At his feet is lily and carpenter‟s squares,
symbols of St. Joseph. The organ was manufactured by Moller Company of
Hagerstown, Maryland and the bronze candelabra were made by Carl Wyland of
Cologne, Germany.
Locally many businesses provided products and services to the Cathedral
project. Lathing, plastering and ornamental plastering were done by Poellinger
Plastering Service of La Crosse. Acoustic tile was applied by La Crosse Acoustical Tile
Company. Plumbing and heating materials were provided by the La Crosse Plumbing
and Supply Company. The basement and foundation work for the Cathedral were
done by the Domke Excavating Company of La Crosse. The Hackner Company made
the pews, shrines, altars, stalls and other woodwork for the Cathedral.
Stone Mason Injured laying Cathedral Walls
Helge Carlson of Stevens Point, Wisconsin was laying stone when one slipped
out of place and he tried to keep it from falling to the ground. In doing so he himself
fell 20 feet to the ground and broke his hip. While he was hospitalized for two
months, his brother, Walfred carried on the work while Helge mended.
182
Common Cloth, a sculpture dedicated to work,
Located by St. Josephs’ Cathedral, La Crosse, photo by author

Stained Glass Craftsman
Erhard Stoettner, a master craftsman was employed by the T.C. Esser
Company of Milwaukee and La Crosse. He learned his stained glass skills in Europe.
He founded the stained glass department of the Esser Company in 1937. The
windows of the Cathedral contain nearly 50,000 pieces of glass. Stoettner insists on
cutting each and every piece of the windows himself before turning them over to his
other workmen. He also supervises the painting and fusing of each window.
Seven-Month Meat Cutters Strike, 1964
Local 444 had been on strike against Sciborski‟s IGA since August 10, 1964.
All of the other 22 union stores in La Crosse had signed contractors with Local 444.
Mr. Sciborski objected to the health and welfare plan the union proposed opting to
offer his plan which he declared superior to the union‟s. The union agreed to submit
both to an independent third party and ask them to rule on which one was fair,
Sciborski flatly refused. Basically, Sciborski wished to rewrite the contract that was
accepted by the other union stores.
Charles Zalesak, the business representative of the meat cutters told the Union
Herald, “How can you Mr. Sciborski, condone and justify all of these acts but most
important how can you justify your position of depriving your striking employees of
wages, fringe benefits, security and working conditions equal to those received by
other Union meat cutters in this city of La Crosse.
The Union is only asking that you, Mr. Sciborski, be fair and human to your
striking employees by giving them the security, wages and fringe benefits and
working conditions that the other members in La Crosse have been receiving the last
three years. NO MORE-BUT, NO LESS.
Mr. Sciborski, please be informed that the Union is available at any time to
meet with you and your attorney in an attempt to resolve the dispute so that the
employees involved can start receiving the benefits they have been deprived of the
last three years.
Mr. Sciborski, you now have the answer to the question you recently posed in
the La Crosse Tribune and we quote, „I don‟t have any idea why they are picketing. I
don‟t hear from them and they don‟t hear from me.”
The striking members and the Union wish to thank the citizens of La Crosse for
their wonderful support they have extended us in this long struggle and we want to
assure them that their continued support is of the utmost importance and will be
sincerely appreciated.”
Non-Union Contractor at Logan High School, 1979
August 8, 1979 saw construction on the new Logan High School grind to a halt
when a labor dispute occurred there. A non-union contractor, Franklin Neitzel, was
hauling crushed rock for the parking lot and caused the union trades workers to put
up a picket line. Local 199 of the Brotherhood of Teamsters first spotted the nonunion
contractor the day pervious but, did not put up a picket line until August 8. This
dispute was settled the same day, Alden Mehlhoff, architect for Hackner, Schroeder,
Rolansky and Associates of La Crosse had been informed by the general contractor on
the project that a union crushed rock hauler was to be used. Woodrow Wiedenhoeft,
director of operations for the La Crosse School District told the press that the three
unionized custodians on the job were transferred elsewhere during the dispute.
183

Cooler Company History and Strikes
1946, La Crosse Novelty Box Company Becomes La Crosse Cooler Company
Changing their name to the La Crosse Cooler Company the factory moved to a
new building with 40 employees in 1946. By 1953 they were manufacturing their first
bottle dispensing machines and Automatic Ice Cube Machines. In 1958 they had a
contract to manufacture Pepsi Cola bottle dispensing machines. This company began
in a garage at Main and King Streets, 6th and 7th Streets in 1934. By 1962, 200
employees were employed at the Cooler Company. A product called the “pubster”
was being manufactured for home use for dispensing kegs of beer.
1970, Strike
UAW Local 1452 struck the La Crosse Cooler Company after rejecting the
company‟s offer by a vote of 42 to 42 (5 members not voting).
1976, UAW Local 1452 Member in Court
Myron T. Boland, a union steward for UAW Local 1452 won a court case against
the Cooler Company after he was not allowed to enter the factory during a period of a
week‟s suspension for a rules infraction. He had been kept out of the plant in March
of 1976, and the NLRB ruled in his favor when he filed a complaint with the Labor
Board. Terry Griffel, the vice president of UAW Local 1452 called the ruling,
“fantastic,” and “in our favor.”
Negotiations began in August with John Williams serving the union as its
president. The Cooler Company was first organized in 1967. By August 27th, the
union informed the company that if an agreement was not reached by midnight of
September 30th, the 165 union members would walk out and strike. On September
4th the union voted 91 to 10 to authorize a strike. “We used to keep up with the
Trane Company. We‟re so far behind now that it‟s pitiful,” replied one Local 1452
member. In October, Simon Zuiker a Federal mediator was on site attempting to
bring the two parties together. In November the Cooler Company began looking for
temporary workers to replace the 180 striking workers. The company gave the union
a letter that said, “It appears that there are no economic advantages to moving to any
of several areas.”
On November 28th the negotiations began again. The NRLB ruled that, “there
is probable cause to believe the company has bargained in bad faith.” It scheduled a
hearing for February 1, 1977. On December 2nd, the base wage for Cooler workers
was $4.06 an hour. The company was offering 35 cents an hour raise for the first
year, a 30 cents an hour raise the second year and a 30 cents an hour raise the third
year. The union was asking for 80 cents the first year, 60 cents the second year and
50 cents the third year. The company had hired 40 replacement workers.
The union members were scheduled to vote on a contract offer on December
7th. On December 9th the union voted and rejected the offer on a vote of 70 to 60 of
a $1.07 cents an hour pay raise spread over the three year contract. This vote was
taken at the UAW Union office located at 624 Gillette Street.
On January 6, 1977 the union scheduled another vote. On January 7th the
strike ended with a 97 to 46 vote, after lasting 99 days. The offer accepted was 37
cents, 35 cents and 35 cents for the three year contract.
The Beginning of the End, 1981
By August of 1981 the La Crosse Cooler Company was experiencing hard times
and it laid off 100 workers out of the 175 employed by the plant. It also sought a
plan that would allow its creditors to accept 25 cents on the dollar to settle the plant‟s
184

debt. In November a new three-year contract was signed between the company and
the union. Due to everyone being laid off and out of work with no chance of ever
returning the union revoked Local 1452's charter on March 20, 1982.
1985, The End Came
After finally securing a buyer, the end came to the Factory. On September
18th the factory shut its doors for good.
Swift and Company
In the October 1955 issue of the Union Herald newspaper a front page story
noted that UAW Local 175 voted 48 to 2 to go on strike against their employer, Swift
and Company. The wages and conditions in the plant were reputed to be very poor.
After 2 months of negotiations the company offered the union a 2 cents an hour pays
hike and 4 weeks of vacation to workers with 25 years of employment. The union
noted that of the 50 members that voted in the strike vote, not one of them had
worked for 25 years or more and consequently, none of them would enjoy the boost
in the number of weeks of vacation offered by Swift.
La Crosse Footwear, China Rally, 2000
The La Crosse AFL-CIO, working with the Wisconsin AFL-CIO and several other
state groups staged a rally in the parking lot of the La Crosse Footwear Company on
February 26, 2000. The rally was in opposition to Congress considering the passage
of a Permanent Normalized Trade Agreement. American shoe manufacturing was
suffering tremendously from the low-wage and low (or none) fringe benefits of
Chinese workers, coupled with the almost complete lack of environmental protections
mandated by the Chinese government for their manufacturers. This made them
attractive low overhead suppliers of footwear for buyers everywhere.
A busload of Tibetan representatives came up from Madison to show their
disapproval of the pending trade policy. Local agricultural and environmental
representatives joined with several organized labor speakers in denouncing the
upcoming consideration of the trade agreement, fearing the results of such low-wage
competition to American manufacturers.
The rally was partially to demonstrate to Congressman Ron Kind, of
Wisconsin‟s 3rd Congressional District the depth of opposition to this bill.
Unfortunately the bill later passed and just a few months later, La Crosse Footwear
was out of the business of manufacturing American-made footwear in La Crosse. The
company would continue to act as a receiving and shipping facility for the now
Portland, Oregon based company. The number of workers employed by this company
shrank from almost 800 to two dozen a few years after this rally.
185

1915 products of the
National Gauge and
Equipment Company.
This Company was
organized in 1915 and
employed 100 workers at
that time.
In 1926 it was absorbed by
the New York Moto Meter
Company.
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy
Library, University of
Wisconsin – La Crosse
186

Chapter Seven: City Wide Strike, 1920
Brewery and Skilled Trades Strike
The Heileman, Bartl, Gund and Erickson Breweries were hit by a strike of 165
workers on April 13. 1920. Pickets were thrown up to warn possible workers of the
strike in progress. The workers were demanding a wage increase amounting to $9 a
week for men and $5 for women and boys. In negotiations the union dropped its‟
demand down to an increase of $6.50 for men and $5 for women and boys. The
company offered an across the board raise of $4.50 per week for men, women and
boys. This was not accepted and the bargaining continued. 191
Open Shop Declared By Brewers!
The right to employ non-union workers alongside contracted union workers
were demanded by the Brewers within two days of the strike. This did not improve the
bargaining climate. Rather it waved a red flag in front of the workers, whose National
Union representative, John Rader, of Cincinnati, said were already the lowest paid
brewery workers in the state of Wisconsin. In other labor matters, Trades and Labor
organizer Reuben Knutson reported that the contractors refused to recognize the Hod
carriers and Common Laborers Union. They sent him a communication, which in part
read, “It is moved and seconded and passed that the contractors refuse to recognize
“Common Laborers” union.” E.H. Luening, Secretary, signed it.
The Bartl, Gund, Heileman and Erickson Breweries advertised their intention to
declare and operate an open shop in the newspaper. John Rader had come to La
Crosse weeks prior to the strike and had not been able to convince the Brewers of the
reasonableness of the workers‟ wage requests. He said, “We are ready to accept the
challenge of the brewers. Our men will stand pat 100 percent. They are all out and I
am confident they will not be induced to return under any open shop proposal of their
former employers.” 192
Sympathy Strikes Begin
The Common Laborers Union wasted no time in calling for a strike vote,
following the employer‟s statements. Allied tradesmen joined them in the walk out as
soon as the companies involved tried to substitute with non-union laborers on the
Rivoli Theater job and the La Crosse Clothing Plant job site. At any building site where
the Laborers or Hod carriers were needed, bricklayers and plasterers, along with other
craftsmen, were honoring the strike and staying away from the projects. Teamsters
were also refusing to haul product from any of the struck breweries and downtown
saloons were reported to be running low on supplies of the beverage.
The Trades and Labor Council was meeting to consider a citywide sympathy
strike in support of the affected strikers. This was expected to have a devastating
effect, if implemented. 193 The threatened and somewhat expected actions by the
Trades and Labor Council were confirmed the day following the unions‟ meeting.
Products from the Gund, Heileman, Bartl and Monitor Breweries were placed on the
unfair list by a vote of the unionists. Another vote approved and supported the need
to pull every union construction worker where the striking laborers were involved.
Tradesmen affected by this order were, plumbers. Bricklayers, plasterers,
steamfitters, sheet metal workers, electricians, painters, carpenters and elevator men.
Projects affected were the, new theater building, La Crosse Clothing Company
191
La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, April 13, 1920
192
Ibid., April 15, 1920
193
Ibid., April 16, 1920
187

uilding, Lorillard Tobacco Company building, National Gauge and Equipment
Company addition, North Side Foundry, and the Grandview Hospital-Nurses Home.
The railroad brotherhoods also agreed not to switch a boxcar containing construction
materials headed for local contractors.
This citywide solidarity was the first instance of the power of organized labor
against concentrated business interests on such a level of widespread issues. 194
Business was not slow in responding to the threat by collective union associations.
They quickly lined up 66 local businesses and signed an open shop agreement. The La
Crosse Employers Association also authorized a full-page advertisement endorsing this
open shop policy and listing the names of the businesses that had agreed to it. The
Master Builders Association was in accord with this policy and joined in with a similar
plan. This group represented about 50 other businesses throughout the city. This was
a huge group that combined to face the unions. Reuben Knutson called the joint
actions, “a declaration of war on the part of the employers.” 195
Open Shop means War! „Declares Reuben Knutson‟.
“We are not knocking chips off any one‟s shoulder, but wherever we have
anything at stake we shall proceed exactly as before. Despite its‟ friendly language
the open shop statement, issued by the manufacturers is a declaration of war on
union labor.” He continued saving, “A closed shop union of employers has been
formed to prevent labor from organizing similarity in its‟ own interest. I say that
employers‟ union is a closed shop because by the terms of its‟ agreement it is closed
to any employer who runs a union shop. There is nothing new about this statement,
excepting as it affects the building trades and the breweries. So far as the others are
concerned, they merely agree among them to do as a body what they have always
claimed to do as individuals, and they leave it to themselves to be judges of their own
fairness. Labor is interested in this reiteration only as from time to time the
organization may get in the way of the development of our labor program. We are not
knocking chips off anybody‟s shoulders, but wherever we have anything at stake we
shall proceed exactly
as before.”
Speaking further he stated. "The brewery plants, which heretofore have been
union shops, and the master builders, are getting under the cover of this employer‟s
closed shop because they have a fight on their hands. That fight will proceed exactly
as if there had been no organization, and the result will be the same. There is not one
thing the employers can do now which they couldn‟t have done before they were
organized. Their organization has not deprived labor of any of its weapons.” Knutson
understood the hardships and commercial effects of a widespread labor dispute on the
economics of La Crosse. He simply felt boxed in and faced with attacks on the very
basis of union wages and the right of workers to form unions, of their own free will, by
the attitude and actions of the employers. Their attempts to bring in outside nonunion
workmen was viewed as a very serious threat to the local workmen, and he
deplored the idea that skilled non-union workers could be found to replace union
trained workmen. Saying so in the following words,
“For the sake of the city I am sorry the master builders have forced this strike,
because it means that important work will be tied up without any good coming to
anybody. Where wills the master builders go to get non-union skilled workers to come
to La Crosse? Don‟t they know there are none to be had? Warming up to his topic,
Knutson continued, “Where will they go to find workers who will come in here for La
Crosse wages? Don‟t they know that wages average higher in other cities, that men
194
La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, April 17, 1920
195
Ibid., April 18, 1920
188

are scarce, and that the master builders of hundreds of cities are combing the country
for skilled men at any price? Don‟t they know that every footloose mechanic in La
Crosse will have his choice of as good or better jobs, and that they will begin within a
week to drift out of the city? How is La Crosse going to replace those men? If there
had been unfair demands it would been different, but to bring on this fight in a town
where the demands of labor have been more than reasonable is merely playing into
the hands of the master builders in other cities that will take all the men they can get.
Reuben Knutson the Trades and Labor Council organizer, realized the relative
size of the two opposing groups that were locked in battle in La Crosse and put it in
perspective saying, “If La Crosse master builders had stopped to consider the
hopelessness of their plan, as well as its waste, most of them would not have come in,
I believe. La Crosse. A dot on the map is Irving to smash the strongest organized
department of the American Federation of Labor. It seems to me, the master builders
have been tricked into joining this movement by certain manufacturers who want the
building trades disorganized for its effect on their own payrolls. These manufacturers
have everything to gain and nothing to lose. The master builders have everything to
lose, and nothing to gain. I am sure some of the master builders see this and that in
joining the organization they have merely gone with the crowd against their
judgment.”
Owners Try for the Open Shop Through the Local Press
On page ten of the Monday, April 19. 1920 La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press
was a full-page ad, touting the OPEN SHOP for LA CROSSE. Citing nothing less than
the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, the
employers came out for the removal of unions from workplaces of La Crosse. They did
not say a worker could not belong to a union, however if the boss can pay whatever
he wishes to a non-union worker, and follow only the signed contract with a union
employee, the end result is not unknown or hard to guess. The ad stated such
principles as; base the pay of employees upon their individual skill and ability, loyalty
and diligence. Pay as high wages as existing commercial, conditions will safe/v allow.
Establish and maintain reasonable hours of work, and surroundings as desirable and
attractive as the type of business makes possible. Require of each employee sincere
and industrious service during the whole of each working day. Protect every employee
in the lawful exercise of the right to earn a livelihood Continue the now‟ generally
recognized policy of the right of employees to present any complaints or suggestions
to their employers, either individually, collectively, or by a committee from among
their number.
The La Crosse Master Builders Association stated that this action was being
taken because it would afford a greater opportunity for every boy and girl in America
to achieve and prosper, and that is would result in increased production, which in turn
would help drive down the cost of living. 196 Building trades unions responded by
holding a union meeting at which they voted to pull all teamsters, painters,
carpenters, sheet metal workers and electricians out of the breweries that were being
picketed by the striking brewery workers union. The names of the master builders
that had signed on as advertisers was not published in the ad that ran in the paper,
the union leaders ironically noted this. Predictions of mass departures from the city by
skilled workmen were given as well. 197
The master builders continued to refuse to release the names of the
contractors that had signed on as open shop supporters and declared further, that
henceforth they would hire workers as they pleased, whether or not they belonged to
196
La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, April 18, 1920
197
Ibid., April 20, 1920
189

a union or not. They stated that they stood for the American doctrine of the right of
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 198 A meeting was scheduled to be held in
Yeoman‟s Hall by the Trades and Labor Council to plan a mass public meeting.
Admission to this meeting would be by paid quarterly union building trades union
cards.
The Trades and Labor Council announced that they would act as the contractor
for anyone wishing construction work done in La Crosse by union labor, thereby
lowering the cost of living by cutting out the middleman. This of course being the
master builders! 199
A General Strike is Called For
A general strike was called, at the meeting held at Yeoman‟s Hall. It took effect
on April 24. This action was said to be an attempt to learn of whom the contractors
were that supported the open shop plan in La Crosse. Mr. Knutson said, “We were told
in full-page advertisements that the names of the master builders signing for the open
shop would be made public. To date the names have never been announced and our
repeated requests, through the press, for these names have never ignored by the
master builders. Mr. Luening, their secretary, says he will stake his life that all have
signed-but the names of the signers are not forthcoming.” A copy of the strike
resolution was reprinted in the newspaper and a part it read. “...They have joined
hands with BIG Business and the moneyed interests of this country to disrupt the
organized labor movement of this country.”
The battle was heating up. 200 Labor claimed the first victory in the battle of
the open shop, when it announced that 12 contractors that had signed a statement to
the effect that they were not in sympathy with the open shop campaign in La Crosse.
Apparently, the threat of the Labor Council to overtake the contractor‟s role in the
construction industry had appealed to many citizens, they recognizing the sizable
savings of getting union scale workers, without having to pay the general contractors
fees along with the job. 201
The next salvo fired off by the open shop proponents was quick in coming. The
employers stated in the press that the Trades and Labor Council was violating the
signed contracts in calling the men off the jobs, without allowing the employers the
recourse of arbitration of the matter before a third party. In addition, they warned the
Council and the general public, that if the Trades and Labor Council were going to hire
out more than three workers on any job, it would have to by state statute, provide
liability insurance for those workers. The next move would be by organized labor. 202
Mayor Advises Union to Watch for Frost in the Nether regions
The mayor of La Crosse came out for the unions in a speech at the union
meeting on Monday at Yeomen‟s Hall. “Stand till Hell freezes over,” advised Mayor
A.A. Bentley of La Crosse to over 800 men and women in the hail, “If you have to
fight for the recognition of the principle of collective bargaining!” Alderman J.J.
Verchota, President of the Trades and Labor Council presided at the meeting. Mayor
Bentley was the first speaker. He stated. “I am shocked and grieved to learn that they
have organized in La Crosse to question the right of labor to organize and bargain
collectively. I am sorry that this issue has been raised here. This is a question of
198 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, 21, 1920
199 Ibid., April 22, 1920
200 Ibid., April 24, 1920
201 Ibid., April 25, 1920
202 Ibid., April 26, 1920
190

industrial democracy and must be settled here. I know that there is ducking and
dodging among the open shop signers, with certain reservations but way down deep
you will find that the real fight is on trade unionism.
A Local woman, Mrs. A.A. George Schneider, organizer for the Wisconsin
Federation of Labor was on hand to reply to her comments. He said, “Big Business,
the money power and all who hope to see organized labor crushed will resort to any
depredation to discredit the unions.” He gave an example of a local nature and said,
“Today, when pickets at the La Crosse Housing Corporation work sought refuge in a
vacant shack near the scene of operations, they detected a man who was a stranger
to them, carrying a red can, creeping to one of the partially constructed buildings.
One of the pickets stepped from his shelter; the man with the can saw him and made
a hasty getaway across the prairie. We have the names of thousands in the ranks of
organized labor that is in the pay of big business. We have indisputable evidence that
the employers‟ organization of this country has incited outbursts only to charge them
up to organized labor to discredit it. If Mrs. Maurer is willing to hire scab workmen and
house strike breakers over night she must expect just such trouble as she alleges in
the evening paper.”
Mayor Bentley had a comment to make about the patriotic appeal employers
made to all workers during the prosecution of World War I, just recently over. He told
of the call by city employers for workers to do their part to help win the war for
America. He told of a young woman of La Crosse who lost her husband to combat in
France during that war, and was forced to seek employment in a local factory. The
factory's owner was one of those who were opposed to a minimum wage for women.
Get Involved in Politics, advises Mayor Bentley
Mayor Bentley commented that the best thing organized labor ever did for its‟
self, was get into politics. He told the union workers that the fact that they had
ventured into the political realm might be the very reason that big business was out to
smash up the unions at this time. Reuben Knutson also spoke and assured the crowd
that if labor did go into the job contracting business, they would guarantee to provide
liability insurance for their workers He also addressed the claim by the open shop
proponents that their plan would drive down the high cost of living, by citing an
instance of local interest. Speaking to the crowd he related this story „last summer a
fanner friend of mine brought a load of onions to town. He sold them to a local
businessman for $1.75 a bushel. To get an idea of the profits this local man was
enjoying he later telephoned and asked what he was getting for onions. He was told
the price was $3.50 per bushel. That onion buyer is one of the signers of the open
shop declaration which comes out for a reduction in the cost of living.” Knutson
agreed with Mayor Bentley about the wisdom and power of organized labor if it
remained active in politics, he said of the subject.
Speaking on the events that had led up to the general strike, Knutson gave a
little history to the listening crowd that evening. He told them that the contractors had
been advised as early as January 26, 1920, that on May 1st the Laborers Union would
need to be recognized by all signed union contractors, that being the expiration date
of the labor contracts of many of the tradesmen. He told them of his attempts to meet
with the contractor Peter Nelson and a committee also comprised of Arthur Schwalbe
and C.W. Noble. He recounted that he held off calling a strike despite these delays
and did so only when threatened with the union-busting open shop proposition. He
put it in plain language that evening by saying to the crowd, “it was the game of the
employers to put one union at a time out of business but we didn‟t stand around with
our hands in our pockets, as they expected, but beat them to it. Organized labor
decided that if was the game to put some of us Out of business they would have to
191

put all of us out.” “Wherever labor and the farmer have got together for better
government we are told they can‟t run the government.
Fight for Six Years if Needed
Maybe we can‟t, but it is a cinch we can‟t make a worse mess of it than we find
today,” Knutson told the gathered workers. He declared that the Trades and Labor
Council of La Crosse would defend the right to organize if we have, „to fight six days,
six months, or six years. If, necessary - To defend our rights.” Loud cheers rose out of
the throats of the several hundred at this remark. “This is not a question of hours or
wages; this is a question of disrupting the entire labor movement. All we ask is justice
and are willing to accept the public‟s verdict.” George Schneider of the Wisconsin
Federation of Labor finished up with some scathing comments, “They would deny the
worker who has nothing to sell but his labor which is really his life, sold on the
installment plan- the right to bargain for it collectively, just take your week‟s pay and
as you spend it. Check up and find out if it isn‟t a fact that every‟ dollar of it goes to
people who are member of some organization. The doctors have their medical
societies, the lawyers their bar associations, the merchants their organizations, and so
on, down the line. Everybody is organized and yet it is a great crime if the working
man wants to organize for the sale of his labor.” Schneider blasted the open shop
proponents and said to them, “Domineering employers of La Crosse, who deny labor
it‟s tight- after all we went through overseas could be deported along with the
reds!” 203
Conciliator in Town
A U.S. commissioner of conciliation was in La Crosse on April, meeting with a
committee from the Master Builders‟ Association, the Jobbers Association and the
Manufacturer‟s Association to assist them in ending the citywide labor strike. James I.
Barrett met with President B.C. Smith and the other committee members at their
request to try to help end the trouble Mr. Barrett contacted the union leaders of La
Crosse after his meeting with the business committee. And, he was told that the open
shop principle was not at all acceptable to labor. He informed B.C. Smith of this
development and the employers then refused to meet with any of the union leaders.
Barrett was given testimony from- union and business sources acting independently,
and after a stand by the employers of an open shop policy or nothing, he declared,
„The members of the employers‟ organization made a grave mistake in refusing to
appoint a committee to confer with a committee from organized labor in an effort to
reach some just and equitable agreement, there is much doubt in my mind as to the
wisdom of such a policy. 204
Build a Union Depot for the Railroads
A citizen‟s league voted 242 to 40 for the creation of a union depot for the
areas railroads, to be established on the Causeway site, of Second and Vine Streets.
Mr. Reuben Knutson was in attendance of the meeting at which this was announced
and asked if the union‟s were reads‟ to meet and settle the labor dispute said, “We
stand ready at all times to enter into negotiations looking towards a settlement. It is
my firm belief, that this trouble in the building trades and the breweries too, for that
matter, would have been settled long ago we been able to deal with committees who
actually represent the building trades.” Mr. Knutson questioned whether outside
sources were the prevailing difficulty in coming to a settlement of this dispute.
203
La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, April 27, 1920
204
Ibid., April 30, 1920
192

President Adams of the Citizen‟s League appointed William Doerflinger to serve
as Chairman of a committee authorized by the league to bring together the employers
and workers involved in the citywide strike. Other members of the committee were
attorney James Thompson, reverend J.L. Panziau and R. L.F. Easton, Dr. W.A. Henke
and Charles A. Dittman. 205
Owners Offer to Settle the Strike
The La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press received a formal communication from
the La Crosse Employer‟s Association in which they agreed to meet with the unions to
discuss a possible settlement of the strike. They asked that the union committee
consist of two plumbers, two plasterers, two painters, two sheet metal workers, two
bricklayers, two electricians, two carpenters, and two brewers. This was reported and
reprinted in the newspaper. The unions returned the offer made through the press
with a similar reply. They accepted the offer and sent the newspaper the following
answer; Notice is taken of your offer made through the press under date of May 7 of
your willingness to meet with a committee composed of two plumbers, plasterers,
painters, sheet metal workers, bricklayers, electricians and brewers, for the purpose
of discussing in a friendly spirit the possibility of arriving at a settlement of the
present differences. The Labor Council also suggested, but did not insist upon, a
delegation of third parties from the Citizens‟ League to be a part of the meeting. 206
Let‟s Meet Face to Face, Cry the Employers
The employers ran an ad in this same issue that read
as follows: To All Men Now Out On Strike: As the
question has been raised regarding the willingness of the
Employer„s Association to negotiate with striking employees,
the Association announces its willingness to meet with a
committee of an equal number of employees now on strike,
composed of two carpenters. And the same number of
plumbers, plasterers, painters, sheet metal workers,
bricklayers, electricians and brewers, for the purpose of
discussing in a friendly spirit the possibilities of arriving at a
settlement of the present differences. An early date for such
meeting will be fixed immediately on receipt of a notice of
acceptance of this proposition. Signed, respectfully;
EMPLOYERS‟ ASSOCIATION OF LA CROSSE. 207
The employers turned down the request to include
Chairman William Doerflinger and his committee in the
group. They appointed the following to be their 16
representatives; Burt C. Smith, Joseph Bartl, Carl F. Michel,
Robert Albrecht, Arthur Schwalbe, E.H. Luening, Peter
Nelson, F.D. Branson, W.F. Baker, J.J. Lienfelder, Al Klick,
Odin J. Oyen, Phil Linker, Michael Nowak, William Torrance
and A.L. Goetzmann.
To Meet At Pioneer Hall
The employers suggested that the meeting take place
at Pioneer Hall on Tuesday evening, May 11. Rueben
205 Ibid., May 4, 1920
206 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, May 7, 1920
207 Ibid., May 8, 1920
193
Newspaper ad from June 3, 1920

Knutson agreed to these conditions and set about naming the union‟s representatives.
He told the local press, “While the employers‟ committee is not in all respects selected
according to the suggestions we had hoped would be accepted. We shall be glad to go
into the meeting with them. Our committee will be chosen in accordance with the
employers‟ proposition which we agreed to, and the principle of which we put up to
them in turn” Mr. Knutson, as a member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union
would be one of the union representatives. 208
William Doerflinger announced that his league was satisfied with the makeup of
this committee, he said “As soon as our committee was organized, we agreed that we
had to be neutral our Only object was to get the two factions together to talk it over,
and we believed that if that could be done we would have fulfilled our mission. It was
never our intention to participate in the deliberations of a meeting between the two
sides.” 209 The meeting convened at Pioneer Hall as scheduled. The meeting was
doomed from the onset. Mr. B C Smith ruled that any labor representatives present
that were from any of the striking unions were not eligible to remain on the
committee. All the Brewery workers then withdrew when Mr. Rader, their
International Representative was being barred from taking part. In addition to this
ruling Smith read an address which in part denied any nonresident of the City of La
Crosse to remain on the committee from either side.
Other issues covered in the statement read as follows: Maybe the employee
doesn„t really understands the desire for fairness by the employer, and maybe the
employer doesn„t gets the wish for the same desire possessed by and the viewpoint of
the employee. Let‟s talk it over, let‟s each get what is in the heart of the other and in
doing it. Let‟s all remember from first to last, my opening statement, that we are all
citizens of the same town, that we should be friends and that friendship is best
conserved by a calm dispassionate careful consideration of the thing which has
marred, our friendship. I have taken the liberty to call in a stenographer to keep
accurate record 0f these proceedings. A copy will be furnished each side of its records.
I trust this meets with your approval.
Really Nothing but a Debate of Open Shop, versus Closed Shop
This meeting turned into nothing but a debate of the open shop versus the
closed shop or to put it plainly, non-union against union. As one could surmise the
groups voted en block, employers for the open shop, and organized labor for the
closed shop. 210 At Yeomen‟s Hall the next day, the unions called for a mass meeting
in the evening. The employers ran a full-page ad seeking striker replacements. The
city was hand billed by the workers to assure a good turnout at the mass meeting.
The Employer‟s ad announced that the Building Trades and Breweries would open up
for work only under the open shop plan. The public was told that the Breweries were
now operating at from half to practically full crews and expected to return to full
production. MEN WANTED read the boldfaced type in the paper, “The La Crosse
Manufacturers, Jobbers, and Building Trades have declared for the American principle
of the Open Shop, which guarantees to every man his right to work, regardless of
religion, politics, race or membership or non-membership in a Labor Union. Union
men opposed to this principle have quit work. There is much work to be done in all
the building trades and in the factories. Wages are good and living conditions the best
steady work.
Carpenters, Brick Masons, Painters, Plasterers, Electricians, Tinsmiths, Sheet
Metal Workers, Plumbers, Common Labor, all wanted. If you can qualify in any of the
208 Ibid., May 10, 1920
209 Ibid., May 11, 1920
210 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, May 12, 1920
194

above trades COME or write any contractor or factory named below. Address No. 5
Batavian Bank Building, La Crosse. Wis.”
The ad contained all the shops and businesses that had agreed to hire under
an open shop plan. The Bartl, Gund, Heileman and La Crosse Refining Company had
signed. Advertising for plumbers were the Baker-Niebuhr Company, F.M. Branson and
Son, Al. Braunec, P.J. Iverson, IF. Lapitz. Otto W. Marquardt, John Mydels and Son,
E.F. Palen, Ratz and Hoffman, Jas. H. Smith, Thu-Manning-Whalen Company, Arthur
R. Vogel, Win. Woehlke and J.H. Hengel. John Arnez and Son, August Kaaz, Albert
Klick, Klick and Kienzle, Louis Kupp sought bricklayers. A.H. Mitchell, John A. Miller,
Michael Nowak, Peter Nelson and Son, Charles W Noble, Max Preeschl, Frank Rochelt
and Son, Frank Schwalbe and Sons, A. Siebrecht, P. and J. Dagendesh, Ed Wallace,
W.W. Wuensch and the La Crosse Sanitor Corporation. The Benton Electric Company,
A.O. COLBY ELECTRIC COMPANY, Electric Supply and Construction Company, Linker
Electric Company and the Thill-Manning-Whalen Company wanted electricians and
Wiremen. Painters and Decorators were asked to apply for work at the Charles
Balduzzi firm, C.A. Braun, F.A. Habert, C.E. Hammes, the A. and C. Johnson
Company, The Little Shop, Odin I Oxen and E A Rohr. The John Arentz and Son
Company, Espenes and Grunlein, August Kaaz, Lewis Knudson, E.H. Luening, A.H.
Mitchel, Peter Nelson and Son, Charles W. Noble, Max Preeschl, Frank Roschelt and
Son, F.R. Schwalbe and Sons, Ed Wallace, W.W. Wuensch and the Western
Construction Company were courting carpenters. The H.C. Thomas and Brothers
Company needed sheet metal workers, La Crosse Steel Roofing and Corrugating
Company, J.J. Leinfelder, V. Tausche Hardware Company, Wodzynsik Hardware
Company, Adam Kroner Company, John Ledegar, Fred Dittinan Hardware Company,
Frank Doerre, John Herman, Fred Kroner Hardware Company, Pfafflin and Manke.
August H. Ranis, I.W. Smith and Son, C.J. Swenson and the Badger Corrugating
Company. 211
A Thousand Citizens Hear Labor‟s Side of the Fiasco
So read the headline of the newspaper on May 14, 1920. 212 At Yeomen Hall,
one thousand people gathered to hear organized labor speak on the open shop issue.
The speakers explained that this was not a battle limited to only La Crosse, but
rather, just a part of a nation-wide campaign to break the back of organized labor.
Organizer Rueben Knutson told the gathered citizens that labor had only just begun to
fight. John Rader of the Brewery Workers International Union spoke and told the
crowd that big business was not against using any method whatever to destroy
unions. William Coleman of the Wisconsin Federation of Labor also appeared and told
the listening crowd, “This is a battle between the forces of reaction and the forces of
progress. He added, “We are the forces of progress, humanity and civilization. The
open shop advocates are its opponents.” 213
La Crosse Trades and Labor Council president, J.J. Verchota presided and
Mayor A.A. Bentley was the first speaker on the evening‟s program. “You are fighting
for one of the greatest principles we asked you to fight for in France. I deem the
cause sufficient for the Mayor to take a stand. One of the Employer‟s groups has
insisted that my place was among the neutrals, that is, I was to say nothing on either
side, but sit calmly by and watch organized labor broken. It seems to be the popular
idea among a certain faction in La Crosse that the city‟s mayors should do all there
talking.”
211 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, May 13, 1920
212 Ibid., May 14, 1920
213 Ibid., May 14, 1920
195

Mr. Knutson told the crowd that the Railroad unions were preparing to assist
the strikers in this labor dispute. He said that two of the brotherhoods had passed
resolutions stating this resolve. He further stated that the other railroad unions were
ready to pass similar resolutions of support very soon.
A local owner was singled out for criticism during the speaking program. John
Rader, office of the Brewers Workers‟ Union declared to the gathered crowd that Mr.
Goetzmann of the Listman Mill was part of a company owned by the Kansas City Flour
Mills, which fought unions during World War I. The Kansas City Flour Mills hired the
Marshall Detective Service whose hired men worked to disrupt the union activities in
the Kansas City mill. Mr. William Colman of the Wisconsin Federation of Labor spoke
and said, “There is no such thing as open shop or closed shop, but union or non-union
shops.”
City-Wide Dispute Resolved
A mass meeting of union tradesmen was scheduled for Eagles Hall on July 10,
reported the July 9, newspaper. Building tradesmen were out on strike, due to a
dispute with the Master Builders Association of La Crosse. A series of meetings had
already taken place between the craftsmen and the employers. Reuben Knutson was
still the organizer of the Trades and Labor Council and he asked every striking building
tradesman to attend this meeting at the Eagles Hall. 214 This dispute originated on
April 24, 1920. 215 The brewery workers were also out on strike at this time and one
of the pickets from the line around the Heileman Brewery found himself in court,
facing Judge Brindlev. John Jung, was charged by a Mr. Mildan Stevens of having
threatened him with bodily harm, when followed home by Jung, after working at the
Brewery recently.
Attorney Hartwell represented the picketing worker and the Judge ruled in
favor of the picketer, finding his story that he followed home the worker as part of his
picket duties, entirely reasonable. The Judge felt that considering the tenseness of the
situation that the striking union man showed much forbearance and restraint and said
so, in court apparently. 216
Building and Trades craftsmen vote at Eagles Hall to end strike
Thousands of dollars in projects had been held up by this dispute. They also
agreed to assess themselves $1.60 per week per man, to use as strike assistance
funds for the striking brewery workers of the city. Reuben Knutson and Fred Hartwell
chaired the meeting that decided these issues. Mr. M.B. Smith, president of the
Employers‟ Association said, “It is a satisfactory settlement we are glad to get the
men back to work and to have building resumed.” This dispute (which began on April
24) was caused by the employers‟ refusal to recognize the Hod Carriers and Common
Laborers Union. This rejection caused every card carrying union craftsman to be
pulled off the job. Work in the city came to a standstill. Mr. Knutson reported that this
strike had affected 500 men, of whom, 250 had left the city for outside construction
work. The major projects affected during this strike were the new movie theater on
North Fourth Street. (The Rivoli Theater) the new plant of the La Crosse Clothing
Company at Fourth and Vine Streets and the addition to the National Gauge and
Equipment Companies‟ factory on the North side.
The newspaper editorialized on this settlement and praised both sides for
coming to an agreement; it also lamented the loss of progress and profit that this
214 Ibid., July 9, 1920
215 Ibid., July 11, 1920
216 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, July 10, 1920
196

dispute had caused. It advised labor and capital to mediate future disputes, rather
than shutting down the engine of profit and wages. 217
Brewers Plunge into the Fray
No sooner had the construction trades settled than the Brewers Association
threw fuel on the fires, by announcing a fight to the finish on the issue of the right to
operate with an open shop principle, in their workplaces. Coupled with the fact that
the unions claimed to be being paid the lowest wage rates in the entire state, this
challenge solidified union resolves, and early on set the tone for a gigantic battle of
wills on both sides of the bargaining table. Complicating the local labor scene, the
employers of the Hod Carriers and Common Laborers still refused to recognize the
union of these workmen. Sending a communication to Reuben Knutson, the employers
wrote, it is moved and seconded and passed that the contractors refuse to recognize
“Common Laborers” union.
At around this same time the Bartl, Heileman, J. Gund, and Monitor Breweries
published an ad stating their position and refusal to drop their claim to the right to
establish an open shop rule in their industry. John Rader, of Cincinnati, officer of the
National Brewery Workers Union issued a statement also, “I came to La Crosse
several weeks ago and tried to convince the employers of the reasonableness of the
men‟s demands. Comparatively, the scale is lower than in other places where the
same industry can be classed as competition.” Speaking about the open shop
demand, Rader had this to say, our men will stand pat 100 percent. They are all out
and I am confident they will not be induced to return under any open shop proposal of
their former employers.
It would be many years before they would gain any significant improvements
in the work schedules of their members.
Four Breweries Hit by Strike, 1920
The Gund, Bartl, Heileman and Erickson breweries found their worksites being
picketed on Tuesday, April 13, 1920. The union workers were asking for wages of $9
a week for the men and $5 a week for the boys and women employed by the various
departments of the breweries. In negotiations the men dropped their demands to $8
for the men, then down to $6.50 a week for the men and $5 a week for the boys and
women. The brewers‟ final offer was wages of $4.50 a week, whether man, women or
boy.
On July 15, 1920 the Bartl Brewery signed a union contract and granted a
$6.50 a week pay raise to their union employees. The wages were then, $21.50 for
helpers, $32 for engineers, $30 for brewers and $28 and $29 for other workers in the
brewery.
The Wisconsin Federation of Labor was holding its convention in La Crosse at
this time; it passed a resolution declaring the Gund and Heileman Breweries unfair to
organized labor. At this time they also passed a resolution calling upon the local
railroads to build enclosed shelters for the car repairers‟ union members in their
employ. These workers attended the convention, reporting to the convention that
they were forced to repair and work on railroad rolling stock, outdoors in all kinds of
weather. Gasoline was lowered to 21 cents per gallon at this time.
217 Ibid., July 11, 1920
197

Chapter Eight: La Crosse’s Most Violent Strike
Streetcar Strike Involves Entire City, 1909
The strike by
Amalgamated Electric
Street Railway Workers
Local 519 would prove to
be the most violent strike
in the entire history of
labor management history
in La Crosse, even up to
the current day. It also
would be the most allencompassingcitizensupported
labor dispute as
well. The entire city,
workers and the general
public alike formed an
alliance of solidarity that
proved to be stronger than
the will or might of the
View of the interior of the Streetcar Barn.
(small 'open' car can be seen to the far right)
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
streetcar industry and the will of the board of directors of that company to remain
unionized.
The La Crosse Street Railway Company was formed by several businessmen
who put up fifty thousand dollars and began plans for horse drawn streetcar service.
A dispute began when plans to span the La Crosse River with a bridge for the
streetcar line was announced. Foregoing legalities, the company hired laborers and
set them to work on the bridge when the disbelievers argued. Setting the crew to
work on a Sunday to stall the process of court proceedings, the bridge was completed
by Monday morning. This stopped the argument and when service began on July 4,
l879, the dispute faded away.
A terminal was constructed by the La Crosse Lumber Company on the North
side for the six horse drawn cars and their steeds. Horses and mules were used to
pull the cars. The line ended at 3rd and Main Streets, a distance of 1.6 miles. Fares
were a nickel for the twenty to thirty passengers who were able to crowd on each car.
June 9, l881 saw the creation of the Street Railway Company by B.E. Edwards, George
F. Gund, Mons Anderson, Mills Tortellette, James Vincent and Joseph Tuteur. The car
barn for this company was a 7th and South Avenue. The line ran from the 2nd and
Vine, Milwaukee Road Railroad Depot to Main at 4th and then to Gund's Brewery on
the Southside.
Operating independently for several years, the two lines merged in l885 and
took the corporate name, La Crosse City Railway Company. B.E. Edwards served as
its president.1893 saw the construction of a power station at 3rd and La Crosse
Streets and by the fall of the year, all lines were electrified, the first line being
completed being the North side run. The fares were held at a nickel. Electric
streetcars themselves owed their invention to the former assistant of Thomas A.
Edison, Mr. Frank J. Sprague. Sprague gave birth to the industry when he
successfully electrified the twelve-mile car line in downtown Richmond, Virginia, a few
years earlier. These types of streetcars ran on 600volts of D.C. current, interurban
cars, which ran many miles of service, utilized higher voltages.
At the inception of this industry the cars required "Front of the car men" and
"back of the car men". The former men were also known as motormen and the latter
198

as conductors. The motormen operated the car, while the conductor was responsible
for collecting the fare from the passengers and in bad weather, stoking the potbellied
coal-burning stove, to warm the car‟s interior. Such were some of the conditions of
the La Crosse City Railway Company from l893 until the year l909.
Electric cars were in service and Mr. B.E. Edwards was presiding over the company.
Mr. Edwards also was the owner of a business, the Fountain City Drill Works.
He lived at 1304 Cass Street with his wife and family. Wages and working conditions
failing to improve, in fact getting decidedly worse, under the new Superintendent, Mr.
George H. Shaw, the local company was exacting profits and not improving the
equipment or wages by the year of l909. Mr. Shaw had been hired about May of l908.
These policies contributed to unrest and discontent. Consequently the men were ripe
for a change. A grass roots movement began in the ranks of the men, several
members of the company taking the initiative to contact the local AFL, organizer. A
formation of a trade union was ready to proceed and a majority of the employees of
the streetcar company indicated their willingness to organize.
Unionization of Streetcar System by Operators
An initial meeting took place on May 1, when apparently the decision to
unionize took place. To accomplish this, the men contacted the local labor organizer,
John Rae. Mr. John Rae, a local blacksmith who had worked in the horse shoeing
trade for many years in La Crosse, also served as an organizer for the AFL in l909. He
went to work with the car men and guided them along the path to unionization as far
as helping them to proceed with his knowledge of the State and Local labor scene.
On the National scene, William D. Mahone, a horse car trolley man at one time,
was heading the International Organization as President. In l909 the international
was known as the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees
of America. President Mahone was to receive queries from La Crosse signed by ten
members of the La Crosse City Railway Company, and soon issued a charter to the
men, dated the 10th of May, l909 and assigning the local union the designation,
`519'.
Founders of the Union
The ten men became our founding fathers so to speak and a list of them is
appropriate at this juncture. This list is reprinted just as it appears in the original
membership book of 519, which is extant at this writing.
1. Chas. Masterson
2. Victor Pegar
3. Thomas Daley
4. John Darling
5. Chas. Harder
6. Harvey Johnson
7. Chas. Kanter
8. Fred E. McGregor
9. Edward Stalder
10. Dean Sprout.
The original charter of 519 is missing and has eluded all attempts to locate it at
this writing. The names are misspelled in several instances. President Mahone said in
l909 "As it is with individuals, so it is with organization...Individuals of a like
class...see the same advantage in amalgamation as a single craft...organization...in
this we find that which inspired the institution of the Amalgamated...We find ourselves
together from the natural adhesive force of the affinity of common interest." Having
chartered, the fight for recognition was on it earnest, now. The same day of the
199

chartering of 519 an initial union meeting was to occur. Organizer John Rae called the
meeting to order and appointed two of the founders as temporary chairmen, Charles
Masterson and Thomas Daley, Secretary/Treasurer, respectively.
Dues were collected from those present and business was then begun. A
motion was made and seconded to select Mr. Masterson, the union‟s first President
and upon a vote being taken, he was so selected. Similarly, Thomas Daley was
installed as Vice-President, D.R. Sprout became the Recording secretary, William
Brunke the Financial Secretary and Harvey Johnston found himself elected Treasurer,
Fred Mac Gregor became the Correspondent, Claude Donehower, Conductor and
finally, Edward Jones took on the duties of Sentinel. The following brothers were
initiated at this meeting. William Bruhnke, Claude Donahauer, Edward Jones, Tony
Bachman, Walter Brsjowski, Edward Sweeny, Martin Peterson, Ferdinand Mull, Charles
Mull, John Blaschke, Henry Straight, Henry Johnson, William Dopson, S.C. Deyo, John
Pruett, Peter Johnson, E.C. Houk, George Phillips, Fred Goede, James Shanksand
Albert Mekvold.
The first gathering of the union, the end of this enrolled thirty-one members of
the streetcar company enrolled as union members. Out of the ten charter members,
five were already serving as union officers and a second meeting was scheduled for
May 15, five days off. After this first union meeting, the members met with the
company on the day after their meeting to discuss the issues. According to the La
Crosse Tribune of that day and the following day the results of that meeting were less
than satisfactory to the men.
Severe Enforcement of Minor Rule Infractions
Superintendent Shaw had began his employment with the line by ruthlessly
enforcing minor rule infractions and discharged dozens of men in the year leading up
to May of 1909. The men charged him with having pioneer motormen and conductors
`spotted' by agents hired by him for this purpose, a practice causing uniform
resentment. A past practice of the motormen of dropping off their conductor at or
near his home at the close of the day was ordered discontinued. These men resented
the imposed penalty of the effects of this rule.
President Edwards after agreeing to meet the men gave a statement to the La
Crosse Tribune, "I do not know of anything in the rules to which the men ought to
take exception. I hope the differences will prove as immaterial as to make a friendly
disposition of them certain. I am positive, however, and that is that the company will
stand by the superintendent in the maintenance of reasonable rules and regulations
governing the conduct of its employees." At this evening meeting was most of the
Board of Directors of the company, Edwards, Hixon, Cargill and Vallier.
Superintendent Shaw also was in attendance
The meeting took place in Shaw's office in the Power House building.
Summing up their previous complaints the men also presented their disagreement
with the rule of having to report for work each work day at 5:40 a.m., 10:40 a.m. and
at the end of their work shift, at which time they were made to account for their
receipts each day. Edwards and the directors promised to make a formal reply in a
few days time. John Rae presided over the May 15 union meeting and initiated eight
more members into the young union, Louis H. Thrun, J.M. Merchant, J.H. Smith, A.P.
Ruegg, Robert Franklin, August Woldt, Fred Gurgel and P. Myszka. At this time the
body choose their delegates to the Trades and Labor Council, they were to be
brothers, A.P. Ruegg, Charles Kanter and Robert Franklin. The Union's first executive
board was also chosen and consisted of Masterson, Thrun, Bruhnke, Sprout and Fred
Mull.
200

More Men Join the Union
The union now numbered thirty-nine brothers strong. At the Union's third
meeting on May 22, five more men joined, John Ryan, Joe Sewers, O.H. Boardman, H.
Lathrop and H. Dunn, making a total now, of forty-four. The charter had been sent
out to be framed and union stationery was printed and now was paid out of the
treasury. Out of these 44 early joiners of our union were three who would devote 24
years of their lives to serving their fellow laborers as the President of this union. Two
would also serve the cause of organized labor citywide as movers and shakers of the
AFL in the La Crosse Council. Masterson, Franklin and Darling were the brothers just
mentioned. In addition, Peter Sieger who would enroll in the union on July 23rd was
another local brother who stepped forward and accepted the work and loss of personal
time incumbent in union office holding. Sieger was to account for 19 years of holding
down the office of President and continues to hold the record of our longest incumbent
President. Between the four of these fine gentlemen, 43 years of our current 85 years
are accounted for.
Shaw Supervised Streetcar System
Now began the actions of union busting or at the least union discouragement
by the Edwards and Shaw brothers Thrun and Sprout were discharged along with
Brother Tony Bachmann. Brother Thrun was a member of our executive board and
brother Sprout was a charter member and the Recording/Secretary. As for brother
Bachmann, Superintendent Shaw is quoted by him for his comments at the time of
discharging him that he had heard of the membership of Mr. Bachmann in the Union
and because of this he was no longer needed at this property. Thrun and Sprout
reported that when Shaw discharged them he had a burly private detective standing
by his side. When he displayed his temper during their firing he told the detective,
"Show these men out, officer!"
Questioned by reporters about this treatment, Thrun and Sprout complained
that their records as private citizens warranted no such treatment or `third degree'
methods. Reporters wrote that aggrieved employees have made threats against
Shaw but that violence is not expected. Car men state that Shaw has said he will
"break the union" if he has to "fire every man on the line." Shaw posted a bulletin in
the car barns forbidding all employees from riding on the front platforms of the
streetcars with the motorman during their off duty hours or conversing with the
conductor on the rear platform. They were further ordered not to obstruct the
operation of any of the cars in way as well. Assistant Superintendent John H. Harrier
was complained of as being overly officious and severe this day as well by the men.
In answer to these actions, the Union called a Special Meeting on the evening
of Friday, May 28. The same day these events had occurred. The members voted to
send a committee to speak with the company directors about these firings the next
day. Another employee Frank Crandall, apparently not frightened by the attitude or
actions of the company, joined the Union this very evening he was Frank Crandall.
Saturday dawned and the men discovered six husky policemen and a private detective
upon their arrival at work that morning.
Company Plans for Strike
The company had suspected a strike was imminent and had placed them on
guard. One of the employees was quoted by the La Crosse Tribune in the Saturday
edition of the paper on this topic, "We are not anarchists, but just plain working men."
After this treatment the men agreed to hold a meeting after the close of service.
Reporters for information about the meeting asked them and they told them that it
was not to be disclosed for fear of spies of the company being there to eavesdrop on
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the proceedings. During the day the committee discovered the company directors had
become extremely busy businessmen, for they could not find them available to meet
or indeed even to be able to schedule a future meeting. Seeing that Edwards and
Gund were not going to meet, John Rae was instructed by the members to contact the
Secretary of the State Board of Arbitration as well as the International President.
This ended the events for the opening volleys of each side of the impending
combatants. The May 31st La Crosse Tribune contains an interesting article on the
past couple of days activities of the streetcar company and the fledgling
union..."There is more of genuine interest then appears to those unfamiliar with the
situation. Private detectives in abundance in employ of the car company are flitting
here and there. If you talk with a car man on Fourth and Main streets make up your
mind the sullen fellow who slides up and carelessly watches something else, is
straining his ears for information, which may be of service to his employers. If you
see one of the discharged leaders of the unionists walking up street, feel sure that the
burly looking citizen pacing behind him is a company sleuth.” “Continuing he said,
anyway that's what the car men say is going on and their representatives are as busy
among the car men who are still at work. All but eight of the employees of the
company engaged in the actual running of cars are said to have joined the new union
although the real facts are being concealed until the arrival of the national head of the
organization when the unionists expect to be able to completely paralyze street car
traffic unless the company submits to arbitration."
Enter the Strikebreakers
The next development that was reported by the La Crosse Tribune appears in
the June 3rd issue. The union reported to the paper that seven strikebreakers were
guests at the Northwestern Hotel. They have been reported as having said they
another 47 strikebreakers are in transit to the city. Union sources have learned that
they are to be in charge of a famous strikebreaker, whom has been utilized by many
companies to break up streetcar strikes.
Battle of the Free Passes
Other intelligence related to the dispute bear repeating. A Mr. Dunn, of
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, stated that he was in the employ of the City of La Crosse,
reporting directly to the Mayor and Chief of Police. He confided in his work to the
union men and said he had reported to them that the employees were not violating
any laws or rules. It was felt the Police were angered by the loss of free passes on
the cars, which they had been enjoying prior to the union leaders reporting the
violation of the anti-pass law. The union felt the police were acting as spotters for the
company in compensation for the free pass while they were in force. Further
accusations involved the patrolmen speaking to the union car men and advising them
that the union action was of no good use to their future.
John Darling specifically reported that, Officer Wolfe, a former hometown
acquaintance of his, had told him to have nothing to do with the union. He said it
would "get him nothing." Superintendent Shaw was interviewed by the Tribune on
these matters and acted surprised when asked about them, smiling broadly when
asked if strikebreakers were in town.” Somebody‟s stringing them," he said. As to the
detective hired by the City and the police he said, "So far as I know, there is nothing
at all to this. If policemen have talked to the men they have done so voluntarily. I
know nothing of the city employing a detective and the story seems preposterous. I
think you will find this whole thing is evolved in the exited imaginations of men who
have been forced to let go."
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Police Questioned on Pass Issue
Chief of Police, John Weber was questioned and had a comment on the charge.
"A general order has on the book in central station for several days cautioning the
policemen against discussing the troubles of the street car employees or taking part in
any way in the absence of disorders. If any of the men are riding on free passes it is
beyond the knowledge of this department. The man Dunn is not a city employee. He
wears a star that is charged to him at our office and which he must return. We give
the stars to all special officers, but take care that they are sober and responsible men.
This department cannot keep tab on everything individual policemen do, but I doubt if
any of my men have taken sides one way or the other in the street car fuss."
Sergeant Yolton of the police department reports that Dunnis an employee of
the Streetcar Company and reports to them, not to the police chief or mayor. Mayor
Sorenson seconded the statement by Yolton. Union officers learned that Chicago,
Milwaukee and Saint Paul, Railway, yard detective; Mathisa Elsen is acting as a
bodyguard and private detective for Shaw. The seven strikebreakers were discovered
when they all boarded the same car and offered passes to the conductor. Upon
questioning they told the conductor how they came by the passes and that they were
being paid $2 a day and expenses. The following day saw the arrival of eight more
strikebreakers, bringing the total in town to fifteen. Six were staying at the
Northwestern Hotel and six at the Hotel La Crosse. The names of these twelve
became known to the union.
Secretary of the State Board of Arbitration Arrives
Mayor Sorenson owned a building firm and was a manufacturer of mantels,
store and bar fixtures. He was discovered to have signed a contract with the owners
of the streetcar company to build a bunkhouse in the Streetcar barns to be used for
the purpose of housing a large body of strikebreakers. He told the La Crosse Tribune
that the company‟s plans were for enlarging the company‟s paint shops. The La
Crosse AFL placed one representative in each of the hotels to watch the strikebreakers
for the union. They learned that the men were almost all from Milwaukee and that
their names were: O.A. Peterson, L. Molzahn, F. Hubbard, H. Minor, E. Bond, W.H.
King, J. Austin, S.O. Ellis, E. Bond, E. Bruggmann, George Burke, W. Smith and Fred
Williams. The only other development of interest reported in the papers was in the
June 7th issue, the men were ordered to cease wearing their union buttons on the
streetcars. The passengers, who observed motormen or conductors working the cars
sans a union button, were intensely questioned by the many union customers of the
streetcar line. The company ordered a gas connection installed in the lower story of
one of the barns to allow a mess house to be put into service for the feeding of the
strikebreakers should a strike occur.
Following the wishes of Division 519 [as ATU Locals were then designated]
organizer Rae, telegraphed Secretary Humphrey at his home in Milwaukee but did not
receive an immediate answer. Consequently, when Division 519 held its next regular
meeting, on June 5th, other than swearing in another new member and authorizing
the order of six Association badges, nothing more was done on communicating with
the streetcar company. Conductor George Verthin was the new member, just having
joined. Secretary Humphrey was unable to answer Division 519'srequest for aid
immediately for he had been out of town since May the 30th working at Cleveland,
Ohio. He was there until June the 4th, helping to settle a strike on the Great Lakes by
some union maritime workers. Upon reaching his home and checking his messages
he telegraphed John Rae and announced his intent to come to La Crosse on Tuesday
morning on the train.
Secretary Humphrey was in town on the 8th of June and was hoping to meet
with the company on that day. A bulletin was posted at the car barns stating that the
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company was not going to listen to a union committee and would maintain an open
shop.
Labor Council Lend a Hand
A committee from the Trades and Labor council [AFL] tried to meet with Henry
Gund but he was not in. The work on the company's bunk rooms was stopped today,
the reason was unknown by union sources. After gaining an appointment on the 11th
Secretary Humphrey was interviewed by the La Crosse Leader-Press and spoke about
his conclusions of the meeting. He told the paper that it appeared to him nothing
could be done to modify the existing contract until after it expired on September 1st.
He predicted that a peaceful outcome would be the end result of this dispute. "I met
the committee of employees, but I did not find them with any ill-feeling against the
company. The men object to a few of the rules that have been laid down by the
company, but under the agreement that they have signed I can see no way of
changing them until the expiration of the agreement. I held a conference with the
President and superintendent and they appear to be fair.
They say that the company will meet and reason with a committee of the men,
but not as a committee representing the union. The officers seem to be reasonable
and I think after talking with both sides, that there is no danger of a strike, but that
matters will be adjusted to the satisfaction of all concerned. The company does not
object to having its men belong to the union, but it desires to reserve the right to run
an open shop. I expect to leave Saturday morning and I look for no trouble in this
matter." Humphrey returned to Milwaukee. From there he telegraphed President
Edwards, the following message, "Dear Sir: After the conference I had with you on
June 11th, I made further investigation of the difficulty that exists between the La
Crosse Street Railway Company and their employees, and I believe that if you will
reinstate the employees who were recently discharged, that it will bring more
harmonious relation between your employees and the company.
These however are only my suggestions. If at any time that the service of this
board will be of any assistance to you in bringing about a peaceful adjustment of the
difficulty between your employees and the company, we shall be glad to do so.
Respectfully yours, John Humphrey."
Streetcar International Sends Representative
Mr. Rae wrote to President Mahone and also received a telegram from him. He
notified Rae that Secretary Reeves of the International would be arriving in La Crosse.
The telegram read; "Detroit, Michigan, June 14th, l909...Mr. John Rae, Organizer A.F.
of L., 720 S. Seventh St., La Crosse, Wisconsin. Dear Sir and Brother: Your
communication of June 12th, also your telegram received. I was absent from the
office at the time your telegram came in, but arrived this morning and immediately
arranged to have Brother Reeves, the Secretary of our Board, come to La Crosse on
Wednesday. That is as soon as I could get anyone to you as we are crowded for men
on account of the work in various cities that is going on at the present time and
Brother Reeves had to leave his work as Editor of the Journal out in this matter on
account of the condition we are in, every one being busy with our agreements that
expire at this time of the year. Hoping this will explain the matter and that you will be
able to get your case adjusted and with best wishes, I remain, fraternally yours, W.D.
Mahone International President."
So at the June 12th Union meeting, Joe Ebner was initiated into membership
and the failure to obtain any meeting of the union committee with the streetcar
officials was the only business to report on. Secretary Humphrey's report was read to
the members and the reply of Mr. Edwards to this request was quoted in the meetings
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minutes as being, "he was willing to have a meeting with the boys but would not
under any circumstances meet a committee from the union."
Another Union meeting was scheduled for June 19. International Secretary
Reeves telegraphed John Rae on June 16 and announced his departure from Chicago
for La Crosse at 6:30 p.m. of that same day. Brother Reeves called the June 19th
Union meeting to order and proceeded to give Division 519 a speech on unionism,
which by the comments contained in the union meeting was well received by the
members. Then followed regular business and a strike vote was taken. Brother Rae
was instructed to take the ballot box into his keeping, until a tally might be needed
and enumerated upon all members casting their ballots.
Letter Sent to
Company
Then a written
communication was
approved to be sent to
the La Crosse City
Railway Company, as
follows: "Dear Sir: We,
the undersigned
committee of your
employees submit to you
that pertaining to the
conditions between the
management of the
Company and the
employees, we are willing
and anxious to arbitrate
all differences which have
La Crosse Streetcar on North side Line in the 1940's
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
been submitted to you by us, and we hereby tender the proposition to arbitrate before
a board of arbitrators to be composed of three disinterested persons, one to be
chosen by you, one to be chosen by your employees, and third, if not agreed upon by
the company and the employees to be chosen by the two thus chosen.
Please advise us of your position and this proposition to arbitrate. We add
specifications to arbitrate as follows;
1st - The reinstatement of motormen Thrun and Sprout.
2nd - To determine or define the "open shop" and fix the status of membership of
employees in Division Number 519, A.A. of S. and E.E. of A., as employees of
the company.
3rd - to determine a wage rate to succeed the present scale. 4th to determine the
service day for employees. 5th any specifications which may be added by the
company.
Awaiting an immediate reply, we are very truly yours, signed, Charles
Masterson, William Bruhuke, Thomas Daley, Committee of Employees."
President Edwards did comply with this request the very same day and his reply was
this: "Referring to your communication of this date, I can make no other reply than
to quote the following extract from the resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of
the La Crosse City Railway Company, same having been sent to you on two forementioned
occasions and running as follows; - ("We hereby declare it to be the settled
policy of this Company not to recognize or treat with any union or union committee,")
Signed, B.E. Edwards, President La X, City Ry. Co."
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The Lock-Out Bulletin
Edwards had a bulletin posted, dated June 19, which told of their intention to
run a non-union shop on and after June 22, l909. This became known as the
'LOCKOUT BULLETIN."" - Special Bulletin. By order of the Directors - June 19th,
1909 - To Conductors and Motormen; - Referring to our former bulletin in which we
declared it to be our intention to maintain an open shop, we have given this plan a full
trial, and have become convinced that under the conditions here such a thing is
impossible. Methods are being pursued which in time would result in driving every
conductor or motorman into the union or out of the service of the company. Being
thus obliged to choose between operating a closed shop or a non-union shop, we
hereby announce our intention of remaining on and after Tuesday June 22nd, l909 a
non-union shop. We invite you all to continue under these conditions. Employees who
do not desire to continue under these conditions are requested to hand in their
resignations and settle their accounts with the company on or before the date
mentioned. By order of the Board of Directors of La Crosse City Railway Company.
B.E. Edwards, President."
President Masterson called for a meeting of the union, for Monday June 21st.
The strike votes were tallied and the motion carried to strike. Members were
instructed to report for work on Tuesday morning and if the company insisted they
resign their union membership, they should return to the meeting hall. The meeting
ended with instructions to open again on Tuesday morning.
Strike Begins in Response to Lockout
President Masterson gaveled the Tuesday morning meeting to order, as the
company made good on their threats and all of the men had returned from the
streetcar powerhouse after having refused to drop out of Division 519. Locked out by
the company upon insistence of the right to unionize, the men now formed several
committees to prosecute their strike needs. Brother Edward Jones was appointed the
Captain of the strike committee and Brother William Dopson became the Lieutenant of
said committee. Brother Rae if the AFL and Brother Thrun and Ruegg of Division 519
gained the dual duties of press committee and that to secure a rented hall for the use
of the duration of the strike.
Brothers Ryan, Masterson and Goede undertook the work of securing and
seeing to the work of running horse-drawn” buses" and hacks, to transport people
around town during the strike. Brothers, Daley, Mull and Rae were to organize mass
meetings to promote public support for the strike cause. During this strike, the
International sent Brother Fred Fay, General Executive Board Member, to assist in the
work of seeing the union's strike to a successful conclusion.
He arrived in town on June 25 and helped Brother Reeves with the dispute
between the parties. Brother Fay would see the settlement through the arbitration
while Brother Reeves had to return to Detroit after the Lockout was discontinued, to
return to the duties of the Journal of the International.
This long feared strike was now on; it would become the most publicly
supported and widespread labor dispute in the history of the city. It would affect
drastically the public‟s ability to get to work, school or shopping, because the private
automobile for not yet a common means of private transportation. The politicians,
religious leaders, business owners, law enforcement officials and the general public
would become embroiled in the dispute. Events would become serious enough that
the National Guard would be placed on call by Governor Davidson because of reports
by the national and state wide newspaper accounts of rioting details.
The strike made headlines in the newspapers of Monday, June 21st. As a
preface to the battle a lengthy document that was made available from the committee
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to the members of 519 and was printed in full in the La Crosse Tribune on Monday
June 21st and explains the history of the events leading up to the strike. "To the
Officers and Members of Div. 519.
Union Statement to the Press
“We, the committee of employees, who have had it committed to us to reach
an understanding upon the differences between the employees and the company, beg
leave to report that we sought to conference with the company at the power house on
June 18. There were present on part of the company President Edwards and Directors
Hixon, and Cargill, and Supt. Shaw. Representing the employees were your
committee, Messrs. Masterson, Brunke and Daley. Upon being asked what we wanted
we present your requests in a preparation, which reads: To the La Crosse City Railway
Company and the La Crosse and Onalaska Street Railway Company. Mr. B.E.
Edwards, President; Messrs. B.E. Edwards, W.W. Cargill, F.P. Hixon, Henry Gund,
Peter Valier, Directors, and Mr. G.H. Shaw, Superintendent.
Gentlemen: - We, the duly authorized committee of your employees, seek this
conference under instruction. We desire to reach an understanding upon certain
propositions herein set forth and present requests for concessions on your part to us
and those we represent. That we may not be misinterpreted we have adopted this
plan of making our appeal and the cause therefore, in writing. First, we request the
reinstatement of Motormen Thrun and Sprout. We give as a reason for this request
that it is our opinion that Motormen Thrun and Sprout were discharged for no
inefficiency as workmen.
Neither were they discharged for any violations of rules governing the service.
We believe that they were dismissed because of their being members of division
number 519 Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees. We
urge that membership in said association should not be adopted as disqualifying them
for service. To admit it to be a just cause for their dismissal would be expressive of
willingness on the part of your employees to submit to the dismissal of everyone who
is a member and the offense, If seems to appear in no other light than that of
exercising a partiality or favoritism to the advantage of the service, to single them out
and dismiss them.
We believe it a favoritism to which you as the directors of the employing
company do not wish to subscribe as a policy. We request that the management
adopt a policy of discipline and treatment of employees that shall apply equally to all
and that no favoritism may be exercised in dealing with them. We urge that any act
of an employee, which is in conformity with the principals, which is in conformity with
the principles of the said association should not be accepted as a cause for dismissal
from the service of the company. We do not wish to be deceptive in our purposes.
We wish to frankly admit that the formation of the association is inspired by a
desire on our part to have a system of dealing with matters, which are of our concern,
which will bring to those matters proper deliberation. We are of the opinion that
advantages will come to us of a beneficiary character, and we do not yield that it is a
matter for discussion between employer and employee as to whether we shall
maintain ourselves as assembled in such an association or not. We do not believe the
question as to whether we are right or wrong is one for discussion between the
management of the company and ourselves any more than the question of some
business policy of the company should be one with which we should interfere when
such business policy is in no way a distress or hindrance to us.
We wish further to frankly confess that we as employees desire an increase in
wage and a modification or revision of the system of employment.
We believe that our service should be paid for at the rate of twenty-five cents per
hour with time and one-half for over time. We believe that we should have the
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privilege of changing the system of employment so that as nearly as possible a nine
hour day will attain to the employees and that service may be rendered upon what we
know as a two term system. We do not believe that there should be any question of
friction between the management of the company and the employees relative to
"closed shop" or "open shop".
Under date of May 8th, 1909 you posted for our information over your names a
statement in which you may be quoted as saying [It is the purpose of the company to
operate its business in an independent manner and as an open shop.] Further you
stated, [intimidating methods or threats to force any man to join an organization
against his wishes or better judgment will not be tolerated. All of the employees who
desire to remain loyal to the company are hereby assured of protection and a
permanent situation. Employees having any grievance whether real or imaginary will
be given a hearing by the Board of Directors and their grievances made right if it be
possible to do so.] Now, we request the full interpretation of what you mean by” open
shop", and we assume that our understanding is the correct one and the same as your
understanding. It means, as we understand that members of our association shall be
accorded equal rights with employees who are not members, and that the matter of
our membership in the association shall not be taken into question in dealing with us,
or in the treatment by the management, which we receive.
We have quoted you as stating those employees having any real or imaginary
grievances given a hearing in accordance with that assurance. You will certainly
agree with us that it is not fair when an employee has a grievance to discharge him
and then declare him not an employee to remove his hearing or the right of a hearing.
Unless a hearing is granted to the discharged employees cannot it be assumed
that - that is their situation? They are now discharged and you deny them a hearing
because of their being put off by the exercise of an act on your part of the
superintendent, which has severed them from the service and rendered inactive the
assurance of your board. The very grievances upon which an employee may desire a
hearing may result is his discharge and thus destroy his possibility of a benefit
guaranteed to him by your declaration of May 8th. We do not believe that you will
regard such a procedure as fair and we further believe that your purpose will be in
being fair to these dismissed men to give them a fair, honest and impartial hearing
and deal with them in an unprejudiced and impartial manner. In your proclamation of
May 8th we quote: [All the employees who decide to remain loyal to the company are
hereby assured of protection and a permanent situation.]
In the conference to which you invited us held at the powerhouse on May 11th
following the issuing of the bulletin when your attention was called especially to the
statements contained in this quotation, you assured us that membership in the
association would not be regarded as disloyalty to the company. We inferred from
that the quotation to which we refer would relieve us from any concern relative to
becoming victims by being members of the association. With that understanding we
do not believe your position as it now appears against the discharged motormen
whose reinstatement we request, providing that you find that membership in the
association or the performance of any duties in the interest of the association as
members in any way entered into the cause for the discharge of the men.
Believing that the statement in your bulletin which reads intimidating methods
or threats to force any man to join an organization against his wishes or better
judgment will not be tolerated, is intended to provide also that there shall be no
intimidating methods or threats to force any man not to join an organization which it
is his wish or better judgment to join, we would ask if we were right in this belief, if so
we regret that there have been instances reported to us by men who have been asked
relative to their positions upon the matter of becoming members that they have been
threatened with dismissal in the event that they should become members. We wish
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to urge that your Board may encourage no humiliating orders. Particularly do we
refer to discriminating orders? There is now posted a bulletin, which prohibits
members from wearing a button bearing the insignia of the association.
We can see no harm in permitting any one to wear the button and we look
upon such an order as in violation of the good faith of the bulletin issued May 8th. We
regret that we, as employees, have regarded it necessary to appeal to you for the
protection of our rights as citizens in an occasion that involves a discussion of the
prudence of imprudence of our being members of the Street and Electric Railway
Employees Association. We wish to reach an arrangement with your formal assurance
that we may be and remain members of our association without further interference
on the part of the operative management of the company, so that the occasion for a
discussion of this kind may not occur again. Pertaining to the wages and the working
conditions we hope to be able to reach an agreement with your Board that will be
satisfactory to both parties and maintain a satisfactory and efficient service to our
public.
You will bear with us in our expressions of the sincere concern that has arisen
to us relative to our tenure of employment through the many dismissals of the older
employees. There can be no reflection upon any one with whom has been aroused a
suspicion that this condition is inspired by a purpose to promote economy, in
expenses. It costs much less say some $15 dollars per month, to employ a motorman
or conductor at 17 cents an hour than it does at 21 cents an hour.
An item the consideration of which manager anxious to apply strict economy,
may reasonably well consider. Replying, Mr. Edwards told us that we were a
committee from the union designating Masterson as president, Brunke secretary and
Daley a committeeman, and stated that they would not talk to us about anything.
That concluded the meeting. Today your committee received an invitation to call at
the business office of His Honor, the mayor. Committeeman Masterson and Daley
responded to this request.
At the mayor‟s office we met Mayor Sorenson and Messrs. Rae and Sprout and
the international secretary. The mayor wished to know our side of the situation. We
explained our grievances to him. Mr. Sorenson said he wanted to see what he could
do to bring about a settlement and avoid a strike. He also said it was his duty to
notify the state board of arbitration and he would immediately do so by special
delivery. Later we received advice from Mayor Sorenson that the company had
turned him down. We then sent the following letter to Mr. Edwards: Mr. B.E.
Edwards, president La Crosse City Railway Company and La Crosse and Onalaska
Railway Company: Dear Sir-We, the undersigned committee of your employees
submit to you that pertaining to the contentions existing between the management of
the companies and the employees, we are willing and anxious to arbitrate all
differences which have been submitted to you by us, and we hereby tender the
proposition to arbitrate before a board of arbitrators to be composed of three
disinterested persons, one to be chosen by you, one to be chosen by your employees
and a third, if not virtually agreed upon by the company and the employees, to be
chosen by the two thus chosen. Please advise us of your position upon this
proposition to arbitrate.
We add specifications to arbitrate as follows: First; the reinstatement of
motormen, Thrun and Sprout. Second. To determine or define the "open shop" and fix
the status of membership of employed in Division 519, Amalgamated Association of
Electric Employees of America, as employees of the company. Third, to determine a
wage rate to succeed the present scale. Fourth, to determine the service day for
employees. Fifth, any specifications, which may be added by the company. Awaiting
an immediate reply, we are, Very truly yours, In reply to that latter we received the
following: La Crosse Club, La Crosse, July 19, l909. Charles Masterson, Wm. Bruhnke,
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Thomas Daley: Referring to your communication of this date I can make no other
reply than to quote the following extract from the resolution adopted by the board of
directors of La Crosse City Railway Company, same having been read to you on two
former occasions and running as follows: We hereby declare it to be the settled policy
of the company not to recognize or treat with any union or union committee.
Respectfully, B.E. Edwards, President La Crosse City Railway Company.
Now, it is up to you to take a strike vote if you so wish as we fell that we have
used every endeavor to avoid a strike and reach a settlement in the interest of
yourself, the company and the city. But if you take a strike vote we would
recommend that it be a secret ballot to be committed to your committee instructing
them to call the strike at a time when they may be sure that there is no hoe in Mayor
Sorenson‟s proposed effort through the state board of arbitration. Very respectfully,
THE COMMITTEE."
The only additional news of the day comes from the Leader-Press; Edwards
had a comment or two to make for its reporter: "We have tried to run an open shop,
but found it would not work and now we propose to pull away from the union entirely
and run a non-union shop. We pay better wages in La Crosse than are paid in any
city of its size in the country and our men can make good money. We will run as
many cars we are able to operate with the men we have should the union men quit,
and within the next few days we will have plenty of new men to do the work without
trouble."
The Press Responds to the Union
The Leader-Press commented that the men were caught by surprise, not
expecting the lockout before the next payday. It thought the men were
noncommittal. By the second day the Tuesday newspapers carried the headlines;
Fifty-one men were out on strike, while fifteen remained on the job. Throughout out
the city union workers in other crafts and trades refused to patronize the streetcar
lines. Despite the one or two mile distance, many of the loyal union supporters, living
on the North side of town, walked rather than use the cars. Twenty-five
strikebreakers had been brought in from Milwaukee and Chicago, to operate the lines.
Edwards receives communications from the directors of the Milwaukee and
Minneapolis streetcar companies encourage him to fire every striker if necessary to
destroy the local union. Meeting in the morning, the union increased its executive
board by five additional members for the duration of the strike.
We Walk Cards Printed Up by Labor Council in Support of 519
Adding John Pruett, Tom Daley, Edward Jones, A.P. Ruegg and Fred Mac
Gregor. Authorizing the use of buses for the public's transportation and they were put
into use between Onalaska and La Crosse. The AFL distributed printed cards to all
union members of the city which said WE WALK on one side, and asked all unionists
and the public to pin or place these decorations on their person to demonstrate
solidarity with the members of 519. The La Crosse Tribune reported seeing many of
them worn by people in the downtown district. Edwards attempted to keep nine cars
running on the regular schedule, five on the North side, and three on the Southside
line and one on the Oak Grove line. He announced the elimination of service to either
the 23rd Street line or the Onalaska line. While running the streetcars, the
replacement workers had two accidents. On South Fifth Street a streetcar collided
with a dray wagon, wrecking a fender. At 14th and Jackson, the non-union conductor
rode into the corner too fast and jumped the tracks. A wrecker had to be called to
place the car back on the tracks. During the day there was no evidence of any
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violence by either side of the dispute. The union men kept a vigil and closely
observed the attempted operation of the system by the hated strikebreakers.
The chief detective of the strikebreakers in turn was on hand at Fourth and
Main keeping the union leaders under observation. Every streetcar carried a
strikebreaker as the motorman and conductor. In addition, a burly professional
strikebreaker in plain clothes rode as a bodyguard. Dozens of the locked out men
gathered on the street corner sat the main terminus of 4th and Main Streets, watching
and talking amongst themselves.
Humphrey Returns and Other City Unions State Support for Strikes
Once again, Secretary Humphrey arrived in town to help mediate the dispute,
holdings conferences with the union committee and members of the public.
Feeling there was just cause to call for a board of arbitration, he asks the two other
arbitrators to attend a hearing on the matter. The company states during the day,
that they will not be any settlement accept one on their terms. They offer to put to
work any of the old employees who might wish to return to work without maintaining
a right to belong to a union. Not one man does!
The two other meetings were held at 7:30 p.m. at Linker Hall and at 8:00 p.m.
at The Trades and Labor Council at their offices on south Fourth Street. Typographical
Union Number 448, called for the meeting at Linker Hall to discuss the strike and
show their solidarity for the striking car men. They extended invitations to all the
other local unions to attend.
The AFL meeting was to determine what aid could be developed for the
strikers. At 11:00 p.m., a meeting is held at Frohsin Hall, the members of 519
meeting with the International man, Mr. Reeves. He gives out press releases and
informs the public of the facts of the May 8th bulletin. He tells of the company‟s
determination to dissolve the union. The practices of the company are discussed, long
work shifts and the massive firings of senior men, just when they were to qualify for
the top wage rate.
Empty Cars and Vigilant Citizens
During course of the day's service, only six riders are observed on the cars
during the morning rush hour. It is learned that Edwards has a part of the car barn
turned into a kitchen and has employed a cook with two kitchen helpers, to feed the
strikebreakers. Thirty cots were placed into the converted paint shop/bunk house to
house the strikebreakers. A load of meat and a wagon load of groceries were
delivered to the barns in the morning and committees of union men were sent around
the city to ask the suppliers not to sell anymore goods to Edwards for the duration of
the strike The Company continued sending out streetcars but received few fares from
the public.
Reeves held a meeting at the Union Central Hall, 206 South 4th Street. At the
meeting the members vote to have literature printed to explain the union's strike
position, to hand out to the public. Summing up the points of discontent on the front
of the card the back of the card read as follows:” Rule or ruin is the adopted policy of
the La Crosse City and La Crosse and Onalaska Railway companies. The company has
imported strikebreakers to operate cars to force La Crosse‟s honest wage earners to
submit to humiliating treatment, intolerable conditions of employment, starvation
wages and literal slavery. Can we, as citizens afford to encourage such despotism
with our patronage?
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Blue-collar Solidarity Rules the North side
Intense feelings and solidarity for the union movement emanated from the
people of the North side, old and young alike, responded to the call to walk, rather
than ride the cars! Watching closely for errors by the disliked strikebreakers, citizens
proved to be quick to telephone the Mayor‟s office to report their complaints. Failing
to stop at a rail crossing on George Street was one called in. Mayor Sorenson was
quick to call the streetcar company and order them to obey the law on this item and
he informed the police to see to it that the cars were in compliance. The Mayor also
had to address the problem that the cars were not in service after eight and nine
o'clock in the evening. He reminded Edwards that under the City Charter, service
must be maintained until at least ten each evening. Superintendent Shaw made a
public announcement that the charter would be obeyed in that regard.
Rumors were flying that sympathizers on the North side were damaging the
streetcars, but other than a broken window on one car and some railroad torpedoes
placed on the rails, nothing
was documented. Louis
Thrun spoke to the press
and assured them that
violence was not being
advocated by any member
of 519 but that it was feared
it would come from other
sources, but that 519 was
doing everything possible to
dissuade anyone from
engaging in it. Supporters
however were not ceasing to
harass the streetcar
operators on the North side
and called out "scab",
"unfair" and other epithets
as they passed. An obstacle
was placed on the tracks on
the North side line and when
the strikebreakers came out
of the car to remove it, a
Livery wagon from the Hyulzhammer Livery hired by Local 519 to carry
passengers during the strike.
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
large crowd gathered and hooted at them. L.A. Christianson, a professional, is said to
be the man in charge of the company's replacement workers. He was responsible for
breaking up the teamsters strike in Chicago a few years previously. A meeting of the
Bricklayer's union for scheduled for this evening and support for the strike is expected
from these quarters.
Complete Union Solidarity
The report on the Linker Hall meeting of Tuesday and carried a resolution
passed by the attending unionists. Every union in the city was represented and they
unanimously passed this resolution "Whereas, the La Crosse City Railway Company
directors saw fit to issue an order discharging from employment all employees
refusing to relinquish membership in their organization and declaring it the purpose of
the company to further deny employment to any union man; and, Whereas, to carry
out the policy of denying further employment to its old employees, the said company
has brought to our city strike-breakers from the low element of other cities, who are
unacquainted with our streets or people and who are of a character naturally unsafe
as street railway employees to operate their cars: and, Whereas, the said strike-
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eakers are not of a character to be welcomed as an element in our community and
their presence among us is an immoral influence and the conduct of the company
directors in their arbitrary overriding of public opinion and refusal to arbitrate is most
reprehensible, therefore be it, Resolved, that this meeting, held under the auspices of
La Crosse Typographical Union No. 448, June 22, l909, hereby condemns the arbitrary
and unreasonable attitude of the La Crosse City Railway company and pledge our
unqualified support to the locked-out street car employees, to the end that they
secure reinstatement to their former positions with said company; and be it further,
Resolved that we pledge ourselves to refrain from patronizing street cars and also
urge all citizens to withhold their patronage from said corporation until full justice has
been accorded their locked-unemployed."
International Secretary Reeves was also present at this meeting and spoke at
length to the gathered crowd after the resolution was read. He thanked the
typographers union for calling this meeting and passing their resolution on behalf of
519. Much of his speech is flowery but still seeing as that it was printed for the public
diet, much of it bears reprinting to fully understand the passions it evoked amongst
the unionists and the general public in the city during the strike. "First I want to
express that this act of Typographical union in calling this meeting is appreciated to
the fullest."..."Isn't it an illustration of that broad kinship of mankind upon which is
erected that human fellowship, trades unionism? Can anyone take notice of the
calling of this meeting, unsolicited on the part of the street railway men, and fail to
recognize in it the far-reaching integrity of purpose and the persistence and
consistency of the true members of organized labor?" Continuing he also said, "My
friends, it is a far reaching sympathy-this sympathy of labor. It even reaches beyond
the confines of any one city.
The cry of anguish of 50 streetcar men of La Crosse sets to vibrating the great
volume of sympathy of the entire organized American labor movement. That prayer,
four millions strong and tensioned by the hopefulness for the right by the great right
and liberty loving throng of our nation is not denied a hearing by the All Right, Just
and Supreme Power on High-which Power against which wealth dare not ascend."
Speaking on the subject of the printer's union, he said, "I feel at home with the
Typographers union, because it was a printer who taught the members of the original
local of street railway men their first lesson of unionism and organized their first
local...Where ever is the firing line for the uplift of humanity, there you will find
representatives of the printer‟s union."
Shaw Calls Workers of Streetcar Company, Pigs and Pups
At this meeting it was discussed that when upon his firing at Madison,
Wisconsin, Shaw sued for wages in court and the Madison Company satisfied the court
that he was fired for in competency. Reeves told the meeting that Shaw styles the
men as `pups' as well as `pigs' and `cattle'. He spoke of the testimony of the men
on the techniques Shaw used on the job, "He had a habit of getting onto cars and
endeavoring to get one employee to tell him of infractions of the rules or etiquette on
the part of other employees. In fact there are numerous humiliating grievances that
would make a schedule too long for publication that have arisen to aggravate the men
during the last year or so. During the beginning of this trouble Shaw showed some
concern, but he is now reported to have said that he enjoys it." The strike was but
into its third day and the effect of the boycotted cars was causing the merchants to
lose profits already.
They wasted no time responding to it and circulated a petition asking Edwards
to grant the demands of the members of 519, which of course he refused to do. Local
union 374 printed a resolution also in this day‟s issue, "Resolved, by the Brotherhood
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of Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers, in regular meeting assembled, that we, and
all of our families and friends walk in preference to riding on street cars manned by
others than members of the Amalgamated Association of Street Railway employees."
One of the strikebreakers operating on Clinton Street ran his car over a string of fire
hose, which was being used to water down the rock being spread as pavement. The
causeway was filled with the workingmen of La Crosse as they walked home from
work at the close of the day, obeying the "We Walk” motto of unionists of the city.
The absence of serious or severe demonstrations or violence was to end this
day. The public had begun gathering in force at Fourth and Main Streets, after the
end of work and were to take action against the company. Early in the evening
President Edwards unwisely decided to drive to the main transfer point of the
streetcar system at Fourth and Main, to observe the conditions. Arriving, he parked
his automobile at the curb and sat in it and watched a large crowd that was busily
jeering the "scab" conductors and motormen as they passed through the intersection.
He saw the public handing sour lemons to the car men and heard the insults they
exchanged with the strikebreakers.
We Walk Begins, along with Violent Public Support of Union
The newspaper account of this event, describes Mr. Edwards‟s sitting in his
auto with a smile on his face as he took in the actions of the crowd. Then things
changed as he was sighted by the mob and instantly surrounded his vehicle. He was
able to smile for a short time yet but then the crowd verbally abused him so violently
that he was noticed to become very anxious and nervous. Some members of the
demonstrators threw lemons, stones and other missiles into his vehicle while others
handed him their "We Walk" cards. Shouts of "scab breeder" and worse assailed his
ears as well. Sheriff Duncan soon appeared on the scene and he had to proceed to
order Edwards to leave the area to try to restore peace. When Edwards got out to
crank over the engine to start the auto, he had more "We Walk" cards shoved into his
pockets and tucked into the hatband of his hat. Several others handed lemons to him
and many continued to verbally assault him.
Tires Slashed
The Sheriff and several policemen had to force a passage through the crowd to
try to get Edwards out of the area. While slowly inching forward into the melee, his
auto tires were slashed and the crowd gleefully mimicked the hissing sound of the
escaping air with a Bronx cheer of their own for the Streetcar Company President.
Later the investigation of Sheriff Duncan and the police cleared any member of 519
from being in person during any of these insults and injuries to Edwards. Trying to
stifle the verbal abuse, Desk Sergeant Frank Youlton, grasped a young lad by the shirt
collar and twirled him around, to take him into custody. As he did so, a very large
man tapped him on the shoulder and gave him a lecture, "Hands off the boy! Is this
the kind of protection your Police force gives to taxpayers and honest citizens? Let
this car company bring in a bunch of thieves and jailbirds, arm them with revolvers
and turn them loose to knock good men out of their jobs, and subdue honest
citizens?" Sergeant Youlton released the boy and moved away.
L.A. Christianson, the chief of detectives and a professional strikebreaker, was treated
to some local color also. As soon as he was spotted on the street corner, he was
surrounded and given a verbal beating and threatened with a physical one as well.
Out of the crowd a strongly built man said, "If any help is needed I'm here to
help take that big stiff down and throw him in the river." Soon Christianson was
rewarded with an escort to a nearby streetcar headed north by the policemen. The
streetcar barn on North Third Street was to be the target of their anger. Having
grown to 600 to 800 strong they were led towards the barn by a wagon loaded with
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union supporters. Upon reaching the car barn, the leading element of the crowd was
greeted by the sight of armed strikebreakers and company detectives, guarding the
property.
A Mob Forms and Takes Action
The crowd took up a position directly in front of the North Third Street property
and faced the club and pistol armed defenders. Slowly growing angry, the crowd
made the first move; they attacked the windows of the car barn with stones, lemons
and rotten eggs, soon smashing every window in the building. Firing their pistols in
the air incensed the mob‟s feelings to an even higher pitch and they attacked every
streetcar they appeared on the scene. Attempting to pass on the tracks, or turn into
the barn, each car was surrounded by the angry rioters and the windows of the cars
smashed and the strikebreakers pelted with eggs, lemons and rocks. One union
supporter was armed with a large syringe loaded with oil and black paint and he
liberally applied it to the faces and clothing of the replacement workers. Responding
to these actions, the muscular detectives and strikebreakers rushed to the aid of the
streetcars as they next arrived and surrounded each one, beating the crowd back with
clubs and up-raised pistols.
Scabs, Scabs, Scabs
Enduring chants of "scab”,” scab", "scab", the conductors and motormen were
recalled from the streets and ordered into the barns by Edwards. One of the cars had
its trolley pulled off the wire and the men had to leave the car to attempt to replace
the pole to the power supply, they found themselves showered with filth while they
accomplished their task. Many young boys were scattered among the rioters and
clubs struck several. The Railway's night watchman, Charles Frederick was the
alleged wielder of a club, which struck the son of a fruit vendor, Joe Fyett of South
Third Street, a company detective being accused of the same on the person of
another young protester as well.
This of course caused the passions of the men in the mob to rise to an even
higher pitch. Edwards placed a telephone call to the police department asking for
protection. The police arrived but wisely did not threaten the mob, but remained calm
and watchful. Just as the crowd noise reached its zenith, Sheriff "Big Bill Duncan
arrived on the scene. Being a physical giant of a man, he had the gained a reputation
and the respect of the public in the County and was able to speak to the mob and had
began to calm them down when a rain shower sprang up and assisted him. By ten
p.m. the crowd was dispersed. The actions of this mob would be a factor in forcing
the company to rethink its plans of conducting a long-term dispute.
Sheriff Duncan Sides With Striking Workers
On Thursday, June 24th the newspaper headline read In addition an editorial
and a proclamation from the Mayor, were also printed on the front page. All the
parties held meetings this day and the company had offered an agreement of
settlement to the union. Speaking about the riot of last evening, Sheriff Duncan had
several statements for the press early on in the day on the behavior of the streetcar
company and its president. "I am running the peace of this county and I'll see
whether B.E. Edwards or Bill Duncan is sheriff of this county. No application was
made to me to preserve the order here, and I want it understood no one needs import
a lot of outsiders to preserve the peace of La Crosse County. I'm here for that
purpose, and I'm boss of this situation.
Edwards did dead wrong to bring in a lot of fellows here and arm them instead
of coming to me. I am capable of handling this situation, and I don't propose to have
215

the law broken be agents of the streetcar company any quicker than by anybody else.
These fellows can't carry guns around here while I am sheriff of this county. If I can't
handle the situation I have got the state of Wisconsin behind me, and we won‟t stand
for a lot of burliest from outside coming in here and running this town or county."
The Tribune reported that the big sheriff was plainly” stirred up" and stroked his gray
beard vigorously while speaking. He directed messengers between the two warring
parties in the morning, trying to get some settlement of the dispute. "Will you swear
in any deputies sheriff?" asked a reporter, "No sir, not one", answered the sheriff.
"Why these people are not crooks or criminals. They are all good citizens and all they
want is to have good sense talked to them. I would rather get out all alone in these
crowds and talk sense to these people than have a thousand deputies sworn in.
That would be when the trouble will start. I am going to manage this thing,
and I am going to end this thing right here and now. Why those boys and girls in the
crowd last night are just like your or my boys and girls. These are not criminals, to be
clubbed and shot at by a lot of strikebreakers. I would talk to them just like I would
talk to my own boys and girls. They are good people and they won't stand for a lot of
reckless characters being brought in here to bully them."
Mayor Ori Sorenson Responds to the Mob Actions
No one deprecates more than I do the serious trouble now pending between
the La Crosse City Railway Co. and its former employees. The seriousness of the
difficulty is doubly aggravated for the reason that involves a public service corporation
and its existence is a serious menace to business in all lines. I assure the people that
I will do all in my power to bring about a speedy adjustment of the difficulties. My
first duty as mayor, however, is to see that order and quiet is maintained. This I
propose to do with all the power at my command. I, therefore call upon the citizens
to desist from indulging in any form of insult or intimidation, or to do any act in
violation of the laws of Wisconsin or the ordinances of this municipality.
I hereby direct the police to cause the arrest and detention of anyone engaged
in any unlawful act. They are further to prohibit crowd‟s form assembling on street
corners or other public places. The chief of police is hereby directed to call to his
assistance extra men, if necessary, to protect property. I trust that all citizens will
appreciate the fact that any unlawfulness on the part of an individual not only
deserves punishment but also at the same time works as an injury in the public mind
to the cause, which said individual, represents. Signed, ORI J. SORENSON Mayor.
Editorial By the La Crosse Tribune
A movement is in progress this afternoon to bring about a settlement of the
car men‟s' strike, and there is a generally entertained presentiment that a peaceful
solution of the difficulties will be reached. This is for the best, and the public will
appreciate whatever concessions are made on either side. The strike is a detriment to
the business element of the community, a hardship upon the patrons of the company
and employees. It is also bad for the city in that more or less exaggerated reports
about the severity of public demonstrations attending it are circulated by outside
newspapers. There can be no doubt that the rather serious interests of the
stockholders of the company to look to a settlement is inspired by a realization that in
fighting their own battles they are wounding the interests of others, and it is equally
probable that the car men also are cognizant of this fact. Such concessions to the
public interest are bound to be appreciated by the community, and the La Crosse
Tribune earnestly hopes that a quick and satisfactory compromise may be reached."
The urgent need to settle this labor dispute was probably the topic of
conversation throughput the town this day. The Sheriff was advised by the District
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Attorney that he could call upon anyone in the police force or any public citizen at
hand and order them to assist him in protecting the Streetcar company‟s property
during any future disturbances, if refused the person would then become eligible for
arrest. At nine o‟clock in the morning the first meeting took place. It was a meeting
between Mayor Sorenson and City Attorney John F. Doherty and company
representatives, Edwards, Hixon, Shaw, Attorney George Gordon and standing in for
Gund, Mr. Kurtenacher. The meeting took place at the La Crosse Club. Speaking to
the company representatives, the Mayor informed them that they must come to some
sort of an agreement with the strikers, at once. He warned them that any stalling
would only result in further trouble.
Mayor's Ultimatum
The Mayor warned or threatened the Streetcar Company, that if they failed to
live up to the ten o'clock provision of the City Charter, for the duration of streetcar
service, he would call for a special session of the common council. Then he would ask
them to revoke the franchise of the car company. Responding to these comments,
Edwards agreed to sign a document guaranteeing an open shop, some wage
adjustment and the reinstatement of all the locked out men.
After writing this up, Mayor Sorenson took it to the union committee. Edwards
had received a visit from Sheriff Duncan this morning also. The Sheriff giving
Edwards an order to disarm his strike-breakers and detective and vigorously
impressing his views on the riot was told to relay to the union the sincere wishes of
the company for some quick settlement of the dispute. Upon meeting with 519,
Duncan was able to get an 11 a.m. conference scheduled between 519 and himself,
the mayor, chief of police and Mr. Reeves. This was held at City Hall. After an hour of
work, a modified proposition was written up. Then an adjournment was taken until 2
P.M. Coming back to City Hall, Humphrey and E.F. Pahl of the State Arbitration Board
joined the group and a document was turned over to Mayor Sorenson and the City
Attorney whom were asked to present it to Edwards.
The only concession the union had had returned from the meeting at the
streetcar offices and reported that Edwards was not willing to change his original offer
of the morning. The union‟s concession was being called a minor issue. After a short
secret session, Secretary Reeves announced to the press that there was not to be a
settlement this day!
Strikebreaker Collides with Auto on North Side of Town
In the afternoon at the corner of Avon and Sill Streets a streetcar smashed into
an automobile driven by Sid Law. Running into the auto the trolley broke it into
several pieces and continued on for a while. Fortunately no one in the auto was
injured. At noon J.N. Runyon was walking past the car barns and found himself
assaulted by La Crosse City Railway Company employee, Ed Connors. Connors struck
Runyon in the face with his fist. Shortly afterwards finding himself before a County
judge being arraigned for assault and battery. He pleads not guilty and had a hearing
scheduled for Monday on the charge. Superintendent Shaw posted the fifty-dollar bail
imposed by the court. While these meetings were taking place other citizens were
busy around town with strike related matters.
In the morning on the streetcar tracks of the Onalaska branch line, the nonunion
conductor and motorman who quickly called for the sheriff discovered a
blockade of stones and building blocks. While they attempted to clear the tracks while
waiting for the sheriff to arrive, they were thoroughly decorated with vegetables, eggs
and suffered several stone showers. Sheriff Duncan arrived on the site with several
deputies chased off the rioters and patrolled the area for a time to keep the cars safe.
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Spies and Boycotts
Spies, boycotts, and strike benefits were matters handled today also.
President Masterson received letters from union officers in Winnipeg, Minneapolis,
Omaha and several other cities, asking if the products of the Director's of the
Streetcar Company were on a boycott list, this was a matter taken up at a Meeting
held in the evening. Weekly benefits of five dollars a week was ordered for 519, with
contributions from the other local unions, to be evenly divided and distributed as well.
The men were keeping their uniforms, caps, badges and buttons, which the company
was holding a $7.50 deposit on.
A man named A.P. Payne had applied for a 519 membership but, he was
suspected to be a plant sent by the Company. Sprout wrote to Milwaukee asking for
information on this gentleman. Sprout received the following: "Dear Sir and Brother:
Yours of yesterday to hand and contents noted. I took your case personally for
investigation and found that A.H. Payne is not known at the address of 612 6th
Street. Street, neither does anyone seem to remember him there. I also made
inquiry of some of the old streetcar men but none seem to remember him. I would
therefore, be a little careful with him, as it is a well known fact that in the street car
industry the spy is in his glory. Yours fraternally, Frank J. Weber."
Strong Support by the Railroad Brotherhoods
The men of 519 held a morning meeting at the Labor Hall and heard a speech
from Fred Fay of the International. He advised the men to hold out for a just and fair
settlement. Then in the afternoon the men of 519 gathered together and marched
from the Southside in a body to the corner of Saint Paul and Caledonia Streets. There
at Fjelstad's Hall they attended a union meeting having received an invitation from the
four North side Brotherhoods of Railroad unions. The railroad men promised 519 their
members and families would boycott the streetcars and passed a resolution pledging
their solidarity to 519. The four unions mentioned were the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers,
Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen and the Order of Railway Conductors.
Demonstrations Continue
The rioting of last night was not repeated this evening with the same intensity
as the previous night but a demonstration of solidarity did occur in spite of inclement
weather. The rainstorm of last evening had worked to dampen the enthusiasm of the
crowd that was gathered once again in front of the car barns on Third Street. Young
men with the” We Walk" emblem lined the streets for two blocks back towards the
center of town, a gauntlet of jeering demonstrators for the strikebreaker operated
streetcars to run.
While there was very little disorder, the crowd nevertheless took up a position
directly in front of the building and yelled and jeered the passing and parking
streetcars as they arrived in the area. At around nine o'clock a little excitement
happened. Just above the car barns on the east side of the street, overhead of the
crowds, several of the power lines, broke and fell to the street, scattering the crowd
as they fell. One of the metal poles and its guy wire had either been broken by a
tangled trolley pole or had been sabotaged by a member of the mob. Both sides were
to assign blame to the other and it was never proved either way.
By nine-thirty all the cars were parked in the barns and the doors closed and
secured, then and only then did the company send a crew out into the rain to repair
the broken pole and wires. A heavy guard of policemen escorted them and the two
repairmen had to endure a rain of abuse from the mob and well as from the heavens.
Many of the policemen were decorated with egg-splattered uniforms by the end of the
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evening. Night sergeant Shell Post spent the rainy evening driving a buggy about the
town keeping an eye out for mischief or mayhem. All of the day shift policemen kept
company with the entire night shift until the city was safe by the departure of the
crowd from the city streets.
Religious Assistance
The Reverend Cunningham of the West Avenue Methodist Church tried another
method of control; he advertised a sermon on the subject of unionism, strikes and
general labor conditions for the edification of the general public. He titled it "The
Brotherhood of Man", and in view of the rainy night probably enjoyed full pews. The
Tribune gave the Reverend the label of `a well known socialist leader' in it, accounting
of the sermon. The next day would see additional complications to the local labor
unrest, with the involvement of State Officials into the fray. Dire warning and serious
issues were raised in the headlines of Friday, June the 25th.
This was the La Crosse Tribune headline and, read the La Crosse Daily
Chronicle, Sensationalized the Leader-Press. The papers were covered with stories,
which reflected the worries of local leaders that the conflict was growing worse with
each passing hour.
To Call Out the National Guard or Not
President Edwards had formally requested the Sheriff to contact the Governor
and ask him for State Militia troops. Duncan spoke with the Governor‟s office and
informed him he was calling to share details with the State on the situation but did
not see the need for outside interference in the issue at this time. Once again,
Humphrey and Pahl worked to mediate the dispute but still were unable to work out
any compromise, which appealed to both of the parties. Pahl told reporters that he
would be in town through Sunday and then would leave. By late Friday he was
stating that in his opinion it was useless to go on with any more meetings.
The Chief of Police swears in all aldermen, supervisors, constables and Justice's
of the peace and makes them special officers for the duration of the strike. Then he
instructs them in how he wishes them to patrol the town and sends them out in
squads to assist the police and sheriff. One squad to 4th and Main, one to the power
house and one to the Central Station of the Police Department to wait in reserve.
Edwards speaks to the news reporters today about the contention of Mr.
Reeves of Philadelphia that the proposition made by the street railway company is
misleading and that it does not guarantee "open shop" conditions as it purports to-do.
"There is no trickery to it at any point. It is a genuine proposition to treat all
employees whether union or non-union with strict impartiality and to make our
establishment an "open shop" in the fullest and best meaning of the term. We offer to
take back all who left our employ on June 21st and to restore their places to them
under the above conditions."
Trades and Labor Council Pledges Full Support
The Trades and Labor Council passed a resolution this evening and forwarded it
to Edwards. "Whereas the board of directors of the La Crosse City Railway Company
has locked out of employment all union employees and declared their intention to
here forth employ non-union men and in so doing the said board of directors have
demonstrated prejudice which cannot receive the approval of any self-respecting
community and is not in accord with the modern ideal of fairness to the industrial
class and, Whereas the unwarranted course of the La Crosse City Railway Co. has
visited upon our City a condition of chaos and the act prompts the righteous
resentment of our whole people and inspires a unanimous demand that the said
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directors retract from their distasteful policy, and make an honorable settlement with
their locked out employees and at once relieve our community of the disgraceful
situation for which they alone, are responsible.
Resolved, that we pledge our sympathy and support to the locked out
employees and urge them to maintain their organization and persist in the full
recognition of their rights of organization in every particular in any proposition for
settlement proposed to them. Resolved, that a committee be appointed to transmit to
B.E. Edwards, president of the company the deliberations of this central union as
embraced in this resolution. Resolved, that the good offices of this Trades and Labor
Council be tendered in support of Division 519 Amalgamated Association of Street and
Electric Railway Employees. Signed, Executive Board, Trades and Labor Council."
Strikebreakers Accosted
Many scattered events went on this day; at the curve of 7thand Market Streets
the streetcar motorman took the turn too fast and jumped the rails. While they
waited they endured the loud jeering of the public.
The company sent out a crew from the car barn to tow in the disabled car but owing
to the inexperience of the strikebreakers, the tow bar was pulled out of its housing
when the power to the car was applied too quickly. The watching mob enjoyed this
scene while the derailed car men had to wait a bit longer for respite. This car was
taken into the barn and the line left unnerved for the rest of the day. Women walking
past the company power house and barn complained of rude and insulting remarks,
called at them from the detectives and strikebreakers lurking about inside the
buildings.
A gentleman driving his own automobile suffered a similar fate. Frank Pierce
and his passenger told of being swore at and threatened when they drove past a
streetcar on the causeway. The offending private detective hollered anthem to get
out and walk. In the downtown area, a truck driver for the Mc Mahon Transfer line
stopped his truck in front of a streetcar and held it up for some time. This caused a
salesman named, E. Chaplin who was a passenger on the car to miss his train.
Angered, Chaplin went to the Mc Mahon property and looked up the driver. He
provoked the truck driver into a fistfight and earned a thrashing for his efforts in
return.
Rotten Eggs Delivered on Streetcar and Violent Demonstrations Break Out
Another example of civil disobedience occurred on one of the cars this day. A
women passenger dropped a large bundle directly in the center of the streetcar she
was alighting from and the order of rotten eggs, which quickly emanated from the
package, forced the detective and conductor out of doors to join the motorman on the
front platform while the smelly cargo was taken to the car barn with the soiled car.
On the North side of town the most violent actions happened on this night of rioting.
On the streetcar line on upper George Street, special policeman J.H. Schneller tried to
stop the mob from throwing eggs and stones at the passing car and became the
recipient of the items himself instead. A Railroad boxcar was stationed across the
trolley tracks on Livingston Street where it crossed George Street. This prevented the
streetcars from using the tracks, which ran down George Street. After reaching the
blockade, two cars were held up and the mob attacked them with stones and beer
bottles, smashing out windows and window frames alike.
The trolleys were pulled down the several hundred men and two women, who
comprised the crowd, terrorized the inhabitants of the stricken cars. Connors, who
was out on bail on working on one of these cars, had the misfortune to be recognized
by one or more of the mob and was pulled outside of the streetcar and beaten.
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Struck repeatedly with a beer bottle he suffered a bad cutover one eye and was later
treated at a local hospital.
Pistol Pulled by Private Eye
On upper George Street where the blockaded cars were attacked another
streetcar escaped the scene but not until the private detective inside had drawn his
revolver and pointed it out of a window at the mob. Several of whom upon viewing
this action ran up to the streetcar and told the detective to put the gun away and stop
threatening the crowd with it. Failing to do so, the car was violently stoned and
smashed with bottles as it left the North side. It was a short time after this that the
strikebreakers mutinied and refused to operate any cars on the North side of La
Crosse. Edwards wisely decided to throw in the towel and ordered all the cars in town
pulled in. Six o‟clock locked them all in the barns. Despite this, hundreds of rioters
kept up their shouts and demonstrating near the property. City Attorney John
Doherty, a special officer, was patrolling the area there and was rewarded with a
bottle bounced off his head for his work. He was not injured however and police were
able to hold down further violence.
Fueled by Beer, Strike Supporter Reacts
The last recorded event of this type was at 10 p.m., when Charles Hanson, a
Gund Brewery employee, happened by the door of the powerhouse. Charles has
enjoyed the fruit of his employer's firm and was quite inebriated when he staggered
by calling out "scab, scab, and scab"; two company detectives who grasped him by
the arms seized him. A third detective delivered a kick to Mr. Hanson. Hanson was
later fined $7.50 for pleading guilty to drunk and disorderly charges.
Power Lines Cut, Mobs Uncontrollable
The last action of the evening was completed long after the cars were taken
out of service. The power lines to the North side lines were severed in several places
during the night. To make it impossible to repair with splicing, long sections of the
power lines were cut out and removed by rioters. The crowd of rioters was able to do
the damage they did, in spite of the fact that the City had peopled the area with many
officials and policemen and afterwards it was learned that the strikebreakers had
commented that they had never witnessed such uncontrollable mobs even in larger
cities where they had scabbed before coming to La Crosse. They said that the level of
solidarity was over and above that which they had ever seen.
Call in the National Guard?
Saturday, June 26th, read the front page of the Tribune. Governor Davidson
had ordered him by telegraph to arrive here and investigate and report on the
problems to him. Preparing for the worst, the General has the First Regiment in camp
at Camp Douglas, Wisconsin; just a ninety-minute train rides away.
Boardman decides to remain in town until Monday. Sheriff Duncan is still
confident that the local officers can handle the problems and the Mayor repeats his
order to the general public that they keep the peace. The Chief of Police makes every
effort to man the streets with all the men he can. The business district is feeling the
pinch of greatly reduced sales and some of the stores are advertising for automobiles
at once to be used as passenger services for their customers. There is little streetcar
service throughout the city today, irregular hours and no service at all to the North
side due probably to the violent mood of that end of town as much as to the cut
power lines. Still holding meetings the arbitrators get Mayor Sorenson, City Attorney
Doherty and International Representative Reeves together and work out another plan
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to present to the union members, it promises to present any disputes unsettled at this
point to a group of three independent businessmen to act as mediators for both
parties.
The union committee asks to think it over until 1 p.m. after Edwards
announces he will agree to such a plan. At 3:30 the union offers its counter proposal.
At this time the company and committee first meet each other face to face at the
bargaining table. Up until now, only an attorney from the streetcar company has
faced the men, now Edwards, Gund, Cargill and Hixon are present. These directors
ask that the meeting now be conducted just between themselves and the union
committee of Masterson, Daley and Ryan. Consequently, Mayor Sorenson, Sheriff
Duncan, Chief of Police Weber and Humphrey and Pahl left the room. Secretary
Reeves made a statement and then he to, left. At 4:40 p.m. an announcement is
made that the two groups had agreed to a settlement and that an adjournment of one
hour will take place in order that the agreement may be written up. At the agreed
time and meeting place the two parties return. Chief of Police Weber's office sees
Masterson announce that the union members have asked for some minor corrections
and additions to the agreement. The company agrees to them but then Masterson
announces that the members will not be able to be brought together for a vote until
Sunday.
Thousands Gather to Hear Union Leaders Speak on Strike
At a mass meeting later in the evening, Kreutz's Band paraded through the
downtown streets and at nine o'clock lead the crowd to the corner of 4th and Main
and then on to Cameron Park. Playing a few selections while the crowd assembled,
several thousand people gathered in the park to listen to the speakers, at the time the
population of La Crosse was about 28,000 so this represented quite a sizable
gathering.
Secretary Reeves gave a speech on the history of trade unionism and the
benefits men have enjoyed from the movement. Fred Fay gave a speech detailing the
status of the lockout. The Reverend Cunningham gave a speech during which he
presented arguments for the rights of men to fight for a living wage, liberty, and the
freedom to think and to associate and join groups, which share like views. He told the
crowd that without these rights a man is not in any better conditions than a well-fed
beast. He counseled the men to be patient, exhibit forbearance and respect for
property. The audience then listened to a few speeches by local labor leaders, giving
all a rousing cheer and much applause. They frequently interrupted the speakers
with shouts of "We Walk". Secretary Humphrey and State Board of Arbitration
member Pahl left town to return to their homes on the evening trains.
Sunday, June 27th, CLOSE TO AGREEMENT STRIKE ABOUT OVER. This was the
headline of the La Crosse Sunday Chronicle. Today there was no streetcar service
anywhere in the city. The paper carried a copy of the tentative agreement but there
was no work done on it officially today. Perhaps it was a cooling off period for both
sides before coming back to the table. Some of the detectives under hire of the
company are dismissed and leave town this evening. The company admits that there
are not enough people riding the streetcars at this point to bother sending them out.
City Attorney Doherty addressed the members of 519 at a meeting held at the Labor
Hall and he appealed to them to accept the terms of the agreement as presented and
bring a close to the unrest. No rioting happened either Saturday or Sunday. Monday,
June 28th,
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Strike is Settled
STRIKE IS OFF TODAY read the headline of the Leader-Press. MEN RESUME
WORK TOMORROW NIGHT JOLLIFICATION TONIGHT, Declared the La Crosse Tribune.
Monday morning, streetcars were running on a limited basis once more. The Mayor
had ordered Edwards to obey the charter and in response, five cars were sent out and
operated today. In expectation of a settlement, the detectives were taken off the
cars, substituted with city policemen instead. Mayor Sorenson placed them to protect
the property and to replace the hated strikebreaker detectives. Sheriff Duncan called
in County officers from Bangor and West Salem to aid him in the event of unrest.
They arrived in town by noon but as it turned out, would not be needed. For after a
morning meeting with the company at Cargill's Office, the company and union signed
an agreement and filed papers, settling the dispute. The afternoon agreement
contained the following points Run an "open shop", take back all locked out men,
submit to arbitration the makeup of the grievance committee and other disputed
issues, the men agreeing to return to work on Tuesday morning. The company was to
dismiss the strikebreakers and ship them out of town as soon as possible.
The changes that the union insisted upon on Saturday and Sunday were the
length of the contract being one year and not two. And we ask that the arbitration
members be three men one from the company one from the union and the third to be
chosen by the first two. With this agreement signed, the company began preparing a
public relations plan to repair the image of the company.
Given the Royal Treatment
The men of
519 were to be
chauffeured
around town in
streetcars at seven
this evening.
Using two open
cars, each pulling a
trailing car, the
company
decorated the cars
with banners,
which read,
`LOCKOUT IS
OVER'. They also
hired a brass band
to also ride on the
cars and attract
the public‟s
attention. While
they were
preparing the cars
the union met and
passed resolutions
June 28, 1909, 1200 Block of Caledonia Street, the day Local 519 was recognized by the Company
photo from the files of ATU Local 519
to be printed in the papers thanking the public for the wonderful solidarity they had
displayed during the strike. Indeed, it was the solidarity and the "We Walk” campaign
that defeated the lockout. If not for the refusal of the public to ride on the cars and
their violent displays of anti-strikebreaker sentiment, the company may have settled
into a long lockout and gradually beat back the attempts of 519 to win the strike.
Gathering at the Power House the men boarded the cars, and President Masterson
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acting as motorman, rode throughout the town. When they rode the North side
routes, they were shocked at the large crowds and the constant cheering with which
they were subjected to all over the North side.
Bouquets for Streetcar Workers
People of the North side threw bouquets of flowers to them. Upon reaching
Caledonia Street, they stopped the cars and posed in the street next to them for
photographs. After finishing this pleasant work, the men and cars returned to the car
barns. There the company treated them to cigars and each side wished the other
good health. It was felt that the future would hold good working conditions for the
company and its men. The strikebreakers were shipped out in the evening, some
going to Peoria, Illinois, where a strike was expected and the rest to Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania where a strike was just settled. A few detectives were all that was left
at the end of the day, to remind anyone of the lockout - strike unpleasantness. The
Leader-Press of June 29th, reported in its headline that, and the Tribune's read,
business as usual on Tuesday when the men reported for work in the early morning
hours, they manned the cars that day and except for lighter than usual loads they
experienced nothing out of the ordinary.
Costly Strike, Final Accounting of the Strike
This ended the strike that cost thousands of dollars of damage and lost sales to
the businessmen of La Crosse. All sides settled into the routine. A meeting was held
at midnight by 519 to talk over the arbitration points, if it got to that point. Fred Fay
addressed the men and then departed to return to his duties at Detroit. Secretary
Reeves remained in town. The men approved the following resolution-"Whereas, on
June 22nd the La Crosse City Railway Company locked from employment the
members of Division No. 519, Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway
Employees of America as a denial of the acknowledged right of wage earners to
organize, thereby violating the fundamental principle of equal rights so necessary for
the stability of American liberty, and Whereas, a protest against such an unpatriotic
attempt to arouse class contention was so immediate, unanimous and emphatic on
part of the people of La Crosse, that equal privilege has been again restored and the
right re-established, and Whereas, we the members of said Division 519, of the Street
and Electric Railway Employees Association are directly and we believe immeasurably
benefited by such concerted demand for right, and it's success, therefore by it
Resolved, that we hereby publicly acknowledged the munificent interest in our welfare
that the people of our city have asserted, express our most sincere gratitude for the
creditable manner in which they guarded our rights and tender to all the people our
sincere thanks.
Resolved, that we acknowledge full recognition that the course of our beloved
fellow citizens who so loyally sustained us in the principle for right, was that of true
American manhood and womanhood that has signalized every promotive event and
which stands for the dignity of labor and as bulwark of true American liberty.
Resolved that we call upon all organized wage earners of any who so encouraged us
with their assurances of support to unite with us in a deportment that will
demonstrate to our loyal city the full worthiness of the cause and principles of our
grand trade union movement in our work of moral, mental and industrial uplift.
Signed - Charles Masterson, President and H. Johnson, Secretary."
Strike Noted In International Organ
Volume 17, Number 8 of July, 1909 of the Motorman and Conductor magazine,
contains an account of the strike of 519 on pages 16 and 17 of this magazine and has
many interesting remarks on the strike which bear repeating.... Those dismissed were
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egarded as prime movers in the organization work. Here is where the company
made its mistake. Every member of the Association was equally enthusiastic in the
formation of the local and its maintenance. It was not a one, or a four-man job.
Every man was fully aroused with a determination to gain better conditions and wages
by the movement...A feature of this strike was the promptness with which
organizations came forward to support of the street railway men.
Upon the first day of the lockout the La Crosse local of the Typographical Union
issued an appeal for a general mass meeting at which there was an overflow
attendance representing every union of the city.... it had a wonderful effect of
awakening a vigorous interest on the part of the whole of the city in behalf of the
locked out men...Sheriff Duncan and Mayor Sorenson tolerated no disorder and
succeeded in preventing any riotous demonstrations by putting a ring in the nose of
the law breakers at the first intimation of lawlessness by forcing the disarming of
Pinkertons an strike breakers......It is true that many curious citizens gathered about
the car barns "to see" as one put it, "what a scab looks like” That was natural, for I
don't believe there was ever a "scab” in La Crosse before......The Sheriff's laconic
assurance to the chief thug that he had rooms in the county Bastille for his whole
bunch had the desired effect and they withdrew to the confines of their pen......But
unionism means something.
Among other things it means honest, first-class workmanship. Nothing else
fulfills the scripture of unionism. It also means first class wages and conditions of
employment. If those things prevail, La Crosse will enjoy a first-class street railway
service... The Motorman and Conductor, the strike of 519 is discussed and the
improvement of wages is shown in a wage table. Then followed an interesting
paragraph on the policy of arbitration as a means of settling disputes.... The results
during the past term, in my opinion speak volumes in favor of arbitration. It
demonstrates that the cornerstone laid by the pioneers of this Association was not a
mistake... we can never afford, if we are to successfully maintain and advance this
organization, situated as it is, on any basis than that of arbitration... President W.D.
Mahon.
Division 519 Settles into Union Business
Union Votes On Agreement
On Monday evening of June 28, acting president, Fred Fay called the union
meeting to order. Having submitted and received the signed agreement, the
members voted to return to work on Tuesday Morning. The strike committee was
dismissed and the executive board was instructed to take up settlement negotiations.
A motion was passed that International Secretary Reeves should prepare for release a
press statement expressing the Division's gratitude to the public for the widespread
and sincere support they demonstrated throughout the strike. The union committee
met with Edwards and succeeded in gaining the return to work of Brother Sprout on
June 29.
On the 30th of June, at the union meeting, the membership made a motion
seeking to refuse the requests for membership from all of the men who were in the
employ of the company on June 21and after and had not yet been initiated into the
union. Upon a vote it failed and Brothers Masterson, Daley, Johnston, Lyden and
Lucas were appointed to a committee to investigate the desires of these men and to
report on them, should they ask for future membership. Following these contacts a
Special meeting was called on July 2 and several requests for membership were now
acted upon. Louis Happle, A.L. Allen, George Graf, Leroy Berthrong, Emil Ristow,
William Pfeiffer, Thomas White and James Newman asked to join and were accepted
into 519.
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At this meeting, a local attorney, Mr. Fred Hartwell, was hired to represent the
union at the arbitration hearing and any other legal proceedings. Fred H. Hartwell
was born in North La Crosse on March 3, l874. After graduating from the La Crosse
High School he entered newspaper work and became the City Editor of the Republican
and Leader newspaper. After three years he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin at
Madison and graduated in l899 with a law degree. He returned to La Crosse and
began the practice of law. His counterpart was Mr. W.J. Ferris (of the La Crosse
Water Power Company) who was retained by Edwards to act as the representative of
the streetcar line. Both sides having reached an impasse were preparing to submit
their cases before the arbitration board.
The choice of attorney Ferris turned out to be not strictly an impartial choice on
the behalf of the streetcar company. For Ferris was already the company attorney for
the Water Power Company, which was tendering a bid for the streetcar company and
consequently had a vested interest in the unionization or rather the defeat of such, for
the means of keeping overhead low on the property. Other business taken up at this
meeting involved seeking a permanent site for future meetings; Linker Hall was
chosen and rented on the first and third Saturdays of each month. The rate was two
dollars per meeting.
Action at the first meeting at Linker Hall, July 10 saw acting President Fred Fay
calling it to order. Attorney Hartwell reported that he has been in many meeting with
Attorney Ferris and reported that he had succeeded in having Brother Thrun
reinstated with back pay, to date from the return of Brother Sprout, last June29.
Continuing to work on remaining points, Attorneys Hartwell and Ferris failed to solve
them to the satisfaction of both parties. Hartwell submitted five names to be
considered as the third arbitrator, which were rejected by Ferris. He then placed an
additional thirty more names to him, which were all also, rejected.
This is how matters stood on July 22. Learning of these events, at the July
23rd meeting, a vote was taken and the membership once again approved a strike, if
it should be needed to proceed to settle accounts. It received a unanimous vote. The
body also at this time acceded to the suggestion of Ferris, that Mr. John Humphrey of
the State Board of Arbitration be appointed as the third member of the arbitration
committee. At this meeting, Brother Peter F. Sieger joined the brotherhood. Trusting
the skills of Attorney Hartwell and Secretary Humphrey, the conductors and
motormen continued working the cars, during the following days. Secretary
Humphrey arrived in La Crosse on the 27th of July. The next day Mr. Humphrey
convened a hearing and began taking testimony during a proceeding, which was to
last from the 28th of July until a final decision on August the 10th.
Arbitration Begins
Failing to settle all points of contention under the existing strike settlement
agreement, the two parties now turned to the business of facing the board of
arbitration holding hearings at City Hall and worked to initiate a permanent working
agreement. Mayor Ori Sorenson made a room available at City Hall for the hearing
and the testimony began on the 28th at two o‟clock in the afternoon. Secretary
Humphrey opened the hearing with a statement, "Now, I believe that we ought to
avoid all ill feeling in this matter, and I believe we can.” Then he asked Mr. Ferris to
present his opening statement. Ferris proceeded to give the history of the attempts to
form the agreed upon grievance committee and the issues of adjusting the wage scale
and restoring jobs to the disputed fired employees. Ferris ends with the comment
that the grievance committee should be a mix of union and non-union employees in
order to be fair.
Then, International representative, Fred Fay read a brief in behalf of the union
members which details the positions of the members on the issues. Fay states that
226

Ferris and Hartwell have settled the issue of returning the discharged workers already,
which leaves only the issues of the makeup of the grievance committee and wages.
Division 519 objects to the inclusion of non-union members on the committee and
asks that the wage issue be held open to further evidence forthcoming at this hearing.
Fay sums up the employee's brief by saying, "The history of trade unionism
throughout the world is universally to the point that the non-union men always enjoy
the fruit of efforts in behalf of labor exerted by the union men. In no case do they
suffer. By no possible chance could a non-union man now or hereafter in the employ
of the company be deprived of his rights or inconvenienced in any way by reason of
any union committee. In fact the very opposite condition will prevail.
The non-union men will benefit financially and otherwise from the efforts of the
union men and at the same time contribute nothing financially or morally to maintain
the organization through which they will receive these benefits. But to fill this
impossible contingency we are willing that a non-union committee take care of their
non-union business." Several hours of testimony takes place the subject of a mix of
union and non-union on a grievance committee at an open shop road. Then a pause
for dinner and the hearing resumes at eight p.m.
Attorney Ferris opens with the request that the board in executive session
conduct further discussion. Secretary Humphrey asks Fay if he has anything further
to place in the record and when he receives a negative response he announces that
the hearing will now close to the public and resume at one p.m. the next day. Going
into Executive session the Attorneys place their arguments before Secretary
Humphrey on the issue of the formation of the grievance committee. Ferris insists
upon dual makeup and Hartwell argues against it.
Hearing Records
A few passages extracted from the record illustrate the feelings on the issue.
This proposition can only presuppose trouble between these two factions that are
working for the company. You have one faction pass upon the grievances of the other.
The men are only human, and we know that trouble would be sure to come." "Why,
Mr. Hartwell?" "For one thing, the fact is the lockout is only a few weeks away, and
the bad feeling has not yet entirely subsided between these men."...I am free to say,
Mr. Hartwell that your arguments do not convince me at all." "And yours do not
convince me, Mr. Ferris. ...Now we can sit here and talk until we are black in the face
about the union men and the non-union men throwing their arms about each other on
the streetcars, but we know that is all bosh. These men are human and after going
through this lockout, we know they will not do anything like that."
"I don't think so. We have all had differences and in two of three months we
have forgotten all about it.” Yes, but if you were a non-union man and had gone
through this lockout, and had been balled out from the street corners as "scab" and
other names even worse - well, I might be able to forget all that but I am afraid not.
"Some of these men have already joined the union. I believe that it was stated that
there were only two men in the employ of the company who were not in the union at
the present time." "The very fact that two men have not come into the union shows
that they have not forgotten the recent trouble, and that they are staying on the
outside for some reason."
"You can't tell a thing about it. They may come into the union before the last
of the week." "One of those two fellows has made the statement that he would never
go into the union." Both attorneys made several more statements on the matter of a
dual composition formula for the committee and on this point the hearing adjourned.
At the request of Attorney Ferris, the committee question was addressed once again,
when the hearing resumed on July30. Ferris places part of the agreement between
the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company and its employees in the record, to attempt to
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prove that the majority of employees on that line are non-union at the time of the
strike. International Representative Fay and Attorney Hartwell contend that this
contention is in error. The hearing ends with the following evidence,
"Mr. Fay is not convinced yet that the non-union men are in the majority at
Philadelphia. "I will try to do my part to prove it, and I have no objection to having
more evidence taken on the other side of this proposition." "Is that all to be said on
this matter? If so, then the record is closed." Once again the question is addressed
upon the resumption of the hearing on the 31st of July.
Attorney Ferris enters into evidence an article from a June 12, l909 magazine.
This publication carried the record of the Philadelphia strike from the viewpoint of the
streetcar owner's side. Ferris presented it because it stated that the Company‟s
President and one representative from each of the car line‟s depots signed the
contract for the men. Due to the fact that the article avoided using the term union
Ferris strived to prove that this was proof the majority of conductors and motormen
were not unionized.
The article further states, "The Company issued a statement that there was a
vast difference in dealing with a committee of representatives from each barn elected
by a majority of the men and a committee representing a union. In the former case it
would be dealing on a basis of friendliness and with the desire for mutual good
understanding; in the other case it would be dealing with a committee of antagonists.
The company also announced, after a director's meeting on June 7th, that it would
distribute $25, 00.00 to reward the men who remained loyal throughout the strike."
Mr. Fay spoke after the entire document was placed into the record, it containing
many comments against unionism and defending the policies of the Philadelphia Rapid
Transit Company.
Fay noted that in this dispute the men were mainly referred to as "the
employees of the company", just as they were and are called before and after the
unionization here in La Crosse. He further stated that the material quoted in the
reprinted article came from Associated Press sources of which he had to say, After this
Ferris and Hartwell commented on the document and some telling commentary comes
through” To prove what point, did you read that” To prove that conditions of that
agreement that might apply in Philadelphia might not apply in La Crosse." "Why”
Because the union men are in a majority here and the non-union men in Philadelphia.
"Doesn't the fact that this was signed show that it was by a union committee
“The fact is that it was not signed be a union committee "Then this La Crosse
agreement must have been drawn by employees who were non-members of the
organization and the company” That was drafted by a union committee” What is there
on that agreement to show that “In the Philadelphia agreement it says author's
emphasis. Then Attorney Ferris questioned Mr. Fay, "how many men are on that
agreement?" "19, I believe." answered Fay. Attorney Hartwell now turned to the
June issue of the publication, page 6, where a copy of the agreement was reprinted
listing each of the 19 employees and showing the seal of Division 477, Amalgamated
Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees of America, beside each name.
At this point the publication, of June5, l909, starting at page 5, is placed into the
record. It contained the nineteen names and the seal of their local union; this marked
the end of testimony on this issue. Now the arbitration turned to the wage scale.
Economic Evidence Given to Hearing Judge
The first evidence entered was the brief of the employees. Reference to the
Country' Economic Panic conditions of 1907 were recalled along with the fact that
current wages were adopted on September 1, l907. This of course was a very
favorable time to set a wage scale on the side of management and accounts for the
low wages to a large degree. Also recounted was the fact that is spite of a panic
228

depressing wages, the cost of living did not go down but actually rose instead. The
employees asked for a flat raise up to the rate of 25 cent per hour with time and a
half for overtime and double time for work after midnight.
Currently the wage scale consisted of a starting wage of 17 cents per hour for
the first year of employment. It was raised to 19 cents for the second and third year
of employment and atop rate of 21 cents per hour. Overtime rates existed just as
listed by the employee‟s request. As a part of their brief the employees surveyed
local costs and submitted much information on the inflation of goods and services in
La Crosse. Grocers reported 20% to 60% increase since l907 and cited specific prices
and examples, such as- eggs up 44%, flour up 30%, potatoes up 64%, and sugar up
11%. Meat dealers also reported increases of 25% to 36% in the prices of- pork cuts
up 25% to 30%, beef cuts up 20% to 50%, sausage up 25% and chicken up some
30%. Following affidavits from many local grocers and butchers a report of other
increases was detailed. Rooming houses reported an increase of 25 to 33% and
landlords reported rents were increased from 10 to 15% Dress goods had risen10 to
25%. "And so it has been all along the line.
The necessities which the employees have to buy have risen which the wages
not adequate even in l909, have remained stationary." Turning to other laborers, a
list of their wages was also included in the brief and can be compared to the streetcar
employees by basing their wages on the starting scale of 17 cents per hour coming to
$6.80 a week for 40 hours of work, up to atop salary of $8.40 for the same work
week. Barbers earned $14 plus commissions. Bartenders made $12 a week for 10hour
days. Brewery workers were earning $14-16 a week for 9-hour days.
Blacksmiths made 30 to 37 cents per hour for 10-hour days. Coopers stood at 35
cents per hour. Hod carriers were paid 25 cents per hour for 9-hour days, Painters,
35 cents per hour for 8-hour days and Stone masons, 50 cents per hour for 8-hour
days.
Commenting on the expected abilities of motormen and conductors it was
noted that they were expected to remember and obey 74 book rules plus all bulletins.
At the time of the hearing there had been 39 bulletins creating in total, 113 rules to
follow. La Crosse motormen and conductors were required to stand during their
entire shift; they received no meal break but rather were expected to eat while
working. Due to the large inventory of used and worn out equipment, operated by the
streetcar concern, coupled with rough trackage, the men compared a ride in the La
Crosse Streetcars the equivalent of "an ocean voyage in a severe storm." A complaint
was included alluding to the lack of bathroom facilities by the men also. Evidence was
given which illustrated long shifts and many splits as well as infrequent breaks or
exaggerated ones.
The sliding scale was shown for what it was. A mean spirited budgetary
device, intended to defeat seniority and keep wage rates as low as possible. Many
men were driven to resign or let go and then hired back at starting wages of 17 cents.
A telling comment was the statement that since March of l909, Superintendent Shaw
has supervised the work force while 23men "resigned" or were discharged. Eleven
suffered a similar fate just when they were qualified to step up to the 21-cent top
rate.
During the brief period Superintendent Shaw has reigned, more men had left
the service that the total number currently employed, a telling item. Starting wages
for streetcar men were detailed in the brief for cities close to the size of La Crosse on
other unionized properties:
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Starting Wages for Union Streetcar Men
Battle Creek, Michigan 19 cents
Gary, Indiana 20 cents
Colorado Springs, Colorado 20 cents
New Castle, Pennsylvania 22 cents
Troy, New York 25 cents
Aurora, Illinois 23 cents
Summation
Summing up, the brief made a case for the board to not consider evidence
submitted from unorganized properties because "from common knowledge this board
knows that unorganized labor most often receives not what it justly earns but what
the company is willing to concede it ought to have." They finished with, "Human
nature is about the same the world over and the tendency of any company is if
possible to raise dividends rather than to raise wages. Having submitted its brief
attached with the many affidavits from local business, the board turned to questions
from Attorney Ferris as to the content of the employee‟s brief. Ferris argued about
the lack of comparisons with other Wisconsin Cities and Hartwell asked that the
Company produce the firm's books in order that the employee‟s wages might be
examined. Superintendent Shaw is sworn in and questioned by Humphrey on the
resignation and discharge policies he has followed.
Toilet conditions are discussed and Shaw states the company feels that the
employees do not need them, as they would not keep them clean while they were in
use. Humphrey adjourns, to reconvene at eight in the evening. When the hearing
resumed Secretary Humphrey was asked by Attorney Ferris to convene the hearing
into Executive Session. Attorney Hartwell opposed closing the hearing to the public,
supported by Fred Fay's objections also. After quite a bit of commentary by all sides,
the parties agreed to continue in open session provided the public and witnesses
observe proper behavior as to making comments in open session from the audience.
President B.E. Edwards is now sworn in and says, "I want to say a very few words on
this subject... "We believe that our men are paid the best wages for the service
rendered, for the amount of work performed, of any class of men in the city of La
Crosse. You will consider that the hours of labor are somewhat long, abut in many
instances you must consider that there is no comparison with other towns; that they
are not performing more than one fourth to one fifth of the actual labor that is
performed by men in the larger cities.
Consequently they are not entitled to any such a wage as is paid in some of
the large cities...”..."Finally gentlemen, consider that we are paying absolutely all that
we are able to pay. We were unable to pay a 6% dividend on our stock last year, and
we cannot pay an advance in the wages..."..."You cannot but be convinced of the
justice of our request that there be no material increase in the wage scale of the La
Crosse City Railway Company...” Upon finishing Edwards is questioned by attorney
Hartwell.” Is it your position that there has been no increase in the cost of living, no
general increase?" Mr. Edwards‟s replies,” There has been very little." Hartwell turns
to another issue, "Mr. Edwards, what about the road discharging men and then hiring
them again at a lower wage?" Edwards answers, "Don‟t know anything about that.
Men have sometimes left the employ of the company, and have come again and been
taken on the road." "That is left to Mr. Shaw?" Asks Hartwell. "He knows about
that." The men when they come back go on the extra list. They couldn't go ahead of
the regular men,” answers Edwards.
230

Company's Economic Statement
Edwards and Shaw testify on the wage scale and enter into the record the
wages currently being paid in Wisconsin: Wausau 16 to 18 cents an hour, Green Bay,
17 to 19 cents an hour, Janesville, 9 to 10 cents an hour, Milwaukee, 19 to22 cents an
hour and Clinton, Iowa, 17 to 20 cents an hour.
After entering their evidence, Shaw is questioned by Secretary Humphrey,
'HOW LONG DOES A MAN HAVE TO BE ON ONE OFTHESE CARS BEFORE HE CAN TAKE
IT OUT?" "Ten days", answers Shaw. "Without pay?" Questions, Humphrey. "Yes
Sir” answers Shaw. Humphrey then asks if there is a physical examination required
for the jobs and if there are any age limits. Shaw answers him by stating that he
would not hire anyone younger than 21 or older than 50 if possible. Humphrey asks if
Shaw looks for strong, healthy, men for the jobs and Shaw answer,” I would not want
a man to work for me who is a cripple, or who had fits. If a man is in good physical
condition, he can stand it all right, but if he is unhealthy or in poor physical condition
he might not stand it. We don't want that kind...”
On the subject of free passes, Shaw states that the company had been
allowing them to ride for free but since the strike had ceased the practice. Frank
Youlton of the police force is sworn in and states that the police department purchases
streetcar tickets for the use of its officers.
After this testimony, the hearing adjourns until 8 p.m. When the hearing is
once again back in session, Shaw is recalled and questioned on the Onalaska streetcar
line. He says that he is also the superintendent of that line and that it employees two
men, whom act both as motormen and conductors. They are paid 19 cents an hour
for such work. He says the line runs one car and is two and a half miles in length, but
is not considered a suburban line.
Ticket to Ride
The questioning then turns to the use of tickets on the streetcar lines. Shaw
tells attorney Hartwell that the company has, labor tickets, school tickets, employee
tickets, stockholder tickets and that they are blue, red and yellow. The blue are to be
counted as free and the red and yellow are to be counted as cash fares. However
upon questioning, Shaw admits it is at times impossible to tell the free tickets from
the cash ones and that the conductor must account for them himself, in his daily
reports. Furthermore he admits that yellow tickets are sometimes given to newspaper
people as free fares! Hartwell elicits the information from Shaw that he verbally
issued orders to the men to allow police to be allowed free passes on the cars,
through the assistant-superintendent around the first of March of l909.
Hartwell then asks, Shaw if it was usual to issue orders by the means of a
bulletin and Shaw confirms that that is the usual means of issuing orders. He is then
asked if he knew that it was a violation of state law to allow the free passes but Shaw
states he did not know of any such law. Hartwell then enters into the record Shaw's
past employment. It is shown that Mr. Shaw was a deputy U.S. marshal at Madison,
Wisconsin prior to his employment in La Crosse. When directly asked about the laws
passed by the Wisconsin State Legislators in Madison, he states, "I did not pay
particular attention to them."
Shaw is then directed to produce the company records on employment and
much evidence is discussed in regard to the practice of the frequent firing and
`resignations' of men whom were just ready to enter a higher wage scale position
with the company. Conductors and motormen are called to the stand and give
evidence on the free pass issue and Brothers, Masterson, Daley, Crandall, Straight
and Pruett give testimony on the number of police and other officials and persons that
231

were allowed to have free passage on the cars. They also give accounts of the many
men whom relate to the wage issue.
Then the hearing adjourns to reconvene on July the 30th at 1:30p.m. When
back in session on the aforementioned date and time, the hearing begins with Mr.
John Herrier on the stand. Mr. Hartwell begins the questioning and is told by Herrier,
that he had been the assistant superintendent for the La Crosse City Railway
Company and had just recently left the company. He backs up the testimony of the
union men and says he did issue the verbal orders relating to the free pass issue and
that Mr. Shaw was the superior that ordered him to do so. He then speaks on the
tickets and states that at the office of the company a glass-framed display of the
various tickets issued by the company are maintained for the training of the
employees.
He swears that the yellow and blue tickets we remarked as being free passes
and this finishes the evidence on this point as far as the union is concerned, Secretary
Humphrey taking notice of the proof of Shaws' earlier testimony. Edwards is now
once again placed on the stand and the International man, Mr. Fred Fay, makes a
point of questioning Edwards on the facts of the streetcar company's use of then on
union roads for wage comparisons. Edwards though, upon direct questioning, says he
does not have knowledge of whether or not they are organized or not. Both sides‟
present evidence and answer questions on the matter of scheduling and after this
point the hearing adjourns for a short break. At 5 p.m., the hearing resumes and
Hartwell, Ferris and Humphrey take more testimony on the free pass issue and how it
affects the gross receipts of the company in a year‟s time and if it is correctly noted in
the books of the company. The hearing then adjourns.
Railroad Official Is Heard From
Mr. Layland is sworn in on the 31st of July at 1:30 p.m. and states that he is a
member of the Burlington Railroad, working as a fireman for that line. He states that
he is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers. He enters
into the record the evidence that on the railroad lines of the country, a verbal order is
not to be considered a legal order by any union member. Edwards is recalled and he
completes the day's hearing with further remarks on the free pass debate. The
hearing then resumes on August 3rd at 2 p.m.
Secretary Humphrey had given a press release to the local papers the day
before, inviting the police to attend the hearing and give evidence on the free pass
issue from their point of view and to refute any evidence, which they felt was
detrimental to their reputation. Mr. Humphrey stated for the record..."By the absence
of the police department at this meeting, they have failed to take advantage of the
opportunity offered them by this board. They‟re being no further testimony to be
taken before the board the record is closed...” So ends the hearing and now the
International officer, Fred Fay submits the local's final argument in written form,
dated August 6, l909.
Hearing Closes, Fay Orates
Fay recalls that over a week of investigation and consulting has just been
completed and headdresses the wage scale issue first. Fay points out that in the time
Shaw has been in charge, 63men have been discharged or have been asked to resign,
just as the largest share of them were to qualify for a higher wage rate. On actual
wages, he wrote, "We call your attention to the further fact that not a road submitted
by the company in Wisconsin, is employing union men. This throws considerable light
on the question why Wisconsin is paying fewer wage than almost any other state in
the union.
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The men on unorganized roads have no one back of them in a demand for
increased wages and it is a matter of common knowledge with your board that some
roads refuse to meet a committee." He also writes..."In our opening we submitted a
list of the cities elsewhere in the country having near conditions and population as La
Crosse as possible, showing the wage paid. The company insists that the conditions in
each of these cities are different than here. Just how does not appear"...On the actual
working conditions it was noted that,” And working on the La Crosse cars seems to be
even harder than working on cars of some of the other systems and that for several
reasons.
In most cities the motormen are allowed to sit down upon reaching points on
the road outside a well-defined downtown district. In La Crosse motormen and
conductors stand during their entire platform service. La Crosse has considerable
second hand equipment and even the later equipment is of such design that the
rocking of the cars is at times such that the motorman on the front and the conductor
on the rear platform experience the sensations of an ocean voyage in a severe storm.
The poor condition of the track contributes no little discomfort to the men compelled
to stand and ride over the line for hours each day. There are no provisions for water
closets for the men at points on the line..."..."And finally we merely wish to suggest
that we are taught that one of the foundation principles of this great government is
that all men are created free and equal.
Our interpretation of that principle is that both the millionaire and the son of
toil under our system of government work hand in hand. It seems that capital should
be given its just earnings; that labor should receive its just wages. The son of labor
under our government meets the son of capital on an equal footing. They meet in
school, in church on the street, in business. The former is under our government to
be as well equipped mentally and physically as the latter. The daughter of labor is as
much entitled to education, good reading, pleasant surroundings and good clothes as
the daughter of capitol.
Wives‟ of Labor and Capital
The wife of labor should have carpets on her floor and pictures on her walls, as
does the wife of capital. The family of labor if entitled of hours of leisure that will
enable it to enjoy the company of the husband and father as much as the family of
capital enjoys the company of its father and husband. The laborer should have a
wage that will enable him to holdup his head in the presence of capital and meet it
one quality unembarrassed by such a small wage scale that it cannot make a decent
appearance. Finally, labor is entitled to such a wage that on that darkest of days
when the husband and father is taken away, the earnings put aside, little by little,
during his busy life, shall at least in so e small degree assist the widow to continue the
battle of life and the fatherless to secure some education and maintenance as our
government means they should have. Respectfully submitted, The Committee.
August 5th, l909...”
Entered into the record on August the 6th of 1909 As one of the arbitrators
chosen to adjust the differences existing between the LA CROSSE CITY RAILWAY
COMPANY and its employees, the board of arbitration having given all parties ample
opportunity to be heard, after carefully considering all the testimony and conditions in
the premises, I hereby make and file this my findings and judgment with D.C. Lewis,
official stenographer of the said arbitration board; The first question submitted for the
consideration of the board is to determine a fair manner of appointing and hearing a
committee representing employees, the said committee to exist during the life of such
wage scale as may be put in force and to represent the men in the discussion and
determination of all questions that may hereafter come up for consideration between
the company and its employees.
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In determining the just settlement of this question I am guided in a great part
by the fact that the evidence shows and I believe it to be a fact that with non-union
and working with union men on such a committee, the committee would fail to be a
unit, and would therefore fail of efficiency. It is the most important factor for a
committee when it meets its employers for the purpose of adjusting grievances that it
shall all be of one opinion and present the same general line of argument. The
statement of the company on page 28 of the record failed to reveal to us that there
has been any request made by the non-union men to be represented on the
committee and it looks to us as though the Company does not desire a unanimous
committee. Any fair minded person will agree that a mixed committee of union and
non-union men would be impractical, and could not secure good results, nor bring
about harmonious relations between employees and employers.” This resulted in the
union men being allowed to elect their own members to be the committee for
negotiations for all meetings between the union and the company because other roads
had adopted it.
The Sliding Scale
According to Superintendent Shaw giving his opinion off hand, most of the men
quit inside of two or three years. On the Onalaska line there is a flat rate in
existence. Both roads are under the same management. The conditions on one road
do not materially differ from conditions on the other. Superintendent Shaw, an
experienced street railroad man say she does not know of any reason why there
should be any difference between steam and electric roads. According to President
Edwards a sliding scale is based on the experience of the men. But when a man quits
or is discharged and returns to work even in a short time, he is put to work at the foot
of the scale again, and according to the testimony of the President; the company
cannot consider the experience on the question of wages. ...A very natural desire to
keep down the operating expenses by replacing the older and better paid employees
with inexperienced at a smaller wage may explain this condition...
Reviewing the evidence of the working of the sliding scale which I have before
me, I am compelled to suggest that it is vicious in itself in that it invites unjust
discrimination in the discharging of employees and tends to disregard by utility
companies in that competence and experience in employees which is the basis of
efficient public service, in the present decision it was determined to retain the sliding
scale feature during one year only, making it cover a sort of apprenticeship or period
of probation but it is a serious question whether a policy so dangerous should be
tolerated, even for this brief time....
Length Of Shift and Restroom Accommodations
The length of the days worked under the present schedule could be improved
greatly if the dead time could be cut out and the time be put in by the men as
continuous service. For this reason I recommend that the company take up this
matter with the end in view of cutting out this dead time in its present schedule as
much as practicable. The evidence in the case before us shows one condition
common to some other street railway lines in the state, but nevertheless wrong. It is
the lack of proper toilet conveniences at the ends of the runs.
I recommend that the local company remedy these conditions as soon as
practicable. The length of the time schedule demands that, they furnish these
conveniences either by establishing them now or making arrangements for the use of
such proper conveniences as are already established property of private individuals
and ease of access from the company's line. Wages should be increased ruled
234

Humphrey in his findings and he also went into length on the violation of the state law
on the matter of free passes....
"During the recent lockout, a request was made upon the Governor to send the
state troops to this city to maintain law and order but the chief executive did not
deem it wise to comply with the request until he could be more fully advised that the
county of La Crosse had exhausted all of its resources in that direction. It is due to
his wisdom that the state troops did not be sent to La Crosse and subsequent events
have fully justified his position."..."In arriving at the conclusions herein set forth, I
have endeavored to weigh the testimony carefully, taking into consideration all the
facts and circumstances surrounding each question at issue.
I have not been unmindful of the fact that great interests are involved in the
controversy between the board, the company and its rights on one hand and the men
and their rights and the other, and the public, although not an active party before this
board, deeply interested"... Just before a special meeting was held on August 11th,
future president, Peter Sieger, was enrolled as a member of 519. At the July 23rd
meeting, he joined the union.
The members listened to an explanation of the arbitration hearings results of
the previous day and voted to allow the executive board to handle the details
resultant from the findings. They accepted the wage scale improvement gained by
Humphrey‟s ruling, which resulted in 2 cents an hour across the board pay raise.
Resolutions of Gratitude
At the regular meeting of August 21, several resolutions were passed by the
men and entered into the minutes. They‟ll expressed the feelings of gratitude and
well wishes which resulted from the services and advice from the various individuals
involved in the lockout, strike and arbitration, as well as the organization and
formation of the local, itself.
"Be it resolved, That this Division hereby heartily endorses the work of said
John T. Humphrey and his success in fairly and impartiality adjusting differences
between capitol and labor and that it is the hope of this division that he be given
greater and broader fields in the future in which to exercise his sound, honest and
eminently fair judgment in matters of this kind. Resolved further, that a copy of these
resolutions be sent to the Honorable James Davidson, Governor of the State of
Wisconsin, the State Board of Arbitrators and every body of organized labor is hereby
asked to endorse the good work of Mr. Humphrey"
A resolution thanking Brothers Fred Fay and R.L. Reeves was penned at this
time also, citing their loyalty and great experience in labor matters. They were
credited with a great part of the success and commended to the International offices
and the Motorman and Conductor magazine was asked to reprint these resolutions.
The AFL organizer, Brother John Rae, along with Attorney Fred Hartwell was treated to
a similar display of pleasure in the minutes and a statement of goodwill was included
to the directors of the streetcar company as well. At this point in the organization of
the local, the Linker Hall was the scene of the meetings of the division, the first one
taking place there on July 10, 1909. By the sixth meeting (December) there, the bylaws
were drawn up and enacted.
235

Chapter Nine: Striking the Rubber Mills
The La Crosse Rubber Mills Founding, and the Funk Family
The La Crosse Rubber Mills
Company was incorporated in 1897 by
Albert Hirshheimer, Michael Funk and
George Zeisler. The company began
with 25 employees who labored on 160
steam-powered sewing machines,
manufacturing rubberized fabrics and
raincoats. Additionally, it
manufactured rubber horse shoes. By
1900 the company had expanded to
400 employees and was producing 850
rubber-coated garments a day. To
safeguard against fire, the Rubber Mills
Albert Funk Arthur Funk
installed the City‟s first sprinkler
system in its factory. In 1904 the
Rubber Mills began a national advertising campaign to market its “Indian Hill Brand”
rubberized clothing. But, by 1906 it had dropped the clothing line and switched over
to manufacturing canvas and rubber footwear. It reduced its workforce to 150
employees. In 1912,
Michael Funk and Albert
Hirschheimer purchased
controlling interest in
the factory and put
Michael Funks‟ two sons,
Albert and Arthur, in
charge of the company's
operations.
Up until 1913 the
Rubber Mills operated
out of a wooden factory.
Then, a program of
Rubber Mills buildings circa 1910-1920
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
constructing cement
buildings on St. Andrew
Street took place. A second cement building was built in 1916 and 1,000 workers
were now employed. By 1929, after further expansion of the factory the number of
workers blossomed to 2,000. Labor, management relations were not always cordial,
however, as early as 1915 labor activists were struggling to unionize the company.
First Attempt at Unionizing the Rubber Mills Tried, 1915
The La Crosse Rubber Mills was one of the primary employers of the La Crosse
area. Adversarial concepts and mistrust about the employees‟ intentions were burnt
into the psyches of the workers very early in the history of this industry. The first
known instance of an attempt to form a union at the Rubber Mills occurred on
February 19, 1915. The workers formed Local 14791 of the Rubber Boot and Shoe
Workers Union on February 19th. 218 This labor dispute began when the company
fired four men; Frank Chopieska, Sam Orton, Emil Rice and a man named Bristow the
same day as the union was formed. Not surprisingly, to those whom are familiar with
218 La Crosse Tribune, March 8, 1915
236

union organizing drives, three of the men fired were local union activists. Chopieska
was Local 14791‟s president, Orton was the local‟s vice president and Rice was the
secretary. The Rubber Mills‟ version of the story was that the men were let go for
being restless and unsatisfied.
After a Saturday meeting with Mr. Funk, in which the union asked for the
reinstatement of the fired men, the union was informed that only individual workers
would be welcome in any future meetings. This policy was to be in place when the
workers reported for work the following Monday, March 8, 1915. Workers applied for
work on that date and received any wages owed them but were turned out of the
plant if they refused to leave the union.
Some Hundred Men Out, and Fight to Finish is Assured
Peaceful picketing began as these locked-out workers attempted to convince
other mill workers to honor their picket line. After speaking to all the workers that
attempted to cross this picket line (which was reached by using the only road and
bridge that led to the
plant) union leaders
estimated that out of the
410 employees of the
plant, only 165 had agreed
to join the union. The
company said that only
110 workers were locked
out, while the union gave
the number of 150
workers. The union also
stated that out of the total
number of union members
employed by the Rubber
Mills, 95 were locked out
and 70 were at work.
Wages and conditions were
not the issue of this
dispute; it was union
recognition and a death
and sickness policy that was the sticking points both sides agreed. The company was
claiming that it did offer a death and sickness policy but the union denied that any
such offer had ever been made.
Union recognition was being sought by the workers and fought by the
management of the factory. Fred Chubbuck of the AFL was on his way to La Crosse to
assist John Rae of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council in this dispute. He sent a
telegram to AFL President Samuel Gompers seeking the assistance of the National AFL
in this dispute. Albert Funk, manager of the plant had asserted that the attitude of
the company towards the strikers was that the company definitely would not
recognize any committee of men from any union organization at any cost. He stated
that the Rubber Mills would deal with their workers on a case-by-case basis. After a
union meeting, which was held at Fjelstad‟s Hall on the north side of La Crosse, some
200 workers paraded through the town‟s north side is support of the striking Rubber
Mills workers and in support of their right to form a union. 219
On the night of Monday, March 8, the union meeting was held and an
additional 20 Rubber Mills workers joined the union. A public statement was issued to
219 La Crosse Tribune, March 9, 1915
La Crosse Rubber Mills, 1910, felt insole department
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
237

the press by both sides in this dispute early in the process. The union stated, “We are
unable to understand why Mr. Funk should lockout his employees in the winter and
deliberately take the bread from their mouths at this time of business depression.
Work is scarce, the cost of living is constantly going up and we know of no reason for
the lockout except that the employees joined a branch of the American Federation of
Labor which gives them sick an death benefits and other things which they asked him
to cooperate with them in getting, by organizing a factory association long before they
joined the union, He refused.” 220
The union and their attorney, Mr. Fred Hartwell accused Mr. Funk of firing the
union leaders not because of any problem with their work, but simply because of the
fact that they belonged to a union. They further stated that he admitted it in a phone
call to Attorney Hartwell and that
he would not allow any workers to
remain as employees if they
refused to quit the union. In his
own remarks, Mr. Funk agreed
with these assertions. He stated,
“There was no trouble in the
Rubber Mills until the appearance
of a St. Paul man who attempted
to increase dissensions as a basis
for forming a labor organization.
We recently made a voluntary
advance in wages. The men did
not and have not made any
demands, and those with whom
Rubber Mills products, 1915
Photo Courtesy Murphy Library – UWL La Crosse
238
we have talked admit, that wages
and working conditions are good.
Last week we let out four
men who seemed restless and dissatisfied. This failed to quell the growing unrest.
We saw before us the problem of whether we were to continue to run our business in
peace, and in harmony with our work people; with whom we had always been on
cordial terms. With growing agitation, we took an emphatic step Saturday.” Mr. Funk
made it very plain to all the workers that if they did not quit the union they would be
out of a job. This he confirmed by saying, “At 4 o‟clock upon that afternoon we called
the employees together and announced that the plant would open Monday morning,
as usual, and that all who wanted to work under our conditions, and to do business
with us as individuals, instead of speaking through an organization, might return
under the old terms. 221
Riot Notice Given to Mayor Sorenson
Apparently because of anticipating some trouble at their plant, La Crosse
Mayor Ori J. Sorenson received a riot notice, from the management of the Rubber
Mills. This was a procedure that held the City liable if a riot broke out and the City
had not given any protection to the threatened employer or his property. One City
patrolman was assigned to remain on guard duty at the Rubber Mills, day and night
upon the reception of this notice. AFL organizer Chubbuck advised al locked out
workers to obey the law and to demonstrate peacefully. 222
220
Ibid., March 8, 1915
221
Ibid.
222
La Crosse Tribune, March 11, 1915

This is how things stood on Thursday March 11. Mayor Sorenson, and
representatives from the north side Progressive League met with Albert and Arthur
Funk and with Louis and A.A. Hirsheimer (the owners of the Rubber Mills) and
attempted to convince them to meet with a committee of the locked out union
workers.
The owners refused to do so. At this point the La Crosse Trades and Labor
Council turned over the control of this dispute to the representative from the National
AFL. The AFL assured the local press that locked out workers would not resort to
violence but that with private guards employed by the Rubber Mills now carrying guns
on their persons, peace forever could not be promised. A standoff now ensued and
after a period of several weeks, Mr. Hartwell (the union‟s attorney) appeared before
the Wisconsin Industrial Commission in Madison and conferred with these officials
about the Rubber Mills dispute in La Crosse. 223
Free-For-All-Erupts!
First the picket-line crossers‟ version
On Friday March 26 union and non-union workers fought a battle along the
right-of-way of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway property. While walking along
the tracks at the point where a railroad trestle crosses the La Crosse River, the union
and non-union workers came to blows. Fighting with their fists and with clubs, both
sides inflicted many black eyes and sore heads to each other‟s proponents. La Crosse
Police were on hand and they made a lot of arrests of both union workers and nonunion
workers involved in the melee. Karl Hemeben and Frank Netwell (non-union
workers) were struck with clubs by a few of the locked out union workers while they
were walking along the tracks trying to reach the Rubber Mills plant.
Police reports stated that eleven locked-out union men attacked six non-union
workers. The police reported that these men had been hiding behind a stack of
railroad ties, and when the mills workers approached they jumped out and attacked
the non-union men. Police charged Charles Wibbard and Frank Chapiewski as being
the assailants of these injured non-union mill hands. Frank Netwall, Otto Knothe,
Steven Sherwin and Harry Drake were also some of the union workers charged by the
police. All of these men were charged by the local police in response to statements
given by the non-union workers involved in the fight.
Second, the Locked-Out Union Workers‟ version of the event
The union men told a different story of this battle. They told John Rae and
John Chubbuck that when they finished their shifts on the picket line and were
heading downtown on the railroad right-of-way, they were met by 25 to 30 of the
non-union workers who were on their way to work at the Rubber Mills. They further
stated that as they were preparing to pass by these men, they began throwing ballast
rocks from the roadbed at them while they were still a half-block away. These nonunion
men then rushed forward and began pushing the union pickets off of the
roadway. One picket was hit in the head with a lunch pail by one of the non-union
men. (This was quite a different version from the former story.)
As might be expected in such a situation, Mr. Albert Funk (who certainly was
not walking along the right-of-way) corroborated the non-union men‟s story and is
said to have told the remaining pickets that because of this incident they would not be
allowed to continue picketing. He inflamed the situation further by telling the pickets
that he would allow the remaining Rubber Mills workers to arm them as needed for
223 Ibid., March 11, 12
239

protection. Union leaders immediately issued a protest to these statements by
Funk. 224
Round Two, of the dispute
Seven men were arrested following a second outbreak of hostilities between
the two groups of Mills Workers. This time the battle broke out at the Burlington
Railroad crossing of St. Andrew Street on the city's north side. Police again rushed to
the scene when Mr. Funk reported the affair. Appearing in Municipal Court the
arrested men were arraigned before Judge Cronin. The Rubber Mills non-union men
being represented by Attorney George Bunge and the union men were represented by
Attorney Hartwell. Attorney Hartwell requested that Judge Cronin issue arrest
warrants for Phillip Roth, Cornelius Hans and Thomas Moe, charging these three with
the battery on one Mr. Thomas Petrasky. Thomas Petrasky was a mills worker that
had walked out of the factory when the workers began seeking union recognition. He
had in the meantime secured a job at the Heileman Brewery in La Crosse and was
there employed when this latest fight erupted.
He had been walking home from work when he spotted the forenamed mills
workers and he had called out to them, “Working at the Mills yet?” Mr. Roth had been
in earshot and had answered this comment with an oath and a blow that had knocked
Petrasky off of his feet. Petrasky then called out for help and was assisted by a family
friend who was just passing by on his bicycle, Mr. Andrew Bartovik. Mr. Funk once
again was close by the action and stated to the judge that he heard the union men
calling Hans, Moe and Roth by the name “scabs” when this fight broke out. 225
City Police Bias Charged by Trades and Labor Council
In a resolution passed by the Trades and Labor Council on March 26th, two La
Crosse policemen were charged with contributing to the problems occurring at the
Rubber Mills labor dispute. Officers Michael Britton and Thomas McDonough were
stationed near the mills. They were charged with having confrontation and combative
attitudes towards the picketing workers. It was noted that none of the other peace
officers were found to be as biased. The police and fire commission were asked
remove the two officers from the vicinity of the strike. 226
Judge Cronin Hears Complaints against union picketer
At this court hearing, Thomas Pretasky was found guilty of attacking the three
non-union men and he was fined. The non-union men were found guilty also and
were fined as well. Judge Cronin set the fine at two dollars higher against Mr.
Pretasky then that of the fine assessed against the non-union men but, lowered it to
the same rate when officered a motion to do so by the union‟s attorney, Hartwell. 227
Organizers then scheduled a large labor demonstration and set the date for it at April
8. The event was to demonstrate community support for the locked-out mills
workers. It was planned for the evening and involved two thousand parading citizens
and at the conclusion of the march a mass meeting at Linker Hall. Speeches on
general labor topics were held and other local incidents discussed. Both parties
involved in the Mills dispute had been heard by the Industrial Commission and this
body had announced that it had not had any success in getting the two sides together
for talks on the matter. They had further reported that would be willing to continue to
224
La Crosse Tribune, March 26, 1915
225
Ibid., March 30, 1915
226
Ibid.
227
La Crosse Tribune, April 2, 1915
240

seek a joint meeting of the aggrieved parties. Mr. Funk however, told La Crosse
reporters, “We have nothing to discuss with the rubber workers union or the American
Federation of Labor.”
Attorney Hartwell had also filed an appeal of Thomas Pretasky‟s conviction and
fine. 228 At the time of this labor dispute local grocery prices were as follows:
Package of crackers 4 cents, Corn flakes 6 cents, Sardines 12 cents, Campbell‟s soup
8 cents, Canned vegetables 10 cents, Macaroni 8 cents, Spaghetti 8 cents, Bananas
(12) 20 cents, Lettuce 4 cents, Oranges (a dozen)18 cents and Canned milk 4 cents.
Two Thousand March in Solidarity for Strikers
The night of April 8 was witness to the largest labor demonstration ever viewed
in La Crosse at that time, with the exception of Labor Day. Over two thousand men
and women marched through downtown La Crosse. Loud cheers went up as the huge
parade went by the bystanders. The parade route was along Second to Sixth Streets
and Main Street. Union banners were displayed by many of the marchers. Police
guarded the entrance to Linker Hall where the parade demonstrators ended their
march and expected to hear speeches on the Rubber Mills labor dispute as well as
general labor issues.
Fred Hartwell, President J. C. Wolford of the La Crosse Trades and Labor
Council, Mr. John Chubbuck of the AFL and John L. Derring, organizer for the National
Teamsters Union spoke to the packed house. Chubbuck spoke and said, “There are
those, who maintain that organized labor is not on a proper basis, and does not
comply with the best interest of the country‟s welfare. We believe in women‟s
suffrage, give the woman the ballot and we will have better conditions; unions stand
for enforcement and enactment of child labor laws, in government control of telegraph
and telephone lines and the recall act and the initiative.” The hall was packed wall to
wall and all of the speeches were cheered loudly and lustily. 229
Following the publicity of this parade and mass meeting, Mr. Albert and Arthur
Funk met with the union leaders and the Industrial Commission and for two days
hopes ran high that a settlement would be forthcoming. However, it did not happen.
The meetings were held but Rubber Mills management still refused to recognize the
union. The matter remained deadlocked. Fred Hartwell spoke on the issue again, and
spoke of the plants‟ workers' needs for sickness and death benefits, due in no small
part to the benzene and gasoline fumes that all the workers endured in the plant. The
chemicals being used on the jacks and assembly lines in the factory for the production
of waterproof rubber products were harmful, it was thought. 230
Final Refusal
This final refusal to accept or recognize the union seems to have been the
death knell for unionization of the Rubber Mills at this particular timeframe. For by
the end of June 1915, Mr. Fred Hartwell has been to Washington, D.C. and had meet
with AFL President Samuel Gompers, but the Funk‟s still had stood pat and silent.
As late as June, AFL president, Samuel Gompers stated that he firmly believed that
A.P. Funk will change his present attitude against employing AFL members.
All local news of the lockout ceased appearing in the local press except for one more
mention in a September story about Labor Day, 1915. It was noted that the lockedout
workers fielded a large contingent of parading workers during the annual Labor
228 Ibid., April 3, 1915
229 Ibid., April 9, 1915
230 La Crosse Tribune, April 10, 11 and 12, 1915
241

Day parade in September. The workers of this factory would end up waiting an
additional two decades before attempting to form another union at the Rubber Mills.
Turning to the Minute Books of the Labor Council
However, turning to the minute books of the Trades and Labor Council more
news on this lockout can be discerned. On September 24th, Olaf Pausen was
obligated to the council as a delegate of Rubber Workers Local 14791. Paulsen
reported that the members were holding strong and were still holding good meetings.
A committee from the labor council met with local shoe merchants in regard to buying
shoes from the Rubber Mills. They reported that Joseph Arentz was buying his
rubbers from the Hood Rubber Company. William Strauss reported that he placed his
order with the Converse Rubber Company. Doerflinger‟s reported that they were not
buying any Rubber Mills products since the trouble began and had taken down all
signs advertising Rubber Mills products. They were now purchasing from the Boston
Rubber Company. Other shoe stores reported similar support for the locked out
Rubber Workers of La Crosse. In October the Rubber Workers delegate reported that
numbers of his union were going to work for the National Gauge Company. He also
reported that the locked out members wished to thank the Gund Brewing Company
for an unspecified favor done to them recently.
The November 12th minutes relate that the delegate from Local 14791 told the
delegates that strikebreakers were spreading the word that the lockout was over, it is
not he told them. Stand firm he said. In November he reported that his union was
holding a dance at Armory Hall and that five wagonloads of shoes had been returned
to the mills.
January 14th minutes have a report that a union electrician took a job at the
Rubber Mills and the Rubber Workers asked that his union card be revoked. They also
reported later in the month that the Union Electrician left the factory. Several other
union men that had reported for work at the mills were reported in the February
minutes.
The April 28th, 1916 minutes tell that Mayor Bentley appointed Sam Orton the
Weed Commissioner for the city. Orton was one the first union members fired by the
Funks. In May it was reported that two carloads of rubber shoes were returned to the
factory. Later in the May minutes of the second meeting of the Labor Council it was
reported that the Mills had an order to manufacture 10,000 pairs of Ranger tennis
shoes to be sold by mail order. All those working at the mills were engaged in
producing them. June minutes found the Rubber Workers union asking for assistance
from the AFL once again to settle the strike. Later in the month dissatisfaction by
those now working in the Mills was reported. Six had quit and went to work for the
National Gauge Company. July minutes show that the Mills was forced to raise wages
to keep the strikebreakers from leaving. August minutes show that the Rubber
Workers Union was to be the 18th unit in the Labor Day parade.
Then the minutes of the second meeting note that due to striking Rubber
Workers now belonging to other unions the Rubber Union may not field a unit.
In the September minutes one Charles Olson was reported to have returned to the
Mills and to have not returned some of the Local Rubber Workers Union when he did
so. The minutes for the remainder of 1916 show the Rubber Workers absent.
1920, Tardiness of Workers Eliminated at Rubber Mills by Auto Trucks
Six flatbed Ford trucks were purchased by Albert Funk, one of the owners of
the Rubber Mills in 1920 to use as worker transportation. Starting with one or two of
these trucks, the system was so successful that six trucks were in use by August of
that year. The trucks had enclosed passenger carrying bodies installed on them. The
242

trucks charge about the same fare as the La Crosse streetcar system but, pick up the
workers near their homes and drop them off at the factory entrance, repeating the
process in the evening to return the workers to their homes. Funk said, “We are very
much pleased with the service. We get our people to the plant on time and tardiness
has been eliminated. On the other hand our employees are taken directly to their
homes when their work is done eliminating time waste there. We intend to add more
trucks and at present we are carrying approximately 300 per day.”
1931, Large Inventory Shuts Down Mills for Six Weeks
Large orders began arriving for product late in the summer of 1931 allowing
the six-week shutdown to end. This put 1,000 men and women back to work and
eased the unemployment issue somewhat for the city. A total of 1,800 workers had
previously been employed by the Rubber Mills prior to the shutdown. Slow sales had
allowed the workers to build up a large inventory of manufactured products and had
caused the shutdown.
1933-1934, Strike Statement by Local 14
Local 14 (which had been formed in
December, 1933) issued a copy of a union
communication to the press. This missive was in
response to a circular being distributed by the
Rubber Mills management to the members of Local
14. The union stated that the company document
contained misleading statements.
The Company had met with Nathaniel Clark
of the Regional Labor Board and had promised not
to take any action in regards to the strike. They
also promised not
to go the press with any statements regarding it.
Management states that they are neutral as to
whether or not employees join the union or not. They also refused to put a notice of
the agreement on any of the plant‟s bulletin boards because they say it will encourage
membership in Local 14. But, they posted an employee‟s relations policy that will not
encourage membership in the union.
A civic committee met with the union and the company to aid in solving the
strike issues. And, the company met with Robert Pilkington, a U.S. Commissioner of
Conciliation official and when asked to submit a proposal to settle the strike answered
that they could not do so that evening because one of their representatives had a
dinner engagement to attend.
1,000 workers went on strike on August 25, 1934 and successfully restrained
any worker trying to enter the plant. The Funks issued a statement to the press
stating that they “did not wish to sign a contract, relative to collective bargaining.
The union charged the Company with a violation in their establishing a “company
union” in the plant. Back in July, the plant workers voted by secret ballot 1,066 in
favor of affiliating with the AFL, 162 in favor of the Company Union and 13 in favor of
any other Labor organization.
Company Forms Yellow Dog Union
Immediately after this secret ballot, the Company formed a Company Union.
This union had a membership of 71 individuals. Wages at the plant ran from $14 to
$20 a week. The hourly rate was 35 cents to 42 cents. G.J. McHenry was named as
temporary chairman of the Company union. The strikers held a meeting at the Labor
243

Temple. All attempts to park in the factory‟s parking lots was stopped by walls of
picketers blocking all the entrances.
Paul Smith of the AFL issued a statement saying, “For the last several months
we have had organized in the American Federation of Labor, over 80 percent of the
employees of the La Crosse Rubber Mills Company. A collective bargaining
committee, as provided for under Section 7A of the National Industrial Recovery law,
was duly selected and has been attempting since January to negotiate a collective
bargain with the company. All its efforts have been to no avail. Finally after the
employees voted at an election, supervised by both employees and company, the
employees voted 1,066 to 162, choosing that the United Rubber Workers Local Union
No. 18383 as the organization to which they want to belong and have as their chosen
representative. In other words, they are striking to assist the government in
enforcing the law.”
Albert and Arthur Funk responded with, “The management had recognized
United Rubber Workers No. 18383 and during the past few months had held several
conferences with a representative committee of the above union. These conferences
were held at the office of the company and the main point of discussion was the
signing of a contract as presented by the union. On Wednesday, April 18, the
management informed this committee that the company did not wish to sign a
contract, as our collective bargaining policy being prepared at that time, covered all
necessary principles involved in Employee Relationship with the company on a broad
basis which would include not only United Rubber Workers No. 18383 but also all
other employees of the factory.”
Funk‟s Post Notice
Under the heading COLLECTIVE BARGAINING POLICY, a notice was posted on
all the plants bulletin boards. It was mainly the Union‟s agreed upon conditions with
but one giant poison bill. Under PROTECT RANK, No. 4 “Nothing in the above shall
deprive any employee of his right to deal individually with the company on all matters
of hours, wages, and working conditions.” In layman‟s language a “company union
clause, that killed any real union shop.” This notice ended with the words, “Until
further notice, the factory will be closed.”
The union had swollen its ranks by 100 members shortly after the posting of
this notice and now stood at 1,100. Pickets kept vigilant watch and some of the
picketers were treated to mulligan stew and coffee by “Big John” Kirk and his wife who
owned a home on Indian Hill near the factory. A meeting held at the Labor Temple
drew 1,000 spectators who listened to speakers on the strike matter. Herman
Burgehardt, organizer of the Trades and Labor Council spoke and told the strikers, “be
peaceful and don‟t destroy any property.” Paul Smith (of the national AFL) spoke
telling the audience, “I‟d rather be on strike than a member of a company union
helping a millionaire.” Continuing he also said, “The best way for members of the
little old company union to show that they are not company sucks is for them to sign
an application in your organization. The company union is to enable the employer to
use it as a tool for the National Manufacturer‟s association to prevent the organization
of American labor.” Herman Burgchardt arranged a meeting between the Funk‟s and
the Union in an attempt to settle the strike and both parties agreed to meet.
June 5, Must Remain in Own Hands
“The company can be forced to discontinue business entirely and permanently,
but the company cannot be forced to assume the risks and responsibilities of
operating its business with the management of its vital affairs in the hands of
strangers.” The Funk‟s publicly repudiated the findings of the Chicago Regional Labor
244

Board and brought in one industrial representative of the hearing committee who
happened to disagree with the majority decision of that board.
This individual was D.M. Compton who wrote, I do not concur in all of the
findings nor in the recommendations by the board especially that section regarding
union recognition. In regards to the Boards‟ findings, The Funk‟s wrote that the
finding …is no less than a troublemaking contribution to the confusion that already
exists in the minds of the employees. The Funks‟ concluded with; At present, not only
production employees, but office employees and officers of the company are being
barred from entering the factory or office by union pickets. Each day that these
tactics continue, the outlook for the company and the outlook for employment for
each of its employees becomes less satisfactory-temporarily and permanently. These
tactics are not aiding or hastening settlement of the strike. If these tactics are
continued the strike will very soon become-not a strike-but an indefinite shutdown on
account of lack of business. Signed, Albert P. Funk and Arthur S. Funk.
June 7, Declaration of A Sympathy Strike by Hod Carriers
Citing their desire that the government enforce the decision of the Regional
Labor Board the Hod Carriers Union announced a sympathy strike.
Company Declines to accept Concessions
The union declared that the Rubber Mills refused to accept concessions offered
by the union. The union noted that the company wanted all the benefits of the
National Recovery Act but, none of its burdens. Herman Burchardt, president of the
Trades and Labor Council told the newspaper reporter that the Hod Carriers Union,
Local 140 had voted a sympathy strike to support the Rubber Workers.
The union statement went on to say, We do not believe that the good people of
this community, business, professional and working men, can or will expect us to do
anything but stand by our government. This struggle is not longer one between the
company and its employees, but is one between the government and the La Crosse
Rubber Mills company. We do not want to be a party to defeat our government.
The statement ended with, had the decision of the labor board been
unfavorable to us, we would have, in good sportsmanship, gladly accepted the
findings of the board. Had we not done so, we would have been condemned by the
people of this community and the entire labor movement.
June 15, Strike Settled at City Hall
At 11:00 in the morning of June 15, the April 24th strike of the Rubber Mills
came to an end. The settlement terms had been examined by union members at a
Labor Temple meeting an hour earlier, where acceptance was gained for the deal. A
special committee of the Common Council had interceded in the strike and brought
the two parties together. “We are happy that the strike is over,” noted the Funks.
The union said, “We desire also to thank the special committee of the council
appointed by Mayor Verchota for its fine contribution in the final settlement.”
June 16, Plant Expected to be Operating Soon
After a two-hour meeting between the Funks and the union an agreement was
signed settling the strike. Immediately 50 men went back to work in the shipping
department sending out boots that had been finished prior to the strike and were left
unshipped during the strike.
245

June 20, Out on Strike Again
Five days after settling their strike, Local 18383 called a 24-hour strike.
Hundreds of pickets were on duty at Indian Hill.
The Rubber Mills made public the Terms of the Agreement that had settled the
original strike.
Posted - Terms of Agreement dated, June 19, 1934
1. The principle of collective bargaining is recognized fully by the company
2. The company will negotiate collectively with such employees that wish to do so
3. The company will bargain individually with any employees that wish to do so
4. The company will not discriminate against on account of his affiliation with any
organization
5. The company will not pay less than the code minimum wages, will comply with
overtime rules and holiday pay
6. Where there is a shortage of work, old employees idle shall have preference
over new employees
7. Grievances may be taken up individually or through shop stewards or
committees
8. Employees shall furnish the names of shop stewards to the company
9. The company shall be allowed to call witnesses during grievance hearings
10. Seniority rules shall prevail
11. These terms shall remain in full force and effect until changed by mutual
agreement after giving 30-days notice to do so
Notice Posted, dated, June 19, 1934
It has come to our attention that there is some fear on the part of some of our
employees that our plant will become a closed shop, and that it may become
necessary or advantageous for them to join a labor union and to pay union dues and
assessments.
In order to quiet, definitely, any such fears on the part of any employee, we
make the following statement and pledge to our employees
1. This plant will not operate as a closed shop – directly or indirectly
2. It is not now, and it will not become necessary or advantageous for any man or
women to join a labor union, or to pay union dues or assessments, in order to
be employed in this plant, or in order to receive fair and equal treatment from
us.
3. Any employee who desires collective bargaining is entitled to join and bargain
through any organization he or she may choose for that purpose
4. The foregoing is in strict accord with the terms upon which the operations of
this plant are being resumed-as approved by the company and all collective
bargaining organizations or groups among the employees
The union demanded that Terms of Settlement should show the signatures of
the union and that any minority group should not have the privilege of posting a copy
of the Terms of Settlement with their signatures
The union also demanded that the company withdraw the notice referred to,
The company cannot meet these demands, signed: A.P. Funk, A.S. Funk
Robert Cowdrill of the National Labor Board was an examiner for that
organization and had held conferences with the union and company. He ruled that the
matter should be turned over to the Labor Board for settlement of the issues.
246

Funk‟s Reveal Letter
The mills mailed a letter to the striking union members, asking them if they
accepted the terms of the June 19 notice, they could return to work. The union
published a response to the Funk‟s letter telling the press that the Funk‟s had violated
the contract that had been signed on June 15th by the posting. It was signed by
Floyd Robinson, Roy Frederickson, Nicholas Brophy, Herman Reihl, Melvin Gilberg and
Ernie Lassig. The union had held a special meeting and discussed the notice and
letter.
Replacement Notice Posted, July 5 Attention Employees:
No employee shall be required to join any labor organization as a condition of
employment by the company. However, our employees are, under the law, perfectly
free to join any labor organization they so desire. The supervisory staff of the
company and employees shall refrain from any activities for or against any
organization during working hours.
July 1934, Second Strike Settled
An agreement was once again offered, voted upon and accepted by both
parties in this strike.
Still Arguing for Union Recognition
80% of the workers at the Rubber Mills were signed up with the union. A
collective bargaining committee as provided for in Section 7A of the National Recovery
Law had recommended a settlement, which the Funk‟s refused to honor or obey. The
AFL had sent Paul Smith (assistant to president William Green) to assist the local.
The workers had voted 1.066 to 162 in favor of joining a union. Smith advised the
company to obey the law and recognize the union.
From the Funks‟ came this response. Until further notice the plant will be
closed. “On Wednesday, April 18, the management informed this committee that the
company did not wish to sign a contract; as our „Collective Bargaining Policy‟ being
prepared at that time covered all necessary principles involved in „Employee
Relationship‟ with the company on a broad basis which would include not only United
Rubber Workers Union No. 18383 but also all other employees of the factory.”
The same day the above statements were given 1,000 employees walked out
on strike. The biggest stumbling block for the union was the company‟s attempts to
establish a „company union‟ which is a violation of the NRA code. There were 71
workers willing to join this company union.
This strike left 20,000 shoes halted in various stages of manufacture. The
company was expected to lose somewhere between 4,000 and 5,000 dollars is crude
rubber on hand was not used immediately.
Mill Strike Ends With Union Recognition
An agreement was signed on July 3rd ending this strike. Meeting at the law
offices of George Bunge and Andrew Lees, the union and the company signed a
supplementary document that satisfied both parties. In the document the company
agreed to not post any notices that might be construed as harmful to the American
Federation of Labor. The supplementary agreement was presented to the
membership at a meeting held at the Labor Temple. The vote was 752 to return to
work and 17 to remain on strike. In the agreement the company was charged with
negotiation with Local 18383 first in the case of any disagreement between the
workers and the company. This was as close as the Funk‟s cared to admit the
recognition of the union, apparently. They further agreed that at no time would a
247

minority organization (i.e. company union) be allowed to dictate conditions for the
Mills. Lastly, management was forbidden against talking against the union while in
the factory during working hours.
October 1934, Final Shot Fired
A claim for damages amounting to $2,490.72 has been filed by the Rubber
Mills against the City of La Crosse for alleged damages sustained by the company
during the strike in the spring and summer. The company asserts that on April 25,
1934 a group assembled and demonstrated on the property of the Mills. The property
suffered damages caused by missiles being thrown into the glass windows and against
the walls in the amount of $1,457. Personal property to the plant was stolen in the
amount of $382.74. Three carloads of a shipment of material to the company coming
over the Chicago, Northwestern Railroad were delayed or damaged.
1937, Sit-down Strike
Members of United Rubber Workers Local 14 in two departments of the Mills
began a sit-down strike on January 11, 1937. This action was in response to the Mills
management trying to force employees to join the “company union”. Robert Franklin,
organizer for the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council said meetings between the
strikers and the company would take place in regards to eliminating the “company
union.”
200 union members (Local 14) occupied the Mills for five days in a sit-down
strike. The executive board of the Local called for a general strike in support of the
sit-down action. No damage to Mills property or products had occurred during the
labor action. The company had posted guards, over the materials and equipment
during the sit-down. Police officers were also on duty inside and outside the plant‟s
buildings. A meeting was scheduled between the company and the union.
The strike lasted for seven weeks before the company and union could come to
terms. Local 14 was to be the bargaining agency for all production employees of the
Rubber Mills. On February 26, a vote on the collective bargaining issue resulted in a
712 to 435 in favor of Local 14.
A U.S. Commissioner of the Labor Department arranged meetings between the
company and the union to resolve the issue. Albert Funk, Arthur Funk, Leo Larkin and
W.J. Koch represented the company, and Henry Ohl, Wisconsin AFL president; Floyd
Robinson, John Soller, Roy Wood, P.W. Schleiter and Alfred Harnish represented the
union in these meetings.
January 21, 1941
After a shutdown, the Rubber Mills reopened with somewhere between 600 and
650 workers. A two-week shutdown due to business climates had stilled the assembly
lines at the factory. The Allis Chalmers Plant and the Moto-Meter Gauge Company
also were back running full daytime shifts.
1941, 800 Rubber Mills Workers Walkout
On February 5, 1941 800 members of United Rubber Workers Local 14 walked
out of the Mills over a dispute involving Union Seniority Rights. A Union meeting for
Local 14 was held on the 6th of February and the members heard from their
President, Grover McHenry president at the Mills had laid off 75 members who had
greater seniority than those left on the job. The majority of the members present
voted to authorize the strike.
Pickets were put out and they walked the line until February 9th when a Union
Meeting was held at Pioneer Hall to discuss the strike. Two days later, February 10,
248

the Company and the Union came to an agreement and the strike was settled. A.P.
Funk (La Crosse Rubber Mills President) gave a statement to the press saying, “I am
pleased to announce a satisfactory settlement has been reached between URWA Local
14 and the La Crosse Rubber Mills Company. Work will be resumed in all departments
tomorrow.” The settlement agreed upon department seniority.
1943, Walkout By 500
In the midst of World War Two, the members of United Rubber Workers Local
14 went on strike on May 25th. The Executive Board of Local 14 held a meeting at
Pioneer Hall that evening to discuss the issue. Two days later the members were
struggling over an ultimatum given to them by the management of the Mills. It
basically informed them of their duty to return to work. The members had walked out
despite the fact that the Executive Board of Local 14 had not authorized the work
stoppage. The Company‟s firing of two of the members of Local 14 had sparked the
walkout.
1945, Walk-Out
On April 7th, a walkout by Union members began at the Rubber Mills.
By May 15th, Local 14 members were back on the job. The company having agreed
to obey all the directives of the National War Labor Board satisfied the complaints of
the Union. The previous disregard of those directives by the company had inspired
the walkout.
1974, October 20, November 16 Strike
700 members of URW Local 14 went on strike by a vote of 516 yes, to 195 no.
The vote occurred at the Mary E. Sawyer Auditorium. President Ruby Ames said, “we
have an agreement that there will be no statement (by management and the union)
so, I have no comment. We would sooner they (the Tribune) don‟t print nothing.”
The Company had offered the union a raise of 31 cents the first year and 12 cents the
second. The Union had asked for 50 cents an hour for each year. Two days later, 13
picketers were on the line and no additional news was forthcoming from either side on
this strike. By October 23rd, no meetings had been held and the outlook was deemed
gloomy. The average wage at the Mills at this time was from $2.19 an hour to $3.00.
Ten to fifteen picketers were on duty, 24 hours a day, walking two-hour shifts. The
Union held a meeting at Logan High School on October 31st to vote on a wage offer.
The Union rejected the offer by a vote of 394 to 272. The Company had
offered 35 cents an hour the first year and 31 cents an hour the second year. Local 14
of the Rubber Workers Union settled this strike on November 16. Voting at the Labor
Temple, 365 members voted to accept the company‟s offer with 261 voting to
continue striking. Accepted was a three-year contract which gave an across the board
35 cents an hour pay raise the first year of the deal. The second year would see
another 23 cents an hour boost and the final year offered them another 25 cents.
Asked by the Tribune reporter one worker told him, “Damn right, I‟m glad we are
going back, I need the money it‟s that simple.” Starting on Monday, October 23,
workers would be called back as the factory assembly line called for them. Shipping,
mill room, fabric cutting, quarter room, block cutters, maintenance, old plastic unit
and new plastic unit called back first. Tuesday would see the return of the basement,
outside cutting, press and assembly, shoe room services and new plastic finishing
workers back on the job. Wednesday the shoe room workers, last and lacquer and
part of the packing room would come back. Lastly, on Thursday the entire packing
room would be back.
249

Chapter Ten: Founding of the Trane Machinists Union
"You sell this union on what is in your heart. It‟s our responsibility to preserve our
union and pass it on to our replacements as our forefathers did for us.
Nobody gave us the right to bargain collectively that‟s something we fought for,
something we won. Nobody ever decreed that North American workers have a right
to fair wages good benefits a middle class living standard. To get those things, we
struck the railroads and the factories and the airlines. We won those
Benefit, negotiated those wages". Thomas Buffenbarger, IAM International president.
Federal Labor Union, Cliffwood No.
18558 and IAM Lodge 21
Heating and air
conditioning needs, along
with the plumbing trade
lead to the formation of
one of the nation‟s
largest manufacturers of
home and industrial air
treatment systems, the
Trane Company. James
Trane settled in La Crosse
in 1864. He worked as a
plumber and steam fitter.
In 1885 he opened his
own plumbing shop. His
son Reuben, shared his
father‟s interest in
mechanical things. He
earned a degree in
mechanical engineering
from the University of Wisconsin. Reuben and James worked together in the plumbing
business. In 1916 they founded the Trane Company. Shortly after starting up Trane
Company they were joined by Frank Hood, Reuben Trane‟s brother-in-law. Reuben
developed products and Frank oversaw the fiscal end of things.*see page---for early
strike against Reuben Trane owned plumbing business.
Convector Radiator Invented
In 1925, Reuben invented the convector radiator. He used a coil which he ran
steam or hot water through and eliminated the need for heavy metal cast-iron
radiators. This product propelled Trane on the way to business success. Next to be
invented was the Trane Unit Cooler in 1931. It blew air past coils which had cool well
water running over them and created a air conditioner. In 1938, after the depression
had run its course, Trane introduced the Turbovac. It was the first hermetic
centrifugal refrigeration machine. The Turbovac became today‟s CenTraVac®. By
this time Trane was also producing heating products and manufacturing fans for use
with a Trane central station heating system.
Machinists Form a Union (Committee) at Trane in 1933
A small group of employees of the Trane Company banded together in 1933 to
discuss forming a union. The first union was affiliated with the American Federation of
Labor and was known as the Cliffwood Federal Labor Union, No. 18558. The leader of
this group of men was Walter Buchel. The union received a charter on August 28,
250

1933, assisted by La Crosse Trades and Labor
Council organizer, Herman Burgehardt. On the
charter application the workers were reported to
be involved in operating punch presses,
punching metal for steam radiators and used for
heating, and welding and general laborers.
Wages in 1933 were 34 cents an hour.
There was no provision for seniority rights and
employment was always tenuous for them at
the time. Having formed a union and being
granted a charter did not guarantee that the
company would recognize their union.
Meanwhile, John Farrell, the union
secretary mailed letters to local chapters of the
United Association of Journeymen Plumbers and
Steamfitters and to local unions of the Sheet
metal Workers International Association
throughout American and Canada. The thought
behind the letter campaign was that the members of the Plumbers and Sheet metal
unions would be the ones installing Trane products, and that if they were aware of the
company‟s refusal to recognize their employees union they would boycott Trane
products, or threaten to in letters sent to Trane.
A sample of such a letter read: We regret to say that we have been informed
by the Cliffwood Federal Labor Union No. 18558, that your company officials have
refused to come to any kind of agreement with the employees of your factories, as an
organized body.
The attitude of our body is there is no excuse for any manufacturer to refuse to
comply with Section 17 of the National Recovery Act and to display and label 100%
N.R.A. and Union Made product. We have used Trane Company products in this
section of Michigan for some years and hope to hear in the very near future that the
Trane Company is willing to go along with our National Administration to the extent of
paying their employees a FAIR or at least living wage. It was dated February 24,
1933 and signed by the secretary of Local Union No. 313. Many letters like this were
mailed to Trane but, they did not elicit an immediate solution to the problem.
1933, First Agreement between Trane and the Union Committee
The first agreement listed a day‟s work as being six hours and five days a
week. All time worked in excess of that was to be considered over time. The work
week was to begin on Monday morning and end by 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon. The
work shift was to be 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. each day. The right to hire
and fire was to be totally in the hands of the company. The present rate of wages
(1932) was to increase by 17 ½% beginning on October 1, 1933.
1934, Second Agreement
In this agreement Trane Company agreed to hire only workmen who were
members of Local Union No. 18558. Each workman was to carry a work permit card
showing him to be in good standing with the union and the card was to be renewed
each month by the union. In a form of seniority agreement, it was agreed that when
a vacancy occurred the oldest permit card holder would be granted the work if capable
of performing it. Trane employees were to join the union within two weeks of their
hiring. The work week was to be limited to seven hours a day and no more than five
251
Union Membership book with dues stamps from
1940-1941

days a week. Sunday work would earn double time. Wages would be increased by
17½% beginning on March 1, 1934.
1935, Third Agreement
In 1935 the Union Committee had the following agreement with the Trane
Company dated, April 18, 1985.
1935, Rules of Working Conditions and Employment
The hours of labor and minimum wages have been established between the
Trane Company and the representatives of the Employees to conform to the codes
which are in effect. Work performed over the hours shall be considered overtime and
shall be paid at the rate of time and one-half. Work performed on Sunday, New
Year‟s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Decoration Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and
Christmas shall be paid for at the rate of double time.
Regular working hours shall be from 8am to Noon and from 1pm to 5pm,
unless otherwise agreed. In case a double shift is worked, the second shift shall start
at 5 pm and continue for eight hours working time. Watchmen shall be allowed to
work four shifts of six hours each.
The Manager of the Plant
The right to hire and discharge is vested exclusively in the hands of the
Company, but if it is claimed that an injustice has been done, an investigation shall be
made by the Company and the Committee, and if it is determined that the aggrieved
party had been wrongfully dealt with, such injustice shall be corrected; and in case of
the discharge of an employee under this section, said employee shall be reinstated to
his former position and paid at his usual rate of wages for all time lost.
Only such grievances and disputes shall be referred to the Committee and
Management as affect the employees or the employer, and then only after the
employee and the foreman or superintendent have been unable to reach a satisfactory
settlement. But in any case the employee shall have the right to have his case
presented as set forth above.
The Company will meet with the chosen representatives of the Employees for
the purpose of adjusting all disputes and using their best efforts to bring about
understanding and harmony between the Company and the Employees. The
Employees will keep the Company informed from time to time as to the personnel of
their chosen representatives, who at present are Leonard Affeldt, President of Federal
Labor Union No. 18558, and August Kleist and Jacob Buchel, Committee Members.
The Committee will meet with the management once a month or as often as
necessary to co-operate and maintain harmonious relations and to discuss any
changes in working conditions or wages. This meeting shall be held during working
hours, the time of the meeting to be set as agreed by the Trane Company and the
Committee representing the Employees.”
1936, Fourth Agreement
Jack Buchel, the secretary of the union wrote to Mr. Rueben Trane in 1936
asking him to meet with the union recognition committee when he returned to
Wisconsin from Florida. In a letter dated February 21, 1936, Mr. Reuben N. Trane
replied, “Dear Jake: I have your letter of the twelfth. I will see the committee just as
soon as I get back. This should be before the fifteenth of the March. From all reports
252

you have had some frightfully cold weather. I hope it lets up soon so we can get
started on the addition to the factory. Regards, Reuben Trane! Miami Beach.” 231
The union continued to gain members despite the lack of recognition by the
company. It took the Wagner Act in 1935 to set things moving forward for the union.
It forbids employers from interfering with union organizing and activities. In 1936 the
Trane Company posted a notice informing their employees that they would be
required to work a 44-hour week. Although the union had voted in favor of such a
work week the company decided to call in workers one at a time and ask them to
answer yes or no whether they would work such a schedule.
The Posted Notice, 1936
March 20, 1936, Notice To Factory Workers
Beginning Monday, March 23, the working hours will be forty-four (44) hours
per week. The hours of work for the day crew will be 8 am to Noon and 1 pm to 5 pm
on week days, and from 8 am to Noon on Saturdays. The hours of work for the night
crew will be: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – from 5 pm to 9 pm; 9:30
pm to 2:30 pm and Friday 5 pm to 9 pm; 9:30 pm to 1:30 pm. Signed, Reuben
Trane, President
After this notice was posted, and after he was threatened with discharge,
Walter Heyn wrote up a complaint against the company for this practice which read in
part: “I am President of Local Union No. 18558 with jurisdiction over the employees
of the Trane Company. I am chairman of the bargaining committee. On March 28,
1936…a notice was posted on the time clocks stating that beginning March 23 the
workweek would be 44 hours instead of 40.” At a union meeting held on March 28,
the members voted to continue working 40 hours a week until union recognition was
won.
Continuing, Heyn wrote, “On Monday, March 30th, Mr. Trane, President of the
company, Mr. Erickson, Vice-president, and Mr. Smevog, Superintendent, called the
men together and by a show of hands forced them to vote “yes” or “no” on the
proposition of working 44 hours per week, under duress and intimidation by the
reason of the presence of these employers, by connecting the proposition of working
44 hours per week with a 2 ½ % increase in wages which had been granted on March
16, 1936. By these methods they induced a large number of employees to vote to
work 44 hours per week according to the company‟s tabulation, a majority so voted.
I, among several others, refused to vote. On Tuesday morning, March 31, 1936, I
was called into the office of Superintendent Smevog and questioned by Mr. Erickson,
the Vice-President of the company who said, “Are you willing to work 44 hours
according to the company rules, “yes” or “no”. I said, “I reported to work this
morning.”
He said, “I want you to answer my question. It means your job.” I answered
that he should give me a little time to think it over. When Mr. Erickson said, “No, you
can‟t go back in there and consult anyone!” They had the door locked behind me to
prevent me from returning to the factory. He then stated, “You have had two years to
think it over. We have moneyed with you fellows for two years, and it has to be
stopped now, meaning the union.” “We are running this place our way. You answer
“yes” or “no”. I said, “Not under these circumstances.” He told me to quit right now.
I said, “I did not quit. You mean you fired me.” He said, “You are through.” 232
Several others were treated similarly and fired on the spot. The union filed an unfair
labor practices suit against the company. All the men were reinstated prior to the suit
reaching the courts.
231 Copy of letter to the union, from IAM Lodge 21 files
232 Affidavit sworn by W. Heyn before Attorney Frank Schneider, from IAM Lodge 21 files
253

1937, Wagner Act Forces Trane to Recognize Union
An Election was finally held on June 5, 1937 on union representation. Mr. N.E.
Schultz of the Wisconsin Labor Relations Board oversaw the election. It was held at
City Hall in downtown La Crosse. Workers with clock numbers 1 to 350 were to
appear between the hours of 2 to 3 p.m. Workers with numbers 351 to 525 were to
appear and vote between 3 and 4 p.m. Lastly all employees with numbers above 525
were to vote between the hours of 4 and 5 p.m. Mr. Schultz reported that there were
511 eligible employees to vote. Workers at the Trane Company voted 390 to 88 in
favor of the AFL Federal Union No. 18558 as their sole representative. This vote gave
the union its first legal authority under new federal labor law and meant they had to
be legally recognized by the Trane Company. 233
1937, BIGGEST YEAR IN ALL TRANE HISTORY
Trane ran a full page ad in the New Year‟s Day issue of the La Crosse Tribune
and Leader-Press, on January 1, 1937. In this ad Trane Company stated that
employment at the plant doubled in 1936. Trane was already running three work
shifts. They further stated that the Trane Student Program was rejuvenated to train
men for service in the field. Trane noted that they had 65 U.S. Sale Offices with 200
sales engineers in the principle cities of America. They had 8,000 dealers.
Trane claimed 50 years of heating experience in this ad In 1927 they started
manufacturing the Trane Convector. Trane had factories in England and Canada at
this time. The ad noted the following locations where they had installed their
equipment: The National City Bank, Manila, Philippines; The Times of India Press
Building of Bombay, India; the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit; the Southern
Pacific R.R, San Francisco; the U.S. House of Representatives and the Hersey Candy
Company, Hersey, Pennsylvania.
1938, 1940 Contracts
Starting in 1938, the 44-hour work week was accepted, wages started at 50
cents per hour with a 5 cent shift premium and company rules were approved that
addressed; discharge, theft, tardiness, safety and accidents. By 1939 a simple
grievance procedure was adopted and by 1940 and agreement on job transfers within
the factory were in place.
World War Two Era
The advent of World War Two saw the Trane Company win contracts with the
U.S. government for the manufacturing of such products as; blackout ventilators,
heaters for food dehydration processes, oil coolers for tempering howitzer shells,
traps-fittings-and heaters for ships and one of the biggest breakthroughs for the
airplanes of W.W. II, the intercooler which allowed the warplanes to fly higher and
faster than ever before. The inter-cooler was the result of Trane developed aluminum
brazing. They were one-quarter the size and one-third the weight of existing
technologies.
What an Employer Thinks About the Union, By Reuben N. Trane
Trane‟s founder Rueben wrote an article for the Labor publication, the Labor
Leader, and spoke of Labor Management issues. “In writing this article I am doing
something I do not like to do. I do like write anything for publication but I am doing
this because I believe in so doing I am cooperating with our particular Union and the
committee that represents the workers of the Trane Company. Today it isn‟t so much
233 La Crosse Tribune, June 4 and 5, 1937
254

what Management thinks about the Union as it is to recognize that Unions are here.
The law fosters them and the employees themselves feel they are desirable. It is,
therefore, up to the Management to see what can be done to make a Union work. It
simply becomes a different type of job for the Management.”
Trane continued with, “Arguments for and against the Union are beside the
point. Today Unions are part of industrial life and the Union must select an intelligent
committee to do their work-hard work-in planning with the Management to secure the
benefits that are possible. The committee must relieve the Management of many
things which are easily overlooked in the press of business, and the Management
must inform the committee of its problems which affect the permanence of the
worker‟s job. With careful planning a contract can be arranged so that year after
year, little, if any, changes need be made and a smooth running institution can result
which will provide for adjustments to meet changing economic conditions, to keep the
company going and to keep jobs for the workmen.”
In his article, Trane took on the issue of seniority. He wrote, “Seniority rules
cannot be rigid, otherwise a company will lost out if it and the men get older by not
being able to compete and men will be constantly shifted to jobs where they have
little ability. Rigid seniority rules prevent the young and especially the talented young
men from getting advanced as their skill warrants, and they are prevented from
getting steady work as their ability deserves. Rigid rules protect the lazy and
inefficient, to the detriment of the industrious and skillful, unless the committee is
forceful in stopping it.”
His article seems to have the tone of one resolved, however grudgingly, to
acknowledging the existence of a union but, still reflecting his determination to control
wages and employees as fully as he can command the power to do so. His views on
seniority rules if adopted would decimate the very core of unionism by putting union
members against his fellow union member without regard to length of service to his
company.
Trane LM (Labor/Management NEWS)
This was the official publication of the Trane Labor Management Committee. A
jointly produced labor/management newspaper was produced during World War Two,
and many instances of war related products are detailed in the pages of this paper.
Volume 1 began publishing in 1943.
In the first issue is a story explaining that prior to Pearl Harbor most factory
orders were a one-off proposition requiring a lot of design work and manufacturing
particular to that one product. This of course slowed down production. Because
engineers and skilled machinists were lost due to military needs a simplified
production process was needed. Trane Company rose to the occasion and
standardized the design and manufacturing process throughout the plant.
Another worker related issue was an order by the Federal government that no
Trane employee could leave employment at the Trane Company without approval by
the company if it was a move to a non-essential occupation and no one could quit to
accept an essential job that had higher wages than Trane. Fines of up to $1,000 and
imprisonment of up to one year were the penalties for violation of the executive order
signed by President Roosevelt.
A column titled “The Women‟s Corner” By Beverly informed women working at
Trane on many issues. A Victory Garden was discussed and in 1943 the program
Hoeing or Hunger was explained in the column. Because 50 to 70% of all fresh
vegetables were earmarked for U.S. Troops, women were urged to plant a garden.
City Hall had plots for gardening available and women were encouraged to plant
carrots, lettuce and other greens as well as tomatoes for their families needs. Beverly
wrote, “Don‟t balk at gardening because you‟re afraid of ruining your hands. Cheap
255

cotton work gloves are still available and there are
plenty of soothing lotions on the market.” Trane
workers were offered free 50 foot by 50 foot garden
plots on the La Crosse Rubber Mills property by
writing to the editor of the Trane L-M newspaper.
War Time Industrial Deaths
Accidents still the biggest killers was the title
of an article in the November issue of the LM News.
Since Pearl Harbor, U.S. armed forces had suffered
approximately 20,000 deaths, and 28,000 wounded
with some 32,500 missing and 23,500 prisoners of
war. A total, of 105,000.
National Safety Council figures from the same
time period showed that American workers had
suffered 80,000 deaths and 7 million injuries. This
means that 4 American workers died for each
American killed in combat during!
War Time Wages and Conditions
For the first two years of the war, collectively
bargained agreements with the Union and Trane were
largely unchanged from the late 1930‟s. Wages
remained at 50 cents an hour and a system of job transfers was agreed upon. In
1942 the plant‟s seniority list had reached 609. Wages rose to 65 cents an hour for
the years 1942 and 1943. Safety rules were drawn up and wash-up time was granted
prior to the lunch break and at quitting time. These conditions remained in effect for
1944 and 1945. In 1946 the starting wage rose to 84 cents per hour with the change
of a boost up to 94 cents per hour after gaining job experience. Third-shift hourly
wage premiums went into effect in 1947 and 1948.
Strike Threatened at Trane in 1948
Months of negotiations failed to reach an agreement acceptable to both parties,
in fact they differed on all points, and the time was ripe for a work stoppage. The
Union asked for 13 cents an hour and the Company offered 10 cents. A Union shop
only agreement was another bone of contention between the parties.
A strike vote was taken on June 22, 1948 and the outcome was 837 yes, and
32 no for a strike. Union president Earl Manke called for the strike on June 23, 1948.
The union was asking for 13 cents an hour pay raise and six paid holidays. The
Company had offered 10-cents an hour with six paid holidays or 13-cents an hour
with no paid holidays.
The Company issued a statement saying, “For years we have prided ourselves
on our good relations with those who work for us. Many of them have been with us
for 20 years or more. We regret that a situation has arisen which jeopardizes these
relations.” Continuing it read, “We do not feel a strike will in any way solve matters
which eventually, as all know, will be solved through conferences and a willingness to
understand the vast problems involved from the company‟s standpoint.”
Negotiations went on for five weeks. A two-year contract was accepted on July
25, 1948. 12 cents an hour wage raise was given along with six paid holidays. A
Union-Shop clause was written into the contract requiring all production and
maintenance employees to join the union.
256
Humerous photo published in the
December 17, 1943 Trane LM News
The official publication of the Labor
Management Committee

The next strike to occur would be in 1955 and would happen while an Allis-Chalmers
strike in La Crosse was in full swing.
Five-Year Contract Agreed Upon
For the years 1950 to 1955 it was agreed that a one cent an hour raise to the
hourly rate would be granted for each 1.25 point increase in the Bureau of Labor‟s
Consumer Price Index. No decrease of the hourly wage would take place if the CPI
dropped however. Adjustments were to be made every three months as needed.
Additionally, a ten cent an hour raise along with a four cent an hour wage on the
contract‟s anniversary was given. Paid vacations were bumped up to three weeks a
year for those with at least 15 years seniority rights.
Affiliating with the IAM didn‟t speed up contract negotiations and after ten
months of bargaining, balloting was done on July 24, 1958 and by a vote of 1,036 to
38 the union voted to strike. On April 2, 1959, Union President, Harry Olson reported
that a three-year contract was agreed upon. The acceptance came on a very close
vote, 795 for and 687 against. Top grade wages were to be $2.41 an hour. Improved
hospital insurance went into effect, costing each union member, $2.60 a month
towards the premium.
Death of Reuben Trane the Founder of Trane Company
Reuben N. Trane died aged 67 years on September 6, 1954 at a local hospital
in La Crosse. He was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Trane had been confined to
a hospital for more than a year prior to his death. From the idea of improving a cast
iron radiator he grew the business into a company that has income of 45 million
dollars in 1953. Reuben Trane believed he owed his success to the corps of engineers
that he had working for him. He said, “If the choice were mine, I‟d rather lose my
business, but keep my engineers together.”
Trane was born in La Crosse on September 13, 1886. He was the only son of
James A. and Mary Miller Trane. He graduated from high school in 1905. Entering
the University of Wisconsin he graduated as mechanical engineer in 1910.
Mr. Trane had worked as a plumber‟s helper for a year after high school. After
college he worked for a machine tool company in Milwaukee as a sales engineer.
Returning to La Crosse in 1913 he and his father, founded the Trane Company to
manufacture steam valves and traps. After World War II Trane manufactured
mechanical refrigerated rail cars. 234
1955 Strike Begins
Union workers (from Federal Union No. 18558 and IAM Lodge 1115) walked
out of the factory at Noon on Monday, August 1, 1955 to attend a meeting at the La
Crosse Vocational School auditorium to vote on whether to authorize a strike or not. 235
Trane president, D.C. Minard told the local press that “the union went on strike when
the remaining contract issues were being discussed and the parties had begun to
explore wage and other economic benefits.” Union president, D.C. Ferris responded in
answer “we just didn‟t have a contract.”
Strike headquarters were established at the current day site of the offices of
IAM Lodge 21, 2219 East Avenue South. At this time the site held a basement-house.
A lawn sprinkler was set up on the flat tar-papered roof to cool it. Ironic seeing as the
union workers produced air conditioning equipment. A blackboard on site warned the
234 La Crosse Tribune, September 7, 1954
235 Ibid., August 1, 1955
257

picketing union members to keep off the neighbors lawns while at the headquarters
building.
On the third day of the 1955 strike, the North Western Railroad which had
sidings near the Trane production plant delivered the Ringling Brothers and Barnum
and Bailey Circus in Erickson Park. The equipment unloading drew much attention
from local citizens when the circus elephants arrived and were used to set up tents
and other equipment for the circus. 236
During the six days of the strike, Office and Professional Employees
International Union No. 44, while not on strike themselves did honor the picket lines
and did not cross them. IAM Lodge 1115 of the Trane Tool Room had 65 to 70
members employed at Trane on strike side by side with those of Lodge 21. 237
By the twelfth day of the strike Trane offered 22.9 cents an hour raise to the union.
The next day the Union voted on the offer. President D.C. Ferris and IAM Lodge 1115
president Leonard Addsit reported that their members rejected the offer by
overwhelming odds. Federal Union No. 18558 was reported to have voted 1,081-no
and just 66-yes. IAM Lodge 1115 voted unanimously against the offer. 238
August 20 rolled around and the union reported that seniority remained the
main reason the strike was continuing. On August 25, the union met with a U.S.
Federal Mediator in an attempt to settle the dispute. Talks continued on and past
Labor Day. By September 10 however a settlement was reached and the union
members were back on the job by September 12. The accepted contract provided for
an increase of 9 cents an hour for top graded workers and 1.5 cents for the bottom
grade. The three-year agreement was accepted by a vote of 900 for and 128 against
it. This offer was the same one Trane offered on August 13. A shift premium of 6 to
10 cents an hour was gained.
1955 Wage Scale
Grade 9 $2.06
Grade 8 $2.03
Grade 7 $2.00
Grade 6 $1.97
Grade 5 $1.94
Grade 4 $1.91
Grade 3 $1.88
Grade 2 $1.85
Grade 1 $1.82 239
The merger of the
AFL and CIO in 1955,
propels AFL-CIO, IAM
Affiliation of Local 15855
On May 17, 1958 a
special meeting of the union
was held and representatives
of several International Unions presented their views on the affiliation of Local 15855
with them. Union representatives from the United Auto Workers, the Plumber and
Steamfitters, and the Machinists‟ made their cases to the body of the union. Trane
Company allowed an election to be held during working hours to allow their
236 La Crosse Tribune, August 2, 1955
237 Ibid., August 6, 1955
238 Ibid., August 14 and 14, 1955
239 Ibid., August 21, 1955
Plant 1, 2 nd and Cameron Street, circa 1920
The Trane Factory was located here until 1931
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
258

employees to choose the union they wished to affiliate with. The Machinists
International was chosen over the others due to its strike benefits of $30 a week
compared with only $15 a week with the others. The Trane machinists paid their AFL
dues for the month (1,741 members) of June in 1958. They returned their charter to
the AFL on August 18, 1958.
1958, The Strike That Didn't Happen
Balloting was done on July 24, 1958 and by a vote of 1,036 to 38 the union
voted to strike. Union President, Harry Olson reported the vote to management and
after three months of negotiations a three-year contract was agreed upon on April 2,
1959 without any picketing or walkout of the workers.
1961, Trane Strike
On August 21, 1961 a strike vote was taken by IAM Lodge 21 and offers from
Trane on August 3 and 19 were rejected. The vote was 1,280 in favor of a strike and
303 against it. The headline in the August 21, 1961 La Crosse Tribune read, “IAM”
Strikes Trane Company. 1,900 union members of Lodge 21 walked out after talks
broke down and began picketing the plants. The 90 members of IAM Lodge 1115 also
struck. 120 members of Local 44 of the OPEIU also promised to honor the picket
lines. The Tribune stated that no one wins in a strike situation. NO ONE WINS IN A
STRIKE the editorial opined.
City police and County deputies were put on 12-hour shifts immediately.
Special deputies were put on routine matters to allow close supervision of the strike.
City police began double shifts “to prevent any trouble.” Company officials stated that
the plants would remain open for any employee that wished to report for work. Lodge
21 called this move an “invite to scab.” Union officials further stated that, “La Crosse
Trane lodge members are men and not despicable scabs.” Trane reported to the
press that their final wage offer was a 9 to 25 cent an hour raise, the union was
asking for 10 cents across the board in raises. The company reported that they
wished to drop the Cost-Of-Living clause from the contract as well.
Rumors circulated that two union members crossed the picket lines on the first
day of the strike. One was not a union member and the other crossed by error. That
very same individual was busily picketing the following day.
Robert Gavin took the time to write a letter to the editor of the La Crosse
Tribune in response to the Editorial that had appeared in the newspaper. He wrote, “I
was quite amazed upon receiving a copy of your paper Tuesday, opening it to the
editorial page and finding that you are already instituting action to break the strike at
Trane Company through the timeworn process of distorting the facts.” Continuing he
also wrote, “Is it necessary to put the city police force and the sheriff‟s department on
double duty because of a labor dispute? I think not; rather I think it is a method to
subdue and scare the people of a community into thinking that when a strike takes
place violence immediately occurs, even though we know from experience that very
little if any violence has ever occurred during a strike here in La Crosse.” Gavin
finished up by penning, “The bargaining table is the place where these problems will
be resolved. Let‟s leave it up to the responsible parties involved. I‟m sure they can
do the job very capably.”
A notice in the August 24 edition of the La Crosse Tribune informed Trane
employees that they could pick up their paychecks at the Northeast corner of the
Erickson Building on Friday. Trane officials reported that the average rate of pay at
the Trane Company was $2.57 an hour, which they said was higher than the national
average. The union responded that this was an unfair comparison as it included the
pay scales of all of the U.S. including the South, and all industries, including canning,
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woodworking, textiles and other industries. The union further reported that according
to the Wisconsin Industrial Commission, the average state wage for comparable
industries was $2.72 per hour, which is higher than the average Trane wage as stated
by the company itself. Taking their case to the public, Trane reported that the rest of
La Crosse earned an average of $2.28 an hour, and in the state of Wisconsin $2.37 an
hour.
A Federal conciliator attempted to get Trane and the IAM Lodges back to the
bargaining table. James Despins was the mediator and he was reported by some in
the media as having said that this strike was hopeless. He said he had not talked to
any news reporter until contacted by the La Crosse Tribune and that he had been
misquoted earlier. 240
A call by the La Crosse Ministerial Council for a return to the bargaining table
was made during the strike. The union stated that they were willing to return to the
table at anytime. “Lodge 21 accepts the logic and sincerity of their position. We
further believe that the proper place to resolve this dispute is across the conference
table.” 241 Lodge 21 placed the profit and loss number of Trane Company before the
press and made its case that Trane was earning a profit higher than the industry
average.
Tribune Editorial of Sunday, August 27
The economic outlook was grim and potentially frightening in La Crosse as the
first week of the strike at Trane Company ended Saturday. Issues did not appear to
be unsolvable, but apprehension settled over the city as neither the management nor
labor had initiated a move toward reopening negotiations which broke down last
Sunday. A community which in recent months has suffered the complete economic
loss of one large industrial plant…the gradual and almost complete removal of
another…and severe curtailment of employment in others…has reason to become
more than a little concerned. Can the city afford the economic loss of a long and
costly strike at the Trane Company? Now, more than at any time in recent years, the
answer must be a resounding “No.” That strikes of any duration are costly and
necessarily cause suffering may well be attested to by Trane workers who recently
ended a seven week walkout at Toronto, Ontario, and wound up with a settlement not
far from the company‟s previous final contract offer.
While local contract issues were being made public last week the matter of a
secret ballot created no little attention. On two previous occasions before the Aug. 19
meeting, the union had held secret votes. When the chips were finally down on the
company‟s last offer the secret vote was avoided apparently much to the amazement
and concern of some members of the machinists local union. The current dead-center
situation on negotiations should not be permitted by the management or labor. A
federal conciliator has said he will attempt to bring the two sides together this week.
Only at the bargaining table can there be progress…and hope. Let there be both!
Garfield Casberg, a north side resident of La Crosse wrote to the Tribune and
lambasted both Unions and „Union bosses‟ in a scathing letter to the editor. He
blamed unions for causing the Peerless Brewery, the Auto-Lite Factory and Northern
Engraving to close or leave town. He had very harsh words for union officers as well.
By the next day he penned the following to the Tribune, “I apologize and withdraw all
statements I made concerning industry and labor in Saturday‟s paper, God bless „em
both.
Lodge 21 told the public that Trane was trying to sabotage negotiations by
bypassing the bargaining committee and appealing directly to the membership. The
240 La Crosse Tribune, August 25, 1955
241 Ibid., August 27, 1955
260

union asked the public not to be “misled by these shabby tactics.” “The company is
trying to create mistrust and discord in our ranks,” the union further stated.
Commenting on Trane‟s assertion that the strike vote was not a secret ballot the
union said, “A union meeting is union business, not backyard-fence gossip, and is just
as confidential as a Trane board of Director‟s meeting.”
The Hour of Decision
This was the title of a September 1st editorial by the Tribune. “We urge every
member to attend to decide bread-and-butter issues involved. To make the decision
on the merits of the proposals without dictate is of paramount importance. The
decision of the membership could lead to a long walkout which would drain savings
and even cause family debt.” Adding fuel to the fire the editorial instructed the union
to let the vote be taken by secret ballot.
On September 2nd the community got its answer. By a vote of 848 to 620 the
members of IAM Lodge 21 voted to reject the latest company offer. Five clergymen
oversaw the secret ballot vote. Mayor Milo Knutson went public with comments such
as “remembering the Electric Auto-Lite and Northern Engraving companies and those
unions should not skirt too close to that edge.” „It is far better under the
circumstances prevailing today to be 10 or 15 cents on the safe side of that brink
rather than 5 cents over it,” he told the television and radio audience. He also told
the public that “it can‟t happen here, the union thought Auto-Lite was bluffing,
industries can and do leave.” Mayor Knutson also stated, “Pressure from stockholders
and financial institutions will decide the location of new products at other plants as
they replace old products.” Not finished yet he continued, “A prolonged strike could
be a calamity of the first class, the city has a reputation of being anti-management,
this is an opportunity through which we can demonstrate that fundamentally that
accusation is false.” The present situation is “a golden opportunity,” he concluded. In
conclusion he stated, “We in La Crosse, above all, need industrial peace. We need it
more than we need 10 cents an hour.”
Handout Given Lodge Members Prior to Strike Vote
Today you are faced with an extremely important decision. The questions
are… Are you going to allow the Trane Company to interfere and dominate the internal
affairs of your union?
And, are you going to allow the Trane Company to dictate a contract proposal
which the bargaining committee was never given the opportunity to negotiate? Here
are the issues the union members were given”
1. Trane wants to eliminate the cost of living clause
2. Trane offers a wage boost of an average of 5 cents per hour
3. Trane dictates that we must accept the insurance carrier that it chooses and
demands that we pay an additional $1.11 per month higher costs.
4. The Company dictated minor concessions on vacations.
5. The Company ignored and did not address sick pay and other payroll issues.
The handout concluded with; The Company is wielding the hammer. The
choice is yours. Are you going to be a docile company dominated union or are
you going to stand up like free men in a free society and assert yourself as
men with courage to fight for what is right.
A handwritten report by John Stanton is on file at the La Crosse Library
Archives Room and shows that the mood of the membership at the time of the vote
was not in favor of accepting the offer. The mood of the pre-vote rally and its
prepared and spontaneous speeches was decidedly anti-company. The few speakers
261

that spoke in favor of the offer were booed and insulted during the time they were
speaking.
Labor Day Statement
Dated September 4, 1961, a typed Labor Day statement is on file at the La
Crosse Library Archives Room and it shows that local unions supported the Lodge 21
strikers.
“Labor in La Crosse is constantly being reminded and threatened by
management‟s never-ending references to the „death‟ of the Auto-Lite Company,
attempting to blame its demise on organized labor. The fact of the matter is that
Auto-Lite was moved out of La Crosse as a part of a nation-wide retrenchment by
Eastern Banking interests newly in control of a badly over-extended Company. The
conditions that actually impelled the move were quite beyond local or state power to
remedy. However, when attempting to sell its interests here, Auto-Lite officials
stressed, “highly productive skilled labor”; “good government and favorable
legislation”; and “community interest” as part of its extended invitation to prospective
buyers.”
The statement ended with, “We urge you, the citizens of La Crosse, on this
Labor Day, to lend your moral, spiritual, and material support to the courageous and
freedom loving Trane strikers. THERE FIGHT IS OUR FIGHT; LET‟S GIVE THEM OUR
100% SUPPORT.”
Trane Company filed charges of secondary boycott against Lodge 21. They
charged picketers with inducing construction workers employed by independent
contractors to not enter the three Trane construction sites. National Labor Relation
Board officials investigated the charges.
Chamber Cries Foul
The middle of October saw the La Crosse Chamber of Commerce enter the
fray. They asked the Ministerial Association to bring an end to the Trane strike.
Chamber officials said, “This prolonged strike is injuring every segment of our
community and that damage is mounting to disastrous proportions.” Chamber
officials offered the use of the City‟s voting machines for any union vote that might
take place. They also said, “We regret that the Lodge 21 leaders saw fit to postpone
the regular monthly meeting of the union members on October 14.”
Four Developments in the 57 Day Strike
Federal conciliator James Despins will meet with union and company
representatives to try to bring both sides together in the labor dispute. Mayor Milo G.
Knutson postponed a talk on labor management relations in La Crosse until the
following week. Lodge 21 stated that it regretted the interference by outside sources
on this labor strike. Local service clubs joined in the appeal of the Ministerial
Association to settle this strike. Mayor Knutson told the press, “Much will remain to
be done if La Crosse is to reconstitute an industrial image which will attract new
industry and retain and expand what we have.”
Trane Sends Recall Letter To Employees
Trane announced that it is recalling all striking employees to work on
November, 1. A letter was mailed to all members of IAM Lodge 21 and Office
Employees Local 44, informing them that the recall is necessary because union
leaders have “placed the health and future of the Trane Company in La Crosse in
serious jeopardy.” Members of IAM Lodge 1115 had approved a contract with Trane
but were not crossing the picket lines of Lodge 21 and Local 44, so they also received
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a letter of recall. The Company said it was withdrawing all offers made since its
original offer in July. However, the July offer was still in effect for the time being.
Clarence Lokken, president of Lodge 21 said, that union members will not “be misled
by this latest effort on your part to promote scabbing.”
The Recall Letter, October, 26
It has become apparent that it may not be possible to reach a timely
settlement of the strike bargaining with your union representatives. We have delayed
writing to you this long because we have been continually hopeful that a settlement
could be reached promptly. Since this is not the case, the company has decided it
cannot merely stand by while employees, customers and the community continue to
suffer. Therefore, we are recalling you to work effective Wednesday, November,
1961. You will receive the benefit of the company‟s July 21, 1961 offer on wages,
insurance and other benefits the day you begin work. This recall includes all
employees who were working or on vacation at the start of the strike, employees who
were on leave but now are able to work, and all employees on layoff status including
probationary employees. We are confident you understand this action is not an
attempt to injure your union.
Rather, it is necessary because it has become apparent your union leaders
have lost their perspective in this situation and have placed the health and future of
the Trane Company in La Crosse in serious jeopardy. Naturally, we will continue to
bargain with your representatives in an attempt to reach a settlement. This recall is
necessary in order to prevent a disaster to La Crosse operations. You are expected to
report for work promptly as indicated. On November 1, 1961, you should report on
the first shift (7 A.M.) to your regular plant. Please read the attached page for
reporting instructions. Although we assume your union leaders will not resort to
illegal picketing activities we have requested that ample police protection to be
provided. If you have any questions, feel free to call the Personnel Department.
Again, let me emphasize, the company regrets this action has become
necessary, but we are convinced the future job security of all La Crosse employees is
at stake. Yours very truly, THE TRANE COMPANY, D.C. Minard
Responding to the recall letter, Thomas Weigel, president of Office Workers Local 44
called for conciliatory efforts from both sides in this strike to come to terms and end
the dispute. “Certainly discriminatory labor policies in such areas as insurance and
pension cannot be construed as policies geared to promote sound, amicable labormanagement
relations. Rather they are policies of union breaking,” he said. Recalling
workers is “another attempt to avoid negotiating an honorable settlement at the
bargaining table,” he added. He ended with “searching only for an honorable and
equitable settlement,” is what the membership was seeking.
Any action by an employer which interferes with or discourages continuation of
a strike is an unfair labor practice, stated Lodge 21. Police Chief, George Long
received a letter from Trane Company informing him of their recall plans and he
stated he was not now changing the assignments of his officers. Charles Brown, the
publicity committee chair for the union gave some telling comments to the press. The
company was using “the old divide and conquer” method against the union. “It seeks
to divide you from your leadership-a method which has been used for ages to appeal
to the gullible and those who have only their own selfish interests at heart,” he added.
“The company intends to rule or ruin, to dictate the terms no matter what the
consequences are,” and continuing he added, that the company had already “ordered
police and sheriffs and does not intend that they be there for the coffee and rolls.”
He ended with telling the readers that, “just about every organization and various
groups have expressed their opinions to you. The different organizations of the
businessmen have also expressed their views. The mayor has stated his ideas and
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will be on the air again for the same purpose. Do you really think they are fair and
just in the actions which they have taken?”
Trane Company‟s works manager said the company has maintained about onethird
of the normal production during this strike. He stated that 640 non-union
people were currently working in the plants. Lodge 21 released a press statement in
which the union asserted that, “It is evident the Trane Co. is not interested in the
community, the city or the worker.” Trane issued a statement as well, and stated that
they were within their rights in issuing a recall of the striking workers. They had the
recall letter printed in the La Crosse Tribune.
The Following Letter Was Mailed Yesterday By the Trane Company To
Members of Lodge 21, I.A.M. TO EMPLOYEES PRESENTED BY LODGE #21:
On September 18, 1961, the company sent a letter to your union leaders
stating the company‟s policy with respect to fines or reprisals which might be taken
against any employee returning to work during the strike.
As a part of our settlement offer on October 20, 1961, we offered to withdraw
this letter. Since no fines had been made, we felt we could do this in good
conscience. However, because the offer was rejected and employees have been
recalled to work, the company has notified your union leaders that it will continue to
demand that fines or reprisals not be taken against employees returning to work
during this strike.
While it is true that the union leaders have the legal right to assess fines
against members, the company‟s insistence that there be no fine or reprisals will
protect every employee that returns to work. The company‟s right to do this has
recently been upheld by the Federal Court of Appeals for this area. In other words, no
employee will have to pay a fine or submit to other discipline by the union leaders
because of his return to work.
We also assure you there is no way the union leaders can cause you to lose
your job or seniority, because of your returning to work. This includes threats of fines
and suspensions.
We have given you these facts so that you can return to work November 1,
1961, without fear of reprisals. Yours very truly, THE TRANE COMPANY, D.C. Minard
Alderman, Harold Otto, 10th Ward, says that the Trane Company is out to break the
union. In spite of statements by D.C. Minard and T.A. Rodman of the Trane Company
that they are willing to negotiate, “I cannot help but believe that their ultimate goal in
this strike situation is to break the union,” Otto told the press. Having read the
current collectively bargained contract between Trane and the union Otto had this to
say of it, “Over the years, observation and object lessons have indicated that the
Trane Company has reached the saturation point in employment in the La Crosse area
and must therefore reach into other communities and other states to fill their
vacancies. It is true that on occasions unions get too big for their britches, but I don‟t
believe this to be true of Lodge 21 and Local 44.” The three striking unions held a
meeting at the Mary E. Sawyer Auditorium the night prior to the recall. Charles
Greene the recording secretary of Lodge 21 said that the meeting was to discuss the
recall. This meeting would not take place however, because the Federal Mediator was
able to bring the two parties together in the afternoon and a deal was reached.
La Crosse Tribune Editorial, November 1, 1961
La Crosse awoke this morning to the satisfying realization that the Trane
Company strike had ended. Production workers filed back on a limited schedule
today. Full scale operations are expected in a week. When the city‟s largest industry
closed down-for 72 days in the case of Trane Company - it had become a matter of
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primary concern for the community. Of even greater concern, perhaps, might have
been the consequences had settlement been prolonged. La Crosse has been spared
any display of further divisiveness through an eleventh-hour settlement welcomed,
indeed, by everyone. Thus the security of industrial peace once more has been
achieved, creating a new sense of opportunity for all, in the forward progress of
attainment everyone wished for this community. There is confidence in La Crosse
that both company and unions, with the plants reopened, will strive for greater
progress that before to revive the local economy in a hopeful burst of production
reaching new heights over the years.
Trane Strike Ends
The above words were the headlines of the November 1st issue of the
La Crosse Tribune. The 72-day strike was over. The change in the contract that was
responsible for the conclusion of the strike was an agreement that each members pay
$2 a month for health insurance the first year of the deal, and $1 a month the second
year and nothing the third year. The vote to accept the offer was 959 yes, and 584
no. Lodge 21 president, Clarence Lokken said, “A majority voted to accept the offer.
We have to go along with the majority.”
The agreement called for both the Union and Trane to drop unfair labor
practice charges against each other. The company withdrew its letter concerning
fines and reprisals against union members. All time lost due to the strike would count
as seniority time for all employees. The union lost the cost-of-living clause in its
previous contract.
Trane Rents Old Auto Lite Factory for Storage, 1965
Trane Company rented 110,000 square feet of floor space in the old Auto Lite
Factory on the north side of La Crosse for storage of equipment and parts. They used
the space to store stock motors and compressors, H-Unit heater casings and P and S
heater stock. The move was made in September. The existing Auto Lite equipment
on the 1st floor of the factory was moved to the basement to make room for Trane‟s
products.
1973, This strike lasted 125 days
The 1,800 members of IAM Lodge 21 struck Trane Company at 11 a.m.
Sunday September 16. 1973. Union pickets walked 4-hour shifts at the entrances and
exits of all the Trane plants. The union had been working since August 2, without a
contract. Two company offers had been turned down by Lodge 21. The first was a
24-cent an hour across the board raise for the first year, and 20 to 25-cents per hour
on the second year with 21 to 26 cents per hour the third year.
IAM Lodge 1115‟s 80 members also rejected a company offer and were also on
strike against Trane. Local 44 of the office workers had accepted and signed a new
contract. Construction work around Trane properties continued as usual.
Officers of IAM Lodge 21 took exception to comments made by La Crosse
County Social Services Director, Malcolm Johnson concerning inquiries about aid by
strikers. Speaking to a meeting of the La Crosse AFL-CIO Council, Vice President
Dave Forer said, “that speaking as a lodge member he knew that no Trane employees
were receiving any cost-of-living checks,” adding, “cost-of-living increases were
dropped from Trane worker‟s checks after the last strike in 1961.
Dale Freehoff, president of IAM Lodge 21 said the strike didn‟t precipitate all
the applications for food stamps because several members of the lodge had qualified
for them previously to the strike because of their incomes. Forer asked the affiliates
of the Labor Council to show moral support for the striking machinists. He told them
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that there appears to be an “organized attempt in La Crosse to break the unions‟
back.” He cited as examples the recent strike at the Brewery and the Norplex plant.
When any union‟s contract expires they are “being backed into a corner.” Dave Forer
ended with, “Lord knows how long the Trane strike will last.” It turned out that this
strike lasted 125 days, the longest strike ever to occur at the La Crosse Trane Plants.
Families Stand By Their Men
Dave Forer‟s son Randy, 14 years of age was helping to picket and seen by a
Tribune reporter while carrying a sign that read Up With Family Power, interviewed
he told the reporter, “I wish it wasn‟t, there will be some hard times, but, I‟m willing
to put up with it.” Two other of Dave Forer‟s sons were also on hand, Tim Forer aged
10, carried a sign reading, “All Dad asks is his fair share.” Jim Forer aged 12 said,
“It‟s not much fun, but we‟re ready to sit it out as long as they are.” Dave Forer and
his sons were picketing Plant 6 on St. Andrew Street.
Other picket signs read; Daddy says no Santa this year, and No contract, no
Christmas. Donald Lokken told the newspaper reporter that one of the strikers told
him, “If I‟m going to go broke, I might as well go broke picketing.” Lokken replied,
“The guy put the whole thing in a nutshell.” Continuing he said, “The people are
behind us and their morale is high.” No derogatory signs attacking Trane Company
were allowed by the union. Theodore Foust‟s three sons and wife helped him picket
plants 4 and 5. 14-year old Steve Foust (who also is a Tribune paper carrier) carried
a sign reading, “We are walking behind you and his 12-year old brother Carl carried
one reading, “Dad is on vacation, Trane is on strike.” Tim Foust, 10 years-old said he
intended to “stick it out for the four hours on the picket line shift.” Loretta Foust was
on hand to support her husband also.
Jeff Martin, the son of Leonard Martin was spotted sitting in a car near Trane
plant 7 and with a little coaxing from his dad, said he was going to help picket also.
Francis Schoen, vice president of IAM Lodge 21 said of the strike, “things can be
taken out of context and the situation gets blown wide open as to what the two
parties are trying to do.” Lodge headquarters was open 24-hours a day and provided
hot chocolate and cookies to the picketers.
Nine Major Issues Identified
The August 31st vote to reject Trane‟s offer defeated the offer by a vote of
1,164 to 298. The Union stated that the nine issue comprising compelling the strike
was;
1. Wages
2. A cost-of-living clause, during the second year of the proposed contract
3. Night premium pay
4. Pensions
5. Vacations
6. Group insurance
7. Retroactivity
8. A 2-year contract instead of a 3-year contract
9. Whether an 8-hour shift should include a 15-minute paid lunch.
Trane made a second offer of a 27-cent across the board pay hike for the first
two years of a 3-year contract and another 27-cent across the board pay hike
provided the contract allowed a reopener during the third year of the contract. The
union seeks a night premium beginning with the first year of the new contract with
the company offering a 2-cent premium for the second shift and a 3-cent premium the
third shift starting with the second year of the new contract.
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Strike Ends, January 19, 1974
By a vote of 990 to
450 the members of IAM
21 ended the 4-month
strike against Trane.
Lodge 1115 also held a
meeting and voted 53 to
21 to end the strike as
well. Office Workers Local
44 had previously accepted
and signed a contract but,
had stayed out and had
honored the picket lines of
the other two unions. Dale
Freehoff said, “I don‟t
think anybody‟s really
satisfied at the conclusion
of a strike, both sides lose
in a strike.” Dan Mihalovic, negotiation chairman for Lodge 1115 declared that he was
very satisfied with the settlement. The Lodges gained a pay raise over the next 3years
of 1.07 an hour, which would bring the average wage up to $5.16 an hour.
Pension contributions were also raised to $6 a month for each year of credited service
(during the first two years of the new contract) to $7 the final year of the agreement.
The unions had dropped their cost-of-living clause request. The cost-of-living clause
had been dropped during the 1961 strike settlement contract.
The health insurance benefits were as follows: $300 for maternity costs,
raising coverage for a semiprivate room for up to 120 days, raising laboratory and xray
coverage to $150. Life insurance was raised to $7,000.
During this strike Trane had used supervisory personnel to man production
lines, but, these workers were putting in 60-hour work weeks. The strikers earned
$40 a week strike pay during this dispute.
1979, Strike
1976 Contact vote by IAM Lodge 21 at Trane Company
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
On August 4, 1979, 1,775 union members struck the Trane Company. They
were members of IAM Lodges, 21 and 1115 and Office Workers Local 44. Picketing
began at midnight. Dale Freehoff, president of IAM Lodge 21 said that the vote to
strike was 90% favorable and 10% against. The members of Local 44 and Lodge
1115 were unanimously in favor of striking. The dispute between parties was the lack
of a dental plan, disagreement over the length of the contract, and the failure of
Trane to provide a cost-of-living increase clause. The company offered the union a
three-year contract with raises of 70 cents the first year, 60 cents the second year
and 55 cents the third year. The hourly pay rate at the time of the strike was $7.12.
“We need a true cost-of-living coverage, in a three-year contract we could be starving
by 1982,” said Freehoff. He added that the union would stay out on strike, “until the
people tell me they want to accept something different.”
William Roth issued a statement saying, “He was disappointed by the contract‟s
rejection,” and that the strike was the fault of the “actions of outsiders who have
absolutely nothing to lose from this strike.” He said it was clear to him that the
rejection vote was “carefully orchestrated” for months by union offal‟s from outside La
Crosse who applied pressure on local workers.”
“If they think outsiders told us what to do, they haven‟t been listening to us,”
Freehoff rejoined. Mayor Patrick Zielke said that the city looks at the dispute as one
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etween labor and management and that the city had not been given information by
either side. State representative John Medinger told the press, “We are going through
a time of stress in this country. Management and labor are both perplexed about the
future and no one wants to be left short.”
What Really Happened at Saturday‟s Meeting? The Full Page Trane Ad
This controversial advertisement contained some strong language and
statements. Trane ran the following paragraph under the heading, SO WHAT REALLY
HAPPENED SATURDAY?
The answer is that an elaborate, well-rehearsed scheme was thrust upon La
Crosse Trane employees at that meeting by union outsiders from other parts of the
county. It appears that this scheme was planned by union leaders long in advance,
and they were determined to carry it out regardless of the size of the Company‟s offer
or whether or not the package was attractive to the La Crosse employees.
Ringleaders were union representatives from Scranton, Pennsylvania, and
Rushville, Indiana, who had strikes in progress and who, with the others, were
successful in causing the strike in La Crosse. Outsiders present at Saturday‟s meeting
were:
Then followed a list of union officers displayed in bold print and spread across
the width of the page. Joe Kolankiewicz, and Bob Morcom, plumbers Local 730,
Scanton, Pennsylvania, Danny Niggemeyer, Plumbers Union, Wheeling, West Virginia,
Ross Welch, Billy Stinson, and Bobby Ogg, IAM Union, Clarksville, Tennessee, Don
Johnson and Larry Jones, Sheet metal Workers Union, Indianapolis, Indiana, Bert
Jones, Jerry Walter,, and Asbury McGuffy, UAW Union, Lexington, Kentucky, Hildridge
Dockery, Molders Union, Northport, Alabama, Jerry Shiver, and Tom Houtz, IAM
Union, Burlington, Iowa and J. Carlin Allen, of the AFL-CIO, Washington, D.C.
In this ad Trane asked, “Why were these people at La Crosse employees‟ union
ratification meeting? And why did these outsiders all crowd into the negotiations
meeting room last Thursday‟s final bargaining sessions-the first time this has occurred
in the history of Trane La Crosse labor negotiations?” Continuing to lobby the reader
Trane stated, “They not only attended the Saturday ratification meeting, but were
provided the opportunity to deliver prepared speeches designed to gain sympathy for
employees in other states. The following made speeches at Saturday‟s meeting:
Hildridge Dockery, Ross Welch, J. Carlin Allen, Danny Niggemeyer, Don Johnson and
Joe Kolankiewicz.
Trane made the following statements in regards to these speakers. “Why were
they invited to speak? What do they know of local matters and the concerns of La
Crosse employees? Why did Don Johnson of Rushville wait until ten weeks after his
contract expired before calling his unit of only 68 people out on strike-a strike that
started two weeks before he asked the almost 1,800
La Crosse employees to strike in support of him? Why should La Crosse
employees support those out-of-town strikers? La Crosse employees had no choice in
whether or not those out-of-town strikes were called?
Trane also cited wages when it published the following paragraph; it‟s hard to
see what our La Crosse people can gain in such a strike involving other plants. With
the exception of about 100 highly skilled turbine machinists in Burlington, Iowa, our
La Crosse people are paid the highest factory production rates of any Trane U.S.
plant. The ad ended with the statement;
We find it unfortunate La Crosse union employees chose to reject this contract
proposal. Now that the outsiders are gone, we are hopeful that employees will
reconsider our settlement package and judge it on its own merits.
Daniel Volden asked the City of La Crosse to consider lowering rents for public
housing during the strike as his income was $160 a month in strike benefits and his
268

ent was $211 a month. The Housing Authority passed a resolution in response to
Volden‟s request which read, “Rent shall not be reduced because of strike activity or
any other voluntary work stoppage which reduces income.”
Mial of the Tribune Writes
Richard Mial in a Report to the reader column wrote about the strike in the
Tribune. In it he noted that the striking Trane workers were angry with the La Crosse
Tribune as well as Trane Company. They told reporters they were upset with the
August 3rd story the Tribune ran outlining Trane‟s last offer to the workers. Union
members felt the article was one-sided. It contained no comments from union
leaders. The Tribune column reported that this was so because no union leader
responded to telephone calls from the paper. The article noted that in previous
strikes both parties kept the negotiation private and out of the press. The times were
changing the Tribune noted. Company Chairman William Roth took Trane‟s case to
the public through paid ads and public statements to the press. Mial advised readers
to follow the strike by the following guidelines.
1. Comments from both sides must be included in all reports. If one side cannot
be reached the comment should be held until the following day.
2. Consider the source. Read the Tribune, weekly community papers watch the
two television stations and listen to the four local radio stations. Readers were to also
read the news in the La Crosse Union Herald newspaper and any flyers handed out.
3. Don‟t confuse paid advertisements with news stories.
4. Check the news stories against those in other sources to confirm the accuracy
of them.
Strike or No Strike Labor Day Celebrated
Labor Day is worth celebrating whether a person is working or not stated the
Tribune. “We‟re out here because we believe in working, we are going to stick
together and prove that the holiday really stands for something by showing labor does
have some clout. We may not see all the effect, but it will help the workers who
follow us,” said one of the viewers of the Labor Day Parade. Another parade watcher
told the reporter, “We are going to keep together and just stand here until we see
what happens, come October and November, they will know we are serious.”
Another said, “We‟re striking because we shouldn‟t have to have two jobs and have
our wives work just to exist.” The last comment the Tribune printed from a parade
watcher was, “We work hard, I don‟t care what anyone says, we‟re entitled to
something. It‟s even in the bible, isn‟t there something about the worker being worth
his pay?”
On September 6, Trane made a new offer. Dale Freehoff reported that the
improved offer was going to be taken to the members and voted on. In other strike
news the paper reported that during a mass picket at Plant 6, Harold Wemette was
arrested on disorderly conduct charges for carrying a picket sign attached to a piece
of lumber. Warnings had been issued to the picketers not to carry signs attached to
baseball bats or axe handles earlier. Police were called to Plant 6 when 100 picketers
blocked the entry to the plant as non-union workers tried to enter.
At the Ramada Inn, a federal mediator walked from one room to the next
repeatedly as he tried to bring both sides of the Trane strike together. IAM Lodges 21
and 1115 were meeting with the mediator to discuss the offer by Trane. A vote would
be taken after the membership was given the mandatory 48-hour notice.
A membership meeting was scheduled for September 17-18 to allow the
strikers to vote on the new contract offer. The union bargaining committee was going
to recommend approval of the offer to the body. On September 9 the members of
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IAM Lodges 21 and 1115 along with Office Workers Local 44 rejected the latest offer.
They would receive $40 a week in strike benefits, 74 strikers also qualified for County
aid.
On September 14th the contract was agreed upon. Lodge members reported
to the Mary E. Sawyer Auditorium to vote on the contract. Dave Forer, Lodge 21
secretary stated that all union members must bring their dues cards or other
identification in order to get into the meeting. Lodge 1115 and Office Workers Local
44 also voted on the contract. It was a 3-year contract and included a cost-of-living
clause. A dental program was also included in the package.
The strike was said to have been settled without a single cheer or in fact any
sign of emotion by the local press. Lodge 21 members saw their wages go up a total
of $1.95 an hour over the upcoming three years of the deal. The vote to accept was
959 yes, and 517 no. Lodge 1115 voted 60 in favor to 6 against to accept their deal.
They won raises from $2.10 to $2.61 an hour over the course of the three year pact.
Office and Professional Employees Local 44 voted 38 to 8 to accept and won a $1.71
an hour increase. Trane‟s representative, William G. Roth said, “In these matters, it is
costly for everyone.” One union member was quoted in the newspaper as having
said, “It could have been a better wage.”
On the matter of fringe benefits all three of the unions got full dental coverage
in the second year of the contract and an increased pension benefit during the third
year. During the third year the wages paid would be on the lowest level, $8.22 an
hour and $9.07 an hour at the highest. The contract also called for an automatic
wage increase of one cent an hour for every 3/10ths of an increase in the Consumer
Price Index. Dan Mihalovic, shop chairman of Lodge 1115 said, “I‟m real happy with
the reasonable settlement.” Employees also won their birthdays as the 12th paid
holiday of each year with this contract in the third year of the deal.
Roth told the Tribune that strikes were still unsettled in Scranton, Pennsylvania
and Rushville, Indiana. Trane had asserted that these striking unions had encouraged
the La Crosse machinists to join them in striking the company in August.
Today, Trane operations in La Crosse are centered in three manufacturing
plants, a parts distributions center, the Reuben Trane Building, the Trane Technology
Center, the Erickson Building and other facilities for support functions. The Trane
operations in La Crosse manufacture centrifugal water chillers and absorption cold
generators used in commercial and process applications.
In 2006 the total payroll for all of Trane‟s employees was nearly $140 million
dollars in La Crosse. Trane paid more than $20 million for its‟ employees health care
needs. Trane purchased more than $30 million in services and products in La Crosse
and another $50 million throughout Wisconsin.
Chronological List, Trane Machinist
Union Federal (Cliffwood)
Union No. 18558
Presidents 1933-1957
1933 Walter Heyn
1934 Walter Heyn
1935 Walter Heyn
1935 Leonard W. Affeldt
1936 Walter Enders
1937 Walter Enders
1938 Walter Enders
1939 Carroll E. Nolan
1940 Carroll E. Nolan
1941 Carroll E. Nolan
270
1942 Ted James
1943 Ted James
1944 Earl R. Manke
1945 Earl R. Manke
1946 Earl R. Manke
1947 Earl R. Manke
1948 Earl R. Manke
1949 Earl R. Manke
1950 Earl R. Manke
1951 Earl R. Manke
1952 Earl R. Manke

1953 Earl R. Manke
1954 Earl R. Manke
1955 D. C. Ferris
1956 D. C. Ferris
1957 D. C. Ferris
International Association of
Machinists and Aero-Space
Workers Lodge 21
Presidents 1858 - 2008
1958 D. C. Ferris
1959 Clarence Lokken
1960 Clarence Lokken
1961 Clarence Lokken
1962 Clarence Lokken
1963 Clarence Lokken
1964 Clarence Lokken
1964 Lambert Glubka
1965 Lambert Glubka
1966 Lambert Glubka
1967 Lambert Glubka
1968 Lambert Glubka
1969 Lambert Glubka
1970 Dale B. Freehoff
1971 Dale B. Freehoff
1972 Dale B. Freehoff
1973 Dale B. Freehoff
1974 Dale B. Freehoff
1975 Dale B. Freehoff
1976 Dale B. Freehoff
1977 Dale B. Freehoff
Trane Company History
271
1978 Dale B. Freehoff
1979 Dale B. Freehoff
1980 Arno Luce
1981 Arno Luce
1982 Dale Freehoff
1983 Dale Freehoff
1984 Dale Freehoff
1985 Dale Freehoff
1986 John R. Gaines
1987 John R. Gaines
1988 John R. Gaines
1989 John R. Gaines
1990 John R. Gaines
1991 John R. Gaines
1992 Jon Netzer
1993 Jon Netzer
1994 Raleigh Fox
1995 Raleigh Fox
1996 Timothy Tentis
1997 Timothy Tentis
1998 Tim Tentis
1999 Tim Tentis
2000 Tim Tentis
2001 Rick Mickschl
2002 Rick Mickschl
2003 Rick Mickschl
2004 Rick Mickschl
2005 Rick Mickschl/Doug Kurtz
2006 Doug Kurtz
2007 Doug Kurtz
2008 Doug Kurtz
2009 Doug Kurtz, Brian Inglett
1885 James Trane opens a plumbing shop in La Crosse
1913 James and Reuben Trane incorporate Trane Company
1916 Trane‟s Plumbing Shop is closed
1917 Trane Company Incorporated
1925 Convector Radiator Invented
1931 Trane Unit Cooler Invented
1938 Turbovac Invented
1950 Manufacture of reciprocating compressors begins
1958 Clarksville, Tennessee Plant built
1963 Lexington, Tennessee Plant built to handle Central Station Air Handlers
1964 Minority Interest of CEMAT acquired in Epinal, France
1972 Rushville, Indiana Plant manufactures Variable Air Volume Units
1973 Charmes, France Plant built
1978 Acquired Sentinel Electronics and Service First corporations
1984 Purchased by American Standard Companies
2008 American Standard changed name to Trane Inc.
2009 Ingersoll Rand purchases Trane Inc.

Back page of the Trane Weather Magic publication of November 1943
The text details the use of a Trane Projection Unite Heater in a factory of a Detriot Machine tool manufacturer
272

Chapter Eleven: Telephone Strikes
"The labor movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair
into hope and progress. Out of its bold struggles, economic and social reform gave
birth to unemployment insurance, old-age pensions, government relief for the
destitute and, above all, new wage levels that meant not mere survival but a
tolerable life. The captains of industry did not lead this transformation; they resisted
it until they were overcome. When in the thirties the wave of union organization
crested over the nation, it carried to secure shores not only itself but the whole
society." Martin Luther King Jr.
History of Telephone Service in La Crosse
The first telephone service was from the Davidson Brothers Saw Mill on the
North Side of La Crosse to their Boat Office on Front Street on the South Side of La
Crosse in 1879. By 1881 there were 70 telephones in use.
The La Crosse Telephone Company was organized on February 11, 1893. By
May 14, 1895 the telephone plant was constructed and on May 14, 1895 the first
telephone poles were set. Adding more service over the next few years, it became
the first of the independent telephone companies to have more than 500 phones in
use, as counted in 1900. By April 30, 1908 there were 2,526 telephones in service.
In 1912 the telephone company was moved to its present site of Jay and Fifth
Avenue. By 1923 there were 9,000 telephones in service.
Telephone Strike by Operators, 1902
The employees of the Telephone Company were represented by IBEW Local
135, beginning in 1902.
Hello Girls Are Still On Strike read the headline. The company found it almost
impossible to replace these strikers, as their duties were not easily learned in a short
time. The toll service in fact was abandoned, due to the lack of skilled labor. The
downtown district being about the only place in town that telephone service was
available during this labor dispute. The girls on strike stated their grievance was
with Chief Operator Jennie Irwin, whom they complained did not treat them equally.
Miss Irwin was anxious for peace and did not object to a petition that was passed
around with the signatures of 150 businessmen, stating they enjoyed good service at
the hands of the operators. The company ignored it.
A complaint was lodged against Mr. William Reik, Vice President of the newly
formed Lineman‟s Union, who for a time answered phones. 242 The company promised
to take back all the strikers except the three leaders of the strike if the operators
would just return they refused in a body. The union man that was accused of
scabbing was found innocent because of the confusion of the labor dispute and the
complaint was dropped. This strike was of short duration and ended as quickly as it
had begun.
Local 990 Wins Union Recognition in Election on November 22, 1937
The IBEW won an election among the employees of the La Crosse Telephone
Company and became the representative of these workers.
242 La Crosse Morning Chronicle, August 27, 1902
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1974, First City Phone Strike Begins as Talks Collapse
So read the headline in the 1974 La Crosse Tribune, unknown to them the
telephone operators and linemen had struck the telephone company in 1902, as
noted above. IBEW Local 990 joined the Rubber Workers Local 14 in going out on
strike as Local 14 had struck on October 20. The 198 members of Local 990 were
not able to resolve their differences between them and the Century Telephone
Enterprises Inc. of Monroe, Louisiana that had purchased the La Crosse Telephone
Corporation two years earlier. Bruce Michalke told the press that money was not the
issue of this strike. IBEW Local 990 had been chartered on July 1, 1947.
Telephone service continued along with the strike on the second day of the
labor dispute. Scabs and management personnel replaced the striking workers.
Century lawyer, David Garrett was asked if the workers were scabs and said, “You
must have been drinking out of the wrong well. They are replacement personnel.
They are local people. We have a bunch of vacant jobs around here and we have to
get some people to run the telephone company. I have never worried about defining
scab labor. It is a union term meaning people who don‟t see things their way.”
Bruce Michalke responded to the use of scabs saying, “There isn‟t much you
can do if people have that attitude and want to cross the picket lines. We aren‟t
going to interfere. They are just taking advantage of people trying to better
themselves.” Local attorneys of the Thomas Skemp, Hale, Hanson and Skemp law
firm commented also telling the press, “They are wholly economic issues, they (the
union) are trumping up things.”
By the 8th day of the strike telephone company customers were complaining
about the level of service being provided. The Wisconsin Public Service Commission
told these customers that they did not have the authority to intercede in this labor
dispute. Leo Haag, division manager of the Telephone Company said that service
should be back to normal shortly. Phone calls needing the assistance of an operator
were being delayed by 5 to 15 minutes. IBEW Local 990 president, Victor Bolin
spoke on the labor strike saying, “The Company has no intentions of negotiating a
contract with this union, but are merely prolonging the strike in hopes of breaking
this union and reducing the membership to the status of chattel.” At this point the
Company was proceeding through a federal mediator instead of meeting with the
union.
Telephone Cables Cut, December, 1974
In an action reminiscent of the Streetcar strike of 1909 (when power lines
serving the streetcars) were cut, phone cables serving French Island were cut.
Lawyer Thomas Skemp told the press when asked if he thought the company felt
that union members had slashed the cable, “Do they believe it? Why, of course, who
else would be doing it?” Six additional telephone cables were cut that were used to
serve West Salem. The cable serving French Island was made up of 2,400 wires,
and would take two to three days to be repaired.
President Bolin was asked about the cable cuttings and said, “We took a
definite stand on that matter at the general membership meeting on Friday
afternoon at the Labor Temple. We said we do not want any vandalism or violence.
The people of this community have enough problems with the telephone service as it
is.” When informed of the vandalism Bolin said, “It would be awful stupid on our
part. We‟re the ones who will have to put it back together again. We would have
more problems than we know what to do with.” Asked about picket line reactions he
said, “We‟re trying to maintain a peaceful picket line. Maybe inside we‟re boiling, but
on the outside we try to be peaceful and that‟s what it‟s been.” Leo Haag told the
press he thought the cables had been cut with an axe.
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The December 12th issue of the Tribune reported that the company had
asked Circuit Court Judge Peter Papas to issue an injunction against striking union
Local 990. At the hearing that day, Thomas Sleik, attorney for the company called 8
witnesses to testify. These witnesses claimed that Local 990 had engaged in a wide
variety of vandalism including, assaults and threats. They claimed that a company
car was painted and blocking of the entrance to the company‟s office at 5th and Jay
had occurred. Judge Papas ruled three days after the hearing to deny issuing a
temporary injunction against the union. “I am not approving of all the actions of the
union but the statutes require me to make that decision,” said the judge. Papas said
that the company had not proven that local police couldn‟t handle any problems
emanating from the strike. Edmund Nix, attorney for the union, had argued that
Wisconsin‟s labor relations laws require that any court intervention must be based on
a breakdown of local authorities in dealing with the situation. Nix noted that no
proof of union involvement in either the phone cables or phone booths was offered.
During the hearing Fred Esswein, a staff engineer assigned here from Monroe,
Louisiana testified that he had been jostled and shoved so much when he attempted
to go to work at the phone company that he gave up and returned to his car in the
parking ramp. He further stated that 3 men followed and cornered him and said to
him, “you are lucky it is daytime, if it was nighttime you might not be leaving the
parking lot.” He added that he was told that his arms would be broken and his teeth
knocked out and that he would go back south where he belonged. Gary Perleburg, a
department manager testified that Bruce Michele told him, “You‟re a dead man, kid.”
Leo Haag was shocked during the hearing when Judge Papas spoke and said, “I
suppose you‟ve heard that there hasn‟t been much difference between quality of
service before or during the strike.” President Victor Bolin told the judge that the
vandalism may have been caused by one or more of the 100 persons that had been
discharged or laid-off since it was purchased by the Louisiana Company two years
ago.
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission held a hearing in La Crosse on the
matter of poor telephone service. State Representative Paul Offner along with
another 26 people had filed a complaint with the commission. The PSC would rule on
the complaints after receiving and reviewing a transcript of the hearing.
On December 27th the Union asked a federal mediator for renewed talks
between the union and the phone company. The company had made its last offer on
Christmas Eve. In it they insisted on contract clauses that inferred with the union‟s
existence at the phone company. Victor Bolin said, “We don‟t intend to tell them
how to run their business, but we don‟t want them to tell us how to run our union.”
The company sought to eliminate all previously bargained and agreed upon
practices, written and verbal.
Building and Trades union workers refused to cross the picket line to continue
work on the phone companies‟ property after being asked by the strikers. Instead
they went in and gathered their tools and left the site.
1977, The Union is Out of Service
At 11 a.m. on February 10th the workers of the La Crosse Telephone
Company were back on strike again. IBEW Local 953 was now the union
representing these workers having merged with IBEW Local 990 on June 1, 1975.
The Business Agent for Local 953 was Bruce Michalke who informed the community
that the picketers were not striking for wages but to save their union, which the
company was trying to break. The union cited the tactics being used by the Century
Telephone Company, of Monroe, Louisiana and Manager Leo Haag as having caused
the labor dispute.
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By February 11th the company announced that it had hired replacement
workers. The union had settled on March 1, 1975 with the company and the contract
expired on November 6th, 1976. 185 union members were employed by the
company. February 15th saw a striking picket, Elroy Kind (father of Congressman
Ron Kind) file a complaint with the La Crosse Police Department after being struck by
a vehicle driven by Fred Esswein of Louisiana. No police action was taken after a
short investigation by them.
One day later, February 16, a telephone cable was cut, coin operated
telephones damaged and tires were slashed in the parking lot of the downtown
company. A mail carrier was told “no” when he asked the picketers if he could cross
the picket line to deliver the mail. A co-worker was called a scab when he crossed
the picket line and a scuffle ensued. Emil Strand, the chief of the Wisconsin Security
Bureau refused to have his guards escort workers across picket lines and his firm
was fired and replaced by one from Coral Gables, Florida on February 19th.
On the 26th of the month, the construction work on the New La Crosse Post
Office came to a halt after Local 953 picketers appeared at the construction site. The
trade‟s workers walked out upon the appearance of these picketers.
Shots Fired ,March 1, 1977
Gary Perleberg, phone manager, of La Crescent fired 3 to 4 shots from a
shotgun at a vehicle he felt was threatening him. He told La Crescent police he had
no shot in the shells, but upon inspection chips of paint were found to be missing
from the car that had 6 members of IBEW Local 953 in it at Perleberg‟s home‟s
driveway.
Two days later, Gary Perleberg, assistant manager of the telephone company
was charged with a felony assault charge and was to appear in court on March 21st.
By the end of the month telephone cables were again being cut. Those serving St.
Joseph‟s Ridge were 50% out of service. And, some women strikers had the tires of
their cars slashed while they were parked by the Labor Temple.
By the start of April the court had given Gary Perleberg 10 days to plan the
defense of his assault charge against him. By April 19th, one of the security guards
hired by the company found himself arrested for having sprayed a picketer with tear
gas at the Ward Avenue building of the telephone company. On June 29 the court
found Gary Perleberg innocent of the assault charge.
Damage and Violence Continues, April
A bulldozer operated by a friend of George Lawrence of Onalaska accidentally
cut through a telephone cable containing 300 pairs of telephone wires knocking out
of service 400 to 700 telephones in the nearby area. While his own phone was still
in service, George Lawrence reported the accident to the phone company and
replacement workers were sent out to repair the cable.
The repair effort turned into a confrontation between IBEW Local 953, George
Lawrence and the replacement workers eventually involving the La Crosse County
Sheriff's department. Bruce Michalke, the business agent for the union appeared on
the property and asked Lawrence to deny electricity to the replacement workers who
were using an extension cable to light the work area using Lawrence‟s home for
power. “They can bring in power generators, it takes 10 to 15 minutes to bring a
unit in,” he told Lawrence. Michalke had hoped Lawrence would do so in a show of
solidarity to the striking telephone workers. Lawrence refused saying he wanted the
work done as soon as possible. Michalke retorted, “It‟s not helping me a damn bit!”
As Michalke was leaving the property a deputy arrived. He spoke with
Lawrence and Michalke. “I told the officer that I want these guys (replacement
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workers) to finish the job,” Lawrence told the deputy. Michalke said, “If you want
the job done right. I‟ll bring some cable splicer's in and do it right. We don‟t want
anybody out of service. We didn‟t cut the cable.”
During the discussion, Lawrence said he didn‟t object to IBEW Local 953
members remaining on his property if there was no trouble. Seconds later a
company employee told the office that the workers were being heckled. Lawrence
then asked the deputy to have the union members taken off his property. “Where
does the property line end?” asked Michalke. Pointing ten feet away, Michake and
his fellow union members removed themselves to that point, Michalke saying, and “I
guess I have the right to stand on State property.” A short while later the deputy
called for two additional officers and they asked the union members to leave the
area, they obeyed the request.
More Cable Woes, 1977, April
The phone cables serving St. Joseph Ridge were cut and 50% of that
community‟s service was lost. A few days later a woman striker had two tires
slashed on her car which was parked at the Labor Temple. A security guard was
arrested after spraying a picketer with tear gas who was picketing at the Ward
Avenue phone building.
Local Labor Rallies Round IBEW Local 953, 1977
A group numbering around 200 rallied in Cameron Park on April 23rd. James
McCann a delegate to the La Crosse AFL-CIO for IBEW Local 953 was one of the
persons attending this rally for the striking phone workers. He said, “a show of
support by the people for our cause-hopefully a large support,” was the reason for
the rally. Asked if he thought the rally would speed up negotiations he answered,
“Right now, I don‟t think there‟s hope of negotiations, not in good faith anyway!”
Assistant Business Manager, Bruce Michalke said, “A little over 100 years ago,
Lincoln freed the slaves. But because of a lack of communication, Monroe, Louisiana
hasn‟t heard about it yet!” Signs carried by those at the rally included, La Crosse
No. 1 Scab City.
Democrats, Paul Offner, John Medinger and Virgil Roberts spoke to those
attending the rally telling them there was a need for publicly owned telephone
utilities. Roberts echoed that sentiment and said, “I hope the community does rise
up. It affects Main Street, every business, every worker, and the people in general.”
Medinger told the crowd he was cosponsoring a bill in the Wisconsin legislature that
would outlaw out-of-state replacement workers. Following the completion of the
rally refreshments were served at the Labor Temple, across the street from Cameron
Park.
Another rally was held on May 15, again in Cameron Park. This time about
300 persons attended the affair. They listened to speakers and sang Solidarity
Forever in support of the members of IBEW Local 953. Janet Boharsik, of Onalaska,
was at the rally in support of the strikers. “If they break one union, they will break
every union they have in La Crosse when it comes up for contract. They only have
to break one to break them all.” Fortunately for the unionists of the community, that
forecast did not come true. Evelyn Hieber replied, “I go all out for them. These
scabs are not going to break unions in La Crosse. No way!”
Congressman Baldus Lends Support
Congressman Alvin Baldus sent his support with a statement that was read to
the crowd, “You sacrificed a bit over the past three months. Kids have had to do
without things.” David Jenkins, the local aide to Congressman Baldus (who read the
statement) added, “If a man were to break into your house and take food and run
277

away, we call that stealing. That is against the law. But when strikebreakers take
food away from you, your wife and kids, we let it happen. That should be
outlawed.” Representative John Medinger responded with, someone will get hurt
here. I am not hoping for that, but I am predicting it. The company has more
potential for violence with the goons they have brought in.” Other signs seen in the
walking picket read, The No. 1 City gets 4th Rate Phone Service, and Take your
garbage back down South, and La Crosse Telephone Company 1977 Version of
Roots.
City Council Rejects Strikebreaker Ordinance
Don Medinger introduced a „Strikebreaker Ordinance‟ which was voted on at
the June 10 La Crosse Common Council Meeting. The ordinance was defeated by a
margin of 12 to 9.
For Labors Position
1st Ward Randy Larson
3rd Ward Dennis Kauffman
5th Ward Richard Arneson
10th Ward Joe Addis
12th Ward Tom Roellich
13th Ward Brian Carroll
15th Ward Frank Kauffman
18th Ward Don Medinger
19th Ward Helen Kelly
278
Against Labors Position
2nd Ward John Schubert
4th Ward Ferdinand Sontag
6th Ward Keith Ellison
7th Ward John McConaughey
8th Ward Lee Foley
9th Ward Loren Wardwell
11th Ward Sharon Imes
14th Ward Curtis Storch
16th Ward Paul Schneider
17th Ward Gene Strittmater
20th Ward William Mosher
21st Ward Robert Johnson
This list was published in the June issue of the La Crosse Union Herald on page one.
Written by Lila Long of the C.O.P.E. Committee, it asked that all Union members contact their
representatives and tell them that they were in favor of the ordinance.
In this issue of the union newspaper one of the contributing editors wrote about the
striking telephone workers. In the column “Pipings” from Local 31, Keith Card wrote, “Our
fellow union members of Local #953 (Telephone Workers) are still on strike. I know Local
#31 members will support them anyway they can.”
WORKING PEOPLE OF THE LA CROSSE AREA
A full page ad in the Tribune, August 21, 1977
The unions of La Crosse published a full page ad in the newspaper which read in part,
we the following 48 La Crosse area labor unions call upon you to support Local 953 I.B.E.W.
in its negotiations with the La Crosse Telephone Company. We are encouraging our
members, totaling 6,979 and you, to defer payment of 25% of your phone bills until such
time as the strike is over and all union employees have been reinstated in their jobs.
Any participant who is threatened by the La Crosse Telephone Company with
disconnection should be aware of the public service regulations regarding disconnection. No
service can be disconnected unless five days notice is given. This ad also pointed out the
dispute hearing telephone customers could resort to. It was signed by:
AFSCME Locals 2748,1449, 1097, 227 and 194, UAW Local 175, Plasterers Local 257,
Bricklayers Local 1, Teamsters Locals 199 and 81, Letter Carriers Local 59, Molders Local
437, Printing Pressmen Local 189, IAM Lodges 21, 1115, Office and Professional Local 44,
Typographical Local 448, Executive Board of UAW Local 1263, Barbers Local 21, Bartenders
Local 479, Building Service Employees Locals 21 and 150, SEIU Local 180, Iron Workers

Locals, 383 and 825, Meat cutters Local 73, Musicians Local 201, Painters Local 374,
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 31, Postal Clerks Local 360, Lathers, Wood, Wire and Metal
Local 387, Garment Workers Local 379, Retail Clerks Local 1401, Rubber Workers Local 14,
Teachers and Professionals Local 3535, Federation of Teachers Local 3271, Laborers Local
140, ATU Local 519 and Stage Workers Local 141.
Mayor Won‟t Take a Stand, 1978
Mayor Patrick Zielke would not choose sides in this strike. He told union members
who spoke with him at City Hall, “If I carried a picket sign the company would not trust me
anymore and if I worked on a switchboard, the union would not trust me.”
Working Elsewhere, 1978
Several members of IBEW Local 953 had sought employment while on strike. Gene
Yanzer was working 8 hours a week at the Eagle‟s Club; Robert Krett was employed as a
typewriter repairman. Victor Bohlin was selling and installing doors and windows while
Harold Hill was working as a telephone installer in Minot, South Dakota. Deborah Walters
tended bar at the Keg Tavern.
June 27, 1978, Vote Recount
The decertification vote was 168 to remain non-union and 138 to stay with the union.
October 8, 1977, Decertification Vote Taken
An election took place on October 7 and 8 as to whether the Telephone workers
wished to be represented by IBEW Local 953. The NLRB was in charge of the election and
the results of the 153 ballots from both sides were disputed.
Union Votes to end Strike, 1978
At a 3 and ½ hour meeting held at the Labor Temple on October 29, members of
IBEW Local 953 voted to end the strike. The company had hired 178 temporary workers to
replace the 185 union members who were out on strike. Asked about the company‟s
response to the vote, Gary Perleberg said, “Whatever the law states, we will have to do, I‟m
going to consult with our lawyers.” The NLRB had not ruled on the election results of October
7 and 8 yet.
Lost the Election, 1978
The La Crosse Telephone workers „hung up‟ on the union read the story in the June
24th La Crosse Tribune. 168 voted to oust the union and 138 voted to keep it. Bruce
Michalke said, “I don‟t think anybody was surprised by the outcome.” The strike had lasted
from February 10, 1977 until October 29, 1977. The NLRB took until June 23rd to rule on
the challenged ballots of the election. Judy Rodamaker had filed for the decertification of the
union.
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Chapter Twelve: Labor Day in La Crosse
No festival of martial glory or warrior's renown is this; no pageant pomp of war-like
conquest, no glory of fratricidal strife attend this day. It is dedicated to peace, civilization and
the triumphs of industry. It is a demonstration of fraternity and the harbinger of a better
age--a more chivalrous time, when labor shall be best honored and well rewarded". Peter J.
McGuire, Father of Labor Day
Labor Day is credited to either Peter McGuire, carpenter, or Matthew Maguire,
machinist, both of New York City. Both apparently spoke out in favor of a day for labor prior
to the first Labor Day parade in 1892.
La Crosse Parades
From 1891 to 2008, only eight years were
without a Labor Day parade in La Crosse. Pre-AFL,
the Knights of Labor did not hold a parade in 1896
or 1897 The AFL did not hold on in 1899,
1922,1923 or 1924 and the AFL-CIO did not hold
one in 1965.
Labor Day, 1896 saw Buffalo Bill and his Wild
West Show in town and performing. Labor could not
compete with the show and wisely cancelled the parade. In 1897 the Central Labor Council
was almost moribund and did not have the will to hold one. The AFL took over hosting the
parades in 1898 and missed having a parade only five years out of 120 as of 2008. The
1922 Labor Day parade was called off so members could enjoy a riverboat excursion on the
Mississippi River. The 1923, 1924 and 1965 Labor Day parades were called off due to rain as
was the 1965 parade.
For the past couple of decades the Labor Day Parade and Labor Fest which follows the
conclusion of the parade have been held with the aid of a handful of labor activists, all of
whom almost exclusively hail from the ranks of the delegates (or their family members) of
the labor council. A little over a dozen men and women are responsible for planning,
arranging and carrying out all the duties necessary to keep the celebration of our national
holiday going in the local community.
These men and women purchase permits, licenses, arrange for insurance, order and
cook or serve all the food and beverages that are consumed at each Labor Fest and set up
and tear down, the food and beverage service and the portable bar that the council owns.
Hot dogs, brats, sloppy joes, barbecued chicken and roast beef sandwiches have been the
menu items over the past couple of decades.
Some of those who have worked as Labor's volunteers include the following; Dan and
Mona Hanson, Kathy and Bob Hanratty, Marilyn Wigdahl, Bill and Barb Rudy, Dave Stark,
Mike Koziara, Art Gillham, Bill Brockmiller and son, Mary and Fred Von Ruden and their family
and friends, Dean Rink and daughter, Denise Grover, Milt Tyler and son, Tom O'Heron, Rick
Mickschl, Jean Muehlenkamp and her husband, Tom and Pat Taylor, Sue and Tom Rose and
many others whom I fail to name in this paragraph.
1891, Labor Day, Let‟s March In Unity
The beginning of Labor Day Celebrations and Labor Day Parades were the direct result
of the competent leadership and guidance of the Local Knights of Labor. Labor Day as a
national holiday was created by an act of congress in the year 1884.
The first serious attempt to conduct a celebration of Labor Day in La Crosse occurred
on Monday September 7, 1891. United Labor Rules, Is Known as Artisan‟s Day ran the
headlines in the La Crosse Daily Press newspaper of Monday, September 7, 1891. La Crosse
witnesses an unusual spectacle today as all the unions‟ turnout for a parade honoring union
workers further stated the newspaper of that day. For in the past only one or two unions and
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perhaps thirty or forty men honored the day. This time almost twenty unions turned out to
commemorate the holiday and their numbers were estimated to run into the hundreds,
reaching as high as six hundred marchers during the parade.
Marching under the flag of labor through the city, a carriage containing Mayor
Copeland, ex-mayor Dengler, B. Berlyn and Theodore Stallman, headed the parade. Rudolf
and Reese‟s Band followed this carriage. Cigarmakers Union Local 31 was next and they were
attired in white vests and stiff hats, followed by the Journeymen Tailor‟s Union Local 66.
Bricklayers and Masons-helpers Union Local 1 was next and these men were dressed in
outfits of blue shirts and jean pants. The Nickel-Plate Fife and Drum Corps followed them.
Next, in line were the Stonecutters Union Local 4, and the Plumbers Local 31, whose
members wore white, felt hats and carried canes made up of gas pipe. Also made up for
their parade unit, the plumbers and gas fitters had constructed a frame for a silk banner
displaying their union logo, out of pipe and gas fittings weighing some thirty-five pounds.
Faucets and spigots added amusement to the sight of this piece of work. Machinery Molders
Union Local 70 appeared in line next followed by the Carpenters and Joiners Union Local 335
and then came the Journeymen‟s Masons Union Local 4. The La Crosse Cornet band trooped
along, next, followed by the Teamsters Union Local 560. Some of the various unions
comprising the Knights of Labor finished up the rest of the contingent. Due to the large
number of sawmills and lumber workers that were employed in their occupation this day,
their number appearing in the parade were down. The papers of the day reported that
thousands of citizens viewed the parade.
Public relations and publicity for the labor movement was taken advantage of during
this parade, because the units carried many banners during this parade, smoke only union
made cigars, Deference, not defiance, United we stand, divided we fall, Eight hours for work,
eight hours for rest, and eight hours for work and eight hours for what you will, To work by
the piece or work by the day! Decreasing the hours increases the pay, Nine hours work for a
full day‟s pay, Fidelity, education, benevolence and production, A fair day‟s work for a fair
day‟s pay, and finally a sign on a horse
drawn wagon reading Reins in hand on
the wagon we stand, bold as a king, for
youth $3.00 we sing. The line of the
march for this first Labor Day Parade
was Market Square north to Pearl
Street, west to Front Street, north to
Main Street, east to 11th street, south
to Cass Street, west to Fifth Street and
finally south to Germania Garden. This
is where the parade dissolved and after
the bands had played a patriotic song,
Mayor Copeland was introduced
and made the following speech: “Both
as mayor of the city of La Crosse and a
private citizen, I am pleased to take part
in the exercises of a holiday, which has
been set apart by you, a class of our
people said form the real foundation upon which this great country has been built and must
rest. What would be our condition if none of us performed any labor! We would have to live
in a country where neither food nor raiment would be required. In this country of ours, labor
is represented in everything nearly to its full value. The raw material costs almost nothing.
We will for instance take our new city hall. What do you suppose the raw material for the
complete building would cost? Almost, nothing! Nature has given us this raw material free,
the sand and clay for the brick, the stone and the tree in the forest; now you add to these
281
Early Labor Day float, circa 1891
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin –
La Crosse

the labor necessary to put this raw material into shape so we can use it, and you will find
that labor is represented to nearly its full value.
I once heard of a man who offered to sell the raw material for one million wagons for
five cents a wagon and another man took up his offer. No. 2 thought he had made a great
trade until he went after his wagon stock; he supposed he would get the timber for the axles,
the hubs, spokes, and felloes, gotten out in the rough and the iron to put the wagon
together, and you can imagine his surprise when No. 1 told him that the wood for the
wagons was in yonder tree, his iron was down in the ground, all he had to do was mostly to
add the labor to them and he would have is wagon stock that he thought he was buying; so
that really an article is worth but a trifle more than the labor that it cost to produce it. But
labor does not necessarily mean work done with the hands there must be some brain work
employed to design and instruct the hands also capital that is required is merely the produce
of labor; all have got to work in harmony for us to prosper.
I presume few of our citizens realize how much of our city owns to laboring people, La
Crosse has been very fortunate in having so little strife between capital and labor and from
the fact our citizens have put their money into our fine buildings and enterprises with a sense
of security. Now our main object is to get the other fellows money. We cannot make him
give it to us for nothing, and surely he will not give it to us of his own accord, so we must
find something that he is willing to trade his money for. He wants to put up a building, or he
wants to manufacture something to sell; he must have your labor, and is ready to exchange
his money for your labor providing the product of your labor with his own will bring him a
little more than he has paid you. I heard it remarked on the street several times last week
that there were few, if any, places where all the people were so well dressed and looked so
well fed, as our people in La Crosse, and everybody was wearing such a good natured smile,
and I hold this will always be said of us. There is so much that can be said that there is
really no stopping point, therefore I will give way to others, who will be more interesting for
you to listen to, and will close by saying that La Crosse is proud of her laboring people, and if
you will work for the interest of your employers as you would expect others to work for you,
there will never be any strife between labor and capital in this city.”
Following Mayor Copeland on the stand was Mr. Berlyn, of Chicago who spoke for an
hour. He addressed the many social and labor issues of the day such as opposing child labor,
equal pay for women, and sweatshops. He invited the learned men of the city to speak at
labor meetings and urged the union workers of the city to support the labor movement by
buying union made products whenever possible. He spoke in favor of establishing circulating
libraries for the workingman and condemned the press for allegations of misrepresentations
of unionists as labor agitators. The President of the Labor Council, Leonard Stallman made a
few remarks and the crowd dispersed and went to their homes for an evening meal. They
returned to Germania Hall later that evening for a grand ball. Four hundred people attended
the ball that evening, and filled the dance floor to its‟ capacity. Rudolf and Reese‟s Band
provided the music for the evening. 243
Mr. Berlyn of Chicago spoke once again and added some instructions to the mothers
of children in his speech this time. Al Major and Frank Killian served as floor managers for
the event. The Republican newspaper of the day noted that the workers shouldered
muskets to defend their country when needed and that they marched in step to patriotic
music during this parade and showed no socialistic traits in either their speeches or banners.
The editor thought the workmen made a good impression on everyone.
1892, Labor Day, Second Celebration during K. of L. Period
The second Labor Day Parade demonstrated the increased interest now exhibited by
local workers. By now the labor movement was huge in La Crosse and for this second
celebration of Labor Day, over a thousand workers turned out instead of the several hundred
243 La Crosse Daily Press, September 7 and 8, 1919
282

from the year before. In front of Scandia Hall the various Assemblies of the Knights of Labor
assembled, along with the AFL affiliated unions. The men lined up on Fourth Street
stretching from King Street to Pearl Street and west on Pearl Street for several blocks. At
nine o‟ clock the parade began and moved west on Pearl Street to Front Street to Main Street
and then east to 11th Street, and then marched from 11th Street to Cass Street and Main
Street and down to Tivoli Garden. A platoon of police lead the parade followed by the
President of the Grand Labor Council, the speakers riding in carriages and bands, Knights of
Labor Assemblies and the Bricklayers, Carpenters, Tanners, Plumbers, Painters, Brewers,
Coopers, Cigarmakers, Tailors and Barbers‟ unions. It was estimated that the marchers
numbered some one thousand and two hundred men and women, walking in ranks four
abreast.
Once again the reporters noticed the banners carried by the unionists and reported
that the following signs were noted, Labor, not capitol, built La Crosse, Labor has the same
right to organize that the lumber kings have, and Now, the questions is, Does the
Government perform its‟ duty? Also spotted were the following, Labor is the parent of
capital, and If you want the patronage of union men sell only union goods with the union
label, We mourn for our loved patriot, Colonel L.L. Polk, There is no aristocracy in labor.
Others were, All labor is noble and holy, whether it be President or bootblack, Capital is all
organized, labor must do the same, and, Abolish all contract work on all city improvements,
He that owns the land owns the people, La Crosse should own and control its‟ street railways,
We are not angels but men, treat us as such. More banners read, Agitate the early-closing
movement and give the retail clerks a rest, Convicts should be paid fair wages, Patronize
only the labor press, We build, not destroy and will stand by our union until we die, What is
home without a mortgage? He that will not work, neither shall he eat, We demand that all
money shall be legal tender for all debts, public or private, The longer the hour the shorter
pay, whether you work by the piece or by the day, Put the children to school, not in the
workshop. Finally, the workers carried these messages, Eight hours work, eight hours rest,
eight hours for ourselves, Equal pay for equal work of either sex, Abolish Convict labor, Labor
pays its‟ own wages not the capitalists, Merchants, our prosperity is your prosperity, and
lastly, Agitate, Educate, Organize, Think, Vote.
Leonard Stallman, President of the Grand Labor Council, introduced Mayor Copeland
at the conclusion of the parade, who spoke very briefly as he was not in good health. Mr.
A.S. Edwards of Minneapolis, Minnesota was the featured speaker and spoke on labor for
over an hour. Edwards spoke of the horse that had became frightened by one of the bands‟
during the course of the parade, and likened it to the capitalists who would become
frightened by the music of the laboring people, when they sing their song in one voice.
Several thousand people danced at Tivoli Hall and later at a grand ball held at Scandia
Hall. The men, women and children that worked in the many city breweries in 1892
organized into the International Union of the Union Brewery Workmen of American Local
Union No. 81 on February 1, 1892. There were 153 charter members when they formed
their union. 244
1893, Labor Day, Third Parade during K. of L. Period
The third parade was larger than first two. The Beaver in Full Feather Orates, To the
Crowd, read the headings in the 1893 newspaper on September 4 in La Crosse. From the
article in the issue of the Republican and Leader Weekly comes the following quote; The
painter laid aside his brush, the blacksmith came from his forge, the tailor put up his needle,
in fact all classes of workingmen were represented in the parade or march. Again forming up
at Market Square, some 2,000 men, women and children lined up for the third Labor Day
Parade in La Crosse. Speakers for this day‟s events were to be White Beaver, J.G. Miller,
A.D. Dorsett and President Leonard Stalllman. The same groups of unions marched in this
244 La Crosse Republican and Leader, September 7 and 10, 1919
283

parade with the inclusion of the city's newest union, the Retail Clerks Union was noted as
being the baby of the union movement in this city, being only two or three months old.
After the completion of the parade the unions gathered at the Tivoli Gardens and at
Tivoli Hall listened to speeches. Leonard Stallman introduced the Beaver who spoke saying,
“When I look upon this assemblage of workingmen I am reminded that this is Labor Day, a
day set apart for us for we are all laborers. Those that work are the invincible vanquishers.
Valleys may be filled, works may be obliterated but labor plods on. From the orient to the
Occident, from the north to the south workingmen have been and are the eternal conquerors.
Some are born to plenty but some are born to dust and rags”. The speaker told of a council
with some Indians that he once attended and made the application by saying that “as the
Indians look over a land of sorrow so the toiler today floats on an ocean of tears. The wails
of the oppressed went up in Egypt that the pyramids might be raised as monuments to kings
but now they stand as monuments to labor.” After reviewing the history of labor in ancient
times and the present conditions he made an earnest appeal to all workingmen to uphold all
just laws.
Next spoke A.D. Dorsett of Minneapolis, editor of The Voice of the people, newspaper.
Speaking for less than a half an hour he discussed the history of Labor Day, nationally and in
La Crosse and spoke of the need for workers to seek improvements in their lives through the
use of the vote. Speaking to them he said, “It makes no difference whether a man wears the
name of Republican, Democrat or Populist, on his political collar, so long as he is striving for
a principal and makes sure that he is voting for a candidate that will strive to carry out that
principle if elected. The workingmen have been bought and bartered long enough and now
need to assert the manhood that is within them.”
James G. Miller spoke next and in closing said, “Not in violence lies your remedy.
Anarchism, lawlessness and destruction does no good it does positive harm. The threatened
troubles hurt your cause, for every man that was shot down at Coeur d‟ Alene, your cause
was retarded a whole decade. Law, order and decency you must regard if you want to
succeed in the betterment of your condition. You cannot convert one in these days by means
of the revolver or by force; that is not the course of progress and enlightenment. Be honest,
be true, love peace, and vote every time, but vote conscientiously. Why are the laws so
unsatisfactory for the workingmen? Because the three million workingmen have not one
sound representative in Congress. You are not true to your cause and therefore you are
neglected. Your rights you can maintain by an honest vote without force. Bear that in mind.
Mind, muscle and money are the modern trinity. Divided each one will fall, but united they
will assure the upward and onward course to a brighter and happier world in which the rich
and the poor can enjoy this equally and to its utmost capacity. Mind, muscle and money
should be valued in the order in which they have been placed and you make a grave mistake
if you change this order. Without mind, muscle and money will be chaotic and dross.
Workingmen are apt to overlook this”. 245 The stronger comments from the left side of politics
were reported in the cities‟ Democratic paper, where it was reported that Mayor Powell was
introduced as the people‟s mayor and had this to say, “The caprices of a Persian Shah coins
from his subjects $10,000 to build a throne and $10,000,000 more wrought from the sweat
of the impoverished to buy him a crown. America is called the land of the free and the home
of the brave but we have kings, not of the blood royal but of the purse. These kings own
millions, form trusts to ruin the weak, etc. Is it the land of the free when party politicians
lead men to the poles and make them vote as they are ordered too? The history of labor is
easily told. Religion, art, science and literature were formed by the warp and woof of labor.
Time was when no man ruled because of his wealth.
Physical courage and strong wills made men Earls and Vikings. That time passed and
the age of commerce dawned. Then men began the ceaseless struggle between labor and
capital that shall only cease with the laborers‟ millennium. Labor organizations of today are
245 La Crosse Republican and Leader Weekly, September 4, 1893
284

composed of workers in every branch of industry. The power of trade unions is felt
throughout the entire land. The time will be when every laborer will be a union man and
every farmer an alliance farmer. Thank God, Wisconsin workingmen have not words of
praise for the governor of Illinois who pardoned the bomb-throwing demagogues in the hope
of gaining the labor vote of Illinois. The laborers have no use for the unprincipled men who
employ the cloak of labor to hide their crimes. It is the pride of the workingmen to hold up
not the red flag of anarchy, but the stars and stripes of Old Glory.”
1894, Labor Day, Fourth Parade during K. of L. Period
The fourth Labor Day celebration in La Crosse of 1894 saw the inclusion of union
members from Winona, Minnesota. Most of the city‟s stores were closed and the Streetcar
Company ran cars down to Lake Park for the celebration the entire day, keeping the cars off
State Street until Tuesday, to make way for the parade. Methodist preacher Reverend
William H. Carwardine of Pullman fame was scheduled to speak. 246 The weather did not
cooperate for the workers this year, as it was raining quite hard by the time the parade was
scheduled to kick off and this drew down the attendance of marchers from the previous years
and left about 320 workers lined up for the event. Three Assemblies of the Knights of Labor
were noted in the reports of the day, Gateway Number 4990, Scandia Number 2466 and
Humboldt Number 4282.
The Knights carried many of the banners seen during this parade and one read,
Pinkertons are outlaws, and another, Abolish Capital Punishment, No Man Gave Life, No Man
Can Take It. The Brewers Union Local 81, Coopers Union Local 39, Carpenters Union Local
335, Barbers Union Local 91, Teamsters Union and Cigarmakers Union Local 61 were the
other city unions with representatives in the parade.
The Reverend William H. Carwardine, of Pullman, Illinois , late of infamy due to the
treatment of the striking Railroad workers in the Eugene Debs led strike was considered a
great catch as a Labor Day speaker and attracted a very large audience when he appeared at
Lake Park to speak, following the parade. 247 The Reverend prefaced his speech with a short
outline of the early history of this country and its‟ discoverer Columbus. His comments were
wry and aimed at leading up to a theme on the need for serious consideration of the labor
unrest and social injustice he felt was being projected against both workers and blacks in the
South, during this era. He had this to say,
“But outweighing them all, it seems to me, in these great labor problems-the right of
a man to a fair wage for a fair days work, with all its social ramifications and all its attendant
social inequities. Time and good sense may settle eventually some of these other problems;
but immediate and unprejudiced discussion must be brought to bear upon this labor problem
by both capitalists and workingmen alike, or disastrous results will accrue. The awful greed
of corporate Wealth and plutocratic assumption of allied capital must cease its inhuman
and selfish exaltation of dividends at the expense of past wages and proper treatment of the
laborer. I find it takes a little courage these days for a clergyman or a public teacher to
express themselves without fear or favor on this labor problem.
It has been charged that the church is not as near the masses as it should be. The
charge may be partially true, but I believe on the whole, that the Christian clergy and the
246 La Crosse Morning Chronicle, September 2, 1894
247 Eugene Debs had been involved in a general strike against the Pullman Car Company because of the mistreatment
of employees at this factory in 1893 and 1894. Pullman had laid workers off and reduced the wages of remaining
workers by 25 to 40 percent. He kept their rents, in his company town, the same. Additionally, the company
continued paying dividends to its stockholders in spite of the so-called hard times, that supposedly justified the lower
wages for the workers. Debs had formed the American Railway Union and was soon embroiled in a strike which
soon grew violent. The Pullman Company had U.S. Mail Cars, attached to each train and thusly were able to call
upon the U.S. Federal Marshals and Army troops to fight off the strike. This strike was broken through the use of
court injunctions as well.
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Christian church desires to draw near the masses. But we are hampered sometimes by
environments; your wealthy parishioner does not like always to the told his duty to his
employees; when you touch a man's pocketbook you touch him in a tender place. And of
late the public mind has been so blinded by prejudice and had fear of the anarchistic
elements of society that it is all a man's reputation is worth to speak out in amelioration of
the condition of the laborer. By those who do not understand my position I have been called
a socialist and an anarchist, but this does not trouble me when I find better men than I, like
professor Ely, of your own state university, than whom there is no truer friend of labor within
your borders, is also dubbed by the same unpleasant titles. It seems to me that what we
need today is men and women in high places who will tell the truth, who will remain in the
path of duty, even if there course be over a rough and uneven road clean.
It is evident to the most casual observer that there has been a greater concentration
of wealth and development of monopoly in the United States than in any other world.
Patriotic Americans view with alarm the development of the trust idea or monopolistic
tendency. We not only have a standard oil just, a sugar trust, a coal trust, a paper trust, and
twine trust, but I read the other day-that efforts were being made by the manufacturers of
coffins to form a coffin trust. This would indicate that the time is coming when it will be all
that a poor man can do to get a decent burial. The pitiable spectacle as lately been
presented of the united states senate in the toils and rough rapacious maw of a sugar trust
Behold the effrontery and bold daring of this multi-millionaire Havenmeyer, who testifies
before the congressional committee as to the money used for election purposes. It is evident
that the sugar trust and the independent refineries have during the years past received for
$40,000,000 of the people's money, while the government which gives protection to this
monopoly gets during these years only $ 470,751.
How is that for a government of the people for the people and by the people?
Americanism is a factor in the world today. Into Americanism has mingled the blood of many
nations. America is the kaleidoscope of nations. I tell you, brothers, love the country from
which you came, but love this great country in which you now live better. All honor to the
man who came here to make his home among us and become a citizen; but elements come
to our shores which seek to cheapen the wages of honest workingmen and work injury to
their cause.”
The reverend ended his speech by noting that Pullman was now seen as a monopolist
by the general public, and his model town was viewed as a very evil idea, that would now
disappear from the scene. As for whether any discussion could proceed with Mr. Pullman or
other capitalists, the Reverend said, “I regret to declare it is as useless to argue with the
class Mr. Pullman represents as to argue with an ice berg. Reverence of money and
contempt for men are the fundamentals of their creed.”
Former congressman Henry Smith spoke in the afternoon for over an hour on the
matter of how the legal profession and bankers were engaged in the process of how workers
gained improvements in their wages. It was reported that he was quite bitter towards them.
Following this speech, the Reverend made a few remarks, said Carwardine, “Debsism is
better than Pullmanism, but Debs is now reaping the fruits of his actions, and is abused by
the press, pulpit and general public, he has been the means of arousing the American people
to the condition of this country, and they will work out the cure in some way.”
The day ended with dancing and a Grand Ball held at the Governors‟ Guard Armory,
where over a hundred couples danced until three in the morning. Many businesses and the
saw mills of the north side closed in observance of Labor Day. 248
1895, Labor Day, Fifth Parade during K. of L. Period
The workingman‟s friend, Mayor Frank Powell issued a Labor Day proclamation for the
celebration of the 1895 Labor Day event: La Crosse, Wis., Aug. 30. -To the citizens of La
248 La Crosse Daily Press, September 4 and 7, 1895
286

Crosse-Greeting: Monday, September 2, (Labor Day) having been set aside as a legal
holiday, I respectfully suggest that it be duly observed by the people of this city. All
departments of the city government will be closed, and the officials are called upon to pay
the day due observance: Respectfully, D. Frank Powell, Mayor.
At Armory Hall several guests spoke and gave renditions of musical and literary
exercises. A dance was held at 10 p.m. and the guests danced until 3 a.m. The unions of
the city did not parade through the city as they had for the four years previous to 1895. At
the Y.M.C.A. on Sunday, September 1, a Reverend Stanley McKay gave a Labor Day sermon,
which was reprinted in the local newspapers. Preaching over one hundred years ago the
Reverend hit the nail on the head when he said; “The one marked change in our industrial
system that soonest calls attention is the rapid and vast increase in the number of men
employed by other men, the increase in the number of employees and the comparative
decrease in the number of those who are masters of their own time and labor.
One may struggle against this as we will, the only outlook that the best minds can
discover for the next century is that the few shall employ the many shall be employed. Only
a revolution that shall destroy our present system all together can change this condition.”
Reverend Mc Kay also predicted that churches would play a role in labor relations. He said;
“The church has much to do and, although slow, will surely be a factor in bringing about the
recognition of all human rights. As in the recent financial panic, the first organization to open
its doors to feed the hungry was a Christian church. So, in time to come, I believe the
church will be found ready to do that which it ought to do in the declaration of those truths
which shall give justice and right to all.
1896, Labor Day, Sixth and Last Under Knights of Labor Influence
The Knights of Labor era now draws to a close. Activity had been dropping off for the
past year or so and as noted in the newspaper, this is Labor Day and a legal holiday in
Wisconsin, and in deference to the occasion all banks, courts, and public offices have been
closed in La Crosse, notwithstanding there was no demonstration on the part of labor.
Why no Labor Day celebration in 1896?
Thousands of extra people were in the city on Sunday and Monday. Playing no small
part in discouraging a Labor Day Parade, was the fact that no less a celebrity than Buffalo Bill
was in town. Colonel William F. Cody had brought his Wild West Show to town, and its
parade was more than mere laborers and workers could compete with. Arriving in town on
Saturday night, the tent city of Colonel Cody‟s troupe set up and immediately set about
attracting a huge audience for his Wild West Shows.
His show included hundreds of horses, and many groups of actors from various
nationalities. A small group of tepees on the site was to be the shelter that was housing
some of the performers of the show. Hundreds of coulee region residents walked about
observing the sights, waiting for one of the two shows scheduled for La Crosse. A Buffalo
Bill, show promoting parade, was held in La Crosse on Labor Day and was viewed by a crowd
estimated at around ten thousand people. It included large contingents of horse backed
riders, representing cowboys, and Indians. Buffalo Bill of course leading the whole group at
its head.
At an afternoon show, ten thousand people viewed the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show
and Congress of Rough Riders of the World. Mexican, Russian and Arabian riders fought
mixed mock battles between the hostile tribes of Indians and U.S. troops of cavalry with
riding exhibitions. Colonel Cody put on an exhibition of shooting by hitting glass balls thrown
into the air, while he was riding along on horseback. Miss Annie Oakley and Mr. Johnny
Baker demonstrated their marksmanship also. The show was repeated in the evening and
287

again attended by a huge crowd. Labor Day celebrations by blue-collar workers had to wait
for the next year, was the general consensus. 249
1897, Labor Day, No Parade
While there was no organized parade this Labor Day, it was commemorated by many
workers and their employers in La Crosse all the same. In the September 6th issue of the
Daily Press, on page 8, a La Crosse newspaper of the era a blurb read, “This is Labor Day and
has been observed by the closing of banks and abstinence from work by a large number of
union men.” In the Morning Chronicle of the same era read the following notice on page 3 of
the 1897 newspaper, “Quite a number of the North Side business houses and saw mills
observed Labor Day yesterday by closing up.” So, parade or not, Labor Day was noticed by
the citizens of the area.
1898, Labor Day, First celebrations under the AFL
The citizens of La Crosse arose and read a proclamation by Governor Edward Scofield
in their newspaper on September 4. It emanated from the Executive Chamber of the
Governor and was dated, August 24, 1898. It read; by legislative enactment the governor of
the state is authorized to name one day in each year to be known as Labor Day. By virtue of
authority thus vested in me, I, Edward Scofield, governor of the state of Wisconsin, do
hereby set apart and designate Monday, September 5, as Labor Day.
This purpose of setting apart this day is clearly to call attention to the important part
which labor has performed in the development of our country and to emphasize the necessity
for maintaining just and harmonious relations between the employed and the their
employers. Never in the history of our state or nation has there been a time when Labor Day
might be more appropriately celebrated as a holiday than at the present. The return of
industrial prosperity which is manifested on every side, and the restoration of peach, after a
short and decisive war, all tend to promote good feeling on every side, and to cement more
firmly the bonds of friendship and equality among us.
In order that the true purpose of the day may be carried out and that it may be made
an especial occasion for rejoicing, I recommend that all manufacturing institutions and the
industries generally suspend operations, and that all mercantile establishments throughout
the state where men are employed be closed for the day, and that as far as possible
employers and employees thought the state join in the celebration, signed Edward Scofield
Ever and always men and women discuss the apathy and ignorance of their
contemporaries, and so it was even in 1898. For in the same newspaper, the editor
commented or rather lamented the fact that like the other national holidays, Labor Day was
being used as an excuse to rest and relax and not as an opportunity to reflect upon and
honor the cause of labor for which it was created. This editor also paid a high compliment to
the leaders of organized labor stating in his editorial; “The organized labor movement of the
country has during the past quarter of century educated men along economic lines to such a
degree that many of the men who work for a daily wage are as well informed as college
professors of political economy on their hobby, and experience in their organizations and at
agriculture meetings has made many of them public speakers of unusual ability. Generally it
is from these men that the Labor Day orator is chosen.”
249 La Crosse Daily Press, September 7, 1896
288

Quoting one who was once high in the councils of labor; “Labor, though as old as man
he has no history-that is to say, it has
no past to commemorate. Its grand
achievements have been absorbed and
have become an indistinguishable,
though by far the greater, part of the
history of the world. Its millions of
heroes have fallen at their places after
lives of honorable and self sacrificing
service, their names unknown and their
praises unsung. The great edifices they
have reared stone upon stone, the
grand ships they have launched, the
beautiful creations of their skillful hands
stand. 250
1899, Labor Day, a Quiet Day
The union movement of La Crosse did not hold an official commemoration of Labor
Day this year. A few of the city‟s banks and offices were closed but, many others were open
for business. John Dengler‟s Cigarmakers had the day off and were cruising down the
Mississippi picnicking the entire day. A group of brick makers dressed in white overalls, with
red handkerchiefs were seen headed to Onalaska. 251
1900, Labor Day, 2nd under the Central Labor Body of La Crosse
The Brewers Union Local 81 celebrated the day by marching to the Shooting Park at
nine in the morning of September 3, 1900. Many unionists due to much labor unrest, putting
an answer to the eloquent speaker Joseph Buchanan of the previous year, did not
commemorate the day. The quiet of La Crosse laborers was contrasted with the activity of
Labor Day unionists in Chicago. Governor Teddy Roosevelt and Presidential candidate
William Jennings Bryan were on hand to speak to the Labor Day paraders' there. Speaking of
labor Roosevelt said; the performance should square with the promise if the good work is to
be done in the industrial and political world. Candidate Bryan spoke of the condition of the
worker of 1900, saying, “The men who work for wages can, by throwing their votes on the
one side or the other, determine the policy of this country. They need not march in parades:
they need not adorn themselves with the insignia of any party, but on election day their
silent ballots can shape the destiny of his nation, and either bring the government back to its
ancient landmarks or turn it into the pathway followed by the empires of the old world.”
1901, Labor Day, Union Paper carriers
Labor Day caused most La Crosse businesses to close for the day. Those that stayed
open closed at Noon. This included manufacturers and banks. The parade began at 9:30
a.m.; it included a platoon of La Crosse Police. The parade units stretched out over a half a
mile and it was viewed by hundreds of people. Foster‟s Military Band followed the police and
played selections while in the business district. After the police and band the day‟s speakers
rode in carriages.
A new union appeared in the parade. A newsboys union fielded 50 boys whose
appearance was applauded by all the parade watchers. Every Cigar maker Local 61 member
marched in the parade, followed by the painters, plumbers, coopers, brewers, bottle workers
and then unorganized workers. Schaller‟s Drum Corps comprised the tail end of the parade.
250 La Crosse Daily Press, September 4, 1898
251 La Crosse Daily News, September 3, 1900
Cooper's Local 85 in their Labor Day uniforms
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin –
La Crosse
289

The parade finished at the picnic grounds, south of Gund‟s Brewery. City Attorney
Wolfe and a number of union officers gave speeches and concluded the mornings activates.
In the afternoon various athletic contests were held, prizes awarded and music played until
10:00 p.m. 252
1902, Labor Day, King
Gambrinus Makes First
Appearance
The parade of 1902
included two floats, one
carrying the statue of
Heileman‟s Gambrinus, today
seen on the pedestal in front
of the brewery. At the
conclusion of the parade a
ball game was arranged
between the painters and the
printers. Sack races, ladies‟
races, as well as nail driving
contests also were offered for
the crowd‟s enjoyment at this event. Music was hired for the day, with dancing in the
Shooting Park Pavilion in the evening.
The other float in the parade included the Coopers Union, with members building
barrels. The Typographical Union had its‟ members attired in red and blue hats and neat
linen dusters, all carrying canes. The Painters and Decorators Union had its‟ members also in
white uniforms and carrying yardsticks for canes. The Cigarmakers‟ had an entry that carried
a large cigar atop a covered wagon upon which was a sign promoting the sale of union
cigars.
The Horseshoers‟ each wore a large golden horseshoe and sweater that had
horseshoes and the union number on each breast. The parade of 1902 was regarded as the
most powerful demonstration of the Strength of unionism in the city by the Republican paper
which stated; People of La Crosse, never perhaps, realized more fully than yesterday the full
significance of Labor Day, that holiday set aside by law expressly for the working man. The
day was more generally celebrated in La Crosse yesterday than ever before. The procession
was longer, the marchers looked sleeker, their uniforms
and clothes were neater and better and lastly the number
who participated was greater, than in the cities‟ history.
Residents who failed to witness the elaborate display of
organized labor, which trod the streets of La Crosse, on its
holiday, are not aware of the length and breadth of the
labor union.
As one of the speakers at the grounds said, it
needed just such a demonstration as was shown
yesterday, to open the eyes of the populace. Bringing up
the rear of the parade was August Erickson and his
billposting wagon. He was perched atop the wagon in a
large straw hat, holding on to his posting brush. At the
Shooting Park, John F. Doherty spoke on the union and
its‟ fight to ban child labor. He spoke of the American fight to demonstrate that all men were
created equal, whether black, yellow, brown or white. Lastly he spoke of the fight to win the
252 Ibid., September 2, 1901
Painters and Decorators Union Local 373, Labor Day 1911
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
290

eight-hour day, and he cautioned that if the fight proceeded calmly and peacefully, it might
yet be won. 253
1903, Labor Day, Archbishop of St. Paul on Labor
The 1903 parade was expected to be the largest seen in this part of the state. The
primary speakers were to be Mayor William Torrance and John F. Doherty. The number of
men marching in the parade was put at 1,228 by actual count. The electricians had a float
that had telephone poles upon which several linemen were at work putting up wire. Four
horses drew this. Mayor Torrance was unexpectedly called to Chicago and did not speak. In
St. Paul, Archbishop Ireland spoke to the Labor Day crowd and made the following remarks;
“The wage earner has rights- right to a living wage; reasonable hours; more than even a
living wage when circumstances and success warrant it. Wage earners have a right to
combine, form trusts and syndicates and call them labor unions.
Destruction of them produces that hateful individualism which would reduce the
laborer to a mere clod, or piece of machinery. Labor-unions have given wage earners
consciousness of their rights and done much to obtain higher wages and shorter hours.” The
Archbishop also had a warning for the unions when he said; “I may say nothing has arisen
for a long time in this country which has done more harm, in public estimation of labor
unions than the condition that is prevalent at present in the large cities. Public opinion is
favorably disposed toward labor. Let the wage earners ever strive to be reasonable, to ask
what is right, but not ask what is wrong. Let them be patient, knowing that great reforms
are never done in a day. Public opinion in America is omnipotent. 254
1904, Labor Day, Lumberjacks in Limited Supply for Parade
The 1904 celebration of Labor Day included all the cities‟ unions, including those not
affiliated with the Trades and Labor Council. The entire top half of the Sunday Chronicle was
filled with news of the event. The history of the Trades and Labor Council was recounted and
the value of the Council as a mediating body was explained. The make-up and operation of
the Council was detailed and the number of unions affiliated was noted as being that of 32
unions with 96 delegates.
The Councils‟ officers were listed as, President Bert Chandler, Vice President John Ray,
Financial Secretary Louis Weigel, Recording Secretary Louis Weisbecker and Treasurer
William Imhoff. The city contained another 3 unions that were not affiliated with the Council.
The meeting place of the Council was that of Union Hall at 204 South 4th Street. The change
in jobs was noticed for it was stated that for every lumberjack or mill hand, there would be
five craftsmen from other trades in the parade. This parade was noted as having a large
contingent of city workers, teamsters driving teams pulling sprinkler wagons, along with
other vehicles. The dancing went on after the parade until two in the morning. 255
1905, Labor Day, Women, and Motor Cars Make First Appearance
The Trades and Labor Council advertised the parade throughout the coulee region for
the first time. It was expected that thousands of additional spectators would be attracted to
the city for the event because of this one-month advance advertising campaign. The parade
would wind down State Street and end up at the Interstate Fair Grounds. 256 Also for the first
time motorized vehicles would be included in the parade. They are those of the John Gund
Brewery and the William Doerflinger Company.
253
La Crosse Morning Chronicle, August 30, La Crosse Weekly Argus, September 6, La Crosse Republican and
Leader, September 2, 1902.
254
La Crosse Weekly Argus, September 12, 1903
255
La Crosse Sunday Chronicle, September 4, 1904
256
Today this land is the site of the University Of Wisconsin, La Crosse’s Campus.
291

Again the officers of the Trades and Labor Council were printed in the local papers,
President Bert Chandler, Vice President John Ray, Financial Secretary A. Weigel, Recording
Secretary Louis Weisbecker, and Sergeant at Arms Emil Hickel, Guide George Nagle and
Trustees, A. Collins, A. Ruegg and John Florin. Another note worthy item is denoted in the
pages of the local press, Miss. Louise Wachsmuth a member of Printers Local 448 marched
in the parade the only union sister in the entire rank and file of over one and one half
thousand union brothers. 257
1906, Labor Day, Local Style
Business and industry closed their doors at noon in honor of labor on Monday. Some
1,500 union members paraded to the Interstate Fair Grounds and celebrated Labor Day. The
officers of the Trades and Labor Council were now, President B. Chandler, Secretary I.A
Weisbecker, William Panke Organizer, and William Goldsmith Parade Marshall. This day
ended with a dance at Germania Hall. 258
1907, Labor Day, Woman Will Speak
Miss Alice Henry of Chicago to deliver an address on the conditions of unions.
Purported to be one of the best-known labor advocates in the entire country, she was
scheduled to give a speech titled, “Economic Conditions of Labor Organizations”. A
welcoming committee comprised of Miss. Lulu Wachsmuth of the La Crosse Typographical
Local 448 and Miss. Della Meyers of the Glove makers Local would meet her.
Also scheduled to speak were A.A. Bentley of the La Crosse Board of Trade and W.F.
Wolfe. Another announced feature was that the Plasterers Union all would ride in
automobiles in the parade. Over two thousand union marchers were counted in the parade.
An announcement also was given of the heavy burden of these Labor Day parades on the
newer and smaller unions, which could not bear the cost of participating in this annual
exhibition. The Electricians Locals‟ officers rode in an automobile and the Summit Stove
Company had an attractive float with a flag draped display of stoves.
Miss Henry spoke first, and spoke of the deprived condition of working women in the
slums of Chicago. They earn barely a living wage and need the protection of unionism she
told the audience. She continued with remarks about the auxiliaries that many women
belong to, and the fact that women workers do not plan on a long career in industry and are
thus taken advantage of by the wages offered them by employers. She spoke of the National
Trade Union League, which exists to assist women in forming unions and affiliating with the
AFL.
A. A. Bentley spoke also, and his speech praised both labor and capital and advised
and cautioned both to approach the issues between them in a prudent and thoughtful
manner. Motorcycle, horse and other races took up most of the afternoon and as usual a
dance closed out the day‟s activities. 259
1908, Labor Day, A Mile Long Parade
Stretching out nearly a mile in length the parade left Market Square and traveled to
the Interstate Fair Grounds. The La Crosse Hat Works manufactured special hats for the
Brewers to wear in the parade. The Summit Stove Works and Yeomen‟s Lodge had floats in
the parade. A dance was held at Woodman‟s Hall in the evening. 260
257 La Crosse Sunday Chronicle, September 3 and La Crosse Daily Chronicle, September 3 and 5, 1905
258 La Crosse Daily Chronicle, September 4, 1906
259 La Crosse Daily Chronicle, August 30 and September 3, 1907
260 La Crosse Argus, September 12, 1908
292

1909, Labor Day, The Feminine Touch Again
The celebration of 1909 saw Miss Lulu Wachsmuth, of the Printers Local, riding in a
rubber wheeled runabout pulled by a handsome black horse. Miss Wachsmuth was attired in
a tailor made suit, topped with a large picture hat. The Painters Local had an entry, which
listed the names of the union paint shops of the city on banners. The lady glove maker‟s
union members rode in double-seated carriages in the parade. The last float had men
dressed as women, doing their family washing, sponsored by the G. Heileman Brewery. After
the parade, a large delegation of Winona toilers arrived to celebrate the day. The Council
officers claimed the day as the most successful to date.
Another entry that gained much attention was one that depicted the theme of a
popular song of the day, Everyone Works but Father; the float had a family busily working
away at various household chores, while Father sat in an easy chair smoking a pipe. The
officers of the 1909 Trades and Labor Council were; President George Naegle, Vice President
John Rae, Financial Secretary Louis A. Weigel, Recording Secretary A.E. Chandler, Treasurer
Emil Hickel, Guide W. Michel, Sergeant at Arms Rudie Young and Trustees Johnson and
Turner. The Organizer was John Rae. 261
1910, Labor Day, No More Speeches, Cry The Workers
This year‟s event would have no one scheduled to speak, in deference to the wishes of
the union workers that expressed a desire to relax, rather than concentrate on speeches. So,
the Trades and Labor Council acceded to these demands and scheduled additional
entertainments instead. B.E. Libby, President of the Winona, Minnesota Trades and Labor
Council was an honored guest of the event. Motorcycle races, an indoor baseball game
between Carpenters Local 1143 and Carpenters Local 1308, trotting and pacing races for
horses, a tug-of-war between the Meat Cutters and Brewers, a 100 yard foot race between
the Presidents of all the unions and a ladies‟ 100 yard foot race were scheduled for the day.
Not slighting the youngsters, a pie eating contest for boys as well as an apple-eating contest
was also on the agenda. For the girls a potato race was planned. Dancing once again, being
the event finishing out the evening at this years‟ Labor Day celebration.
A detailed printed Labor Day report exists for this celebration and gives an interesting
accounting of the day‟s proceeds and activities. Beer sales accounted for most of the monies
taken in. The event took in $1,281.69, beer sales accounting for $587.95 of that total.
Raffles for coal, and other prizes took in $124.65, while candy sales and raffles took in an
astonishing $269.44. Beer for this event was purchased from the Heileman, Michael,
Erickson, Gund, and Bartl breweries. Soft drinks were purchased from the La Crosse City
Bottling Works and the Gateway City Bottling Works. Candy was bought from the Funke
Candy Company, the La Crosse Cracker and Candy Company and the Kratchwil Candy
Company. A list of the hired bartenders for the day shows that Knozoski, Fritz, Hock, Olson,
Wanner, Weisbecker and Petrick received wages for their work. Mrs. Jennie Spangler was
paid for working in the kitchen during the celebration. After adding up all the expenditures
($870.98) a profit of $410.71 was reported to the membership at the October meeting of the
Council. 262
1911, Labor Day, Usurped by Baseball Game
The 1909 Labor Day Picnic was held in Shooting Park, which was located on Mormon
Coulee Road at the South end of West Avenue. The event was moved there due to the
expenses of holding it at the Fairgrounds. Several thousand people attended the event. It
proved so popular this year that only due to the fact that the facilities there were rented out
261 La Crosse Argus September 4, 7 and 11, 1909
262 La Crosse Argus, September 3 and 10, 1910 and a Labor Day report from the Printers' Union Records held at the
La Crosse Public Library
293

to a ball later in the evening, were the crowds induced to leave. Tents throughout the
grounds sold refreshments, and baseball games and a bowling alley provided entertainment
as well. C.E. James, an executive board member of the Boot and Shoe Workers Union of St.
Paul, gave a short speech in the afternoon.
Samuel Gompers, president of the AFL had a speech printed in the local newspaper
which in part detailed labor‟s stand on the creation of an 8-hour day for workers. Saying in
part, “Though eight hours may be the objective which organized labor now seeks to
accomplish, it does not follow that eight hours is ideal, or that it will be the goal of the
future.” Un-prophetic words it turns out as early in the 21st century eight hours is still the
standard work day for American workers. 263
1912, Labor Day, Lots Of Brewers‟
The brewers of
La Crosse had many of
their employees
marching in the Labor
Day parade, in fact
they surpassed any
other trade or union in
numerical strength in
this parade. It was
estimated that over
1,200 men, women
and children made up
the parade this year.
32 unions fielded
units. The young
women of the bottling
departments of the
breweries road in carriages during the parade as did Miss Lulu Wachsmuth a member of the
Typographical Workers Union. The IBEW Union entered a mammoth float that employed
telephone poles on either end with linemen hanging onto them. A gasoline engine operated
a generator that supplied electricity to the many devices that were hooked to the power lines
between the two poles. Members of the Sheet Metal Workers Union carried umbrellas made
of tin as they marched. The usual types of games were played following the parade and a
dance held at Linker Hall in the evening.
In 1912, the Labor Day Parade was reported to be grander than ever celebrated in the
city prior. Over two thousand workers were to show up and march in the parade. The old
shooting grounds would be the finish line for the parade and many outdoor activities would
be held there for the enjoyment of the participants of this Labor Day celebration. John Nack,
was named the Chief Marshall for the parade and was assisted by three other Parade
Marshals. A tug-of-war by the electricians of the area was planned against the painters and
a 100-yard foot race was held among the other union presidents. Afterwards the day was
ended with a dance, which was held at Linker Hall. The Amalgamated Sheet Metal Workers
Union chartered Local No. 416 on July 2, 1912 in La Crosse. These craftsmen were working
ten-hour days and earning from $1.50 to $2.50 a day in wages. 264
263 La Crosse Argus, September 5, 9 and 9, 1911
264 La Crosse Argus, August 29, 1912
IBEW members in the 1912 Labor Day Parade
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
294

1913, Labor Day, Big Picnic
Perhaps, due in some part to the many strikes and disputes that had arisen in 1913
the Labor Day Parade and Picnic saw an unusually large increase in attendance. There were
claims that the event drew the largest crowd ever seen at any Labor Day celebration in the
city to the date. Estimates ran from three to four thousand for the crowds that attended
both the parade and the picnic. Once again, the location of the festivities was the old
shooting park. A Grand Ball at Linker Hall again rounded out the evening. The parade of
1913 had entries from unions from the beer bottlers local 247, the hodcarriers and building
laborers local, the Horseshoers local, the blacksmiths local, carpenters local 1143, the
printers, street and electric railway, meat cutters, retail clerks, flour and cereal mill locals.
These unions made up the first division of the parade. In the second division, the musicians,
ice and fuel teamsters, painters and decorators, barbers, Cigarmakers, electrical workers,
shoe repairers, box makers local 689, plasterers, railway clerks, bricklayers and stone
masons, bartenders and machinists unions marched along the route. 265
The La Crosse Argus reported that every union man in the city along with many from
locals around the vicinity, numbering 2,000 will march in the parade on Labor Day. The
parade was divided into two sections. Both headed by a brass band. Many floats were to be
in the sections. Three or four thousand people attended the parade and activities held
following it this year. The Typographical Union played the Bottlers in a baseball game and
defeated them by a score of 6 to 2. Foot races were held for young boys and girls, tall men,
short men and lean men. The evening concluded with a dance held at Linkers‟ Hall.
1914, Labor Day, Audience of Friends and Family Only
Labor Day 1914 was called the most representative labor event yet to be seen in La
Crosse. Ideal fall weather and intense unionization combined to create a giant turnout of
marchers and parade watchers. All of the past Labor Day parades have always enjoyed a
large audience of unorganized workers among the crowds watching the parade pass. This
year, that was not possible. It was reported that almost every worker in the entire city
belonged to one union or another. Virtually all of those viewing the parade that year were
either an employer of the marchers or a visiting friend or a family member of one of the
unionized marchers.
Following past practices, one of the day‟s speakers was C.E. James, the Shoe Workers
union International officer from St. Paul. He had been attending the event for several years
and he stated, “I have always found a good degree of organization here, but in the last three
years there has been a wonderful increase in the strength of organized labor. This is due to
the work of your efficient organizer and the enthusiasm on the part of all the members of
your unions.” Thirty-two unions were represented in this parade and again the end of the
parade route was the old shooting park. A tug-of-war between the painters and the
electricians was held (outcome unknown) and a foot race was staged between the union‟s
presidents. 266
1915, Labor Day, Bentley Speaks
“The great heart of Labor is not selfish; it is not bitter; it is not warlike. It loves
peace. It is pledged as an organization to fight its own great battle by peaceful methods, by
educational work, by argument by reason and by service,” said Mayor A. Bentley of La Crosse
in his Labor Day address of 1915. After complimenting labor for its peacefulness, Mayor
Bentley also had many favorable comments on its legislative works. He said, “The passing of
laws reducing the liability to accident and disease, shortening of hours, and furnishing many
protective means have been brought through the efforts of organized labor. Safety
265 La Crosse Argus, September 5, 1913
266 La Crosse Tribune, September 6, 1915
295

appliances, sanitary conditions and many improvements that have affected the efficiently of
the service rendered have not only been a blessing to the laborer, but a means of greater
profit to the employer.” 267
Mayor Bentley was also aware of the great benefits to families that unions
represented which he expressed in this manner during his address: “They have also through
the system of payment of insurance, sick benefits, out-of-work benefits, paid out many
millions of dollars and have contributed materially to the happiness and comfort of the
unfortunate families and dependents which otherwise would have been a charge upon the
public treasure. Too high praise cannot be given to this particular phase of labor‟s organized
effort. It is a work given little thought by the ordinary laymen but the monetary blessings
have reached a magnitude vastly greater than that of any other organization in the world.”
Mayor Bentley quoted Daniel Webster in his address speaking these words of the famous
orator, “Labor is the great producer of wealth. It moves all other causes, and all my
sympathies are with American labor and my voice, till I am dumb, will be for it!”
As for the parade of this year, the unionized pressmen were among the marchers,
cited as being the newest union in the parade that year. The oldest marcher was said to be
Mr. Fred Schuelke, a 68-year-old brewery worker. The locked-out employees of the Rubber
Mills were a popular parade unit with the onlookers, they carried banners declaring
themselves an affiliated union of the AFL, and pronouncing their intentions to continue to
fight for union recognition.
In November of 1915, the Norwegian Workingman‟s Society ended its existence by
disbanding their group. The building that that built would be sold to the AFL and become its
Labor Temple. Membership in the NWS had been limited to any male person of good
character and reputation, who can speak the Norwegian language, is not under sixteen years
or over fifty years of age, and is not sick or does not suffer from any chronic disease.
Enrolled members had been entitled to sick benefits, unless their sickness resulted from
venereal disease, drunkenness or debauchery. In addition, married members that died were
granted a benefit of three dollars a month, which was paid to their widows. Unless she
remarried or the Society finds that she leads an unchaste life. This group forbade card
playing, the use of intoxicating liquors during the meetings it conducted. This Society died
out because of a shortage of members, which by 1915 had dropped to only 42. Although
they were not a labor organization, their by-laws had adopted many of the rules of the
unions of the era.
1916, Labor Day, Message of Frank Morrison to the Working Men of La Crosse
Services rendered by Senator La Follette in behalf of humanity deserve local support
by the people of Wisconsin, especially members of organized labor. Frank Morrison,
Secretary American Federation of Labor, read the telegram received by all the unions in
Wisconsin in 1916. Also included along with this message was a plea to all union voters to
get out and support La Follette and those running on his political ticket in the upcoming
elections‟.
In the Labor Day parade of that year, the many unions marched along with one
carriages that carried three members of the Musicians‟ local that were of the fairer sex the
newspaper noted. Contrary to past tradition there were no speeches given at the end of the
parade. A dance was held at the Armory Hall during the evening of Labor Day. 268
1917, Labor Day, parade Electricians Buzzed and Blinked
This parade occurred during the era of World War I and shared the headlines with
news of the war. In the newspaper of the day it was reported that Petrograd in Russia was in
267 Arthur Bentley served as Mayor of La Crosse from 1915 until 1923.
268 La Crosse Tribune, September 4, 1916
296

danger of being captured by the German Army. The parade entry that drew the most
attention was the float entered by Electricians‟ Local 135, it contained two upright telegraph
poles, which were properly wired and connected to a variety of electrical devices, which
buzzed and rang out all along the parade route. At the conclusion of the parade the
participants returned to the activities traditionally held at the Fairgrounds. A dance at the
Armory Hall finished the day. 269
1918, Labor Day, Military Flavor
This year the inclusion of banners displaying the names of union members serving in
the armed forces of the nation were included in those carried in the Labor Day parade. In a
show of respect for those serving in the armed forces during the war, the parade and picnic
was shortened. The parade ended in Riverside Park and the afternoon picnic was abandoned.
A dance was held at Armory Hall in the evening. Mayor Bentley had a Labor Day address
reprinted in the newspaper for the year of 1918 that spoke of his views on workers and
organized labor. He took to task big business, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and wartime
profiteers, whom he reserved no small dose of no-nonsense verbiage. He also more than
adequately praised labor and workers as being the primary factors in the successful conduct
of America in the war effort. Some of his comments bear repeating, such as his opening
paragraph on labor, which follows:
“In this hour when the peace of the world has been destroyed, and when the United
States of America has been called to sacrifice and bleed for the principle of government
outlined in the Declaration of Independence, and generally expressed in the words,
„Government by the people,‟ students of democracy and its history in this country have
turned to find and to analyze the forces that have contributed to success. We need go no
further than to contemplate and study this gathering upon this great day in American
activities. We therefore submit that the evidence of the success of the our democracy in this
country is found in the loyalty and devotion of organized labor, willing and ready to sacrifice
all in this hour of the worlds‟ crisis. If there is any additional evidence needed to prove the
success of democracy in this country, it will be furnished within the next year when the sum
total of labor‟s contribution to the winning of the world war and making it safe for democracy
has been computed in figures that shall reveal the hours of volunteer labor, denials of
personal comforts, bitter sacrifices, and numbers of heroic dead, all made because of the
individuals that make up this democracy in spite of the fact that it has been necessary for
them to organize to protect themselves from concentrated money whose controlling motive
has not always been the making of democracy a success.”
At this point Mayor Bentley launched into an attack against wartime profiteers in no
uncertain terms. He cited facts and figures and wasted no time in calling a spade a spade.
Speaking of these firms and individuals he said, “Permit me to call your attention to the
enemies of our country within our borders.” This was mild language compared to what would
soon follow. He stated to the Labor Day crowd in Riverside Park, “When the world was
hearing the scream of terror from dying infants of the invaded countries; when hunger and
suffering heretofore unheard of was pictured upon the screen of every motion picture theatre
in the land; when the great press of the country was pleading for the cause of humanity and
asking for the great sacrifice, then it was that the representatives of the most despicable,
dangerous, traitorous, organized group of enemies that ever threatened the life of a country,
were scheming behind to closed doors to rob and extract from this country every possible
dollar that could be made unlawfully as a result of this pitiful condition of national affairs.
In that same hour when patriotism was being tested, every minute was being
occupied by the profiteers of our land to take every possible advantage of the conditions to
divert into their own pockets the untold millions and billions of blood stained dollars.”
269 La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press, September 3, 1917
297

Mayor Bentley was not painting a picture of complete distaste for all businessmen
however, when he made this impassioned speech. He added these following remarks about
the rich and powerful business interests of the country; “Now, let me make it clear at this
time that not all wealthy men of our country are criminals. There are some rich Americans
who have become the owners of great wealth through righteous and individual effort,
especially favored by conditions and laws, and who have through their foresight and industry
innocently taken advantage of a rich and marvelous country; but, I do want to say with all
the emphasis possible under my control, I would that my voice might reach through the land
in the expression that commercial murder is too good for that group of profiteers who
conspired to handicap the operations of the government in order that they might take the
largest amount of toll possible; who conspired to strike the blow that was being called for
from suffering humanity throughout the world; who conspired to sell to the government at
abnormal profits holdings unlawfully and designedly obtained; yea, at profits that are
staggering to comprehend when, as has been shown by the investigation by the treasury
department, in some instances, an income from every dollar invested was over three
thousand dollars for the one year of 1917.
The Mayor then enumerated figures that illustrated the huge gains in profits that he
had so eloquently spoken of in his speech. He spoke of fruit companies, fish dealers,
insurance companies, banks, canning plants, feed and gristmills and iron and steel producers.
He also commented on automobile, tin plate factories, leather manufacturers, and makers of
shoes and boots. All had enormous incomes directly related to the war efforts demanded by
World War I. Then, he spoke of the future of work and workers as he viewed it. “Labor will
someday be provided food, clothing and the necessities of life without having to buy it from
the great storehouse of concentrated money."
"They will not always be compelled to pay a hundred, yea, a thousand percent profit
when they purchase for their own consumption the same wares they have created by their
own toil. Big business, with the single purpose of controlling, of making money and making
still more money, will not receive the consideration of the perfect democracy that it has been
for years. When we learn more of how to live, unlawfully extracting wealth from the daily toil
of millions of our fellow men, will not entitle the big operators to a place of honor. Other
virtues than that of just being a billionaire will inspire awe and admiration most, when
America has finished fighting for a complete realization of the honest application of equal
rights, to all.”
Bentley next spoke of the first years of President Wilson‟s‟ administration, when news
releases were sent out by the Associated Press, detailing a ninety million dollar war chest
that was being raised to fight organized labor.
He alluded to the rumors that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was disbursing this
money. Then, he described the objections to the findings of the Federal Trade Commission
and its attacks on big business, which were complained of to the President by the many
Chambers of Commerce throughout the land. Mayor Bentley fired his guns on them-next,
saying “If the United States Chamber of Commerce is to appear as the champions and
defenders of big business profiteers exposed by the government‟s investigation in this critical
hour, then its future usefulness to us will amount to nothing and it had better disband
immediately.” The Mayor did not stop with this strong statement, he continued saying.
“If the Chamber of Commerce approved of the profits extracted from the country in
her hour of peril as shown by the Federal Trade Commission‟s report and demands that those
responsible for the exposure of those profits be dismissed from service, we all want to know
it. This country may deal rather roughly with a wolf if found in sheep‟s clothing. Approval of
the crimes of the profiteers and their unlawful holdings means approval of the fight against
organized labor that is being carried on by the little heads of big business, and big heads of
little politicians."
W.B. Wilson, the U.S. Secretary of Labor had a message reprinted in the local papers.
Parts of it were as follows: "This Labor Day finds America at the greatest crisis in history.
298

The Nation is engaged in the greatest war the world has ever seen and upon the results of
this war will depend the fate of humanity for centuries…This is a day on which Labor must
consecrate itself in a great task, the task of winning the war…With our splendid Army on the
battlefield of Europe, reinforced by an efficient industrial army in America, militarism is
doomed to defeat. Democracy will be triumphant on earth". 270
1919, Railroad Brotherhoods, AFL Affiliated, Now In Parade
Labor Day 1919 saw the inclusion of the railroad brotherhoods for the first time in La
Crosse Labor Day history. These unions had recently been admitted to the American
Federation of Labor and their participation brought the total number of unions marching in
the annual parade up to 45. This years‟ parade line-up stretched out for a mile or so in length
and ended with speeches at Riverside Park. Also a part of the Riverside Park event was a
military ceremony. Lieutenant J.E. Barnett and Sergeants E.A. Ten and F.E. Hefferman were
in town to present a French Croix de guerre to Lieutenant Bert 0. Herreid who was a city
resident living at 1433 Jackson Street. This was the first time a La Crosse soldier has
received such an award, following the end of W.W. I. A large contingent of muscular
horseshoers was also in town, for the seventeenth annual convention of Master Horseshoers,
which was hosted by La Crosse in 1919.
Master Horseshoers from throughout the region gathered in La Crosse for this
convention. They held it at the Chamber of Commerce building. A dinner at the Stoddard
Hotel ended the convention on Labor Day. A La Crosse resident, Mr. James Johnson was one
of the speakers at Riverside Park and he told the crowd that the world was entering a- new
era, in which the toiler could expect a larger share of the profits his labor earned him. He
spoke of victories to be gained by the ballot not by the use of shell and shot. Steer straight
for the goal. Let no false lights lead you astray. Heed the beacon light of true democracy
beckoning you onward and it will guide you safely over your journey. You will be called
names; you will be lied about; but never mind! Be firm have courage, and you will succeed.
Profiteering must stop. Gambling on the necessities of life must cease. Monopolies and trusts
must not be permitted to pray upon the vitals of the people.”
He spoke of the economic control of the majority of the nations‟ wealth by a small
group of the people and said a minority must not be permitted to ride on the backs of the
majority. You are the majority and you have your own destiny in the hollow of your hand.”
Also speaking to the Labor Day crowd was Mr. Beck, former member of the Wisconsin
Industrial Commission, he gave a lengthy speech in which he defended the farmers of the
nation, against charges that they were to blame for the high cost of living. He gave examples
of the costs of food and the actual fees paid to the fanner for that same food. He made a
good case for the inflated prices being the result of the middleman and not the producer on
the farm.
A fair and square deal, read the headline of an editorial in the Labor Day issue of the
Tribune and Leader Press of 1919. The editor blamed labor unrest against the need of the
worker simply to receive a living wage for a fair number of hours of work per day. “Labor
believes a fair deal is that which brings a wage out-weighing the cost of living so that there
may be provision for old age, the proverbial rainy day, and the rearing of children.” The
editor supported this idea and continued saying, “Labor insists that labor‟ fair share is- Work
for all, but no overloading of any one; enough food, good food, for the body; enough
recreation and rest for both mind and body, and enough leisure for mind and body and soul
to develop.
A living wage is not a new idea! In this editorial the writer reported that, “The wage
should be large enough to provide for the living expenses of the family, the health and
education of the family. As for insurance against the poorhouse in old age, if it takes five
dollars a day to get that, then the minimum wage should be five dollars. If it takes ten
270 La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press, September 2, 1918
299

dollars, let that be the minimum wage. Though we may speak of dollars let us think in terms
of food, clothing, housing, recreation, rest and leisure when we consider the wage problem.”
Very progressive and still not obtained by all the workers Of La Crosse, unfortunately!
Summing up this editor stated Labor troubles of the past-and those of the present-may be
traced to one of both of these labor demands: Living wages and living hours.
Here labor has come into repeated and prolonged conflict with capital. That is all there
is to “labor unrest “-merely a demand for a living wage and living hours, a more exact
definition of a square meal and a fair deal. Labor believes it can obtain this deal more quickly
by collective bargaining, by the banding together of working men into groups, which may
speak in unison, strive as one man and one mind that labor may climb to the peak of hopesthe
fair deal and the square deal.” 271
Labor Day 1920, Reuben Knutson Keynote Speaker
The World Takes Its Hat Off To Labor, stated an article penned by Doctor James
Vance in the 1920 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press. He noted that once the tools of
common toil were marks of inferiority. As a preacher Doctor James noted the evils of
idleness and lack of ambition. He praised hard work and fair treatment of workers. He
ended his essay with these words; “It was not by accident that Jesus was a carpenter. He
toiled at the bench to show that God is friendly to labor. Let labor suffer none to doubt its
friendship for God.” La Crosse Trades and Labor Council organizer Reuben Knutson was the
keynote speaker at the event following the parade. The usual entertainments and
participants made up this years‟ event. 272
Labor Day 1921, President Harding‟s Words
President Warren G. Harding said to Laborers, “It makes no undue demand on
optimism to extend a cheerful and confident greeting to the American people on Labor Day of
this year. Conditions are improving and there is every indication that they will continue to do
so. For this is the largest measure of credit is due to the American people themselves. They
have recognized that they must get back to hard work and useful production and with their
wonted good sense have accepted the situation. The administration has undertaken to give
every possible encouragement and assistance and will continue without wearying to seek out
and apply the measures calculated to help a people so generously willing to help
themselves.” A message from President Samuel Gompers was read at the Labor Day
event. 273
Labor Day 1922, River Riding
The Labor Day parade was cancelled this year. The Steamboat, Capital, was
chartered instead, for an excursion to Winona, Minnesota. The Capital left the docks at nine
o‟clock on Labor Day. Those unionists that remained in town had the choice of either going
out to the Interstate Fairgrounds to watch bicycle races or to Copeland Park to watch
baseball games. In the evening the local American Legion was to host boxing matches at
Yeoman‟s Hall. 274
Labor Day 1923, Cowboy Rodeo
In 1923, no parade was held and no speaking program was on tap for Labor Day.
Unionists were left to their own pursuits in the morning of Labor Day. In the afternoon
organized labor had scheduled a Wild West Show. The Powder River Posse Cowboys put on a
271
La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press, September 1 and 7, 1919
272
La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press, September 6, 1920
273
Ibid., September 5, 1921
274
Ibid., September 4, 1922
300

pony express exhibition, and cowboy horse races, and roping demonstrations. A dance was
held in the evening at Yeoman‟s Hall.
Labor Day 1924, Games Cancelled Raffle Held
Because of cold and rainy weather, the Labor Day parade was cancelled on Sunday by
the Trades and Labor Council. A dance was held at the pavilion in Myrick Park in the
afternoon. On Monday, the foot races, horse shoe and baseball games were cancelled. A
band entertained about 800 people in the afternoon. A raffle was conducted and prizes were
given away. Mrs. Augusta Bauch of Copeland Avenue won an electric washing machine,
Hugh Boschert of the State Bank won a suit of clothes. Albert Shedesky of Denton Street
won a vacuum cleaner and Edward Sauer of Fire Station No. 1 won a new floor lamp. A
dance in the evening at the Rainbow Gardens concluded the day. 275
Labor Day 1925, Labor Stands for Public Education
Marshall Morrison headed the parade, followed by Reuben Knutson a member of the
Wisconsin Industrial Commission and formerly the organized of the La Crosse Trades and
Labor Council. It was noticed that a large number of autos, trucks and a bus carried many in
this year‟s parade.
William Green, president of the AFL had his Labor Day speech published in the La
Crosse Tribune and Leader Press in the edition of September 5, 1925. In part he said, “Many
people do not know that the trade labor movement was the earliest advocate of compulsory
education. At the same time it demanded that children should not be permitted to work for
wages but should be sent to school and given every opportunity for recreation.” He
concluded with these words, “One reason for the success of the legislation urged by the
American Federation of Labor is that it benefits all the people except for the privileged few.
Labor asks for nothing that is not good for the people generally.”
Labor Day 1926, Backyard Golfing
Rain preceded Labor Day this year, and delayed the gathering of the parading union
workers and their supporters. A full plate of activities was in store for those who visited
Myrick Park that day. Horse shoe pitching, baseball games, backyard golfing and a dance
that evening at the Labor Temple filled the days celebration of the national holiday.
Organizer Herman Burgchardt of the Labor Council told the local press that he expected the
largest turnout for Labor Day ever. Mayor Verchota, J. Handley of the Wisconsin AFL, along
with Representative J. Beck of Viroqua were the speakers for the day. The Tribune reported
that thousands lined the parade route. A list of the unions comprising the parade lineup is:
City Police, Trades and Labor Council, Fire Fighters, Bricklayers, Sheet metal Workers,
Typographical Union, Molders, Hodcarriers and Common Laborers, Tailors, Plasterers,
Express Division of Railway Clerks, Women‟s Trade Union League, Plumbers, Railway
Carmen, Auto Mechanics, Stage Employees, Electrical Workers, Maintenance of Way
Employees, Syrup Workers, Street and Railway Employees, Carpenters, Cigarmakers,
Bartenders and Hotel Employees, Pressmen, Teamsters and Chauffeurs, Barbers, Railway
Clerks, Retail Clerks, Brewery Workers, Musicians, Painters and Meat cutters 276
Labor Day 1927, Car Raffled Off
This year the parade began at Market Square and ended in Myrick Park, making it the
longest parade route ever. Of special note was the American Legion band, resplendent in
their black and gold uniforms they played and maneuvered the entire length of the parade to
the delight of the thousands of onlookers. The West Salem 40-piece Military Band and the
275 La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press, September 1, 1924
276 La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press, September 5, 1926
301

Boy Scouts Drum Corp were also crowd favorites. This marked the third time the American
Legion had paraded with the Union workers. Following the parade a Car was to be given
away. Editorialized by the Tribune it was written, “Labor Day is one of our most significant
holidays. It is peculiarly an American institution; in no other country in the world could it
exist in quite the form it takes here. 277
Labor Day 1928, Chilly but Fair Weather
An estimated 1,500 people turned out for the holiday in La Crosse. The marchers and
speakers were a repeat of the previous years, as were the activities in Myrick Park. Henry
Ohl, President of the Wisconsin Federation of Labor had a statement printed in the
newspaper. In it he referred to Labor Day as…”to view Labor Day in terms of the inevitable
crackerjack, ice cream, pop, toy balloons, and numerous games arranged for youngsters has,
despite its simplicity, the greatest inspirational value in the fact that no one cannot think of
these things without associating them with the objectives of our economic struggles.” His
statement concluded, “let‟s have the crackerjack, and the ice cream, and the pop, and the
toy balloons, and the races and games for the kids. It is Labor‟s concern on all days of the
year, but more particularly on Labor Day.” 278
Labor Day 1929, Lee Enterprises, a Union Shop
Business in the entire city was suspended for Labor Day. The Lee Syndicate stated in
an editorial an interesting fact in the September 2, 1929 edition. “We take considerable
pride on the occasion in recalling that in thirty-five years of newspaper operation the Lee
Syndicate, of which this newspaper is one of nine member papers, has never operated a nonunion
or open shop, and has never had a strike. Memory records, not only these facts, but a
happy association and co-operation with union staffs that have added to the pleasures of
work and play.” In the conclusion of the editorial it states, “The Tribune extends to labor its
compliments and its good wishes. Civilization is slow, but it is sure. Though the road be
long, the quality of life improves. Coming upon constantly higher levels of sympathy and
understanding, one day men and women will achieve The Brotherhood of Man.”
Monkey Island was a big attraction according to the local newspaper, during the Labor
Day celebrations in Myrick Park. A representative of the AFL, Paul Smith spoke on Labor Day
and said that organized labor in La Crosse was neither too conservative or too radical but
that it was in safe hands. Smith also spoke of a six-hour day, five-day work week for
American workers. The Barbers Union was awarded first prize for its parade entry, second to
the Women‟s Trade Union League, and third to the Bricklayers Union. The barbers wore
uniforms that were matched to their float and, the Women‟s Leagues‟ float displayed their
emblem. 279
Labor Day 1930, Rain Showers Temporarily Halt Parade
Rain showers broke out during the parade and several units abandoned the parade to
seek shelter under awnings and store entrances. This year the event was to conduct its
games and speeches at Pettibone Park. The speeches were cancelled. President William
Green of the national AFL spoke in his printed speech that while Labor has suffered drastic
economic problems due to the depression he was remaining optimistic. 280
277 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 5, 1927
278 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 2, 1928
279 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 3, 1929
280 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 1, 1930
302

Labor Day 1931, Favorable Weather
It was reported that 5,000 workers turned out for the Labor Day parade, making it the
largest to date. The celebration had returned to Myrick Park. Robert La Follette speaking on
Labor Day in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin said, “I believe that a nation cable of mobilizing and
training millions of soldiers in time of war and sending them four thousand miles to shoot
democracy into Europe, is capable of solving the present economic depression.” 281
Labor Day 1932, Rail Road Excursions Compete With Labor Day
Capitalizing on the holiday, the local passenger service of the railroads sold reduced
rate tickets to workers and their families on Labor Day, 1932. Many took advantage of the
offer and took the train to the Minnesota State Fair that had opened the day before Labor
Day.
The County of La Crosse had a large number of men working on Highways 108 and
162 in a relief project to offset depression era conditions. They marched four abreast in the
parade, marking the first appearance of such a group in a Labor Day parade locally. The
Barbers Union marched in the parade and their biggest employer, a barbershop located at
8th and Farnum Streets had five young boys acting as porters in their unit. These boys
carried brooms, mops and pails as they following the marchers of the Barber trade in the
parade. The Mississippi Valley Public Service Company provided a bus for the members of
ATU Local 519 to ride in during the parade. This is a tradition that is followed by members of
ATU Local 519 to date, supported by the MTU (Municipal Transit Utility) and the City of La
Crosse. 282
Labor Day 1933, Roosevelt Era Begins
President Franklin Roosevelt‟s National Recovery Act allowed unions to gain new
strength. The National Labor Relations Board had been created and this bill allowed Uncle
Sam to compel employers to bargain with their employees or face penalties. Company
Unions were also outlawed. Three new unions marched in this years‟ parade. They were the
United Rubber Workers from the La Crosse Rubber Mills, the employees of the Moto Meter
Gauge and Equipment Company and the Trane Company workers. Highly motorized this
year the parade featured many trucks from Union employers. They were from the Zahn Tin
Shop automobile, Flying Aces truck, City Club Brewing Company car, four Schmidt‟s Brewing
Company trucks, Fox Head Brewing Company truck, five Heileman Brewing Company cars
and trucks, a truck from the People‟s Ice and Fuel Company, two trucks from Terpstra Ice
Company, and trucks from the Diamond Motor Company and the Anderegg Coal Company.
Others included, a truck from the Whitebreast Coal Company, four wagons from the
Tri-State Dairy Company, a truck from the Hillview Green House (complete with foliage
decoration), a truck from La Crosse Theatres, a truck from Puent Green House, four trucks
from Erickson‟s Bakery, a truck from the Modern Dairy and four trucks from Swift Company.
A poem by Helen Welshimer ran in the September 4 Tribune. America is working!
Once again there is the sound of labor in the land. Flame-bright the forges light the evening
dark and tasks begin for every reaching hand. There is the ring of anvils in the night, the
swing of axes, march of workers‟ feet. Triumphantly the flag waves high and free. Above
the smoke where industry begins, above the busyness of shops and stores, above the hearts
purged clean of idle sins. Oh, always is it good to have a task, life‟s pattern must grant some
work to men. So let the bugles play, the deep drums throb, American has gone to work
again!
281 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 7 1931
303

Labor Day 1934, Fighting Bob La Follette Speaks
Plans were laid for the usual Labor Day parade and celebration in La Crosse and
Myrick Park. Mayor Joseph Verchota, Congressman Gardner Withrow and Fred Wylie were
scheduled to speak. During the celebration following the parade the usual games were
played and a dance was held at the Labor Temple in the evening. The Labor Day parade and
celebration were cancelled due to a steady rain which fell on Labor Day. Trades and Labor
Council officials announced plans to hold the events the following Sunday. By Thursday
September 6, plans were announced that Pettibone Park would be the site of this year‟s
Labor Day celebration and Senator Bob La Follette would be the keynote speaker.
On Sunday, September 9, Senator La Follette, spoke to the thousands gathered at
Pettibone Park after the Labor Day parade. They heard him speak about the depression-era
conditions being borne by the people of America. “This experience has convinced me that
the only way in which we can solve the problem of privation, want and misery on the part of
millions of people in the midst of potential plenty is through a genuine realignment which will
make government responsive to the popular will.” Continuing his speech La Follette spoke
about the suffering people of the country saying, “10,000,000 persons are walking the
streets in search of work, which 16,000,000 others have exhausted their financial resources
and find themselves forced to accept mere subsistence from charity.”
Stating to the crowd that the depression was inevitable La Follette said, “The
depression was the inevitable, logical, and inescapable outcome of governmental and
business practices that prevailed before it came. I will cite some examples to show how
governmental policy contributed to the decline of purchasing power. One was the war. I
speak of it from the economic effect it had on the nation and the world. Ten million men of
the flower of manhood from civilized nations were killed and 20,000,000 others incapacitated
for future useful lives. There was 400 billion dollars of capital destroyed.
It is an amount almost beyond the grasp of the human mind. It was destroyed just as
effectively as if it had been piled up, saturated with kerosene, ignited, and burned to ashes.”
Moving to labor issues La Follette told the workers, “I am going to outline the objectives I
hope labor will set down. First is legislation to organize and bargain collectively without
interference on the part of the employer; second, legislation to assure the farmer the cost of
production plus a fair return for labor and capital invested; third, recognizing that the home
is a necessary institution and that a person has the right to own a farm and home during an
economic crisis.” He then added, “We can fiddle and monkey with this problem of economic
security, but until we put everybody back to work at decent wages we can never cure the
situation and get out of this economic crisis.”
An editorial in the La Crosse Tribune of the same date as the speech given by La
Follette state in part, “In no year of labor history has the nation been as conscious of the
rights of labor as it has in the last twelve months.” Also the editorial read, “The value and
dignity of labor in the United States are recognized in many ways. A national day for labor
has been set aside for the particular purpose of paying homage to the workingman. Labor
has made steady gains in the last quarter century in the way of legislation, state and
national, to better its interests. That is as it should be, and even greater progress will be
made when mutual understanding and sympathy with each other‟s needs and problems are
put in place of antagonism.” 283
Labor Day 1935, No Mail Today
Mail service was cancelled on Labor Day but, special delivery service was still
provided. As was customary games and a dance were included in the itinerary of this
celebration. At the time of the Labor Day events in La Crosse many strikes were going on
throughout the area and nation. Wages were being slashed and workers were striking in
283 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 2, 1934
304

opposition to those cuts. Two thousand workers paraded through town to Myrick Park. A
toy automobile with a motor was entered in the parade by the Phillips Appliance Company.
The three La Crosse Breweries had truck in the parade, being those of the Heileman, La
Crosse and Kunz breweries. 284
Labor Day 1936, Local Poetess Honors Labor
President Robert Franklin, of the Trades and Labor Council was in charge of the Labor
Day events which mirrored those of many previous years. Several local candidates for
public office had parade entries this year and the Loyal Order of the Moose was the only
fraternal group in the parade.
Helen Welshimer once again submitted a Labor Day poem which was published in the
Tribune. Now, while the air in many lands this day is shattered by the guns and marching
tread of fighting men, let us give thanks that we hear joyful sounds of industry instead. Not
from the cannon does our smoke ascend to sear the sky with clouds of bitter gray; our
chimneys pour GOOD smoke into the air-we do not fight-we go to work today! The anvil
sings, the molten metal runs, the wide wheels turn, the farmer tills the soil; the ships go out
with cargoes-it is sweet to have a job, a task, a chance to toil. Oh may long peace be ours
within our land where men work for common good, we pray, and tasks be found for every
pair of hands, this time next year when it is Labor Day!
A mixture of labor unions, bands, military groups and employers and civic
organizations marched in this year‟s parade. The parade lasted 25 minutes. Congressman
Gardner Withrow gave a speech after the parade and told the listeners, “The question of who
shall belong to our leisure class must be definitely solved. The social security act does not
deal with the question adequately.” 285
Labor Day 1937, Two Parades for the First
Time
Two parades were organized for the 1937
Labor Day holiday. The AFL parade units
gathered at Market Square and the CIO‟s
gathered at Pioneer Hall. Both parades were
scheduled the morning of Labor Day. The AFL
parade was to end up at Myrick Park and the CIO
parade was to end in Pettibone Park. This year
marked the first time two Labor organizations
held parades on Labor Day in La Crosse.
The AFL led off its parade with the Union
streetcar workers, followed by a mounted escort
of four girls and one boy. The Allis Chalmers
workers wore white caps, carried canes and
measuring sticks followed by a float containing
the plow of yesterday and the plow of today
displayed upon it.
The CIO parade had huge units of union
marchers from the Moto Meter Company, the
Rubber Mills and Northern Engraving. Each union
member wearing a colored badge identifying the
union they belonged to. 286
284 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 1, 1935
285 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 6 and 7, 1936
286 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 5 and 6, 1937
305

Labor Day 1938, Drizzling Rain Dampened Parade
Those marching in the 1938 parade donned raincoats and carried umbrellas as they
paraded through downtown La Crosse on Labor Day. Speeches and activities were held in a
similar fashion at the previous year. AFL president, William Green gave a Labor Day speech
that was covered by NBC that year. In part he said: “Now, three years after the CIO was
formed, we appraise its standing and the effect its actions and policies have had upon our
general labor movement. What does the appraisal show. The American Federation of Labor
presents a united movement. There is harmony within its ranks. Notwithstanding the loss of
seceding members who made up the CIO the numerical strength of the American Federation
of Labor has increased to the point where we have overcome all the losses sustained and we
will meet in our convention in October with a greater membership than ever before in the
history of the American Federation of Labor.” 287 In this speech President Green makes his
case with the dissident CIO in no uncertain terms. It was made very evident that he had no
desire to tolerate any thoughts of accepting their decision to split the AFL. 288
Labor Day 1939, Lots of Factory Workers on the Job
The AFL scheduled three speakers for their event in 1939. They were David Sigman,
an AFL organizer, Mayor Verchota, and Gardner Withrow, recent congressman. The parade
was to be followed by the speeches made from the Grandstand of the fair grounds. A 1 p.m.
rodeo was to follow the speeches. A dance was held at the Labor Temple in the evening and
fireworks finished off the day‟s events. The CIO held a parade and a speaking program in
Myrick Park. They too held a dance, theirs‟ at Pioneer Hall. A UAW International
representative shared the speaking program with Mayor Verchota and former congressman
Gardner, both of whom did double duty this Labor Day.
On September 4th, the local newspaper reported that the Rubber Mills added 100
workers to its number which then stood at 750 people. Trane Company employed about 550
and the Moto Meter Gauge and Equipment Company worked 1,300 men and women. On this
same date a news report was published about the torpedoing of the ship the Athenia off the
coast of Scotland. A German Submarine sunk it with the loss of over 100 lives, reported the
newspaper.
In the annual Labor Review of 1939, Mayor Verchota wrote an article on the subject of
organized labor. Citing some labor history in his article the Mayor also spoke of La Crosse
labor writing, Today we have in La Crosse perhaps as many as 8,000 workers who are
affiliated with some type of labor organization. He ended this article with, It has been truly
said that in union there is strength, and as long as the worker realizes this and continues his
loyalty to his organization, we are sure to make this country and the world the really splendid
place to live in which we know it can be. 289
Labor Day 1940, A Flowery Float
Once again two parades and celebrations made up the local commemoration of Labor
Day. In the CIO parade the Moto Meter, Gauge and Equipment Company had a float done up
in blue and yellow featuring a large decorated shield with the words, GOD BLESS AMERICA
on it, it was accorded first prize in the float award department. The municipal park workers
entered a float that resembled a flower bed and lawn, it received third place in the float
awards. In the AFL parade the local carpenters union entered a float that held a house
surrounded by a white picket fence, with an arched gateway. Picnics were held by both
groups following their parades. An interesting editorial ran in the Labor Day edition of the
287
From President Green’s AFL Labor Day Speech, AFL archives, George Meany Memorial Library, Silver Springs,
Maryland
288
La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 4, 1938
289
La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 3, 1939
306

local newspaper this year. In part it read, “American Labor might be pardoned if it felt a
twinge of loneliness on this Labor Day. Except for Great Britain, Canada, Australia, Mexico,
New Zealand and a scattering of smaller countries it stands alone as the last great group of
free working men. In conclusion it read, “Yes, American labor has a good deal to be thankful
for in 1940. The way in which it has buckled down to the defense of its country is evidence
that it knows it.”
In the 1940 Labor Review Mayor Verchota wrote, La Crosse has been particularly free
of so-called labor trouble during the last year, which is a source of deep satisfaction to
myself. I sincerely hope the day is not far distant when all labor disputes will be settled over
the conference table, and when the strike, costly to worker and employer alike, will vanish
forever. 290
Labor Day 1941, War Worries
The war was in full swing by this Labor Day. America had not yet been drawn into the
fray totally, as the bombing of Pearl Harbor was still weeks away. Addressing the invasion of
Europe, Congressman Stevenson told the AFL crowd, “The dictators of the world have
destroyed union labor wherever dictators have been allowed to rise to power. As long as
there exists a free and vigorous labor movement, dictators cannot enslave their people and
make them mere chattels of a totalitarian state. Speaking later to the CIO crowd Stevenson
said to them, “Labor‟s first duty is to aid in national defense of our country and to support
the foreign policy of our government. We must make this known to our representatives in
Congress. Our voice must be heard above those of the appeasers and national traitors who
would sacrifice the welfare of the nation and its peoples.”
President Franklin Roosevelt in a Labor Day speech concluded his remarks with the
words, “May it be said on some future Labor Day by some future president of the United
States that we did our work faithfully and well.”
In the 1941 Labor Review Mayor Verchota wrote about the pending war that America
was being drawn into. He also welcomed the Wisconsin AFL to the city, where it was holding
its convention this year. 291 “Organized labor can be justly proud, on this Labor Day, of its
record in war production. Our unions, long before Pearl Harbor, began planning and
organizing all their energies to increase production. That record, in terms of tanks, planes,
ships and guns, is a good one. But while we are proud of this production record, we cannot
be satisfied with it. We must continue to break our own records. For we can never be
satisfied until we have produced the last tank, the last warplane, the last war ship and the
last gun that we must have to crush the Axis.” Phillip Murray, president CIO, 1947
Labor Day 1942, Flying Fortresses and 10 Percent Men
Reflecting the war years, the Labor Day parade had an anti-tank union from Camp
McCoy in the CIO parade this year. The CIO parade took a full half hour to pass any point
along its parade route this year. The “Ten Percent Minute Man Flag” was seen on the lapel of
many a marcher this Labor Day during the two parades. It represented companies whom
had pledged 10 percent of their payroll towards the purchasing of War Bonds. The badge
was a blue banner with a red and white bull‟s eye on it. The local paper chided union officers
and unions that it felt were not giving their total support to the war effort in the day‟s
editorial. This edition of the paper also contained a story about the American Flying
Fortresses and a raid they had made against an airplane factory situated in Meaulte,
Germany.
Two Flying Fortresses did not return from this raid. In the paper also was an ad from
the People‟s Fuel and Ice Company…We all know about Labor Day…thus once a year a day is
290 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 2, 1940
291 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 1, 1941
307

set aside to honor the man whose strength and intelligence do most to promote general
happiness…the Laboring Man. You can help him by THINKING AHEAD…don‟t wait until the
last minute to order ice. Have a regular ice delivery each day…let us put you on our
permanent route list. Take Uncle Sam‟s advice…Be prepared for any eventuality…Health is
vital…Food is precious…In our great national defense effort. Ice refrigeration is your answer!
Teamsters Local 199 members worked for the People‟s Fuel and Ice Company.
Mayor Verchota‟s message to labor this year was, I call upon you gentlemen of
organized labor to do all in your power to win this war, to make the sacrifices in extra hours
of labor, to set aside liberally from your earnings for the purchase of defense bonds which,
after all, will be returned to you, to the end that this war may be brought to a successful
conclusion. 292
Labor Day 1943, Industry Marches
The CIO held the only parade following the Labor Day parades in 1943. This year the
union members working at Northern Engraving and the Allis Chalmers Company spent the
day at work, manufacturing war products. Workers from the Miller Broom Company, Dolly
Madison Dairy, Knutson Dairy, Swift Packing Company and the Lorillard Tobacco Company
marched in this parade. “Bomb the Axis” posters were placed in the movie theaters in La
Crosse. They used miniature bombs to track La Crosse business and industries in their drive
to sell war bonds. Some of the companies listed on the chart included; Trane, Bump Pump,
Allis Chalmers, La Crosse Trailer, Doerflingers and the J.C. Penny store. 293
Labor Day 1944, Words from AFL‟S Green
In the CIO parade Local 121 of the Bump Pump company marched along with many
other units. The AFL held no parade nor did it have a picnic this year. The AFL did host a
dance at the Labor Temple in the evening. The traditional editorial paid homage to the
millions of workers supplying the war effort.
AFL President, William Green said in his annual Labor Day address, “This Labor Day of
1944 occurs as the fateful moment when the dramatic climax or victory is about to ring down
the final curtain on the great tragedy of war.” Citing the skill of American workers he said,
“Those superior products of the toil and sweat and skill of free American workers have
inspired our own boys, just as they have discouraged the enemy. In many cases they mean
the difference between life and death to thousands of our troops. The American soldier,
seeing with his own eyes the superiority of his own fighting equipment over anything the
enemy can hurl at him must experience a deep sense of gratitude to his friends at home who
are backing him up so effectively.” 294
Labor Day 1945, Swing Band Plays
The CIO conducted the only parade again this year and the AFL held only a dance at
the Labor Temple. A swing band put together by World War II veterans from the Electric
Auto Lite plant played “Roll out the Barrel,” for the parade viewers. Banners such as, Full
Employment Won the War, and Equal Pay for Women for Equal Work, were carried by parade
marchers. 295
292
La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 7, 1942
293
La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 6, 1943
294
La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 4, 1944, and President Green’s AFL Labor Day Speech of 1944,
George Meany Library.
295
La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 4, 1945
308

Labor Day 1946, Sawing Logs
Allis Chalmers Local 1424 had nearly 600 members marching in the parade in 1946.
They were accompanied by a sound truck that announced the objectives of the strike they
were currently engaged in. The Peerless beer Elf trademark was portrayed by several sized
people in costume marching along with Local 448 of that plant. Van‟s Farm and Home
Service demonstrated a portable wood sawing machine that sliced through large logs as the
parade proceeded. The parade was headed by members of a motorcycle club. No mention in
the paper of what if anything was on tap by the AFL of this year. 296
Labor Day 1947, Marching Again, the AFL Way
The AFL joined with the CIO and returned to marching in a Labor Day Parade in 1947.
The CIO assembled in front of Pioneer Hall and ended up in Myrick Park and the AFL gathered
at the Labor Temple and ended up on Isle La Plume for a picnic. Jack Hefti and his band
played music for the CIO dance in Pioneer Hall. The Club Royal Orchestra serenaded the
dancers at the Labor Temple. Echoing the hysteria stirred up by those seeing “Reds”
everywhere, the Tribune warned the unions against winning gains by any undemocratic
means. 297
Labor Day 1948, Men and Women at Work
Two parades, two picnics and two dances again this year. At Copeland Park the CIO
provided rides for children and all-day music and a speaking program. At Myrick Park the
children were given pony rides and music and speeches also took place. Aquinas, Logan and
Central bands marched and played during the AFL parade. The Parade Marshall that year
was Judge R. V. Ahlstrom. The women‟s auxiliary ran the food center at Myrick Park. Louise
Hefti was in charge of the ice cream stand. Ken Niedbalski was in charge of beer sales. 298
Labor Day 1949, Reunited In One Parade
Unity prevailed at the 1949 Labor Day parade. The AFL and CIO of the city marched
together for the first time this year. George Hall the organizer of the AFL announced that the
AFL would not hold a picnic or dance this year. Judge Ahlstrom was again the Parade
Marshall for the AFL portion of the parade. In the AFL parade Fire Fighters marched in white
shirts, blue trousers and blue caps, followed by white capped painters and decorators. Jack
Hefti played for a dance held at the VFW by the CIO. 299
Labor Day 1950, Kohler Lambasted
Partnering again for the Labor Day parade, the AFL and CIO both planned picnics for
this year. The AFL and CIO held all-day picnics, and the CIO held a dance at Pioneer Hall.
For the third year in a row Judge Ahlstrom served as parade marshal for the AFL units.
Beck‟s Mule and Calliope were in the CIO portion of the parade, as well as the Jolly Swiss
Boys band.
In the speaking program of the AFL listeners heard a strong attack on Walter Kohler
Jr. Assemblyman Lucey charged that Kohler played a role in the Kohler massacre that
resulted in the wounding of 16 and the death of 2, during the strike at the Kohler works in
Wisconsin. Kohler was the candidate for Governor on the Republican ticket in Wisconsin.
Lucey said, “The endorsement of Walter Kohler Jr. is a deliberate kick in the teeth to every
296 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 3, 1946
297 La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, September 3, 1947
298 La Crosse Tribune, September 5, 1948
299 La Crosse Tribune, September 4, 1949
309

man and woman in Wisconsin who has ever carried a union card.” Continuing Lucey said,
“Labor has never had anything but grief in its dealings with the Republican Party.” 300
Labor Day 1951, Here Comes the Judge
Judge Roy Ahlstrom again served as Labor‟s parade marshal. AFL unions held a picnic
at the Fairgrounds and the CIO unions held one across the street in Myrick Park. At the
fairgrounds, the AFL held an amateur variety show in the evening. In the CIO parade the
Carpenters Local 1143 had a float with a hand built doll house, complete with furnishings. 301
Labor Day 1952, Amateur Talent Shows
The AFL held its parade and conducted its second annual Amateur Talent Show at the
Fairgrounds. The CIO held two dances at Pioneer Hall. One in the afternoon, and one later
in the evening. The usual speakers spoke and the regulars marched in the annual parade.
Labor Day 1953, Movies
This year the CIO had movies and balloons for the children at Pioneer Hall. The AFL
had movies for the youngsters at the Labor Temple. In the evening eight variety acts
entertained and music for dancing was provided by Wayne Solberg‟s orchestra. Drew
Pearson wrote an interesting column on the status of labor in 1952 which appeared in the
September 9th edition of the paper. In the concluding paragraph of this column he wrote,
“The word capitalist has pretty much disappeared from the American worker‟s vocabulary, at
least as a term of aversion. He doesn‟t suffer from the feeling that his is in a class distinct
from the boss, or that he is incapable of thinking like a man of business…which in every
sense he is.”
Labor Day 1954, First Combined Parade
The first combined AFL-CIO Labor Day parade took hold this year. Judge Lincoln
Neprud lead off the parade. At Pioneer Hall movies were shown and dancing took place. In
Cameron Park in front of the Labor Temple, food was sold along with soft drinks, ice cream
and other refreshments.
During the parade two
members of the Erickson Bakery‟s
Union carried the American Flag first
in this parade. Butchers in white
caps and aprons marched ahead of
seven Farley‟s Meats trucks, as Jack
Hefti‟s Band, carried on another
Farley truck entertained the
onlookers. Pressman‟s Local 189
marched wearing paper hats, as is
traditional in the newspaper trade.
An editorial in the newspaper
noted the 15 cents an hour
concession by the union workers at
Studebaker Motors in South Bend,
Indiana. The writer noted in
conclusion, “This company had
established the two-way
300 La Crosse Tribune, September 5, 1950
301 La Crosse Tribune, September 2, 1951
Photo of IBEW Local 135 (probably in a Labor Day Parade)
photo provided by Bill Beeler from Local 14 files.
310

communication between worker and manager any sound economic enterprise must have.
When the crisis came, the men listened to management because management had listened
to them. The events at South Bend in mid-august are well worth copying for that reason.” 302
Labor Day 1955, Largest Parade Ever
Roy Smith, chairman of the Labor Day Committee told the Tribune, “Due to the
addition of the Monroe County Education and Cooperative Union‟s participation, it is a
certainty that this year‟s parade will be larger than any witnessed in La Crosse.” The CIO
asked each of its marchers to bring one canned goods item to Pioneer Hall to aid in the relief
of the striking Kohler workers. Local 833 had been on strike for 17 months. The VFW led off
the parade followed by Mayor Milo Knutson and his wife riding in a convertible. Three trucks
from the La Crosse Telephone Company were manned by members of IBEW Local 990. A
float displayed plumbing articles and signage that asked parade watchers to avoid purchasing
any Kohler products, due to the ongoing strike. 303
Labor Day 1956, Lodge 1115 Makes Strong Appearance
Captain William Boma of the La Crosse Police Department was the parade marshal.
58 units were scheduled to march. Union employees of the La Crosse Tribune in large
numbers marched in the parade along with many members of IAM Lodge 1115 carrying
signs. Northern Engraving entered two old cars in the parade, from the mid-20‟s. Operating
Engineers Local 139 drove a huge crane from the Tri-State Erection Company and the Iron
Workers made the most noise with a float containing a forge and an iron beam, which was
attacked by a riveting machine that made a tremendous amount of racket. 304
Labor Day 1957, Holiday Becomes A Family Day
The La Crosse Tribune editorialized
about the evolution of Labor Day in the
Sunday edition of the newspaper. Saying,
“Labor Day was first advocated by the now
almost-forgotten Knights of Labor, a oncegreat
Labor organization.” The editor
opined that the day was first a day-off for
Dad to enjoy a day of recreation, and
secondly, a prelude to the start of public
school.
Summing it up the editorial ended
with, “This day is not only for the carpenter,
the bricklayer, the ones who physically
build or labor with their hands. It is for
office workers, for errand boys, for
foremen, for clerks, for button pushers and
switch snappers. It is for mothers who strive to develop strong sons. It is for dads who
deprive themselves so that their children may have better educations. It is a special day for
the children themselves, and don‟t they enjoy their last crack at summer? Since, they are
the builders of the future. Labor Day has gradually become, without our noticing it, a day for
all of us, the true builders.”
The prize winning float in the parade was the entry by Laborers Local 140. Their float
titled, The House of Peace and Contentment, was a screen house which was later donated to
302 La Crosse Tribune, September 5, 1954
303 La Crosse Tribune, September 6, 1955
304 La Crosse Tribune, September 6, 1956
311

the Bethany Lutheran Home. AFSCME Local 227 had six large pieces of equipment in the
parade along with IBEW Local 953 with four large of the NSP fleet. 305
Labor Day 1958, Darn Good Land, Except for Rocks
The Farmers Union Float showed a barren plot of land with the above slogan in
reference to some of the farm land in the Coulee Region. The jean-clad band of the West
Salem area had a pitchfork twirling leader. A German Band represented Hamm‟s beer along
with a dance band from the Heileman‟s Brewery. AFSCME Local 407 had a unit advocating
an anti-litter program.
For crowd entertainment, a dancing bear from Hamm‟s and a “baby” in a stroller from
the Heileman‟s Brewery that cried for a bottle every time the stroller stopped were popular
entries. Iron Workers of the City had a float that included a large steel beam, with a glowing
fire pot and rivets. The riders on this display appeared to be very warm. 306
Labor Day 1959, 60-Unit Parade
Mayor Milo Knutson and family along with the American Legion Color Guard led the
parade. Judge Lincoln Neprud and daughter and the Aquinas Band followed them. There
were Farmers Union floats and many of the unions of the area in the parade. Al Soucheck‟s
Band provided dancing music in the late afternoon and the children were treated to movies
and favors. 307
Labor Day 1960, IAM Float Wins First Place
The machinists union entered a float that portrayed a day at work on it. Along with a
large emblem of the IAM, tools and machines from a factory were displayed along with
machinists mannequins dressed in working clothes. IBEW Local 990 took second place with a
float that depicted a Committee on Political Education theme for workers registering to vote.
Sheriff William Boma‟s department walked in the parade along with their newest
addition to the force, a canine corps of bloodhounds. Politicians with placarded vehicles
brought up the rear of the parade. 308
Labor Day 1961, 78-Units Including a Honeymooning Couple
Continuing to grow ever larger, the parade this year took an hour and twenty minutes
to pass any given point along the parade route. Raymond Banasik and Laura Haggerty were
married and their friends chartered a City Bus to ferry them around the city on Labor Day.
Of course the bus was driven by a member of ATU Local 519. 309
Labor Day 1962, Twin Electrical Local 990 Princesses of the Day
Dorothy and Donna Greeno, clerks in the accounting department of the La Crosse
Telephone Company and members of IBEW Local 990 won first place for their float in the
parade. Second place was won by IBEW Local 135 members, employees for the local laundry
with their float displaying old time washers and dryers on one side, contrasted with modern
laundry equipment on the other. 310
305 La Crosse Tribune, September 1, 1957
306 La Crosse Tribune, September 2, 1958
307 La Crosse Tribune, September 6, 1959
308 La Crosse Tribune, September 6, 1960
309 La Crosse Tribune, September 3, 1961
310 La Crosse Tribune, September 4, 1962
312

Labor Day 1963, Drizzling Rain, Dazzling Floats
The 50-unit parade had two floats of interest. The first place prize winning float from
the Brewery Workers Local 81 depicted Old Style Lager with the slogan, Union Made
Products, Tops in the World. Local 953 of NSP had a float with large models of NSP buildings
displayed. Gary Mowery, Greg Gantz, Julie Mickschl and Barbara Olson populated the
float. 311
Labor Day 1964, Miss Union Label, Patricia Gustad
The La Crosse AFL-CIO float was ridden by Miss Patricia Gustad. She had written an
essay which listed five reasons the Union Label was important to her to win the title.
1. It means quality
2. Job protection
3. Public protection
4. American made, at fair prices with fair wages paid the workers
5. It is good for the consumer and business alike
La Crosse AFL-CIO former president, Bernard Thill was presented a gold watch for his
long year of service to the labor movement by George Hall the secretary treasurer of the
Wisconsin AFL-CIO.
Roger Grandgaard, president of the La Crosse AFL-CIO was interviewed and spoke of
strong confidence of profitable times for union workers in the coming year. These sentiments
were echoed by Donald Hansen, division manager of the La Crosse Telephone Company and
Roy Kumm, president of the G. Heileman Brewing Company. Elmer Sebold the business
representative of Teamsters Local 199 spoke of conditions for freight haulers and noted that
automation has decreased employment somewhat for his members. Asked about changes in
Labor Management conditions, Louis Youngman, editor of the Union Herald said, “I think they
are much better. Both sides have realized they have to get together.”
Both sides were also asked about the upcoming presidential election between Lyndon
Johnson and Barry Goldwater. Management was not fearful of either candidate but Labor
had its opinions as to the possible election of Goldwater. “He advocates a national right-towork
law which is definitely anti-union, stated Louis Youngman.” Local AFL-CIO president
Roger Grandgaard added, “Goldwater does not have anything to offer as far as Labor
goes.” 312
Labor Day 1965, Washed Out
The annual parade was cancelled due to rain. A speech by John Schmitt, vice
president of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO also was cancelled due to the inclement weather and
small turnout of attendees at Houska Park where the speech was to have taken place. 313
Labor Day 1966, Joyce Koss Crowned Miss Union Label
Sponsored by Gateway Transportation Company and Trane Company Office Workers
Local 44, Miss Koss was chosen as Miss Union Label. First runner-up was Shelia Scoville,
sponsored by Typographical Union Local 448 and Second runner-up was Barbara Pretasky
sponsored by Brewery Workers Local 81. A $100 scholarship was given to the school of her
choice and she was given a new wardrobe. Nine girls had entered this contest. Specialist
Fifth Class Dennis Vance was reported to be home on leave in the same issue of the paper
that reported the Labor Day event. He was a member of a helicopter crew and had been on
78 missions in South Viet Nam picking up wounded soldiers from the jungle. 314
311 La Crosse Tribune, September 3, 1963
312 La Crosse Tribune, September 6, 1964
313 La Crosse Tribune, September 7, 1965
314 La Crosse Tribune, September 6, 1966
313

Labor Day 1967, The Forgotten Man
The La Crosse Tribune ran an editorial in the September 3, 1967 issue of the paper,
on the subject of Peter McGuire, the founder of Labor Day. The red-haired Irish immigrant-
American is a forgotten man the editorial stated. Few history books and encyclopedias even
mention his name the story noted. 315
Labor Day 1968, Pleasant Weather
No other information is available for this Labor Day parade or event.
Labor Day 1969, Last Appearance of Allis Chalmers Local 401
Due to the announced closing of the Allis Chalmers plant in La Crosse, members of
UAW Local 401 made their last Labor Day parade appearance. 316
Labor Day 1970, One More Time, For Auld Lang Sine
The La Crosse AFL-CIO revised the parade lineup for this year to allow the former
members of UAW Local 401 to lead the parade. A bus provided by ATU Local 519 bused
those former members unable to march the parade during the event. UAW Local 401 lost its
employer as of December of 1969 but had not yet dissolved and disbanded. UAW Local
1462, of the La Crosse Cooler Company did duel service in the parade. They marched as a
union unit and as pickets as they were on strike against the Cooler Company at the time.
SEIU Local 150 of Lutheran Hospital had a float in the parade with a banner that read
teamwork speeds recovery. Office Workers Local 44 had an interesting float. It had
members seated on a merry-go-round with signage that read, “present conditions make you
feel like you‟re on a merry-go-round? Get off, organize.” 317
Labor Day 1971, Miss Union Label
Margo Taylor was crowned Miss Union Label in 1971. She was the daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. George Taylor of La Crescent, Minnesota. She was a Viterbo College nursing
student and was sponsored by IAM Lodge 21. Jack Rheil the president of the Wisconsin AFL-
CIO marched in the parade.
Labor Day 1972, UAW Locals in Parade
UAW Local 1452, of the La Crosse Cooler Company marched along with UAW Local
1263 of UOP Norplex Division in the parade. Sanford Goltz, in his “It Seems To Me” editorial
said, “Americans always have respected the hard worker. Perhaps the work ethic has got of
hand at times, but we still need it in the era of computers and moon walks, so take it easy
this weekend, and be ready to hit it a good lick Tuesday.”
Labor Day 1973, Jack Rheil Keynote Speaker
President Jack Rheil was the keynote speaker and parade marshal for the Labor Day
event this year. Beer and food tents were set up in Houska Park. Rheil had been a La
Crosse City Council member and was a union carpenter for most of his life. At the Labor Day
celebration nine 50-year members of Carpenters Local 1143 received pins for their lengthy
membership.
315 La Crosse Tribune, September 3, 1967
316 La Crosse Tribune, September 2, 1969
317 La Crosse Tribune, September 6 and 8, 1970
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Minimum Wage Raise on the Minds of Business in 1973
Kenneth Brekke, a reporter for the Tribune interviewed local business owners and
asked them what they thought of a move in the Wisconsin Legislature to boost up the state‟s
minimum wage. Dale Rudy, owner of the A&W root beer stand said if the minimum wage
was raised owners would turn to machines to save labor costs. Gerald Heberlein, owner of
the Cerise Club stated that a lower minimum wage for youths should be built into the law.
Heberlein told the Tribune that younger workers were slower, less efficient and needed more
supervision on the job. At this time the Wisconsin Minimum Wage was $1.60 an hour. Jack
Rheil, president of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO said, “Anyone who pays less than $2 an hour ought
to be ashamed of himself.” Not all the business owners of La Crosse were against the raise.
Jack Bakkum, operator of the Pancake House said a raise up to $2 an hour would not cause a
problem for his restaurant.
Labor Day 1974, Paul Offner‟s Labor Day Parade Appearance Causes Dispute
Sandra Fletcher, a candidate in the Democratic Primary for the officer of the 95th
Assembly District complained that she was not allowed to march in the Labor Day Parade
but, that her opponent, Paul Offner was. President Dave Forer of the La Crosse AFL-CIO
reported to the Tribune that Offner was marching at the invitation of the UAW Union, not the
Labor Council. In the parade, Brewery Workers Local 1081 members carried signs reading,
“What La Crosse Makes, Makes La Crosse.” Their 50-plus marchers were followed by a float
carrying Jack Hefti‟s Band playing Roll Out The Barrel. Leonard Affeldt, a retired Trane
Machinist members was the parade marshal. The parade marchers and onlookers endured
50 degree weather for the parade this year.
Labor Day 1975, Free Beer and Pop Served at the Labor Temple
At the conclusion of the Labor Day parade in 1975, free beer and pop was served at
the Labor Temple. Chicken dinners were on sale at the Labor Temple and picnic tables were
set up across the street in Cameron Park. Mayor Patrick Zielke was parade marshal with
Kenneth Niedbalski serving as honorary parade marshal. La Crosse AFL-CIO president Dave
Forer said, “Now there is more awareness on the part of the unions in the city that they had
better hang together,” in response to the question of whether the celebration of Labor Day in
La Crosse was losing interest of the union members. He also noted that of the 43 unions in
La Crosse, 33 were affiliated with the Labor Council. The Tribune‟s Typographical Union Local
448 union‟s chapel chairman Bob Serres said, “The day is a commemoration of what the
labor movement has done for people. It has uplifted the small person to a better way of life.
It may also help that who don‟t belong to unions. It brings to mind the days of the sweat
shops.”
Labor Day 1976, “Let‟s Kill The Myths.”
Louis Rukeyser of the McNaught Syndicate wrote an editorial in which he stated his
views on the celebration of Labor Day. He wrote, “One day a year, though, is set aside as a
sort of King Arthur time for the average Joe and Jane. So, hail and wassail, drive safely and
do almost anything you like-except take seriously what usually passes for Labor Day oratory
in America.” His editorial was not particularly favorable of the AFL-CIO. He stated that with
88 million workers along with 7 million unemployed, Union only accounted for 25% of those
workers. He ended his column writing, “If the only labor we do this weekend is in resisting
outmoded definitions of American labor we will really have earned our hot dogs.”
Labor Day 1977, Teamsters Local 199 Members of Empire Silk Screen Company on
Strike
The employees of the Empire Silk Screening company along with those of the La
Crosse Telephone Company were on strike at the time of the Labor Day celebrations in La
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Crosse. IBEW Local 953 had been on strike against the Telephone Company since February
10. The La Crosse AFL-CIO handed out American flags along the parade route during this
year‟s parade. At the conclusion of the parade, a celebration took place at the South Side
Oktoberfest Grounds.
Labor Day 1978, Politicians Thicker Than Fleas
The Tribune reported that there were as many politicians in the parade as there were
workers during this year‟s parade. Elmer Sebold was the parade marshal. Once again
ending up at the South Side Oktoberfest Grounds, 692 cases of beer were lined up for the
celebration. Beers were sold for 25 cents a glass. Jack Rheil spoke briefly to the crowd of
about 400 at the grounds.
Labor Day 1979, 1,800 Trane Workers on Strike This Labor Day
Entering into the 31st day of the strike, Machinist Lodge 21 members probably had
mixed feelings on this Labor Day. “We‟re out here because we believe in working.” “We are
all going to stick together and prove that the holiday really stands for something by showing
labor does have some clout. We may not see all the effect, but it will help the workers who
follow us.” The foregoing were some of the statements made by the striking union members.
Three unions were involved in the strike, IAM Lodges 21 and 1115 and Office and
Professional Workers Local 44 were all out on strike against Trane.
Labor Day 1980, Republicans Hard To Find at Labor Day
The local newspaper stated that a republican would have been hard to find at La
Crosse‟s Labor Day parade and celebration this year. Four democrats spoke to the
celebrators following the parade. Jack Rheil, Wisconsin AFL-CIO president said, “Carter and
Mondale are much better for the labor movement that Reagan and conservatives like him
would be.” Continuing he said, “With Reagan as president, we wouldn‟t have a labor
movement as we know it today. Reagan just doesn‟t wash at all with us.” President Rheil
also had a few words for the City Council‟s decision to purchase police dogs, “I wonder what
on earth, they are thinking of whey they pass something like that, they say the main reason
is crowd control, but I don‟t think we need that kind of control in La Crosse. I sure as hell
wouldn‟t want to see a German shepherd nipping at people‟s behinds on a picket line.”
Labor Day 1981, Factory Worker in Milwaukee Donates Rare Blood, Twice a Week
Alvin Kress, rode a bus twice a week to donate his blood because it contains a rare
antibody called anti-D. The bus ride took 2 ½ hours each trip. He had been doing this for 23
years. Kress is the only donor with such blood said the blood bank officials. In the editorial
in the newspaper David Broder had harsh words for labor. It started out by saying that labor
was down and out. Broder blamed it on President Lane Kirkland who, he said, aligned labor
too closely with the Democratic Party and consequently earned it the wrath of the Reagan
administration.
Labor Day 1982, 100th Anniversary of Labor Day
Sadly, the newspaper reported that this, the 100th anniversary of Labor Day was
occurring during the worst economic slump in recent memory. The jobless rate was the
highest locally since, 1960. Gerald Jensen, Business Representative for the IBEW Local 135
members told the Tribune 25% of his members were out of work. He said the slump began
when the work on the Valley View Mall was completed. Machinists‟ union workers were
experiencing 10% of their 3,000 members being out of work. Sue Weibel, president of the
La Crosse AFL-CIO told the paper government workers might be the next to feel the effects
of the depression.
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Following the completion of the annual Labor Day parade, union members were
planning a march in Madison on September 10th from the unemployment office to the
Governor‟s office. President Lane Kirkland told the press that, “We‟re seeing 50 years of
(labor) progress lost.” Speaking of President Reagan Kirkland said, “he has brought the art
of the confidence trickster to the highest councils of government.” Kirkland urged voters to
go to the polls and take another person with them when they voted that year.
Labor Day 1983 ,Dan Mihalovic Says Labor Sees Little to Celebrate
Jerry Jensen, business agent for IBEW Local 135 told the Tribune, “You can‟t convince
me that we are in a recovery.” He noted that 35% of the 115-member electrician‟s union are
unemployed and another 20% working less than 40 hours per week. The reason was a lack
of work he stated. Daniel Mihalovic, business manager of District Lodge 66 of the IAM
agreed with Jensen. He told the reporter, “I‟ve seen no improvement!” He said that at Trane
Company 50 laid-off machinists have run out of unemployment benefits. “You can hurt
people so much, they will eventually turn to their union” he added.
Labor Day 1984, Reagan Inspires Solidarity
Al (Babe) Harnish, of IAM Lodge 1115 told the newspaper that, “President Reagan has
brought out the competitive spirit of the labor movement. Labor Day parades were dying out
a few years back.” Sue Beil, president of the LA Crosse AFL-CIO was seen in the parade
wearing a tee shirt that read “A Woman‟s Place is in her Union.” The editorial cartoon in this
years‟ Labor Day issue of the public newspaper depicted Uncle Sam measuring a figure
representing unions, noting that he had shrunk.
Labor Day 1985, Local Labor Chiefs Say Labor Will Rebound
Dan Mihalovic and Ron Buschman were quoted on the front page of the Tribune
stating that they were sure organized labor would see a resurgence. Alfred Harnish was the
parade marshal and commented that he was glad that Mayor Patrick. Mayor Zielke had
remained neutral during the recent 19-day strike at the Trane Company. Following the
parade, a celebration of the day took place at Copeland Park.
Labor Day 1986, Hormel Strike In Austin, Minnesota
A member of Local P-9 of Austin, Minnesota marched in La Crosse‟s Labor Day parade
Monday. His union was on strike against the George Hormel meat packing plant there. The
nearly yearlong strike had just been settled. Mr. Bergstrom was protesting the settlement.
Labor Day 1987, Arnold Luce Parade Marshal
Arno Luce the labor liaison for the La Crosse United Way was named parade marshal
this year. The parade route used was, Kane and Gillette Streets to Caledonia and on to
Copeland Park for beer, food and live music.
Labor Day 1988, Happy Day Are Here Again?
Republicans contend that happy days are here again, while democrats said workers
were worse off. Union membership stood at 17 million workers. In 1980 it had been 23%.
$1,300 was raised for muscular dystrophy during the Labor Day celebrations at Copeland
Park. Rides and a flea market were also held at the Labor Day event to assist in the fund
drive. An auction brought in the most money.
Labor Day 1989, Mihalovic Still Optimistic
Dan Mihalovic remembered back 20 years when unions represented 25% of all the
workers in America. This year it stood at 15% but, Mihalovic believed things were turning
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around. He told the Tribune that Lodge 21 had gone from 1,900 members to its current
membership of 1,300. Global market competition was an issue that was now being raised.
Labor Day 1990, By Raymond Bice
Raymond Bice, aged 94 and a former Wisconsin state senator wrote a Labor Day
editorial for this year. In it he spoke of the progressive history of Wisconsin and its attitude
towards labor. Bice spoke of his father‟s employment at the Sawyer and Austin Sawmill in La
Crosse. He related that he carried his father‟s lunch to him at noon and that his father
earned $1 to $1.25 a day for up to eleven hours of work.
Bice began work at a sash and door factory for 40 cents an hour in 1917. He worked
a 10 hour day along with 5 hours on Saturday. The point of his editorial was that organized
labor had been successful in winning higher wages and many fringe benefits for all workers
and that it was proper that it be recognized as having done so on its day.
Labor Day 1991, Congressman Steve Gundersen Comments
Steve Gundersen, the republican congressman representing the 3rd congressional
district wrote an opinion page piece that ran in the Tribune this Labor Day. He pointed out
that 117 million Americans were unemployed. And, in a insightful observation (based on
current knowledge of our free trade treaties) he hit the nail on the head when he wrote.
“The industrious spirit of these workers alone cannot overcome the challenge by foreign
competition and changing market needs. Neither are these examples unique to western
Wisconsin. They are harbingers of national trends.” Continuing he wrote of the 1,600 Eau
Claire workers scheduled to be laid off by their employer, Uniroyal, a tire manufacturer. He
stated in his article that “changing technology and foreign competition have forced the plant
to close its doors.” He noted the 1,200 Trane workers that were currently out on strike in La
Crosse. And, he worried that local railroad employees were in danger of job losses as well.
Congressman Gundersen‟s answer was to overhaul the National Labor Relations Act and the
Railway Labor Act to boot. He was worried about global competition.
Labor Day 1992, Just the Usual, Please!
A 10 o‟clock parade and a Labor Day festival at Copeland Park from 10 a.m. until 6
p.m. Jack Rheil was the parade marshal.
Labor Day 1993, Outlook Worries Workers
Outlook worries workers, read the headline in the La Crosse Tribune. Wisconsin Labor
Secretary, Carol Skornicka said, “Wisconsin workers are paid more per hour than the national
average, and they are working more than the national average.” David Newby, Wisconsin
AFL-CIO president said, “We have continued to lose good-paying jobs. If the North American
Free Trade Agreement is approved, that will continue.” Copeland Park was again the site of
the celebrations following the parade.
Labor Day 1994, Brigg‟s and Stratton of Milwaukee announce plant closing
Brigg‟s and Stratton announced in May that over the course of the next few years they
would eliminate 2,000 to 6,000 of their manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin.
Same details for the parade and festival again this year.
Labor Day 1995, Local Labor Leader, Mad As Hell
Terry L. Hicks, vice president of the La Crosse AFL-CIO by the La Crosse Tribune this
year. The Tribune had previously interviewed a man found sitting beside the Mississippi
River in Riverside Park and asked him what he thought about Labor Day. He told them, “I
guess it‟s an extra day off.” The Tribune opined that like many Americans he was taking the
holiday for granted and ended by writing that, “Terry Hicks could have told him a thing or
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two.” Interviewed, Hicks told the Tribune, we will be working harder than usual trying to
“stir up public awareness to the abuses American workers still suffer.” “It makes me madder
than hell,” that workers faced mounting pressures to increase production while wages and
benefits fell. Hicks told the reporter, “The Republican conservative wing are going to
continue attacking all worker‟s rights which protect them and their families.”
Hicks concluded with, “Unionship itself is not the answer. It must work in partnership
with business and management.” Jerry Monti was named as the parade marshal for this
year‟s Labor Day Parade. Monti was a IAM Lodge 21 member employed by the Trane
Company. Interviewed by the Tribune Monti told them, “Unions are not trying to take all
they can and give nothing back.” He continued, “We understand that we cannot bleed a
company dry, because that‟s our jobs, if workers outstrip a company‟s resources, they will
have to shut the doors. We are more into working together than the big fights of 20 years
ago.”
Labor Day 1996, “I Just Got Addicted To It”
That‟s what Leonard Roellich told the newspaper reporter about his 65-year streak of
attending Labor Day celebrations in La Crosse as a union electrician and member of IBEW
locals. He had been named as the Parade Marshal for this years‟ Labor Day Parade. Roellich
credited his mentors in the union that trained him while he was learning the trade with
inspiring the union activism he had. “They were very active, dedicated people” he said. “As
we celebrate Labor Day, we should also give thanks to those who came before us and who
strived to improve working conditions and create fair labor laws. Many risked their
livelihoods and often their very life's to ensure that children, who once worked in mines and
factories, could go to school; that laborers could work without risking injury; and that
Americans who toiled throughout the week would be rewarded with a decent living and time
to raise their families. These reformers brought dignity to the workplace and to our society.”
…”workers are the heart and soul of our nation…” Bill Clinton, president, 1997.
Labor Day 1997, Labor Management Programs
Dan Mihalovic and Terry Hicks told the local press that the La Crosse area labor
movement is healthy but facing a few challenges. "We've had a mild rebirth in the local labor
movement," Hicks told the Tribune. Milhalovic and Hicks spoke of Labor/Management joint
efforts at Win-Win and Consensus bargaining. A Guest View article ran in the La Crosse
Tribune, titled, Labor Day honors American Workers. In it the history of the founding of
Labor Day was laid out.
Labor Day 1998, Babe Harnish
Alfred (Babe Harnish) passed away in August. He was a life-long union activist
and even after retiring in 1987 continued to serve as the President of IAM Lodge 1115. The
labor council announced to the press that they were in the process of establishing the "Babe
Harnish Award" which was to be given to those who were found to be outstanding unionists
in the local community.
Labor Day 1999, Heileman's Brewery Closes - Two Parade Marshals
The nearly 500 union jobs lost by the closing of the Heileman Brewery was on the
mind of many of those marching in the Labor Day parade. Pete Szymanski (IAM Lodge 21)
told the press, "I think probably it made people in unions even more enthusiastic to make
sure job security is here." "We roll with the punches and keep up with the positive attitude,:
said Terry Hicks. Kay Shepherd (a member of SEIU Local 150) and her husband Alan
Shepherd of IAM Lodge 21 (retired) were chosen as parade marshals. Old Style and Special
Export beer were on the menu at Labor Fest.
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Labor Day ,2000
The local labor movement lost several hundred jobs when the Heileman Brewery
closed in August, 1999. It was estimated that there were some 10,000 union members in
the Coulee Region, including Monroe and Vernon Counties. President Hicks told the press
that he was disappointed that the La Crosse City Council had rejected a Living Wage
Ordinance this year. He promised that the labor council will continue bringing it up every
year until it passes.
Labor Day 2001, Triple Parade Marshals
Three former La Crosse Footwear Company employees, member of USWA Local 14
were selected to serve as parade marshals. They were husband and wife, Tom and Pat
Taylor and Bev Brower. All three of them had served on the labor council as delegates and
officers during their terms of service. "We chose these three unionists to be parade marshals
because their involvement with the labor council and as a symbol of our deep feelings for the
many hundreds of workers who lost their job at the La Crosse Footwear in the past year" said
president Terry Hicks.
Labor Day 2002, Labor is 100 Years Old
"My pockets are full" said a 4-year old girt at the Labor Day Parade. The parade was
dubbed "The Candy Parade" by some of the parade watchers. Local labor attorney, Jim
Birnbaum was chosen as the parade marshal.
An editorial appeared in the La Crosse Tribune in 2002. It read in part, "Today those
workers in La Crosse will gather for a parade on the North Side and a picnic in Copeland
Park, following the tradition started in the 1880's in New York City. In his Labor Day
message featured on Sunday's Opinion page, Terry Hicks president of the La Crosse AFL-CIO
Council, points out that organized labor seeks jobs that provide a living wage for adequate
health care, housing, food and clothing. That's for the benefit of all of us. That represents
the best of labor."
Guest View ,La Crosse Tribune
Terry Hicks had an opinion piece printed in the September 1, 2002 La Crosse Tribune.
In it he laid out the chronology of the history of the AFL and the AFL-CIO in the local
community. In that piece he noted that organized labor was trying to help the Veteran's in
their petition to stop the renaming of Veteran's Memorial Stadium by the UWL. Hicks noted
that when purchasing an item for labor fest he was asked by the unionized clerk, "what do
my union dues fund, and what good does it do me". He found a receptive ear and a mind
ready to learn the details of the local union movement.
Labor Day 2003, Hicks Walks
The Tribune wrote of Terry Hicks, parade marshal for the 2003 Labor Day Parade, “As
this year‟s parade marshal, longtime labor leader Terry Hicks is entitled to ride in a
convertible when the La Crosse Labor Day parade starts at 10 a.m. Monday at Kane and
Gillette Streets.” Continuing the reporter noted, “But Hicks is breaking with tradition, so he
can keep one of his own. „I always walk in the parade, I‟m still going to do that.”
Interviewing Dan Hanson, executive board member of the Western Wisconsin AFL-
CIO, Dan told the reporter, “Each year, we survey our 30-plus member unions for candidates
for parade marshal, some of the things we look for are longevity in the labor movement and
leadership.” Hanson continued adding, “Terry lives and breathes the labor movement,
certainly that‟s the kind of person you want to step up to the forefront in leading organized
labor. He dedicated a significant part of his life to furthering the labor movement and helping
people understand why unions exist and the benefits they provide.”
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Labor Day 2004, Out From the Background, Stark Named Parade Marshal
“The candy‟s all made in America or Canada. Even if it‟s from Canada it‟s unionmade,”
said Terry Hicks, president of the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO when interviewed prior
to the Labor Day Parade, much to his regret. “I shouldn‟t have ever said that, now everyone
is going around calling our Labor Day Parade, „the candy parade‟.
Labor Editorial by Hicks
Hicks had a piece on Labor Day published in the September 4, issue of the La Crosse
Tribune. In it he wrote, „Today is the only national holiday in this country dedicated solely to
organized labor. The annual Labor Day parade and Labor Fest take place on the North Side
of La Crosse. A few hundred extremely dedicated unionists will march in ranks of solidarity
down the streets, demonstrating appreciation for all that unions have done to improve our
democratic society.‟ In this article Hicks noted the ups and downs that unions and workers
had experienced over the past decade. He spoke of the divisiveness of recent political races
and the split in the AFL-CIO ranks. He ended with, „…the American Labor Movement in
simple fraternal solidarity…must all stand together in the battle for workers needs.‟
Labor Day 2005, Tom O‟Heron Returns to Area for Parade
Tom O'Heron, IAM Lodge 21 was chosen as the parade marshal. He was the Directing
Business Representative for the IAM at the time. He was leaving that post to serve the IAM
International Union in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. He had held the job as D.B.R. since 1996.
The withdrawal of three of the AFL-CIO's Internationals might attract extra attention,
Hicks told the local media. The Teamsters, Service Employees and Food and
Commercial Workers unions had dropped out of the AFL-CIO. Hicks told the press that he
was sending out letters inviting the local unions from these three unions to rejoin the Labor
Council as Solidarity Charter Members. Hicks told the Tribune, "I think that perhaps because
of the extra publicity and the contentious issues that were covered, we might have a rebirth
of interest in Labor Day events."
Labor Day 2006, Larry Klukas Marches into Retirement
Larry Klukas, a longtime labor leader is retiring this December 31 from Trane
Company after 27 years of work there. He has been chosen as this year‟s Labor Day parade
marshal and will spend the holiday marching along with his fellow union members in that
parade. Larry Klukas is a past president of IAM Lodge 1115 as well as past co-chair of the
Mississippi Valley Labor Management Council.
Labor Day 2007 , Bridget Flood Chosen as Parade Marshal
Bridget had been a member of Local 2484since 1990, and was employed La Crosse
County Juvenile Services. Interviewed by the La Crosse Tribune she told the reporter, “Labor
Day is a celebration of people who are the backbone of this country. I cherish how far we
have come.” Bridget also told him “jobs being shipped overseas with little consideration of
how this affects fellow country workers.” Bridget is a trustee and steward for Local 2484,
and has served as its president. She also is secretary of the local labor council. Continuing
she said, “I believe in unions strongly as a social movement to find fair play and respect for
everyone. I like to think I stand up for this in my union involvement.” Flood finished with,
“In my childhood, there was an unwritten contract between bosses and laborers. You gave a
decent day‟s work and got a decent day‟s pay. There is respect in that equation.”
Labor Day 2008 , Labor Liaison Parade Marshal
Dan Hanson, United Way Labor Liaison for the Labor Council was chosen as parade
marshal this year. Dan had been a member of BCT&GM Local 22 since 1971 and served as
president from 1971 to 1988. In that year he began his job with the United Way, a job which
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he continues working today. Dan told the La Crosse Tribune reporter, "I help the unions get
involved in communities in ways that benefit not only the community but also their
memberships." He added, "I am humbled and honored to be named parade marshal. I've
worked with a number of labor leaders over the years and have seen a lot of competent
people picked as parade marshal. It's pretty humbling to be selected by that group."
An inflatable "iron Man" attraction was sponsored by Union Office Solutions and
enjoyed by the many children at Labor Fest. A sack race and tug of war also were added to
the activities this year. Food and beverages were sold to those who gathered in Copeland
Park following the parade.
Labor Day Parade Marshals
1912 John Nack
1922 No Parade
1923 Parade Cancelled
1924 Parade Cancelled
1925 Marshal Morrison
1934 Parade Cancelled
1948 Roy Ahlstrom
1949 Roy Ahlstrom
1950 Roy Ahlstrom
1951 Roy Ahlstrom
1956 William Boma
1965 Parade Cancelled
1973 Jack Rheil
1974 Leonard Affeldt
1975 Patrick Zielke
1977 Russell Cleary
1981 Nic Schroeder
1985 Babe Harnish
1987 Arno Luce
1990 Victor Samb
1991 Ruth Roseman
1992 Jack Rheil
1993 Marilyn Wigdahl
1994 Oscar Miller
1995 Jerry Monti
1996 Leonard Roellich
1997 Dan Mihalovic
1998 Nick Schroeder
1999 Kay and Alan Shepherd
2000 Milt Tyler
2001 Bev Brower, Tom and Pat Taylor
2002 James Birnbaum
2003 Terry Hicks
2004 Dave Stark
2005 Tom O'Heron
2006 Larry Klukas
2007 Bridget Flood
2008 Dan Hanson
2009 Dave Thurston
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Dave Stark and Terry Hicks leading the
parade on Labor Day, 2008
Mary Von Ruden, family and friends working the food
booth at Labor Day

LABOR DAY PARADES CIRCA: 2000-2008
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Chapter Thirteen: La Crosse Mayoral Influence
on Labor
"Today in a America, unions have a secure place in our industrial life. Only a handful
of reactionaries harbor the ugly thought of breaking unions and depriving working
men and women of the right to join the union of their choice. I have no use for
those-regardless of their political party-who hold some vain and foolish dream of
spinning the clock back to the days when organized labor was huddled, almost as a
helpless mass." President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
"There's a direct relationship between the ballot box and the bread box, and what
the union fights for and wins at the bargaining table can be taken away in the
legislative halls". Walter Reuther.
A few of the mayors of La Crosse have made an impact on organized labor
over the years. Frank Powell 1885-1886 and 1893-1897, A. Bentley 1915-1923,
Joseph Verchota 1923-1935 and 1939-1947, Milo Knutson 1953-1965. John
Medinger 1997-2005
1885,– Frank Powell
Dr. Powell, entered the field of politics in 1885 as an independent members of
the “workingmen‟s party.” Powell told the press that he had courted by the local
Republican and Democratic parties but that he had told them he chose to run outside
the „ring.‟ The Democrats ran D. A. McDonald and the Republicans ran Mr. R.A.
Scott. Powell defeated them by a tally of 1,572 for him and 1,327 for McDonald and
799 for Scott. Upon taking office Powell informed the Common
Council of his agenda for his term as Mayor. It was;
1. Absolute Cleanliness of all places within the city, if it can be had.
2. Improvements for all, rich or poor
3. Fairness in taxation
4 Preservation of order and the laws and ordinances of the city
During his first term of office the city of La Crosse granted a franchise to the
Chicago, Burlington and Northern Railroad to construct depots and tracks in the city.
Contracts were also let for the first electric lights for north side streets.
1886, Frank Powell and the People‟s Party
In the spring of 1886 a new political party was formed in La Crosse. It was
called the Workingmen‟s Party and headed by Mayor Powell as he vied for reelection.
Part of the platform of this political party called for the enactment of laws requiring
employers to pay employees weekly in money for their labor of the preceding week.
1886, Fire Burns Down John Paul and C.L. Coleman Sawmills and Lumber
Yards
Mayor Powell had joined the citizens of La Crosse and was battling the sawmill
fires as they broke out on April 6, election day. A light vote was consequently
expected. Hundreds of men were thrown out of work because of the sawmill fire.
After handily winning reelection, Owell proposed putting the unemployed to work on
public improvements. He also sought to limit the use of machines in performing this
work if use of them did not lower costs for the city or put men out of work. He
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spoke in favor of providing the police with uniforms and the purchase of land to
create public parks in the city.
1886 July , Labor Party Convention
In July a group met at the Court House to call a State Convention of the Labor
Party. After some confusion about whether the Convention was to choose a
candidate for Governor. After meeting for a day or two Dr. Powell entered the hall
and spoke saying; I do not desire the nomination for governor; if you will select from
your number a man…competent and a true friend to the laboring man, I will work for
him…give my time, money and influence to his campaign. But if this convention
endorses the nominee of any other party convention, or takes action looking in that
direction, I shall certainly become an independent candidate. My motto is, no
compromise with Republicanism or Democracy.”
1887, Union Labor Party Nominates Dr. George Powell for Mayor
Choosing not to run again, Frank Powell saw his brother attempting to win the
office of mayor. Unfortunately the Democrats and Republicans put together a
„fusion” party ticket and ran against the Union Labor Party‟s candidate. George
Powell was defeated by a ratio of about 2 to 1. In the newspaper the day preceding
the election Dr. Frank Powell said of his brother, “he was an insincere labor man who
was a political opportunist, and I urge people to vote for the fusion ticket.”
1893, Frank Powell
The Morning Chronicle was a colorful newspaper in Frank Powell‟s era. After
being elected mayor in 1893, the paper had this to say about him.
„The Beaver was gnawing the log at his old stand yesterday, and he goes into
the mayor‟s chair once more with a whoop that will sound as familiar as the yell of a
Winnebago Indian.‟ Continuing it said, „With a Democratic Common Council and a
Democrat as President of the Common Council, White Beaver will not need to attend
the meetings any oftener than he did during his former incumbency of the office
which was less than half the time.‟ On the front page of the newspaper under the
vote tallies the newspaper opined, „This Beavermania is a new disease, but we‟re
broke out pretty bad.‟
1893, Frank Powell and the Eight-Hour-Day Campaign in La Crosse
In April of 1893 the Knights of Labor lead by the Grand Labor Council
approached the City Common Council through Alderman Murray and presented this
communication: Whereas, The fundamental principle of organized labor is the
establishment of the eight hour system; be it therefore Resolved, That we the
representatives of organized labor of La Crosse, petition the honorable Mayor and
Common Council of the city of La Crosse to pass an ordinance to the effect that
mechanics and laborers employed by the city shall hereafter work eight hours a day
with the old schedule of wages retained; and be it further Resolved, That we
respectfully petition the honorable body to abolish the contract system on city work,
William Greene, Secretary Grand Labor Council.
Having seen Frank Powell elected as Mayor, the unions felt this was an
opportune time to address this issue. The Council on a motion from Alderman
Murray appointed a committee of five to review the request. Mayor Powell,
Aldermen Murray, Gordon, Lohmiller and Mailer comprised the committee.
Mayor Powell who was walking with the aid of crutches hobbled up to the chair at the
common council meeting of May 5 and convened the meeting. When the order of
business moved to new business, Alderman Gordon brought up the Eight Hour Day
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Question. He gave the committee‟s report, which recommends the abolishment of
the contract system on city jobs. But that an eight-hour ordinance would not be
within the power of the council to pass because it would conflict with the city charter.
The committee also approved of creating the eight-hour day for city
employees. Only three members, Mayor Powell, Alderman Murray and Alderman
Mailer, signed it.
Then the council discussed the matter and several spoke in favor of raising
the workers' wages but keeping the ten-hour day in place. A point was made that if
the men were granted an eight hour day, the teams of horses would have to be put
away after eight hours of work also. Alderman Taylor expressed his fears that if the
ordinance were passed for city employees all the other workers of La Crosse would
catch the fever and ask for an eight-hour day. He worried that the mills and other
branches of trades would ask for it. After much discussion the matter was referred
back to the committee for more consideration. The expected vote on the Eight Hour
Day ordinance did not occur on May 13 when the common council meets next. The
audience consisted of fifty citizens who were thought to be all workingmen. The
committee in charge of reporting on the ordinance did not bring it up on the floor for
action that evening. This marked the end of the efforts of the Knights to win the
eight-hour day for La Crosse workers.
1894, Frank Powell Runs For Governor
Powell was nominated by the Populist Party in July for the post of governor of
Wisconsin. The democrat, Peck received 142,250 votes, the republican Upham
received 196,116 and Frank Powell received 25,604.
1895 Election, „White Beaver‟
Running for reelection in 1895, White Beaver was reelected by a large
majority of the vote. Powell had aligned himself with the working class of the city
and had a large segment of the business men and saloonkeepers opposing him.
Another newspaper stated that Powell was returned to the Mayor‟s office along with
5 populist council members. Powell ran against Joseph Losey and Thomas Dyson.
The working people supported Powell and he won by a large margin. He received
2,346, Losey received 1,477 and Dyson got 1,799.
1897, Streetcar Half-Fares Oust Powell
During his 1895 to 1897 mayoral term an attempt to create an ordinance that
called upon the Streetcar Company to provide half-fare rates to workingmen during
working hours. Mayor Powell opposed the motions to pass it and it proved to be his
undoing. He was thrown out of office by a vote of James McCord 3,475, Murray
2,470, while Powell got 978 votes.
1915, Arthur A. Bentley begins his career as a labor friendly Mayor
On April 6, 1915, the voters of La Crosse elected A. Bentley as their Mayor.
He won by a large margin of the votes cast. Bentley was a merchandise broker at
the time of his election. He had received 3,091 votes to Ori J. Sorenson‟s 1,893, a
winning margin of 1,198 votes out of a total of 4,894 votes cast. This was the
largest margin of victory for a mayoral candidate in a La Crosse election for many
years, according to the local press. In the race for County Supervisor, representing
the 12th Ward, Caspar (Copper) Johnson, a Journeyman Barber employed by
Linker‟s Shop, won election by a margin of 74 votes to 64 votes. Caspar was a
write-in candidate during the primaries and had been entered without his knowledge.
After accepting the candidacy he had went on the defeat his
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opponent, August Lautz. This working union member joined the ranks of workers
serving in City government. The union painters at this time came to terms with the
O.J. Oyen and A.C. Johnson firms at this same time.
Organizer John Rae of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council along with
Painters‟ International Organizer John D. Chubbuck helped arrange the agreements,
which ended a six-day strike. The workers had gained a wage increase of two and a
half cents per hour, which bumped their wages up to a total of forty-two and a half
cents an hour. An additional increase of up to forty-five cents an hour was granted
for 1916.
In this same election Judge Edward Cronon was defeated by Clinton Hunt by
277 votes. Cronon was defeated due to Labor who campaigned for Hunt. Judge
Cronon had levied higher fines against several locked out Rubber Mills workers than
he did for non-union men. Later this decision was changed and similar fines
assessed. Resentment of Judge Cronon however did not subside.
Bentley Reelected Handily in 1917
In the 1917 election Bentley and Hunt won handily over their opponents. Ori
Sorensen ran for County Supervisor in the 14th Ward and was defeated by Joseph
Schubert 164 to Sorenen‟s 109. In the 1917 City election, the voters returned Mayor
Bentley to City Hall and also elected union activist J.J. Vechota to the City Council.
Vechota was a member of Tailors‟ Local 66. He was elected to represent the 3rd
Ward. He beat J.C. Houska by a vote of 168 to 147. The Journeyman Barber,
Caspar Johnson was reelected by a vote of 79 to 39 against his opponent, A.H.
Schubert and returned to serve the 12th Ward of the City. La Crosse Trades and
Labor Council President, Reuben Knutson tried to win a seat on the County Board as
a County Supervisor but was defeated in a very close election by a vote of 77 to 75
against his opponent, W.L. Sheldon.
1919 , Bentley Again
In the 1919 election Bentley won by almost a thousand votes and Reuben
Knutson, the organized for the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council won a seat on the
city council, representing the 13th Ward. He defeated Henry Niebuhr by a vote of
128 to 69.
Several labor leaders were seated in local government following the 1921
election. Mayor Bentley was by a narrow margin of only 214 votes. 3rd Ward,
Joseph Verchota;16th Ward, Leonard Killian.
Arthur Bentley died on November 13, 1935. His political strength came from
the working man of the city. The heaviest vote tallies he received of any ward were
those with many workmen residing in them. Prior to being elected Mayor, Bentley
operated a photography shop on the North side of La Crosse and later was a partner
in a grocery business on La Crosse‟s Southside.
1921, Bentley Riles the Unions During his Campaign
In the 1921 mayoral race things got a bit ugly. While Bentley did go on to
win by a slim margin of 214 votes out of the 10,670 cast, he did not do so
unscathed. Letters relating to the Local Chamber of Commerce played a role in this
turmoil. Mayor Bentley had sent a letter to the Chamber Committee in charge of
hiring a new secretary asking for the job. This was outed in the newspaper just a
few hours before the election and it drew immediate attention from union workers.
H.T. Grace (a switchman) and W.E. Hanson (an organized railroad worker)
penned an immediate response which was also reprinted in the newspaper. In their
letter they charged Mayor Bentley with saying one thing to workers in his campaign
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literature and something entirely different when he wrote to the Local Chamber. He
was charged with being pro-owner and anti-worker by the two railroad workers.
In part they wrote, "When the great army of workers go to the polls Tuesday
they are going there with the fact in mind that you secretly tried to hire out to the
board of directors of the C. of C. to take Jim Kinsloe's place, and that to further you
chances you promised "closer co-operations" between the C. of C. (the invisible
government) and "city officials", meaning yourself. You may flood the city with lasthour
scare-heads which no man will have a chance to answer before election but you
can't' wipe out these deadly facts. You are unmasked!"
Unions did play a role in this election, but, women voters are thought to have
carried the election for Bentley with their votes. Bentley had won by 1,000 votes in
the previous election.
1935, Arthur Bentley Dies
Arthur Bentley spent six weeks in a hospital in Clinton, Iowa as a patient in
1935 before passing away on November 14. Born in Eden Valley, Minnesota, Bentley
moved to La Crosse and operated a photograph gallery in the 1200 block of
Caledonia Street for a number of years. Then he moved to the South Side and
operated a grocery brokerage business with Adolph Lindsey at 120 Main Street. The
newspaper said of Bentley, “Mr. Bentley‟s political strength came largely from the
working men and in every election his heaviest vote was in wards largely populated
by them.” During Bentley‟s time as Mayor, permanent street pavement was laid,
sewer and water lines laid and public school buildings were constructed. Shortly
after being elected to office, Bentley started a newspaper named The Weekly
Review. He ceased publication of this newspaper when he moved to Fullerton,
Illinois after losing to Joseph Verchota in the 1923 election.
1923, Joseph Verchota threw his hat into the ring
On April 2nd he was giving a campaign speech in the evening at Union Hall on
La Crosse‟s North side. He was running against Arthur Bentley who was giving a
speech the same night at Concordia Hall on the Southside. At Concordia Hall Bentley
said that he had been friendly to organized labor during his eight years in office, and
that one of the biggest issues in the campaign at present is whether the union men
of the city are going to appreciate his years of service enough to reelect him.
Mayor Bentley said that he had appointed Fred Hartwell and Harry Taggert to
the police and fire commission because a secret of the Trades and Labor Council
showed them to be the choice of that body. He refuted the claim put out by Joseph
Verchota that he had lobbied in Madison in favor of the Titus Bill which would have
lower the working age limit for children, as asserted in a flyer distributed by
Verchota forces.
At Union Hall Verchota had this to say, “…there is one other thing I want to
tell you. A certified copy of the proceedings of a legislative committee shows that on
February 7, 1923, Mayor Bentley of La Crosse and H. Michler of Fond du Lac
appeared before the committee in favor of the Titus Bill. No. 60-S. The first of a
series of bills designed as opening wedges to permit the indiscriminate employment
of children of tender years in Wisconsin.” Harry Taggert urged the people to vote for
Mr. Verchota who, “besides being a friend of labor was a laboring man himself.”
After the dust settled, Joseph Verchota won by a margin of only 287 votes.
At his tailoring shop Wednesday morning the mayor elect found time to thank the
public for the support they gave him. “I want to say that when I take the chair I will
endeavor at all times to be fair to all citizens of the city and be ready to serve them
as their public official. There will be fairness and justice to all.”
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1925, Election
In the 1925 election there
were no opponents for the office of
mayor so Mayor Verchota was
reelected with 6,305 votes
anyway. In this election the
Tribune reported that a Mr.
Leonard Frey, of 226 South 10th
Street is believed to hold the
record for the number of times any
citizen of La Crosse has voted in
elections. His first vote was for
Abraham Lincoln. His latest vote
was for his alderman Harry
Newburg and was his 68th vote.
1927, Almost Too Close
William Torrance lost out to
Joseph Verchota by only 151 votes
in 1927. Torrance's bid for
election was done by write-in
ballots. Surprisingly, he won the 3
of the 6 North wards, a stronghold
of labor. Pundits had
assumed that the railroad and
other organized labor voters would
support Verchota strongly. But,
with the labor vote in the other 3
north side wards and the support
he received from the Southern end
of town, Verchota was carried back
to office.
1929, Voters Clean House
Joseph Verchota‟s three terms as Mayor came to an end in this election. The
voters did not return any incumbents to office in city hall. After the election,
Verchota and Langdon met and shook hands in the executive chambers of city hall.
“We will continue to be friends,” said Langdon. Followed by Verchota who said, “I
will cooperate as far as possible with the new mayor, that he may be successful in
his term in office. I wish him all the success and luck possible.”
1931, Sees the Return of Mayor Verchota
In what was deemed one of the quietest Mayoral campaigns in the city‟s
history Joseph Verchota defeated Mayor John Langdon by 334 votes. During the last
week of the race, Verchota and Langdon discussed city issues in the press and on the
radio.
A Message from Joseph Verchota, April 4, 1931
Dear Friend, read a handout of a campaign piece (see facsimile on preceding
page) authored by Verchota for the 1931 race. In this piece he tells the reader,
"While toilers and merchants suffer, Mayor Landon sits idly by in his office in the city
hall “Twiddles his thumbs and does nothing. For all the good he is doing the
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unemployed, he might just as well be in Egypt." Taking a shot at Mayor Langdon,
Verchota wrote," I am opposed to petty bossism in our city hall, and the senseless
arrests and annoyances of so many of our good citizens for minor and unintentional
infractions of the law. I believe the Mayor should be a servant of the people and not
a boss."
1933, Beer and Vechota Chosen by Voters
An extra Edition of La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press was printed following
this election. Wisconsin voters passed a referendum by a 4 to 1 margin to repeal
prohibition in this election. In extremely large type, the Tribune declared Verchota‟s
election over John Langdon by a majority of 1,500 votes. The telephone was used in
this election by both the candidates to get out the vote.
1935, C.A. Boerne Elected Mayor
Losing the wards that had previously voted for him, Joseph Verchota lost to
C.A. Boerne by 2,236 votes. Boerne was a local druggist and businessman in
La Crosse.
1939 , „Stop the Spending Spree”
After a six-year retirement, Joseph Verchota was again elected mayor. In
this race he campaigned under a stop the spending theme. After his election
Verchota released a statement to the press, it read in part; „The wonderful vote cast
yesterday carries with it a great honor of which I am deeply appreciative, and a very,
very, grave responsibility.‟ His statement thanked his opponent for running a clean
race. He also wrote; „I believe La Crosse to be on the way to great things and with
all of us pulling together we can hasten the trip and make certain the objective.‟
Milo Knutson (1955-1965) and Labor
Milo Knutson came to La Crosse in 1947 and became a news broadcaster.
Before coming to La Crosse Knutson had never held an elective office. But, he threw
his hat into the ring in 1955 and won the office of Mayor of La Crosse and held on to
it until 1965. His was a politically conservative administration. During the campaign
to win the Mayor‟s office in 1955 Knutson painted himself as a supporter of the
working man and his causes. But, in the last eight years of his term of office
unemployment in La Crosse was 30% higher than that of the rest of the state of
Wisconsin.
Wisconsin La Crosse
Unemployment Rates Unemployment Rates
1958 5.1 10.1
1959 3.2 8.9
1960 3.9 8.5
1961 5.0 7.2
1962 3.9 6.3
1963 3.8 6.1
1964 3.5 5.7
1965 3.0 5.0
Milo Knutson then presided over the worst unemployment rates since the
great depression in his capacity as Mayor of the city during his tenure. It would be
fair to rate his time in office as a failure. In every dispute between labor and
management during Knutson‟s term he interjected himself into the confrontations
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siding with business and management every time. He stated that “he would
intervene in any strike whether he was invited to intervene or not.” He involved
himself in the 1961 Trane strike and said during it, “a small handful of arrogant labor
leaders under outside influence have done harm to this community, and the working
people they were supposed to protect in their jobs.” During a television appearance
on October 19, 1961 Knutson told the viewing audience that, “it can‟t happen here,”
reminding union members of the loss of the La Crosse Auto-Lite plant. He urged the
union to play it safe by accepting less because La Crosse needed industrial peace
more than union members needed a 10% an hour raise.
Then on October 23, Mayor Knutson returned to television and reminded the
public of the strike votes taken by the unions of Allis Chalmers and the Rubber Mills
that had just occurred. He stated that if strikes happened at either Allis Chalmers or
the Rubber Mills that combined with the Trane strike would make getting any new
industries into La Crosse an impossibility. He told the union members that they
owed a debt to the community and should settle the strike. Blue-collar resentment
of the policies and actions of Mayor Knutson still exist to this day, by retired Trane
workers and their descendents along with many other workers.
1955, Election
Milo G. Knutson was elected Mayor in 1955 by a vote of 8,099 out of 16,441,
he was helped in the election due to his local notoriety on WKTY Radio and the fact
that there were six other candidates for the post of Mayor. In his 1955 campaign
Knutson advocated construction of the Market Square parking ramp, changing the
municipal government from a mayoral-aldermanic type, to a city manager form and
the construction of a new viaduct overt the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks on
George Street. He also declared himself in favor of reduced electric rates and more
efficiency in the police department.
1957, Election
Milo Knutson was overwhelmingly reelected by a vote of 11,488 out of a total
of 16,123 cast. In this election the matter of establishing Daylight Savings Time was
on the ballot and it passed by a vote of 515 to 199.
1959, Election
Again reelected by a large margin, Knutson received 11,228 votes to his
opponent‟s 4,518. The defeated candidate for Mayor, Alf Hansen had this to say of
his defeat. “His ideals are the ones the majority of the voters evidently prefer. If
that is the case, his ideals are what they should get.”
1963, Editorial on Knutson by Tribune
A week before the 1963 Spring election the Tribune ran a scathing editorial on
Mayor Milo Knutson. It quoted Knutson‟s 1955 campaign speech noting, “Fellow
Citizens, there is only one issue. Our present form of municipal government is
unwieldy, inefficient, unpredictable and costly. For years every word of humiliating
publicity La Crosse has ever suffered state and nationwide can be laid at the
doorstep of City Hall…Our present form of government is hopelessly in a rut-and
each year it sinks deeper into the mire of its own confusion…Let‟s break with the
past, Let‟s reorganize, Let‟s have a government of competence and effectiveness. Of
all the candidates, I stand alone for the reorganization of city government.”
After taking the Oath of office as Mayor, Knutson said, “The electorate have
been promised an opportunity to participate in a study of government reorganization
preceding a referendum on the matter, and I will fulfill that promise. And while I
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personally favor the city manager form, I will see that each form is considered upon
its merits.”
Nineteen months later at the November 13, 1956 Common Council Meeting
three Knutson vetoes were addressed. Resolutions offering the City Attorney tenure,
Creating a Commissioner of Public Works and making the Mayor a full-time job were
all vetoed by the Mayor, despite his promise of reorganizing City government. The
Common Council failed to override and of the three vetoes. In the Spring of 1959
the Common Council voted to put an advisory referendum on the ballot and Knutson
vetoed it saying that an advisory ballot was invalid. Again, the Council failed to
override his veto. The newspaper questioned publicly why the Mayor that ran on
changes in city government consistently resisted any such changes?
1963, Election
The bid for his 5th term for office saw a record turnout of voters in a Spring
Election up to that time by La Crosse Citizens. Knutson had a close election winning
by a margin of 1,880 over Warren Loveland his opponent. In this election, Knutson
lost five of the six north side wards.
Knutson Elected to State Senate in 1969
He had previously run for Governor in 1964 and had lost to Warren Knowles
and had been defeated. In 1969 he ran for and was elected to the Wisconsin Senate
and served 8 years as the 32nd Senate District‟s representative. Ill health forced his
to retire in 1976. He had suffered a stroke while in office and had difficulty speaking
clearly. In his race against Knowles, Knutson said, “I am not the least bit reluctant
to admit that Knowles knows more about the nuts and bolts of state government.
But what good does it do if you have nuts and bolts knowledge if you haven‟t got the
guts to turn the wrench when tightening down is obviously of the first importance.”
Knutson died on March 22, 1981 at the age of 63.
John Medinger, Progressive Politician and Labor Supporter
John Medinger served as an assemblyman for the 95th District of Wisconsin
from 1976 to 1991. He then worked as U.S. Senator Russ Feingold‟s La Crosse
representative from 1992 until 1997.
1997 – Mayor Patrick Zielke Retires, John Medinger Elected
In his first bid for the Mayoral seat, Medinger faces Dan Herber, a city
councilman from the north side‟s 1st District. Herber ran a campaign based largely
on being an environmentalist and stated publicly that he opposed the North-South
Corridor road project that was being discussed in the community at that time.
Medinger did not come out against the road project and handily defeated Herber by a
nearly 2 to 1 margin. He took office four months before his father, Don Medinger
died. Don Medinger had served as a City Council member from 1963 until 1995.
Don Medinger was a former member of UAW Local .
Bernie Maney and Doug Farmer tied in a vote by Council members to choose
a Council President and Mayor Medinger decided the vote by a coin toss. Farmer
won and Medinger. That decision to flip a coin would haunt Mayor Medinger for
years to come. Speaking about the tenor of his first term as Mayor, Medinger said in
a 2004 Tribune interview, “I‟d never served as an executive. It was a stunning
contrast. Clearly the buck stops here. I remember the first day or two, when I told
department heads they ought to do something, they did it. That never happens in
the legislative arena. It was amazing that people listened and did what I asked. But
I was aware of the awesome responsibility.”
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John Medinger‟s campaign promises were; to revitalize the city‟s troubled
neighborhoods, bring more decent-paying jobs to the city, and forge agreements
with the city‟s neighbors. Medinger negotiated a boundary agreement with the town
of Campbell. He also expanded city transit service to Onalaska and La Crescent.
Prior to his election as Mayor in 1997 Medinger was criticized by some in the
business community because of his 98% AFL-CIO voting record while in the state
assembly. However he was praised publicly by Terry Hicks, president of the local
AFL-CIO for it. One of the economic measures Medinger accomplished was the
creation of a Blue-Ribbon Committee on Economic Development.
In 1997, the labor council met with the Mayor in his offices in City Hall and
proposed to him a Living Wage Ordinance for La Crosse, Medinger supported such a
request and the process began to enact one.
2001
In 2001 Mayor Medinger faced an opponent from the City Council, Gerald
Every. They were at loggerheads with each other and had had heated exchanges
during Medinger's first term of office. Past Mayor, Patrick Zielke was once again
trying to influence City affairs as he was openly backing Every in his challenge to
Medinger.
Every charged Medinger with being a fence-sitter who tests the political wind
before every decision. Every told the media that he was not a fence sitter and that
he would hold down taxes for the citizens of La Crosse. Medinger told the media, "I
really believe the power does reside in the people. I was criticized for creating
committees, but I do desire a lot of citizen involvement, with my predecessor people
believed it was an inside game."
The people spoke and agreed with Medinger as he won in a landslide vote.
He got 7,603 votes to Every's 3,244. Power to the people in action.
In 2003 the Living Wage Ordinance was back in committee and moving
through the city processes.
2005
The Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO had supported John Medinger in all of his
election bids for the position of Mayor of La Crosse. The Labor Council approached
Mayor Medinger and explained its desire to create a minimum wage ordinance for the
City of La Crosse. They provided him with legislative examples and text from several
cities that had such ordinances on the books and asked him to proceed. He informed
them that he would have the City Attorney look into the issue and report back to him
the language such an ordinance might take. The Labor Council envisioned an
ordinance that addressed wages only.
A city minimum wage was passed in April of 2005 but a change in
state law caused it to be repealed in June when a new minimum wage law went into
effect.
2009
City Council members, Dorothy Leonard and Matt Harter ran for Mayor in a
hotly contested race. Leonard lost to the more conservative Harter. The union
movement awaits future Mayoral activity to judge whether or not the current Mayor
is blue collar friendly or not.
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Chapter Fourteen: Fallen Workers
Killed or died on the Job
Sadly, many men and women have left
for work and not returned at the end of the
work shift. Workers from different craft and
trades, and those providing different services
and duties have suffered deaths from workplace
hazards. Explosions, shooting, collisions, falls,
crushing‟s, and many other causes of death
have taken the lives of many workers in the
Coulee Region.
The issue of worker safety and health
lead to the creation of the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration in 1970. President
Richard Nixon signed into law a bill creating
OSHA on April 28, 1970. In 1989, the AFL-CIO
created the workers‟ event known as Workers
Memorial Day. It is observed in nearly one
hundred countries on April 28. Since 1996
Workers Memorial Day April 28 has been
recognized as an International commemoration
day. Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada,
Dominican Republic, Panama, Peru, Portugal,
Spain and Taiwan have declared April 28 as a
day of national observation.
Establishment of Workers Memorial Day
Event in La Crosse
The La Crosse AFL-CIO began commemorating the day in 1991. Wayne
Ellefson, president of the La Crosse AFL-CIO conducted the first local observation of
Workers Memorial Day near the site of the current Workers Memorial Day
monument. A green
space facing the North
end of the La Crosse Ice
Hockey Rink was the site
chosen. This is located
near the intersection of
7th and Cook Streets, in
La Crosse. A sign at that
intersection notes the
Green Island Hockey Rink
and Labors Grove. He
spoke to about 30 people
that year. A granite
marker was placed in the
ground which read,
LABOR'S GROVE THIS IS A
LIVING DEDICATION TO ALL
WHO HAVE LOST THEIR
Twenty people attended the 1991 founding of Labor's Grove
LIVES IN THE PERFORMANCE
OF THEIR JOBS.
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Bronze dedication plaque, cast by members of
GMP Local 257B.

In 1992 trees were planted in memory of fallen workers at this site. 1993 saw
a flagpole installed in the same spot.
For the years 1993-1998 speaking programs were held by the presidents of
the central labor council. President Terry L. Hicks presented a plan to the city of La
Crosse and the Labor Council to begin collecting funds for the creation of a building
with appropriate signage for Workers Memorial Day in 1998.
By the time of the April 28, 2000 event, a building was constructed and was
complete except for the roof and interior brick column. The marble marker with the
inscription Labors Grove was moved along with the flag pole to the site of the new
building. This spot was just west of the original spot. The city of La Crosse along
with unions and union employers worked together to fill, compact, and lay concrete
and sidewalks and steel benches in preparation of the monument.
Dedication Ceremony
In 2000, on April
29 at 11 a.m., the
monument was
dedicated with
Alderman Bernie
Maney, Mayor John
Medinger and La Crosse
AFL-CIO president
serving as masters of
ceremonies for the day.
A large bronze plaque
was unveiled, it listed
Workers Memorial Monument, donated to the City of La Crosse by the La Crosse AFLall
the union, business
CIO in 2000. Built with volunteer Union labor and donations from many local sources
and individuals whose
contribution‟s of time, money and labor made the monument a reality.
The City Council passed a Resolution in March of 2000 which read, "BE IT
RESOLVED by the Common Council, City of La Crosse, that is hereby appropriates up
to the sum of Two Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($2,400) from the contingency
fund for the acquisition of a two foot by three foot bronze plaque to acknowledge the
contributions by the various labor organizations who donated labor, material and
funds for the Workers' Memorial polygon on Green Island Park."
The committee that recommended the passage of this resolution were; Phil
Addis, Bernie Maney, Steve Taylor, David Morrison, Gerald Every and Robert Larkin.
Program for Dedication
Introduction by President Terry L. Hicks
Presentation of the colors by American Legion Post 417
Invocation and prayer by Reverend Ted DeWald
Dedication by Terry L. Hicks, Mayor John D. Medinger, La Crosse Building and Trades
President Jerry Jensen, and City Council President Bernie Maney
Speakers:
Tom O‟Heron, IAM District 66
John D. Medinger, Mayor
Terry McGowan, Vice President IUOE Local 139
Bernard Maney, Councilman District 13
Marilyn Wigdahl, Local 1449
Martin Beil, Executive Director AFSCME Council 24
Mike Gostomski, CEO Winona Heating and Ventilating Company
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Loren Kannenberg, for Congressman Ron Kind
Jerry Jensen, La Crosse Building and Trades
Mark Meyer, Wisconsin Assemblyman District 95
Brian Rude, Wisconsin Senator District 32
Acceptance of a flag provided by U.S. Senator Russ Feingold
Poem Reading by Mike Baird, IAM Lodge 21
Honored Fallen Workers Cross Ceremony by Boy Scout Troop 24
Salute the Dead by American Legion Post 417
Amazing Grace performed on the bagpipe by Sandra Goetgzman
Closing remarks by Terry L. Hicks
A complimentary luncheon hosted by La Crosse AFL-CIO Council, was served
under a tent, a practice that continues.
Honor Earned
by Mike Baird
Here we stand to honor our dead
To remember them as these words are read
To give that honor that they have earned
These men and women who gave their all
And answered God‟s hallow call
And even though we are apart
They live on in our minds and heart
So, bow your head and let us pray
God Bless them all on this day
By 2001 the roof was finished and bronze plaques were now installed on the
interior brick column. By this time a light lunch was being served to those gathered
for the speaking programs and a tent erected to hold the chairs and tables that were
set up for those attending the ceremony.
Volunteers Build the Monument
Some of the men and women (and children) that donated time and labor to
build the Workers Memorial Monument include the following; Jim Williams and his
father and son, Brian Gentry and members of
Carpenters Local 1143, members of
Bricklayers, Local WI 1, members of Laborers
Local 140, Gary Hill and members of
Operating Engineers Local 139, Tom Lee and
members of Iron Workers Local 383, Tom and
Pat Taylor, Tom and Sue Rose, Terry, Mary,
Amy and Terry P. Hicks. Brendan McGovern,
Jerry Monti and son, Dan Hanson, Tom
Carroll, Tom O'Heron, Brian Inglett, Kathy
Hanratty and Bev and Jim Brower and others
who remain unnamed in this paragraph.
Some union employers made generous
donations of either materials or paid for some
of their employees to work on the
construction of the monument, they include; Winona Heating and Ventilating who
donated the steel roof and sheet metal workers' labor, Fowler and Hammer who
donated bricks and blocks and mortar. D and S Electric and Padesky Electric for the
donation of supplies and equipment. The City of La Crosse for financial and labor
support for either the land fill or bronze marker that were part of the project. Tri
337

State Monument for limestone used in the wall of the monument with inscriptions
sandblasted into their faces, River City Ready Mix for discounted concrete and the
Mechanical Contractors Association of North East, Wisconsin for financial assistance.
Mementos Given To Fallen Workers Families
In 2002, family members of the fallen workers who attended the ceremony
were presented with a certificate on which the workers name was printed and a silk
rose as a memento of the day. As each name was read and the family member
came forward to accept the souvenirs, a white wooden cross with the fallen worker‟s
name on it was placed into the ground in front of the monument.
In 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 the Labor Council ran programs
including memorializing each fallen worker by placing an American flag draped white
wooden cross into the ground facing the monument during each ceremony.
President Terry L. Hicks, IAM Directing Business Representatives, Tom
O‟Heron and Rick Mickschl, and many members of the labor council were speakers or
involved in the ceremony over the course of this period of years.
Aided by many of the women delegates of the council and the Women‟s
Committee of the IAM District Lodge, food and beverages were offered to the guest
and general public following the conclusion of each day‟s ceremony.
Deaths and Injuries of Workers Nothing New
Railroad workers‟ faced many hardships in the early years of operation of
services in La Crosse. On July 25, 1910, Rudolph Brinkman of the North side was
working as an assistant to the pipe and air inspector at the Roundhouse. At 3:30 in
the morning, he was in the turn table house with Ralph Taylor who assists operating
the turn table, when a large engine in one of the stalls started moving. Taylor made
his escape from the rolling locomotive by leaping out of a window, but the engine
struck the little house smashing it to bits with Brinkman inside. Brinkman was
uncovered and brought outside and it was discovered he had suffered burns on his
face from acid that had leaked out of the batteries used in the gasoline engine that
turned the turn table. His eyes were badly injured and the doctor on duty worried
that he would not be able to save the boy‟s sight.
In a copy of the La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press of 1930 on front page is
the story of the death of a plumber. He was Patrick O‟Connell of Avon Street. He
died when the hole in which he was working collapsed. He was about eight feet
down when the cave in happened. His head was left exposed by the intense
pressure of the water soaked sand was too much to bear.
A squad of firemen applied a pulmotor but it was no use. O‟Connell was an
employee of the Marquardt Manning company. A fellow plumber, Edward Ogen also
had recently suffered a cave in while on the job. He, however after five hours was
saved after being buried in twenty feet of sand. O‟Connell was unmarried.
2009 Saw a Shorter Program
The labor council held an abbreviated ceremony this year. Mayor Matt Harter
was invited and gave a short, but well crafted commentary. Loren Kannenburg was
on hand representing Congressman Ron Kind and stated publicly the Congressman's
support of the Employee Free Choice Act, currently pending in Congress. Hicks
thanked him publicly for his pro-labor stance on this issue and asked Kannenburg to
rely that public gratitude to Congressman Kind.
The Fallen Workers - Bronze Markers
Originally, four bronze markers were installed on the Workers Memorial Day
Monument. One large bronze, on the West face of the wall notes the date of
338

dedication, those in office in Labor and local government at the time and the donors
for the project. Three plaques installed on the walls listed
Bronze Plaque One
Date of Death Worker Union
1960 Howard Kreutzer IAMAW Lodge 21
1963 Vernon Sorenson IAMAW Lodge 21
1981 David D. Wapp IAMAW Lodge 21
1998 Jim Wilson IAMAW Lodge 173
1986 Leroy Summerfield IAMAW Lodge 1771
1990 Dan Bernett IAMAW Lodge 1771
1990 Earl Wallace IAMAW Lodge 1771
1999 Susan Wagner IAMAW Lodge 1771
1973 John Woodhouse Iron Workers Local 383
1982 Donald Ewing Iron Workers Local 383
1985 James Peters Iron Workers Local 383
2000 Tracy L. Roth Iron Workers Local 383
1982 Billy Fisher Heat and Frost Local 19
1983 Harris (Junior) George IUOE Local 139
Bronze Plaque Two
Date of Death Worker Union
1969 Martin (Marty) J. Langen IBEW Local 135
1970 Ervin G. Friet IBEW Local 135
2000 Bryan (Terry) Ruegg IBEW Local 14
1988 Larry Snell IBEW Local 953
1973 Phillip Soper IBT Local 1081
1994 Daniel R. Mueller IBT Local 1081
1987 Scott Johnson IBT Local 1081
1991 Joey Grosch IBT Local 1081
1974 Frederick Tauscher Carpenters Local 1143
1979 Ronald E. Hall Laborers Local 140
1987 Paul Schreier Laborers Local 140
1988 Merle Welch Laborers Local 140
2000 Donald P. Koltermann Laborers Local 140
1998 John (Bozo) R. Eastman BMWE Local 509
1997 Mark H. Bantley BMWE Local 1965/509
1990 Samuel Jiardina UTU Division 311
Bronze Plaque Three
Date of Death Worker Union
1957 James W. Mc Cormick Sr. IAFF Local 127
1964 Edward V. Sciborski IAFF Local 127
1997 Donald Asselin IAFF Local 127
1972 Donald C. Pederson AFSCME Local 55
1980 Gary G. Powless AFSCME Local 55
1989 Deborah McMenamin AFSCME Local 55
1993 William Schoenberger AFSCME Local 55
1993 Wayne D. Schroeder AFSCME Local 227
2000 Theodore Foss MN ST HWY PATROL
2000 Jennifer Marks CRUE-TEA
2000 Debra Jensen CRUE-TEA
1979 Robert W. Ebner Sr. NALC Branch 59
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1977 Roger O. Burr USWA Local 14L
1976 Edwin F. Bouzek
1989 William Grams
1983 Leonard Taylor IBEW Local 135
Bronze Plaque Four
Date of Death Worker Union
1973 Glen Pergande Sr. AFSCME Local 2470
1995 Gary Kramer AFSCME Local 2470
1975 Orlando Johnson IBEW Local 135 (953)
2001 Larry Krautbauer IBEW Local 14
1926 Michael La Fleur IBT Local 199 (695)
1977 Paul Sebranek IBT Local 199 (695)
2003 Tony Poterala Iron Workers Local 383
1963 Donald Hildahl UA Local 31 (434)
1965 Royal Mc Ginnis Carpenters Local 1143
1996 Earl Kaufmann BMWE Local 509
1993 Harley Berg BCT&GM Local 22
1982 Paul Lassig (Son of BCT&GM Member)
Bronze Plaque Five
Date of Death Worker Union
1980 Sidney Wall AFT Local 3605
1988 James Nofsinger OP ENG Local 139
2004 William (Bill) Kroner IBEW Local 14
2005 Scott Christie OP ENG Local 139
2005 Larry Humfeld
2006 Rick Check OP ENG Local 139
340

WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY PHOTOS CIRCA: 2000-2008
341

Fallen Workers, Individual Information
Howard Kreutzer, IAM Lodge 21, died on the job and the local nerwspaper
headline read; Compressor Explodes in Factory, Kills Local Man, read the headline in
the May 12, 1960 La Crosse Tribune newspaper. Howard Kreutzer, ages 29 years,
was killed in the explosion. While testing a refrigerator compressor with 22 pounds
of head pressure at Plant 6 on St. Andrew Street, the top of the compressor blew off
and hit Kreutzer in the face. The metal piece fragmented into several pieces piercing
the ceiling and nearly injuring another Trane worker who fortunately was shielded by
a post. This was the first industrial accident death in the 47 year history of Trane
Company at the time. Delbert Cooper was hit by flying fragments and suffered
shock and a scratch on his arm. Turon Snyder also experienced shock and cuts from
the same debris. Fragments from the explosion punctured holes in the ceiling of the
factory. Kreutzer's death was the first factory accidental death in the history of
Trane Company. Company president Donald Minard said, “It is difficult to
understand how the accident could have happened.” 318
Vernon Sorenson, IAM Lodge 21, was electrocuted while working at the Trane
Company.
David Wapp, IAM Lodge 21 was working as a welder in Trane Plant 6 at 1319 St.
Andrew Street on June 22, 1981 when an explosion killed him. He had been
repairing a compressor when the accident occurred. Trane Company foreman,
Richard Goldsmith told police that David Wapp was checking the compressor for
possible leaks at about 7 a.m. when the explosion happened. A strong odor of gas
was detected when other employees rushed to Wapp‟s aid and the building was
evacuated. Compressed gas is put into the compressors to test for leaks and is to be
removed before attempting any repairs if leaks are discovered, it was conjectured
that some gas remained in the compressor when Wapp attempted to repair it. Plant
6 employed 187 persons during the first shift at the time of this accident. David
Wapp was only 26 years old at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife
and a son and daughter. He was buried in the French Island Cemetery.
Jim Wilson, IAM Lodge 173, was a member of IAM Lodge 173 of Eau Claire at a
trucking firm at the time of his death.
Leroy Summerfield, IAM Lodge 1771, 58 years old of Sparta, Wisconsin died
from a skull fracture that he suffered after a fall at work. He had been repairing
equipment above the ceiling at the Northern Engraving plant in Sparta when he fell
through the ceiling. He was an electrician and a 20-year Navy Veteran. He was
survived by a wife and his children.
Dale Burnett, IAM Lodge 1771, was killed by a co-worker while working at his job
with Northern Engraving in Sparta, Wisconsin. His killer was Earl (Sam) Wallace who
told others he had heard voices warning him that Burnett was out to get him. He
was shot from behind with a sawed-off shotgun. Wallace then killed himself with the
same weapon. Burnett and Wallace were press operators. They had been employed
by Northern Engraving for over 23 years. Dale Burnett was a decorated veteran of
the Viet Nam war, having received a purple heart from his service there while a
member of the First Air Calvary, U.S. Army. He was survived by his wife and a son.
318 La Crosse Tribune, May 12, 1960
342

Earl Wallace, IAM Lodge 1771, shot and killed himself and a fellow worker in a
murder-suicide attack at the Sparta Northern Engraving Company. He was a
recovering alcoholic and was feuding with a co-worker for some time, prior to the
incident. He thought Bernett was following him around with a camera trying to help
put him in prison because of a pending charge he was facing in Monroe County court.
He had previously been convicted of making harassing phone calls to Burnett and
had been fined for doing so.
Susan Wagner, IAM Lodge 1771, died in Wisconsin while working as a member of
Lodge 1771. Name was submitted by her local.
John Woodhouse, Iron Workers Local 383, was killed when he fell from an iron
beam while working on the new Mississippi River bridge in Prairie Du Chien. He
apparently lost his balance and fell about 35 feet, landing on a barge. The accident
happened on the Wisconsin side of the river. Woodhouse was an apprentice iron
worker and had been on the bridge job only two days. He was survived by his wife;
he was only 25 years old at the time of his death.
Donald Ewing, Iron Workers Local 383, was killed on May 8, 1991 while working
on a building in Madison, Wisconsin. He was a retired member of Local 383 and died
from a fall while on the job.
James Peters, Iron Workers Local 383, died on May 6, 1999 while doing
demolition work at the Waupaca, Wisconsin Foundry. He fell 60 feet and was killed
on impact.
Tracy L. Roth, Iron Workers Local 383, was killed while working on a crane he
was assembling on the campus of the University of Milwaukee. A dormitory was
being built on the site. He was struck by the “queen‟s post” portion of the crane
while assembling it. This section was to have extended the crane an additional 15
feet. He died from blunt force trauma. Rescuers had to climb the 220 feet tall crane
to get to Roth who was lying on the crane platform. He died before he could be
lowered to the ground.
Billy Fisher, Iron Workers Local 825, was employed by the River Steel Company
as a forklift operator. On July 17, 1982 he was driving a forklift when it became
stuck in some sand on the French Island steel plant. Fisher sought help from
another forklift operator and was crushed while attempting to hook up a chain
between the two forklifts. He died an hour or two after the accident at Lutheran
Hospital. He as 28 years old and was buried in the Prospect Hill Cemetery in La
Crescent, Minnesota.
Thomas Wahner, Frost and Heat Insulators Local 9, died on October 26, 1979.
He was working at the G. Heileman Brewery Company and was on top of a storage
tank when he slipped on frost that had formed on the metal surface of the tank. He
was 30 years old. He left a widow and three daughters.
Harris George Jr., Operating Engineers Local 139, was a Soldiers Grove native
and was killed while working for the Ryan Construction Company of Janesville. He
was employed on a Beloit, Wisconsin commercial site at the time of his death. He
was killed when he was crushed between two pieces of construction equipment. He
had just parked a piece of earth moving equipment and on his way to park another
when another worker attempted to park a larger piece of equipment and crushed
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Junior between the pieces of equipment. The accident occurred on December 7,
1983. Harris was 43 years old. He left a wife and a son and daughter. He was
buried in the Gays Mills, Wisconsin cemetery.
Marten Langen Jr., IBEW Local 135, a 20 year old electrician was employed by
the Commonwealth Electric Company of St. Paul, Minnesota working at the Jackson
County Iron Mine. He was pinned to the floor by a motor control center weighing
between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds on June 2. 1969 at the Black River Falls site. He
died on June 18 in a La Crosse hospital. He was assisting in lifting the unit to an
upright position when the supporting bracket gave way. He was buried in the
Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse.
Ervin Friet, IBEW Local 135, died in Wisconsin while working as a member of
Local 135. Name was submitted by his local.
Bryan (Terry) Ruegg, IBEW Local 14, died in Sparta, Wisconsin while working for
B&B Electric of Eau Claire. He was working at a the Sparta Middle School when a
wall collasped and crushed him on May 24, 2000.
Larry Snell, IBEW Local 953, was a 23 year old employee of Northern States
Power Company in 1988. While working at the French Island incinerator on French
Island he was dragged into a conveyer and suffered head injuries. He was cleaning
the belt tension mechanism when he was dragged into the machinery by his helmet.
He was survived by his wife and a son. He was buried in the French Island
Cemetery.
Phillip Soper, Teamsters Local 1081, a 26 year old man was found dead in a
storage tank at the G. Heileman Brewery at 3rd and Mississippi Streets in 1973. The
storage tank in which he perished contained 18 inches of yeast residue. Soper was
employed in the brewing department and was assigned to releasing a stopper valve
on tank no. O-D-2. The tank had been emptied of beer and Soper was cleaning the
tank. He left a wife and son and was buried in the Stoddard, Wisconsin cemetery.
Daniel Mueller, Teamsters Local 1081, was killed on April 28, 1994 in an accident
that occurred at the G. Heileman Brewery. He was found dead from asphyxiation
from nitrogen gas in a tank that had been used to brew iced tea. The tank had three
inches of water in it at the time of his death. It was assumed that he had been
kneeling in front of the door to the tank, spraying the inside of the tank with water,
when the door swung shut and struck him on the head. As the tank had 100 percent
nitrogen gas less than two to three pounds of pressure he was suffocated before he
could regain consciousness. OSAHA fined the brewery $353,000 in October for 27
safety and health violations found in the investigation of Muller's death.
Muller had worked at the brewery since 1980. He became a full-time
employee in 1989. He left a wife (Jane) and three children. Jane donated three
metal benches in memory of Dan, which are cemented in place surrounding the main
bronze plaque on the face of the wall of the monument in Labor's Grove.
Scott Johnson, Teamsters Local 695, was driving a dump truck across the I-90
bridge between La Crescent and La Crosse for his employer Domke Contractors,
when he crashed through the guardrail of the bridge and crashed into the waters of
the Black River. A dived unit was called to the accident which apparently was caused
by a tire blowout. A smoking tire still connected to the front axle of the truck was
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lying in the middle of the highway when rescuers arrived on the scene. He was just
27 years old. He was a steward for Teamsters Local 695 at the time of his death.
Joseph Grosch Jr., Teamsters Local 695, was a driver for the Pepsi Bottling
Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin. He was driving his truck on February 14, 1991
when he was struck by an out-of-control semi tractor-trailer on highways 14/61. He
was survived by his wife, a daughter and four sons. His obituary notice contained a
quote from his employer, “Joe was a true veteran at Pepsi Cola. Only a handful of
employees have been there longer than Joe. In his 27 years on the route, he drove
over a million miles selling Pepsi Cola products and doing it very well. On behalf of
all Pepsi Cola employees, we will miss him dearly. May he find eternal peace.” This
was from general manager, Ralph La Point.
Frederick Tauscher, Carpenters Local 1143, was killed after a fall on the job
caused him to suffer a heart attack. He was employed by Fowler and Hammer
General Contractors. He died on August 4, 1974. He was a veteran of World War II.
Ronald E. Hall, Laborers Local 140, died in Wisconsin while working as a member
of Local 140. Name was submitted by his local.
Paul Schreier, Laborers Local 140, was employed by TCI Construction for the
past 20 years in La Crosse at the time of his death.
Merle Welch, Laborers Local 140, was 24 years old at the time of his accidental
death. He was killed while working for the Mathy construction firm and was helping
to resurface a highway near Connervile, Wisconsin. He had stepped out from behind
a truck he was working with when he was struck by a westbound truck. Welch had
looked down while searching for a soft drink bottle at the time he was hit by the
truck. The truck driver was ticketed for driving too fast in a construction zone and
inattentive driving.
Donald P. Koltermann, Laborers Local 140, died in Sparta on Monday January
17, 2000. He was caught in machinery at the Sparta Manufacturing plant which
makes cylinder sleeves for engine manufacturers. He died from injuries that caused
crushing of his chest.
John (Bozo) R. Eastman, BMWE Local 509, died on the job the apparent victim
of a heart attack. He was a native of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. He died
Wednesday, August 19, 1998 in the hospital after having been taken there from the
job site.
Mark H. Bantley, BMWE Local 1965/1906, died in Saint Paul, Minnesota having
moved there in 1993 to work for the Canadian Pacific Railroad. He died on February
13, 1997. He had worked for that railroad for eight years. His father and other
family members still resided in La Crosse at the time of his death.
Samuel Jiardina, UTU Division 311, was a train engineer from La Crosse working
on the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1990 when he was killed after a derailment
caused by a washout. Three other crew members were also injured in the accident.
The accident occurred in Whiteside County, Illinois due to washed out bridges from
rain storms. George Kohlmeirer of La Crosse was also in the locomotive‟s cab at the
time of the accident. The train collapsed the weakened bridge and the two engines
along with 28 cars began a chain reaction collision. Jiardina was trapped in the
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engine after it came to rest in 15 feet of water and mud in a ditch beside the track
and bridge. The rail cars were loaded with grain and building materials. Jiardina had
started work with the railroad in 1969 and had lived in La Crescent, Minnesota since
1971, having moved to La Crosse in 1990, two weeks prior to his death.
James W. McCormick Sr., IAFF Local 127, was on duty as a drive at the Central
Fire Station in La Crosse when he suffered a heart attack and was taken to the local
hospital. He had started his employment with the fire department on October 11,
1943. He was very active in the union activities of his union during his entire time
on in the fire service.
Edward V. Sciborski, IAFF Local 127, died in a Milwaukee hospital from burns
suffered in an accident in La Crosse on June 2, 1964. Sciborski, the Assistant Fire
Chief was responding to a report of smoke in the alley of the block surrounded by
6th, 7th, King and Cass Streets. The smoke turned out to be steam coming from a
rupture in a Northern States Power hot water main. While walking down the alley,
Sciborski fell into a hole gouged out by the escaping steam. He fell six feet and
collapsed into a foot and a half of hot water. He suffered burns to 50 to 60 percent
of his body. Robert A. White also fell into the obscured by steam hole and rescued
him from the hole. Smith suffered less serious burns.
Donald Asselin, IAFF Local 127, died on April 8, 1997 of renal cell carcinoma, a
rare form of cancer that tends to strike firefighters and painters. The exposure to
formaldehyde and chemicals (especially when they come from a fire) are believed to
cause the cancer. Asselin was only 46 years old at the time of his death.
Donald C. Pederson, AFSCME Local 55, was shot to death by a 16 year old
motorist on August 26, 1972. He had cited the teenager earlier in the evening
following a high speed chase. The youth found Trooper Pederson and lured his down
the same road he had been cited on earlier. When he stopped the youth again, the
opened fire on him hitting him four times. Pederson was 31 years old and had been
a state trooper for six years. The youth was convicted and sent to prison.
Gary G. Powless, AFSCME Local 55, was killed on May 18, 1980 when his squad
car was crushed by a tractor-trailer rig that stuck him after it lost control due to a
tire blowout. Powless was also only 31 years old and had been a trooper for only
one year.
Deborah Mc Menamin, AFSCME Local 55, was a Wisconsin State Trooper and was
killed on duty on October 26, 1989 near Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She had stopped a
vehicle six miles southeast of Eau Claire, on I-94 and was returning to her police
cruiser with the driver‟s license and registration when she was struck by a passing
van and killed. Her husband was also a member of the Wisconsin State Patrol for
eight years at the time of her death.
William Schoenberger, AFSCME Local 55, died on April 22, 1993 from head
injuries when his squad car was hit by a tractor-trailer rig from behind. He was on
the scene of a car fire at the time of the accident. He had positioned his squad car in
the lane of traffic to protect the burning car when he was struck and killed. He was
also 31 years old and had been a trooper for 8 years.
Wayne D. Schroeder, AFSCME Local 227, as a 55 year old La Crosse County
Highway employee of Bangor, Wisconsin. He was killed in a road accident in 1993.
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He was operating a nine-wheeled rolling machine when he lost control of it and it
went off the road, through a corn field and plowed into a machine shed. He died on
the spot. The machine he was operating is used to crush small rock for use as road
bed sealing. He was survived by his wife and two sons. He was buried in the
Fairview Cemetery in Bangor, Wisconsin.
Theodore Foss, AFSCME Local 55, was killed during a routine traffic stop on I-90
near the Lewiston, Minnesota exit. He was struck by a semi-tractor trailer. He had
stopped a van that was traveling 82 miles an hour in 70 miles per hour zone at the
time of the accident. He parked behind the van and was standing by the drivers‟
side window when the FedEx truck hit him. He was the 7th Trooper to die in the 70year
history of the Minnesota State Patrol.
Jennifer Marks, CRUE-TEA, was a speech therapist employed by the Tomah School
District and was traveling with Debra Jensen when the two were killed in a collision
between their car and an Amtrak Empire Builder passenger train, near Camp
Douglas, Wisconsin. The crossing at which they were killed had been the subject of
investigations prior to this fatal accident and was considered a prime candidate for
closure prior to this most recent accident. The train was 20 cars long and was
carrying 303 passengers at the time of the crash. The locomotive sustained minor
damage.
Debra Jensen, CRUE-TEA, was a teacher employed by the Tomah Area School
District as a speech therapist. She was traveling to a school with her fellow teacher,
Jennifer Marks when they were struck by an eastbound Amtrak train near Camp
Douglas, Wisconsin. They stopped at the crossing and for some reason stopped on
the tracks before clearing the crossing. She was survived by her husband and her
five children.
Robert W. Ebner Sr., NALC Branch 59, was a letter carrier for the La Crosse Post
Office and at the time of his death was 63 years old. He was delivering mail when he
suffered a heart attack and was taken to a local hospital where he soon died. He had
been working a route on Losey Boulevard at the time of his heart attack. He was a
veteran of World War II. His son was also employed by the U.S. Post Office at the
time of his death.
Roger O. Burr, USWA Local 14L, died in 1977 after an injury incurred on the job.
He suffered injuries that after many months of care took his life.
Edwin F. Bouzak was killed when a bale of paper he was loading dropped on top of
him. He was working at Modern Clean Up Service at 3019 Commerce Street when
the accident occurred. He was a veteran of World War II. He was survived by his
wife, Rose Mary and his children.
William Grams, died from an accident he suffered at Gateway Foods, in La Crosse.
He was operating a forklift when a one-ton pallet fell on him. He suffered internal
injuries. The accident occurred at the warehouse located at St. Cloud Street on the
north side of La Crosse.
Leonard (Hap) Taylor, IBEW Local 135 (14), was employed by the Collins Sign
Company when he fell from a ladder while installing a sign for G‟s Catering at 518
Logan Street on the north side of La Crosse. He suffered head and internal injuries.
He fell off an electrical ladder when a co-worker tired to give him an electrical cord,
347

which caught on a lever that forced the ladder to move, throwing Taylor off of it.
The ladder was attached to a Collins‟ truck. He was thrown onto a concrete roof, and
then to the ground. He was a native of Viroqua.
Glen Pergande, AFSCME Local 2470, was fatally injured when the jeep he was
driving overturned on Highway 71. His chest was crushed. He was towing a weed
sprayer when the jeep hit a hole and flipped over. He had been employed by the
Monroe County Highway Department for 17 years.
Gary Kramer, AFSCME Local 2470, was an employee of the Monroe County
Highway Department and was killed when he was struck by a truck while mowing
grass along a highway.
Royal McGinnis, Carpenters Local 1143, had been confined in Lutheran Hospital
in a semi-state of consciousness for over 18 months when he died in 1965. He was
a carpenter and was working on the construction of Stoffel Court on December 10,
1963 when he stepped onto a piece of unsupported plywood on the third floor of the
building. He fell to the ground suffering a severe head injury.
Orlando Johnson, IBEW Local 135, a 56 year old electrician fell from a Wykoff,
Minnesota school building he was working on in 1975. He died in a Rochester,
Minnesota hospital. He was survived by his wife and four sons and five daughters.
He was buried in the Wilmington Church Cemetery near Caledonia, Minnesota.
Larry Kuautbauer, IBEW Local 14, was working at the Lienekugels‟ Brewery in
Eau Claire at the time of his death. He suffered a heart attack on the job.
Michael La Fleur, IBT Local 199 (695), was working at the Eberhart Ice House
when a pulley above him broke dropping a heavy pieces of the pulley onto him. It
fractured his spine and skull. At the time of the accident a crew of men were
attempting to raise the ice slide with ropes by means of the pulley, which measured
some 38-inches in diameter. One piece of the pulley struck him on the head and
another jagged piece struck him in the spine. He lived for nine days after the
accident, dying in the hospital. He was survived by his wife and eight children.
Paul Sebranek, IBT Local 199 (695), died in an auto-truck accident on I-90 and
Highway 16/61 near the Minnesota, Wisconsin border. He was driving a semi-tractor
trailer when he was struck from behind by a Pontiac driven by a juvenile. The roads
were ice and slippery at the time of the accident. The truck jack-knifed. He was
employed by Gross Common Carrier trucking lines. He was a veteran of World War
II. He was survived by his wife and six children.
Tony Poterala, Iron Workers Local 383, died from a fall on October 6, 2003. He
was working on the Cass Street bridge at the time of his death. He was employed by
the Hi Boom Erecting Company of Black River Falls. He had been on the job for
three weeks. He was an Iron apprentice. This was a 100 percent tie-off job but
somehow he still fell forty feet onto a barge below the iron he was working on and
died on site.
Donald Hildahl, Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 31, was electrocuted while
working on the Sparta, Wisconsin sewage plant in 1963. He was guiding a pipe
being hoisted by a crane when the crane‟s boom struck a power line. He was
pronounced dead upon his arrival at a local hospital. He had been employed by the
348

F.M. Branson Plumbing Company of La Crosse at the time of his death. He was 30
years old and left a wife and a son and daughter. He was buried in the Calvary
Cemetery in Caledonia, Minnesota.
Earl Kaufmann, BMWE Local 509, died in a local hospital in 1966. He was a
bridge carpenter working for the railroad on a bridge near Winona, Minnesota when a
crane being used to repair the bridge jerked suddenly and knocked him off onto the
frozen river ice. He suffered head injuries. He left a wife and two sons and a
daughter. He was 44 years old.
Harley Berg, BCT and GM Local 22, died on the job while working at the Metz
Baking Company when he suffered a heart attack.
Paul Lassig, was the son of a member of BCT & GM Local 22 and was killed from an
accidental workplace shooting during his employment at the Heaven's View
Photography company located at the La Crosse Municipal Airport.
Sidney Wall, AFT Local 3605, died on September 30, 1980 from a cerebral
hemorrhage that he suffered on the job at Western Wisconsin Technical College while
teaching in the machine shop. He had worked there since 1976. Prior to that he had
served an apprenticeship as a tool and die maker at the Badger Stamping and Tool
Company. He had been employed by Luxco Company for 29 years and was a
member of IAM Lodge 1115 while employed there.
James Nofsinger, Operating Engineers Local 139, died on August 20, 1988 after
an industrial accident near Tomah. He was working at a rock quarry when he was
dragged through a gravel crushing machine and conveyor belt. He was cleaning
near the moving belt when his pants belt became tangled in the machinery. He
suffered internal injuries. He was 19 years old.
William (Bill) Kroner, IBEW Local 14, died as he was traveling to take an
apprenticeship test for his union. He died in a crash near Whitehall, Wisconsin. He
lost control of his vehicle on an icy road and went down the embankment onto the
bridge pavement. The vehicle rolled, throwing Kroner from it and fatally injuring
him. He was just 24 years old and was survived by his parents and sisters.
Scott Christy, Operating Engineers Local 139, died while working for the
Hoffman Construction Company in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. He was killed when
a piece of machinery tipped over onto him.
Larry Humfeldl worked for the La Crosse Tribune and died from injuries he received
in an accident at the Tribune printing floor. He was struck by a large roll of
newsprint which fell on him while he was working. He had been working for the
Tribune for three years. He was survived by his wife, Amy, who was expecting their
first child at the time of the accident.
Rick Check, Operating Engineers Local 139l died on June 8, 2006 from injuries
suffered in a construction accident near St. Germaine, Wisconsin.
Orley Smith, Iron Workers Local 383l is not yet listed on the bronze plaques but
was killed on the job. He fell from an iron-load carrying truck and was killed on
February 23, 1982.
349

Leland Knowland, Iron Workers Local 383l is not yet listed on the bronze
plaques but was killed on the job. He was working on the Del Monte Plant in Plover,
Wisconsin when he fell 35 feet and was killed on impact.
Front page January 1966, La Crosse Union Herald
350

Chapter Fifteen: Wages, Jobs and The Cost of Living
Wages over the Decades
The table below reflects the average weekly wage for workers in the indicated
occupations based on the national average of all workers. Note the dramatic jump in
wages beginning in the 60‟s and continuing for several decades.
The wages in La Crosse following the national average for the skilled trades and
railroad industry and to a large degree for the professional occupations, lagging a bit in the
service and retail trades only.
YEAR WEEKLY PAY OCCUPATION
1863 $12.30 Building Trades
1873 $23.28 Building Trades
1883 $19.38 Building Trades
1893 $22.50 Building Trades
1901 $11.20 Construction
1903 $20.37 Building Trades
1913 $25.08 Building Trades
1918 $22.80 Construction
1923 $52.12 Building Trades
1933 $18.11 Building Trades
1935 $196.00 Construction
1943 $48.13 Building Trades
1950 $66.40 Construction
1953 $83.73 Building Trades
1960 $104.80 Construction
1963 $127.58 Building Trades
1970 $178.00 Construction
1973 $216.36 Building Trades
1979 $370.40 Construction
1983 $394.00 Building Trades
1996 $617.20 Construction
2002 $754.80 Construction
YEAR WEEKLY PAY OCCUPATION
1863 $$8.88 Fire Fighter
1873 $10.02 Fire Fighter
1883 $9.00 Fire Fighter
1893 $13.32 Fire Fighter
1903 $11.94 Public School Teacher
1913 $10.51 Public School Teacher
1923 $23.82 Public School Teacher
1933 $25.00 Public School Teacher
1943 $30.92 Public School Teacher
1953 $63.73 Public School Teacher
1963 $105.11 Public School Teacher
1973 $187.96 Public School Teacher
1983 $366.15 Public School Teacher
2003 $896.09 319 Public School Teacher
319 Figure taken from American Federation of Teachers, Wisconsin data
351
Ads from the 1938 Labor Review
Showing Union Meat Markets

YEAR WEEKLY PAY OCCUPATION
1903 $11.40 Railroad Workers‟ Average Wage
1913 $13.53 Railroad Workers‟ Average Wage
1923 $30.48 Railroad Workers‟ Average Wage
1933 $27.67 Railroad Workers‟ Average Wage
1943 $49.71 Railroad Workers‟ Average Wage
1953 $84.96 Railroad Workers‟ Average Wage
1963 $131.21 Railroad Workers‟ Average Wage
1973 $264.90 Railroad Workers‟ Average Wage
1983 $420.00 Railroad Workers‟ Average Wage
YEAR WEEKLY PAY OCCUPATION
1901 $8.20 Manufacturing
1918 $21.20 Manufacturing
1935 $23.20 Manufacturing
1950 $63.60 Manufacturing
1960 $102.80 Manufacturing
1970 $156.80 Manufacturing
1979 $267.60 Manufacturing
1996 $511.20 Manufacturing
2002 $612.00 Manufacturing
The first large employers of La Crosse were the saw mills and their associated
needs, such as logging, transporting logs by river rafting and towing the rafts of logs. This
industry boomed from the years 1881 up until 1903 when the pineries were exhausted and
the saw mills closed and moved west. Steamboat construction employed many workers
but, it disappeared at the same time the saw mills closed. Many of the lost jobs were
replaced by the building boom that employed large numbers of workers in wood, stone and
other trades work. Brewing beer in La Crosse also was a large source of employment for
many years. Railroading afforded steady employment for many decades in the La Crosse
community.
EMPLOYMENT IN VARIOUS EARLY OCCUPATIONS 1881-1904
SAW MILLS
1881 1882 1883 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892
1,225 1,301 1,664 1,135 1,711 1,839 1,935 1,930 2,075 1,890 1,925
Towing
1881 1882 1883 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892
102 480 480 525 285 290 300 300 300 400 92
Rafting
1881 1882 1883 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892
500 120 120 100 100 106 110 125 125 275 300
Breweries
1881 1882 1883 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892
98 84 102 106 108 121 136 143 145 150 150
352

Cigars
1881 1882 1883 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892
58 65 76 95 100 134 150 165 160 132 140
Flour Mills
1881 1882 1883 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892
63 102 110 78 76 92 103 95 98 56 50
Boat Yards
1881 1882 1883 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892
75 88 32 64 65 6 65 10 10 10 10
Boiler Makers
1881 1882 1883 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892
20 17 12
Carpenters
1881 1882 1883 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892
52 60 68 1,580 1,685 1,590 1,500 1,255 1,260 1,575 1,575
Cooperages
1881 1882 1883 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892
102 79 68 86 87 76 100 110 61 57 86
Pork Packing
1881 1882 1883 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892
48 54 54 46 40 45 42 50 71 77 75
Blacksmiths
1881 1882 1883 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892
40 37 40 43 49 61 65 70 70 75 90
Tannery
1881 1882 1883 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892
55 55 60 60 60 75 75 75 75 80 92
Marble/Stone
1881 1882 1883 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892
9 10 17 26 44 101 88 90 95 117 137
INDUSTRY
Saw Mills
1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903
2,048 1,798 10 1,786 1,929 1,680 1,785 480 429 545 445
Towing
1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903
450 88 396 360 378 301 307 256 128 64 32
Rafting
1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903
300 300 300 300 300 270 243 172 86 43 21
353

Breweries
1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903
202 177 179 182 184 190 246 314 408 467 417
Cigars
1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903
118 122 105 124 126 120 178 186 206 260 285
Flour Mills
1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903
60 61 63 58 59 60 60 49 62 92 90
Boat Yards
1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903
12 15 18 18 18 18 16 14 7 5 2
Carpenters
1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903
1,895 1,887 2,263 1,785 1,823 1,120 1,999 1,120 544 1,721 2,454
Cooperages
1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903
101 101 69 47 49 52 54 111 116 112 89
Pork Packing
1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903
71 49 52 22 24 29 28 45
Blacksmiths
1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903
95 201 221 243 267 293 293 393 393 394 67
Tannery
1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903
80 82 88 80 85 85 95 98 98 98 81
Marble/Stone
1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903
121 118 132 79 79 85 91 94 94 83 131
1905, Wages and Work
The largest source of employment was in the building industry where 2,559 workers
labored to either build or construct roadways, homes, businesses or other infrastructure
needs of the city and county. Agriculture called for products such as plows and wagons
and 927 workers were busy manufacturing such needs in various places of employment in
La Crosse and they earned $438 a year doing so.
Carpenters were kept busy making doors, sashes and other woodwork items for the
builders of the area, to the tune of 467 of them earning $526 in income for the year.
There were actually 535 workers cooking up and making candy and confectionery products
in the town, making it a huge source of employment for the cities families but, they earned
an annual salary of only $181. Smoking cigars kept 340 union Cigarmakers rolling stogies,
Cigarmakers made $288 a year. The 392 workers that were busy brewing beer in the city
earned $429 a year.
354

In the flour and feed mills 95 workers created and serviced product worth almost
four and a half million
dollars while earning a payroll of
only $57,000 annually, or just six
hundred and seven dollars a year.
Brewery workers averaged $429 a year
while bringing in almost two million
dollars a year in income for their
employers. Blacksmiths (100) earned
about $597 a year and brought in
$60,000. A pearl button factory paid out
$252 in annual salaries to its 115
employees and made products worth
twenty-nine thousand. The 34 workers
still employed in the sawmills took home
$334 a year, while creating only twentyone
thousand dollars worth of shingles
and boards for their employers. The
unionized marble and stone cutting
industry was particularly good as a
source of income. These 124 skilled
workers earned $670 a year for their
labor.
The city had professional workers
in 1905 as well. There were 5 architects,
29 attorneys, 42 ministers, 34 music
teachers, 130 public school teachers, 43
physicians, 20 dentists, 27 nurses, 12
real estate agents and 26 insurance
companies. In federal employment in La
Crosse were 47 workers, most of who
were employed by the U.S. Post Office.
August 7, 1965, New Emblew installed at La Crosse Plow Works.
John Boltik is seen, installing the sign. From left to right; Willard Tanke-general
manager, James Wais, works comtroller, Arno Luce-president UAW Local 401
and Louis Youngman-vice president UAW Local 401
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
355

Appendix: List One; Labor
Council Officers
1902-2009 320
La Crosse Trades and Labor Council
1902
Jake Schaller, president (member of the
brewers union)
Charles Menninger, vice president
Herman Schauland Jr., recording
secretary
Henry Kowalke, financial and
corresponding secretary
1903
J. Emberson, president (member of the
horseshoers union)
Albert Major, vice president
G. Hall, recording secretary
Ben Neumiester, treasurer
Charles Blye, organizer
1904
Bert Chandler, president (unknown union)
John Ray, vice president
John Ray, financial secretary
Louis Weigel, recording secretary
William Imhoff, treasurer
1905
Bert Chandler, president (unknown union)
John Ray, vice president
A. Weigel, financial secretary
Louis Weisbecker, recording secretary
1906
Bert Chandler, president (unknown union)
John Rae, vice president
L.A. Weigel, financial secretary/treasurer
I.A Weisbecker, recording secretary
William Panke, Organizer
320 Information for this listing of officers was taken
from AFL minutes, AFL-CIO minutes and local
newspapers or the era, as well as from the papers and
records from the Union Herald, and the Western
Wisconsin AFL-CIO Central Labor Council.
356
1907
George Nagel, president (member of
Bartenders Local 479)
John Rae, vice president
L.A. Weigel, recording secretary
L.A. Weisbecker, financial secretary
Emil Hickel, treasurer
William Panke, organizer
1908
George Nagle, president (member of
Bartenders Local 479)
George Naegle, president
John Rae, vice president
Emil Hickel, treasurer
1909
George Naegle, president (member of
Bartenders Local 479)
John Rae, vice president
Louis A. Weigel, financial secretary
A.E. Chandler, recording secretary
Emil Hickel, treasurer
John Rae, organizer
1910
Theo. Strauss, president (member of
IBEW)
John Rae, vice president
A. Chandler, recording secretary
George Nagle, financial secretary
1911
Theo. Strauss, president (member of
IBEW)
John Rae, vice president
A. Chandler, recording secretary
George Nagle, financial secretary
1912
Joseph Wagner, presidernt (member of
cigarmakers union)
John Rae, vice president
A. Chandler, recording secretary
George Nagle, financial secretary
1913
P. Wolford, president (member of printers
union)
John Rae, vice president
Joseph Verchota, recording secretary
August Fremark, financial secretary

1914
P. Wolford, president (member of printers
union)
John Rae, vice president
Joseph Verchota, recording secretary
August Fremark, financial secretary
1915
P. Wolford, president (member of printers
union)
John Rae, vice president
Joseph Verchota, recording secretary
August Fremark, financial secretary
1916
Reuben Knutson, president (member of
steamfitters union)
John Rae, vice president
Joseph Verchota, recording secretary
George Nagle, financial secretary
1917
Reuben Knutson, president (member of
steamfitters union)
John Rae, vice president
William Mitchell, recording secretary
George Nagle, financial secretary
1918
Reuben Knutson, president (member of
steamfitters union)
Theo Strauss, president
Frank Hargett, vice president
G. Grosskopf, recording secretary
John Greenman, financial secretary
1919
Joseph Verchota, president (member of
Tailors Local 66)
Frank Hargett, vice president
William Bosshard, recording secretary
John Greenman, financial secretary
1920
Joseph Verchota, president (member of
Tailors Local 66)
Adolph Grosskoff, vice president
William Bosshard, recording secretary
Rueben Knutson, organizer
1921
Joseph Verchota, president (member of
Tailors Local 66)
357
Barney Borseth, vice president
J.J. Freeman, financial
secretary/treasurer
W.W. Bossard, recording secretary
F.O. Wells, corresponding secretary
1922
Joseph Verchota, president (member of
Tailors Local 66)
1923
Joseph Verchota, president (member of
Tailors Local 66)
1924
Joseph Verchota, president (member of
Tailors Local 66)
1925
Joseph Verchota, president (member of
Tailors Local 66)
1926
Joseph Verchota, president (member of
Tailors Local 66)
1927
Joseph Verchota, president (member of
Tailors Local 66)
Archie Gittens, vice president
J.M. Olson, recording secretary
Theodore Heideman, financial secretary
1928
Joseph Verchota, president (member of
Tailors Local 66)
Archie Gittens, vice president,
Theodore Heideman, financial secretary
John Riley, recording secretary
Herman Burgchardt, corresponding
secretary and organizer
1929
Joseph Verchota, president (member of
Tailors Local 66)
1930
Joseph Verchota, president (member of
Tailors Local 66)
1931
Joseph Verchota, president (member of
Tailors Local 66)

1932
Joseph Verchota, president (member of
Tailors Local 66)
1933
Joseph Verchota, president (member of
Tailors Local 66)
1934
Joseph Verchota, president (member of
Tailors Local 66)
1935
George Nagle, president (member of
Bartenders Local 479)
Robert Franklin, vice president
Russell Wartinbee, financial secretary
Claude Justinger, recording secretary
Herman Burgchardt, organizer
1936
Robert Franklin, president (member of
ATU Local 519)
D.R. Wartinbee, financial secretary
Claude Justinger, recording secretary
George Hall, organizer
1937
George Hall, president (member of
painters union)
John Novak, vice president
D.R. Wartinbee, financial secretary
John Riley, recording secretary
Robert Franklin, organizer
1938
Robert Franklin, president (member of
ATU Local 519)
1939
Leonard Killian, president (member of
brewery union)
John Darling, vice president
D.R. Wartinbee, financial secretary
Roy Smith, recording secretary
George Hall, organizer
1940
Leonard Killian, president (member of
brewery union)
John Darling, vice president
D.R. Wartinbee, financial secretary
358
Roy Smith, recording secretary
George Hall, organizer
1941
Leonard Killian, president (member of
brewery union)
John Darling, vice president
Edward Beissel, financial secretary
Roy Smith, recording secretary
George Hall, organizer
1942
John Darling, president (member of ATU
Local 519)
Paul Bakken, vice president
Edward Beissel, financial secretary
Roy Smith, recording secretary
George Hall, organizer
1943
John Darling, president (member of ATU
Local 519)
Paul Bakken, vice president
Edward Beissel, financial secretary
George Hall, organizer
1944
John Darling, president (member of ATU
Local 519)
Paul Bakken, vice president
Edward Beissel, financial secretary
Roy Smith, recording secretary
George Hall, organizer
1945
John Darling, president (member of ATU
Local 519)
Paul Bakken, vice president
Edward Beissel, financial secretary
Roy Smith, recording secretary
George Hall, organizer
1946
John Darling, president (member of ATU
Local 519)
Paul Bakken, vice president
Edward Beissel, financial secretary
Roy Smith, recording secretary
1947
John Darling, president (member of ATU
Local 519)
Paul Bakken, vice president

Edward Beissel, financial secretary
Roy Smith, recording secretary
George Hall, organizer
1948
John Darling, president (member of ATU
Local 519)
Paul Bakken, vice president
Edward Beissel, financial secretary
Roy Smith, recording secretary
George Hall, organizer
1949
John Darling, president (member of ATU
Local 519)
Paul Bakken, vice president
Edward Beissel, financial secretary
Roy Smith, recording secretary
George Hall, organizer
1950
John Darling, president (member of ATU
Local 519)
Paul Bakken, vice president
Larry Hackett, financial secretary
Eugene Dally, recording secretary
Edward Beissel, corresponding secretary
George Hall, organizer
1951
John Darling, president (member of ATU
Local 519)
Temeron Olson, vice president
Larry Hackett, financial secretary
Eugene Dally, recording secretary
Edward Beissel, corresponding secretary
1952
John Darling, president (member of ATU
Local 519)
Temeron Olson, vice president
Larry Hackett, financial secretary
Eugene Dally, recording secretary
Edward Beissel, corresponding secretary
1953
John Darling, president (member of ATU
Local 519)
Temeron Olson, vice president
Larry Hackett, financial secretary
Eugene Dally, recording secretary
Roy Smith, corresponding secretary
359
1954
Bernard Thill, president (member of
steamfitters union)
Temeron Olson, vice president
Bernard Sauer, financial secretary
Roy Smith, recording secretary
Catherine Brody, corresponding secretary
1955
Bernard Thill, president (member of
steamfitters union)
Temeron Olson, vice president
Bernard Sauer, financial secretary
Roy Smith, recording secretary
Catherine Brody, corresponding secretary
1956
Bernard Thill, president (member of
steamfitters union)
Willard LeJeune, vice president
Larry Hackett, financial secretary
Roy Smith, recording secretary
Catherine Brody, corresponding secretary
1957
Bernard Thill, president (member of
steamfitters union)
Willard LeJeune, vice president
Bernard Sauer, financial secretary
Roy Smith, recording secretary
Catherine Brody, corresponding secretary
1958
Bernard Thill, president (member of
steamfitters union)
William LeJeune, vice president
Bernard Sauer, financial secretary
Roy Smith, recording secretary
Catherine Brody, corresponding secretary
La Crosse AFL-CIO Council
1959
Bernard Thill, president (member of
steamfitters union)
Robert Gavin, vice president
Bernard Sauer, financial secretary
Gary Neseth, recording secretary
Roy Smith, corresponding secretary
1960
Bernard Thill, president (member of
steamfitters union)

Robert Gavin, vice president
Bernard Sauer, financial secretary
Gary Neseth, recording secretary
Roy Smith, corresponding secretary
1961
Bernard Thill, president (member of
steamfitters union)
Robert Gavin, vice president
Leonard Roellich, financial secretary
Theron Cartwright, recording secretary
1963
Bernard Thill, president (member of
steamfitters union)
Robert Peterson, vice president
Frank Bennington, financial secretary
Lambert Glubka, recording secretary
Roy Smith, corresponding secretary,
organizer
1964
Roger Grangaard, president (member of
Laborers Local 140)
Leo Taylor, vice president
Frank Bennington, financial secretary
Dave Forer, recording secretary
Louis Youngman, corresponding secretary
1965
Roger Grangaard, president(member of
Laborers Local 140)
Leo Taylor, vice president
Frank Bennington, financial secretary
Dave Forer, recording secretary
Louis Youngman, corresponding secretary
1966
Roger Grangaard, president (member of
Laborers Local 140)
Frank Bennington, financial secretary
Arthur Johnson, recording secretary
Harvey Smith, corresponding secretary
1967
Roger Grangaard, president (member of
Laborers Local 140)
Dave Forer, vice president
Frank Bennington, financial secretary
Louis Youngman, recording secretary
Harvey Smith, corresponding secretary
360
1968
Mike Larkin, president (member of
brewery union)
Harold Wills, vice president
Frank Bennington, financial secretary
Louis Youngman, recording secretary
Harvey Smith, corresponding secretary
1969
Mike Larkin, president (member of
brewery union)
Lloyd White, vice president
Frank Bennington, financial secretary
Nelson Miller, recording secretary
Harvey Smith, corresponding secretary
1970
Dave Forer, president (member of IAM
Lodge 21)
Roy Smith, vice president
Frank Bennington, financial secretary
Nelson Miller, recording secretary
Harvey Smith, corresponding secretary
1971
Dave Forer, president (member of IAM
Lodge 21)
Roy Smith, vice president
Frank Bennington, financial secretary
Harvey Smith, recording secretary
1972
Dave Forer, president (member of IAM
Lodge 21)
Roy Smith, vice president
Frank Bennington, financial secretary
Nelson Miller, recording secretary
Harvey Smith, corresponding secretary
1973
Dave Forer, president (member of IAM
Lodge 21)
Roy Smith, vice president
Frank Bennington, financial secretary
Nelson Miller, recording secretary
Harvey Smith, corresponding secretary
1974
Dave Forer, president (member of IAM
Lodge 21)
Roy Smith, vice president
Frank Bennington, financial secretary
James Milleran, recording secretary

Harvey Smith, corresponding secretary
1975
Dave Forer, president (member of IAM
Lodge 21)
Victor Bolin, vice president
Lila Long, financial secretary
Dennis Roellich, recording secretary
Lyle Lintula, corresponding secretary
1976
Dave Forer, president (member of IAM
Lodge 21)
Victor Bolin, vice president
Lila Long, financial secretary
Dennis Roellich, recording secretary
Lyle Lintula, corresponding secretary
1977
Frank Bennington, president (member of
OPEIU Local 44)
Don Melcher, vice president
Lila Long, financial secretary
Phil Low, recording secretary
Art Armstrong, corresponding secretary
1978
Dave Forer, president (member of IAM
21)
George Swegel, vice president
Phyllis Hoeth, financial secretary
Phil Low, recording secretary
Art Armstrong, corresponding secretary
1979
John Dingeldein, president (member of
plasterers union)
Ken French, vice president
Phyllis Hoeth, financial secretary
Phil Low, recording secretary
Art Armstrong, corresponding secretary
1980
Vic Samb, president (member of
machinist union)
Ken French, vice president
Sue Weibel, financial secretary
Phil Low, recording secretary
Floyd Payne, corresponding secretary
1981
Sue Weibel, president (member of
AFSCME Local 1449)
361
Ken French, vice president
Karen Hoel, financial secretary
Thelma Bina, recording secretary
Floyd Payne, corresponding secretary
1982
Sue Weibel, president (member of
AFSCME Local 1449)
Ken French, vice president
Karen Hoel, financial secretary
Thelma Bina, recording secretary
Floyd Payne, corresponding secretary
1983
Sue Weibel, president (member of
AFSCME Local 1449)
Ken French, vice president
Karen Hoel, financial secretary
Thelma Bina, recording secretary
Floyd Payne, corresponding secretary
1984
Sue Beil, president (member of AFSCME
Local 1449)
Ken French, vice president
Lynette Bahr, financial secretary
Thelma Bina, recording secretary
1985
Ken French, president (member of IAM
Lodge 21)
Rita Chandler, vice president
Lynette Bahr, financial secretary
Thelma Bina, recording secretary
Floyd Payne, corresponding secretary
1986
Dave Forer, president (member of IAM
Lodge 21)
Lyle Lintula, vice president
David Branson, financial secretary
Thelma Bina, recording secretary
Barb Donaldson, corresponding secretary
1987
Dave Forer, president, Lyle Lintula,
president, October-December (member of
IAM Lodge 21)
Lyle Lintula, vice president, Don Brague
Dave Branson, financial secretary
Thelma Bina, recording secretary

1988
Bernard Ruesgen, president (baker
member of BCTGM Local 22)
Donald Brague, vice president
David Branson, financial secretary
Elizabeth Reque, recording secretary
Marilyn Wigdahl, corresponding secretary
1989
Donald Brague, president (member of
SEIU Local 180)
Bernard Ruesgen, vice president
Dave Branson, financial secretary
Liz Reque, recording secretary
Marilyn Wigdahl, corresponding secretary
1990
Dave Branson, president (member of
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 31-434)
Donald Brague, vice president
Diane Oliver, financial secretary
Marilyn Wigdahl, recording secretary
Phyllis Sobieski, corresponding secretary
1991
Wayne Ellefson, president (member of
IAM Lodge 21)
Donald Brague, vice president
Diane Oliver, financial secretary
Marilyn Wigdahl, recording secretary
Ruth French, Corresponding secretary
1992
Richard Knobloch, president (member of
AFT Local 3605)
Jerry Monti, vice president
Ruth French, financial secretary
Marilyn Wigdahl, recording secretary
1993
Jerry Monti, president (member of IAM
Lodge 21)
Jerry Drollinger, vice president
Ruth French, financial secretary
Marilyn Wigdahl, recording secretary
1994
Kathy Berrier, president (member of URA
Local 14)
Jerry Drollinger, vice president
Ruth French, financial secretary
Madreanne Wooley, recording secretary
362
1995
Kathy Berrier, president (member of URW
Local 14)
John Roesler, vice president January-May
Terry Hicks, vice president, April-
December
Ruth French, financial secretary
Madreanne Wooley, recording secretary
1996
Terry L. Hicks, president (member of ATU
Local 519)
Jerry Monti, vice president
Ruth French, financial secretary
Madreanne Wooley, recording secretary
1997
Terry L. Hicks, president (member of ATU
Local 519)
Jerry Monti, vice president
Vacant, Terry L. Hicks acting as financial
secretary
Marilyn Wigdahl, recording secretary
1998
Terry L. Hicks, president (member of ATU
Local 519)
Jerry Monti, vice president
Sue Rose, financial secretary
Marilyn Wigdahl, recording secretary
1999
Terry L. Hicks, president (member of ATU
Local 519)
Jerry Monti, vice president
Sue Rose, financial secretary
Marilyn Wigdahl, recording secretary
2000
Terry L. Hicks, president (member of ATU
Local 519)
Jerry Monti, vice president
Sue Rose, financial secretary, February,
Terry L. Hicks acting as financial
secretary
Marilyn Wigdahl, recording secretary
2001
Terry L. Hicks, president (member of ATU
Local 519)
Jerry Monti, vice president
Pat Taylor, financial secretary
Marilyn Wigdahl, recording secretary

2002
Terry L. Hicks, president (member of ATU
Local 519, retired)
Marilyn Wigdahl, vice president
Pat Taylor, financial secretary, January-
July – Mary Von Ruden, August-
December
Mary Von Ruden, recording secretary,
January-July, Bridget Flood, August-
December
Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO Council
2003 (August 11)
Terry L. Hicks, president (member of ATU
Local 519,retired)
Marilyn Wigdahl, vice president
Mary Von Ruden, financial secretary
Bridget Flood, recording secretary
2004
Terry L. Hicks, president (member of ATU
Local 519, retired)
Mike Koziara, vice president
Mary Von Ruden, financial secretary
Bridget Flood, recording secretary
2005
Terry L. Hicks, president (member of ATU
Local 519, retired)
Mike Koziara, vice president
Mary Von Ruden, financial secretary
Bridget Flood, recording secretary
2006
Terry Hicks, president (ATU Local 519,
retired)
Bridget Flood, recording secretary
Mike Koziara, vice president
Mary Von Ruden, financial secretary
Bridget Flood, recording secretary
2007
Terry L. Hicks, president, (member of
ATU Local 519, retired)
Mike Koziara, vice president
Mary Von Ruden, financial secretary
Bridget Flood, recording secretary
2008
Terry L. Hicks, president, (member of
ATU Local 519, retired)
Mike Koziara, vice president
Mary Von Ruden, financial secretary
363
Denise Grover, recording secretary
2009
Terry L. Hicks, president, (member of
ATU Local 519, retired)
Mike Koziara, vice president
Mary Von Ruden, financial secretary
Denise Grover, recording secretary
Ads from the 1938 Labor Review
Showing Union Clothing Stores

Appendix List Two: Local
Union Officers
Union Officers– circa 1917 321
Blacksmiths and Helpers Union No. 468
John Rae, president
Robert Engelke, recording secretary
Bernhard Mitchell, financial secretary
Peter L. Grannun, treasurer
Yes, Virginia there were many blacksmith
shops in early La Crosse. Horses were still the
preferred manner of moving people and freight
locally. Additionally, the breweries and sawmills
threw a lot of work the way of the smithy.
International Brotherhood of Teamsters,
Chauffeurs, Stablemen and Helpers Local
Union No. 199
Charles Shafer, president
O. H. Olson, secretary and treasurer
Theodore Smith, recording secretary
Chauncey King, vice president
A lot of the work was done using horse
power in this era.
Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and
Paperhangers Local Union No. 374
Fred Schelbe, president
Edward Olson, vice president
C. King, financial secretary
E. Rohr, recording secretary
Raymond Rach, treasurer
Tailors Local 66
John Lohstreter, president
Joseph Verchota, secretary*
Anton Florian, treasurer
*Joseph Verchota who would become a
long-time Labor Council president and Mayor of La
Crosse worked as an apprentice with a local tailor
and then established his own tailor shop. He used
to like to joke that as Mayor he made his own suits
for each of his political campaigns.
Retail Clerks Union Local 640
William Spears, president
William Schikorowsky, vice president
H. Pederson, secretary and treasurer
Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America
Gateway City Lodge No 278
William Streeck, president
John Peterson, vice president
Robert Melster, past president
Leopold Huber, treasurer
John Kopacek, recording and financial secretary
321 La Crosse Official Labor Review, 1917
364
International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers Local Union No. 135
Peter Pettinger, president
Walter Young, vice president
Henry Affeldt, recording secretary
Theodore Strauss, treasurer and financial secretary
Journeymen Barbers International Union of
America Local Union
No. 21
Art McMann, president
Frank Farnham, vice president
Charles Staddler, corresponding and financial
secretary
J.P. Kemp, treasurer
Amalgamated Sheet Metal Workers Local 416
Albert Svec, president
Adolph Bauman, financial secretary
Palmer Hanson, recording secretary
Fred Sauers, treasurer
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage
Employees and Motion Picture Machine
Operators of the U.S. and Canada, Local No.
141
William McMahon, president
Edwin Benton, vice president
Paul Spettel, treasurer and business agent
G. Thompson, secretary
Wood, Wire, and Metal Lathers Local Union No.
387
Martin Engh, president
Theodore Kocimski, recording secretary
William Gillen, financial secretary
This union of course melded into the
current Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons
International Union Area 257 Local 599
Journeymen Horseshoers Local Union No. 52
Peter Moran, president
Frank Hefti, vice president
Willis Lockman, financial secretary and treasurer
This union would go the way of the
blacksmith‟s union due to the march of progress and
the machination of transportation and
manufacturing practices.
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners
of America, Local Union No. 1143
N. Matson, president
Charles Radtke, vice president
Fred Lindstrom, corresponding secretary
John Schumaker, financial secretary
Joseph Bruha, treasurer
Beer Bottlers Local No. 247
William Mitchell, president
Al French, vice president
L. Scibiorski, financial secretary
A. Banasik, recording secretary
John Zahn, treasurer

Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North
America Local Union No. 293
Frank Tomalka, president
Gust Pfening, vice president
Walter Yehlen, recording secretary
Casmir Brey, financial secretary
Albert Thompson, treasurer
The meat cutters and butcher workmen‟s
union would be absorbed into the Food and
Commercial Workers Local 73, later in its history.
Recently Local 73 was absorbed by UFCW Local
1444 and the resultant union is UFCW Local 1473.
International Union of Brewery Workers Local
No. 81
A. Bey, president
J. Michel, vice president
A. Grosskoff, financial secretary
A. Pust, recording secretary
W. Frisch, financial secretary
W. Granzow, treasurer
After the merger of the Brewery Workers
International Union with the Teamsters International
Union it would emerge as IBT Local 1081. After the
sale of Stroh‟s and Heileman‟s as owners of this
local brewery, it would rebuild itself as Teamsters
Local 695.
International Association of Machinists
Enterprise Lodge No. 546
John Guertin, president
Howard Atkinson, vice president
Joseph Hill, financial secretary
Alois Swinzrod Jr., recording secretary
This machinist lodge was comprised of
those men who worked for the area‟s railroads and
did machining and repair work on the Locomotives
and other railroad rolling stock.
Coopers Local 85
Charles Meininger, president
John Krismer, vice president
Peter Gilles, recording and corresponding secretary
Pete Luck, treasurer
These
craftsmen were happily employed as barrel builders
by the several breweries in La Crosse, the creation
of barrel producing machinery made this union
redundant and it disappeared after a few years from
the barrel-manufacturing industry.
La Crosse Musicians Association Local No. 201
J. P. Riese, president
E. Kreutz, vice president
W. Howard, financial secretary
E. Weimar, recording secretary
E. Dow, treasurer
Boot and Shoe Repairers
Local No. 468
Martin Beck, president
Ellis Langdon, secretary treasurer
John Satek, trustee
365
Bartenders Local 479
George Nagle, president
Gustaff Kanard, vice president
Anton Petrick, secretary treasurer and business
agent
Frank French, recording secretary
This union also was absorbed by the UFCW
International Union.
La Crosse Building Trades Council
Robert Buscum, president
Charles Van King, vice president
Frank Mueller, recording secretary
Frank Harget, financial secretary
Later to change its name to that of; the
Western Wisconsin Building and Trades Council.
Union Officers - circa 1928 322
Teamsters Local 199
Adolph Bachman, secretary
Musicians Local 201
K. Weisbecker
Bartenders Local 479
Fred Schultz
Theatrical Stage Employees Local 141
G. Thompson
Typographical Local 448
Eugene Fuchs
Bricklayers Local 1
Frank Gautsch
Pressmen‟s Local 189
Edward Bey
Building Service Local 21
Marion Woodhouse
Syrup Workers Local 129
Lawrence Dwyer
Express Division Railway Clerks
William Hauswirth
Painters Local 374
Theodore Heideman
Plumbers Local 31
G. Hanson
Retail Clerks Local 640
Elmer Lysaker
Electrical Workers Local 135
H. Affeldt
322 La Crosse Labor Review, 1928

Cigarmakers Local 61
J. Wsetecka
Street and Railway Employees Local 519
Charles Kanter
Sheet Metal Workers Local Union
William Besch
Tailors Local 66
J. Mertlik
Plasterers Local 257
Albert Molzahn
Barbers Local 21
Fred Storch
Brewers Local 81
August Buchman
City Fire Fighters Local 127
Tom Mann
Butchers Local 293
Frank Kubal
Carpenters and Joiners Local 1143
Charles Satek
Maintenance and Way Employees
D. Marshall
Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks,
Freight Handlers, Express and Station
Employees
John McGrath
Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen
G. Morelli
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and
Engineers C.B. and Q.
H. Benz
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and
Engineers C.M. and St. P.
George Koepecke
Order of Railway Conductors
Wilbur Nutting
Brotherhood of Railway Engineers
William Wheeler
Machinists Lodge 546
Michael Heintz
Gateway City Lodge No 278
Leo Larson
Union Switchmen of North America
John Brinkman
Union Officers circa - 1936
Barbers Local 21
366
Thomas Grabinski, president
Roy Clace, vice president
Carl Bruhnke, recording secretary
Leonard Bennett, secretary treasurer
Carpenters Local 1143
Louie Alberts, president
Joseph Tikal, vice president
John Riley, recording secretary
Anton Bruha, financial treasurer
Sheet Metal Workers Local 316
Louis Hanson, president
Adolph Baumann, vice president
Frank Svec, recording secretary
Clarence Randall, financial secretary/treasurer
William Priebe, business agent
Meat cutters Local 293
A. Hensel, president
George Schachinger, vice president
John Seitz, recording secretary
F. Kubal, secretary treasurer
Laborers Local 140
Charles Lassig, president
Gordon Hether, vice president
John Troyanek, secretary
Frank Pavela, treasurer
IBEW Local 135
G. Thrune, president
J. Mader, vice president
H. Blomquist, recording secretary
W. Mairich, secretary treasurer
Peter Pittenger, business agent
ATU Local 519
Robert Franklin, president
George Buchda, recording secretary
Armin Ruegg, secretary
Charles Harder, treasurer
Printing Pressman and Assistants Local 189
Joseph Kotnour, president
Lawrence Berny, vice president
Edward Bey, secretary treasurer
Painters and Decorators Local 374
Dewey Houghtaling, president
Nels Overboe, vice president
Martin Eeg, financial secretary
Harry Schmidt, treasurer
Typographical Local 448
H. Hoelzer, president
John B. Fuchs, vice president
A. L. Schroeder, recording secretary
E. J. Fuchs, secretary treasurer
Teamsters Local 199
Carl Schaller, president
Eugene Zenker, vice president
John Novak, recording secretary
Adolph Bachmann, financial secretary treasurer/
business agent

Brewery, Cereal and Soft Drink
Workers Local 129
John Bjorge, president
Ed Bishop, vice president
Emil Lepsch, recording secretary
Lawrence Dwyer, secretary treasurer
Claude Justinger, financial/corresponding
secretary/business agent
Theatrical and Stage Workers Local 141,
employed by the Rivoli, Strand, Rivera, Bijou
and New Wisconsin Movie Theaters
Frank Sieger, president
G.E. Thompson, secretary
Paul Spettel, treasurer
Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 31
Alex Nicholson, president
John Potaracke, vice president
Edgar Jacobs, recording secretary
Ernest Borer, financial secretary
Al Jamesson, treasurer
Vern Starrett, business agent
Brewery Workers Local 81
John Mehren, president
Otto Gaede, vice president
Henry Buelow, recording secretary
August Buchman, financial secretary/treasurer
John Raith, corresponding secretary/business agent
Fire Fighters Local 127
Floyd Peterson, president
Charles Tremmel, vice president
S.A. Yehle, recording secretary
Russell Kearns, financial secretary
William Poellinger, treasurer
William Sweet, 2nd vice president
Bricklayers and Stonemasons Local 1
Fred Geiwitz, president
George Wallace, vice president
George Jansky, recording secretary
Frank Gautsch, secretary treasurer
United Rubber Workers Local 14
F. Robinson, president
Alex Genz, vice president
Melvin Gilbert, recording secretary
Ernest Aumock, financial secretary/treasurer
Union Officers-circa 1937
Building and Service Employees Union
Local 21
William Lyons, president
George Schwangle, vice president
Henry Molledahl, recording secretary
Clifford Whitney, financial secretary
Laundry Workers Local 31
Edward Frink, president
John Klecka, vice president
Margaret Johnson, recording secretary
Helen Huegal, financial secretary
367
Bernice Schoenfelt, treasurer
Fire Fighters Local 127
Adolph Kessel, president
Charles Tremmel, vice president
Harold Petrasky, recording secretary
Russell Kearns, financial secretary
William Poellinger, treasurer
Carpenters and Joiners Local 1143
Alex Nicholson, president
Lawrence Sciborski, vice president
Edgar Jacobs, recording secretary
Al Jamesson, treasurer
Vern Starrett, business agent
Federal Union 18558
Walter Enders, president
Paul Bakken, vice president
George Weisehugel, recording secretary
Gordon Blankenship, financial secretary
Reuben Veglahn, treasurer
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage
Employees and Moving Picture Machine
Operators, Local 141
Frank Seiger, president
G. Thompson, vice president
Paul Spettel, treasurer
Sheet Metal Workers Local 316
Frank Svec, president
Adolph Baumann, vice president
John Zahn, recording secretary
Frank Sieber/Clarence Randall, business agents
Brewery Workers Local 81
John Mehrem, president
Otto Gaede, vice president
August Bachman, financial secretary
Henry Buelow, recording secretary
Joe Raith, business agent
Machinists Lodge 1115
Sidney Stege, president
Louis Hinytzke, vice president
Norris Knutson, financial secretary
George Renner Jr., recording secretary
Ralph Dawson, treasurer
Teamsters Local 199
Eugene Zenker, president
John Michalski, vice president
John Novak, recording secretary
Adolph Bachmann, business agent
Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher
Workmen Local 293
A Hensl, president
Vern Fitting, vice president
F. Kubal, secretary treasurer
John Seitz, recording secretary
Electrical Workers Local 135
G. Thrune, president
J. Mader, vice president

W. Mairich, secretary treasurer
Henry Affeldt, business agent
Printing Pressmen and Assistants Local 189
Joseph Kotnour, president
Lawrence Berny, vice president
Edward Bey, secretary treasurer
Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and
Paperhangers Local 374
F. Wampler, president
Nels Overboe, vice president
George Hall, recording secretary
Harry Schmidt, treasurer
Martin Eeg, financial secretary
Electrical Workers Local 749
Clifford Welchen, president
Edward Juen, vice president
Harold Robertson, recording secretary
Arthur Mickelson, financial secretary
F. Henkle, treasurer
La Crosse Typographical Local 448
Henry Hoelzer, president
John Fuchs, vice president
Eugene Fuchs, secretary treasurer
Arthur Schroeder, recording secretary
International Union of United Brewery, Flour,
Cereal and Soft Drink Workers Local 129
John Weisman, president
Edward Bishop, vice president
La Verne Koenen, business agent
Emil Lepsch, recording secretary
Lawrence Dwyer, treasurer
Barbers Local 479
R. Garbers, president
Carl Tofte, vice president
K. Niedbalski, recording secretary
Fred Gerdle, chaplain
M. Werel, financial secretary and treasurer
Bricklayers and Stonemasons
No. 1
Ben Brisson, president
George Wallace, vice president
George Jansky, recording secretary
Frank Gautsch, secretary treasurer
Paul Bisson, deputy
Union Officers - circa 1940 323
Fire Fighters Local 127
Albert Schmikla, president
Charles Tremmel, vice president
Edward Sciborski, recording secretary
Elmer Amann, vice president
William Zielke, financial secretary treasurer
Painters Local 374
L. Curtis, president
323 La Crosse Labor Review, 1940
368
Nels Overboe, vice president
Joe Nuber, recording secretary
Martin Eeg, financial secretary
Harry Schmidt, treasurer
Teamsters Local 199
Elmer Zenker, president
Harry Bakken, vice president
John Novak, recording secretary
Adolph Bachmann, business agent
Laundry Workers Local 31
Roy Samb, president
Ed Frink, vice president
Margaret Hanson, recording secretary
H. Pirsch, financial secretary
Josephine Hafner, treasurer
Machinist Lodge 1109
(Allis Chalmers)
Emil Frangmann, president
Ray Infield, vice president
Norris Knutson, recording secretary
George Netwal, financial secretary
Walter Hough, treasurer
Tom Cuta, business agent
Building, Service Employees
Local 21
Henry Molledahl, president
Conrad Inderburg, vice president
Roy Falk, recording secretary
C. Whitney, financial secretary and treasurer
Plumbers and Steamfitters
Local 31
Alex Nicholson, president
Lawrence Sciborski, vice president
Edgar Jacobs, recording secretary
John Potarache, financial secretary
James Bruda, business agent
Musicians Local 201
Joseph Riese, president
K. Weisbecker, secretary
Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen Local 293
A. Hagenbarth, president
E. Loffler, vice president
F. Kubal, secretary and treasurer
John Seitz, recording secretary
Carpenters Local 1143
Roy Clott, president
Knute Nelson, vice president
Emmet Johnson, financial secretary
Bernie Schultz, recording secretary
John Johnson, treasurer
Fred Melcher, business representative
Plasterers Local 257
William Walka, president
Fran Kopp, vice president
Bradley Turner, recording secretary
Alex Stratton, secretary treasurer

Brick and Stonemasons Local 1
Ben Bissen, president
Fred Geiwitz, vice president
George Jansky, recording secretary
Frank Gautsch, secretary and treasurer
Sheet Metal Workers Local 316
Ernest Bartley, president
Ernest Hess, vice president
Clarence Randall, financial secretary and treasurer
John Zahn, recording secretary
William Mezer, business agent
Electrical Workers Local 135
G. Thrune, president and business agent
J. Mader, vice president
W. Mairich, secretary treasurer
Franklin Newmann, recording secretary
Typographical Workers Local 448
Henry Hoelzer, president
Eugene Fuchs, secretary treasurer
John Fuchs, vice president
H. Richards, recording secretary
UAW Local 448
Lloyd Snyder, president
Herman Hoeth, vice president
Harry Weiland, Financial Secretary
Herman Reihl, Treasurer
UCAPA Local 448
Art Veglahn, president
Armin Gossfeld, vice president
John Schnell, Secretary Treasurer
George Jacobus, Recording Secretary
Printing Pressmen Local 189
Anton Jansky, president
Lawrence Berney, vice president
Joseph Beranek, secretary treasurer
Foundry Workers Local 93
Clifford Lovejoy, president
Edward Hasselbusch, vice president
William Weigel, recording secretary
Louis Nelson, financial secretary
Earl Gittens, treasurer
Federal Union 18558 (Trane)
Carroll Nolan, president
Paul Bakken, vice president
Gordon Blankenship, financial secretary
Darrel Ferris, secretary
Reuben Veglahn, treasurer
Garment Workers Local 21186
Bernice Tollefson, president
Anna Panke, vice president
Catherine Hegenbarth, recording secretary
Elsie Schlicht, guard
Brewery Workers Local 81
Louis Miller, president
Albert Temp, vice president
August Bachman, financial secretary and treasurer
369
John Schoen, recording secretary
William Netzer, business agent
Bartenders Local 479
Kenny Niedbalski, president
Ed Spah, vice president
Charles Schmikla, secretary
Rudy Harder, treasurer
William Klawitter, recording secretary
Carpenters Local 2001
James Matiek, president
Gilbert Nordrum, recording secretary
Emil Ruoff, financial secretary
R. Miller, vice president
John Hafner, treasurer
Roy Wood, financial secretary
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage
Employees and Moving Picture Machine
Operators,
Local 141
Charles Larson, president
N. Serres, secretary
Paul Spettal, treasurer
ATU Local 519
John Darling, president
Armin Ruegg, financial secretary
Charles Harder, Treasurer
George Buchda, Recording Secretary
UAW Local 396
William Largas, president
Malcolm Lloyd, vice president
Orville Evenson, Financial Secretary
Rubber Workers Local 14
Grover Mc Henry, president
Lloyd Miller, vice president
Arthur Evans, corresponding secretary
Roy Wood, Financial secretary
Union Officers - circa 1946 324
Hodcarriers and Laborers
Local 140
H. Fitzgerald, president
Harold Wright, vice president
Emmett McCabe, financial secretary and business
agent
Edward Blake, recording secretary
William Lampert, treasurer
Teamsters Local 199
Melvin Evenson, president
Al Barthold, vice president
Carl Schaller, recording secretary
Adolph Bachmann, secretary treasurer and business
agent
Local 379
Alice Farrington, president
324 La Crosse Labor Leader, 1946

Ruth Esser, vice president
Esther Banasik, recording secretary
Amelia Goyke, treasurer
Dolores Tuma, financial secretary
Barbers Local 21
George Berger, president
Henry Kinder, vice president
George Byers, secretary treasurer
Jit Standiford, recording secretary
Printing Pressmen and Assistants Local 189
Les Holter, president
Ed Bakalars, vice president
Willard LeJeune, secretary treasurer
Bartenders Local 479
Bernard Kaldunski, president
Bert Lewis, vice president
Leonard Gautsch, recording secretary
George Novak, financial secretary
L. Franklin Yoke, treasurer
Plasterers Local 257
Albert Shields, president
Fritjof Odergaard, vice president
Walter Molzahn, recording secretary
Alfred Golding, financial secretary and business
agent
AFSCME Local 407
L. Smith, president
E. Lassig, vice president
L. Hauswirth, recording secretary
F. Gleason, financial secretary
Ambrose Marco, treasurer
C. Peterson, guard
Retail Clerks Local 640
Nellie Rau, financial secretary treasurer
Machinist Lodge 1115
Wilbur Weldy, president
Carl Peters, vice president
Robert Johnson, financial secretary
Theodore Banasik, recording secretary
Arthur Roth, treasurer
Painters Local 374
Dewey Houghtaling, president
Cliff Nuble, vice president
Martin Eeg, financial secretary
Joe Nuber, recording secretary
Harry Schmidt, treasurer
Stage Workers Local 141
Lawrence Weber, president
Raymond Larson, secretary
Frank Siegar, business agent
Laundry Workers Local 31
Edwin Morgan, president
Ella Wangen, vice president
Heron Pirsch, financial secretary treasurer
Ann Solverson, recording secretary
370
Federal Union 18558 (Trane)
Earl Manke, president
Robert Bautsch, vice president
Darrel Ferris, secretary
Gordon Blankenship, financial secretary
Leonard Affeldt, treasurer
Bakers Local 386
Adolph Larson, president
George Nimmo, vice president
Herman Stingl, corresponding secretary
Clifford Roys, financial secretary treasurer
Frank Theisen, sergeant at arms
Electrical Locals B-953
C. Elliot, president
Helmer Brown, vice president
Homer White, recording secretary
R. Panzer, business manager
Teamsters Local 81
William Kane, president
Conrad Severson, vice president
William Bedessem, financial secretary treasurer
Edward Lynch, recording secretary
William Netzer, business agent
Teachers Local 652
Edgar Briggs, president
Helen Braatz, recording secretary
Mae Wallio, corresponding secretary
Ray Nibbe, vice president
Lawrence Hackett, treasurer
SMW Local 316
Fred Affeldt, president
Clarence Randell, vice president
August Hass, financial secretary
John Zahn, recording secretary
Musicians Local 201
Earl Manke, president
I. Peshak, financial secretary
Roy Smith, recording secretary
Paul Bakken, business agent
Fire Fighters Local 127
Weldon Whipple, president
Ralph Schubert, financial secretary treasurer
Elmer Amann, vice president
Edward Rendler, vice president
Edward Sciborski, recording secretary
Meat cutters Local 293
Myron Purdy, president
F. Kubal, secretary treasurer
M. Dalton, vice president
John Seitz, recording secretary
Local 31
Lawrence Sciborski, president
Edgar Jacobs, recording secretary
William Dennison, vice president
Al Jamesson, treasurer
John Potarache, financial secretary
Alex Nichols, business agent

Carpenters Local 2001
R. Miller, president
Anton Petrick, vice president
John Konop, recording secretary
E. Ruoff, financial secretary
Casper Wells, treasurer
Carpenters Local 1143
Earl Adams, president
Charles Satek, recording secretary
Loren Johnson, vice president
Edward Bissell, financial secretary and business
representative
William Eckart, treasurer
Police Local 125
Edward Stoker, president
Adrian Stellplug, vice president
Leonard Bennett, financial secretary treasurer
Edward Miller, recording secretary
Russell Johnson, sergeant at arms
Bricklayers and Stonemasons Local 1
William Page, president
Jack Lohse, vice president
Russell Gewirtz, financial secretary
George Fried, recording secretary
Hans Boye, deputy
Union Officers - circa 1952 325
Auto Workers Local 124
Badger Stamping and Tool Company employees
William Rudolph, Secretary
Bakers Local 386
Consumers, E. and F. Doughnut Shop, Erickson
Bakery, Federal Bakery and Harvey‟s Bakery
employees.
Clifford Roys, Secretary
Barbers Local 21
Carl Bruhnke, Secretary
Bartenders Local 479
Harold Ortmeier, Secretary
Bricklayers and Stonemasons Local 1
Sherman Miller, Secretary
Building Service Employees
Local 21
Roy Smith
Carpenters Local 1143
Eugene Dally
Carpenters Local 2001
Yoshio Tamura
Electrical Workers Local 135
325 La Crosse Labor Leader, 1952
371
Heileman Brewing, St. Francis Hospital, WKBH,
Neon Supply and Collins Sign Company employees
Robert Pruent
Electrical Workers Local 953
Gordon Larson
Monroe County Telephone Sparta, La Crosse
Dairyland Power employees
Electrical Workers Local 990
La Crosse Telephone employees
Ed Muehlenberg
Fire Fighters Local 127
William Gilbertson
Foundry Employees Local 93
John Torrance Foundry employees
Louis Nelson
Garment Workers Local 379
La Crosse Garment Manufacture‟s employees
Esther Banasik
Hod Carriers and Laborers Local 140
La Crosse Readi-Mix and Mathy Concrete company‟s
employees
Ellsworth Viner
Laundry Workers Local 31
Clean Towel, Groves and Stein, Haddad Cleaners,
Jollivete Cleaners, La Crosse Laundry, Modern
Laundry, Pitzner‟s Cleaners and Schultz and Nelson
Dry Cleaners employees
Mary Gauper
Machinists Lodge 1115
Trane Company, employees
Edwin Leuchtenberg
Machinists Lodge 1488
DeLuxe Engineering Company employees
Willard Raseman
Meat Cutters Local 293
Myron Purdy
Musicians Local 201
I. Peshak
Office Employees Local 44
Teamsters Local 199, Trane, Laborers Local 140,
Service Transfer and La Crosse AFL employees
Howard Ploof
Painters and Decorators Local 374
Anthony Klissus
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 31
Bernard Thill
Policemen Local 125
Fred Howly
Printing Pressmen Local 189
La Crosse Tribune
Jack Mull

Retail Clerks Local 640
Doris Meyers
Sheet Metal Workers Local 316
Albert Betz
AFSCME Local 227
La Crosse County Sheriff, County Jail and Highway
Department employees
Rudy Paulson
AFSCME Local 407
City of La Crosse employees
Lawrence Hauswirth
Streetcar Workers Local 519
Faye Thompson
Teachers Local 652
La Crosse Public Schools, employees
Nancy Gerrard
Theatrical Stage Employees Local 141
Arthur Frey
Trane Employees Federal Labor Union No.
18558
Darrel Ferris
Teamsters Local 199
Eugene Zenker
Typographical Local 448
Inland Printing, Jansky Brothers, Keller Printing, La
Crosse Composing, La Crosse Printing, La
Crosse Tribune, Spicer and Buschman and Tri-State
Printing employees
L. LeJune
Union Officers - circa 1959
Allied Industrial Workers
Local 124
employed by Badger Inc.
Edward Erlewein, president
Keith Nelson, vice president
Kathleen McPeak, financial secretary
Juanita Johnson, recording secretary
Retail Clerks Local 640
Employed by, A & P, National Tea, Koller‟s,
Kopecky‟s, Kroger‟s, Ralph‟s Union Market, Super
Value Stores and Tausche Hardware
Machinist Lodge 1115
Leonard Adsit, president
Victor Samb, vice president
Ted Baanasik, financial secretary
Walter Webster, recording secretary
Carl Strauss, treasurer
Machinist Lodge 21
372
Harry Olson, president
James McCauley, vice president
Ray Hicke, financial secretary
Clarence Lokken, recording secretary
L.W. Affeldt, treasurer
Hodcarriers and Laborers Local 140
LeRoy Wieman, president
Hubert Yancey, vice president
Ellsworth Viner, recording secretary/corresponding
secretary
Alvis Chinader, office secretary
Roger Grangaard, financial secretary/business agent
Stage Workers Local 141
employed by the Hollywood, Rivoli, Rivera, Star Lite,
North Star theatres and the Mary E. Sawyer
Auditorium and Vocational School Auditorium
Frank Sieger, president
Arthur Frey, secretary
Frank Sieger, business agent
Electrical Local 953
employed by N.S.P. and La Crosse Telephone
Company
Raymond Panzer, president
Willard Nimocks, vice president
C.A. Vance, treasurer
Gordon Larson, recording secretary
Julian Nelson, business manager
Teamsters Local 81
employed by the G. Heileman Brewery
Robert Olson, president
Tom Howe, vice president
Ed Lynch, recording secretary
Joe Gillis Sr., treasurer
La Crosse Federation of Teachers Local 652
Harold Blank, president
James Bennett, vice president
Dorothy Fregin, treasurer
Frances Kain, secretary
SMW Local 316
Richard Randall, president
Rudolph Ender, vice president
Clarence Randall, financial secretary
Fred Affeldt, business agent
Musicians Local 201
D.R. Wartinbee, president
Marvin Quinn, vice president
Irving Peshak, financial secretary/treasurer
Roy Smith, recording secretary
Harry Grosskopf, business agent
Fire Fighters Local 127
William Gilbertson, president
James Sciborski, secretary/treasurer
James Welch, vice president
William Gianoli, vice president
Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 31
Clifford Ristow, president/assistant business agent
William Breuer, vice president

Ray Houska, treasurer
Bernard Thill, business agent, financial secretary
Charles Burchell, recording secretary
Meat cutters Local 293
Marvin Hayes, president
John Rusin, vice president
Howard Almos, recording secretary
Myron Purdy, secretary treasurer
Carpenters Local 2001
Albert Forer, president
Harlan Peterson, vice president
James Volden, recording secretary
Yoshio Tamura, financial secretary
Kenneth Holcomb, treasurer
UAW Local 316
Robert Gavin, president
Kenneth Sheldon, vice president
Reger Ferguson, recording secretary
Ervin Friet, financial secretary
UAW Local 401
Richard Deml, president
Matt Werel, vice president
Al Panke, recording secretary
George Zorb, financial secretary/treasurer
Carpenters Local 1143
William Lyons, president
Arthur Haas, vice president
Royal McGinnis, recording secretary
Patrick Kelly, financial secretary
Police Local 125
Erwin Schmidt, president
John Smale, vice president
J. Arthur Gschwind, financial secretary/treasurer
Albert Dannhoff, recording secretary
Bricklayers and Stonemasons Local 1
Ronald Page, president
Virgil Wooley, vice president
Clinton Hunt, financial secretary
William Bringe, recording secretary
Anton Kraus, deputy
IBEW Local 990
Harvey Smith, president
Lawrence Perry, vice president
Malcolm Gilbertson, recording secretary
Henry Liebl, treasurer
James DuBois, business manager
AFSCME Local 227
Stanford Quall, president
Raymond Sacia, vice president
Melvin Grannum, treasurer
George Roellich, secretary
Office Workers Local 44
Thomas Weigel, president
Ronald Faas, vice president
Kathryn Becker, secretary treasurer
Betty Whistleman, recording secretary
373
ATU Local 519
La Verne Stankey, president
Neil Lewis, recording secretary
John Hartung, financial secretary/treasurer
SEIU Local 180
Ernest Lassig, president
Gene Horning, vice president
A. Baker, recording secretary
George Bigley, financial secretary/treasurer
Garment Workers Local 379
employed by La Crosse Garment Manufacturers
Evelyn Thompson, president
Ruth Evenson, vice president
Helen Butzmann, recording secretary/treasurer
Muriel Amundson, financial secretary
URW Local 14
employed by the La Crosse Rubber Mills
Donald Oldenburg, president
Ernest Warner, vice president
Archie Kohn, secretary
Edwin Neumann, treasurer
IBEW Local 135
Leonard Roellich, president
George Londkoski, vice president
O. R. Neisius, business agent/financial secretary
Al Bratten, treasurer
Edward Stanek, recording secretary
Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 257
E.A. Giese, president/business representative
Albert Shields, vice president
Joe Coulson, recording secretary
Edward Iverson, financial secretary
Journeymen Barbers Local 21
Otto Albrecht, president
Francis Miller, vice president
Carl Bruhnke, secretary treasurer
Ernest Wiedman, recording secretary
NALC Branch 59
Bernard Banasik, president
Walter Raith, vice president
Marvin Christianson, secretary
Carl Ott, treasurer
BSEIU Local 21
Albin Mitchell, president
Gilbert Nordrum, vice president
Sigmund Pavela, recording secretary
Robert Seitz, financial secretary
Union officers circa - 1984
Hotel and Restaurant Workers Local 479
Lucille Geary, president
Bernice Mahlum, vice president
Mary Stanley, recording secretary
Cheryl Yeahe, financial secretary

Painters Local 374
Scott Davis, president
Floyd Richardson, vice president
Anthony Klissus, recording secretary
Gerald Powell, financial secretary
International Lady Garment Workers Local 379
Evelyn Eno, president
Lois Payne, vice president
Paulette Johnson, recording secretary
Lila Hauser, financial secretary
Plumbers and Steamfitters
Local 31
George Swegel, president
Richard Phillips, vice president
Willard Jonas, recording secretary
Ralph Wendland, financial secretary
Fire Fighters Local 127
Machinists Lodge 21
John Gaines, president
Joe Lord, vice president
Timothy Tentis, recording secretary
Francis Schoen, financial secretary
Rubber Workers Local 14
Bernice Driscoll, president
Lyle Lintula, vice president
Madaline Dalhby, recording secretary
Ed Newmann, financial secretary
TAUWF Local 3535
Richard Fletcher, president
Charles Marx, vice president
Arnold Temte, Financial secretary
Carpenters Local 1143
John Knudson, president
Roger Hansen, vice president
Kenneth Wing, recording secretary
Robert Gordon, financial secretary
AFSCME Local 2484
Wade Anger, president
Mike Weibel, vice president
Kay Collister, recording secretary
June Lubinsky, financial secretary
Local 437
Jeffery Shuda, president
Revels, vice president
William Heinz, recording secretary
Dean Blumentritt, financial secretary
Kim Grosskoff, corresponding secretary
IBEW Local 953
George Dahl, president
Raymond Holte, vice president
Arnold Anderson, recording secretary
Thomas Haley, financial secretary
AFSCME Local 1449
Sue Beil, president
Marilyn Wigdahl, president
374
Laurayne Smrcina, recording secretary
Jewell Blowers, financial secretary
SEIU Local 21
Ted Harrer, president
Jeff Smutny, vice president
Bill Bittner, recording secretary
Wayne Jensen, financial secretary
OPEIU Local 44
Joanne DeClute, president
Lois Weigel, vice president
Rita Cockrell, recording secretary
AFT Local 3605
Arnie Van Art, president
Floyd Gulso, vice president
Ruth Anderson, recording secretary
Merritt Carlson, financial secretary
ATU Local 519
Greg Johnson, president
Carl Tabbert, vice president
Kenneth Bye, recording secretary
Darrell Hodson, financial secretary
AFSCME Local 194
John Hagenah, president
Dean Waters, vice president
Pat Verse, recording secretary
Pat Verse, financial secretary
Musicians Local 201
Kenneth Bye, president
Carl Rohelt, vice president
Thelma Bina, financial secretary
Union officers circa - 1999
Heat and Frost Insulators Local 19
Ken Elmer, and Dan Schlltz
Boilermakers Local 107
James Garfield, business manager
Bricklayers Local 1
Dave Hahn, field representative
Carpenters Local 1143
Brian Gentry, business manager
Cement Masons Local 497
Jim Williams, business representative
IBEW Local 953
Dave Loechler, asst. business manager
Iron Workers Local 383
Tom Lee, business representative
Operating Engineers Local 139
Pete Fleming
Painters Local 259
Dave Branson, business agent

Laborers Local 140
Kevin Lee, business manager
Keith Cloutier, business manager
Union officers circa - 2002
Heat and Frost Insulators Local 19
Gregory Hunt
Boilermakers Local 107
James Garfield, business manager
Bricklayers Local 1
Dave Hahn, field representative
Carpenters Local 1143
Brian Gentry, business manager
Cement Masons Local 257
Jim Williams
Painters Local 259
Mike Gavanda, business manager
Roofers Local 96
Eric Anderson
Sheet Metal Workers Local 18
Brian Crane,
Teamsters Local 695
Gene Gowey, business representative
IBEW Local 14
Jim Pierce, business representative
IBEW Local 953
Dave Loechler, asst. business manager
Glaziers Local 941
Stu Kamin
Iron Workers Local 383
Don Schroeder, business representative
Operating Engineers Local 139
Gary Hill, business representative
375
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 434
Dave Branson, business agent
Photo above,
Front page
La Crosse
Union Herald,
July 1980
Photo to the
right,
La Crosse
Labor Leader,
1959
Happy Farmer Tractor, manufactured by the La Crosse Tractor
Company in 1917.

List Three: Union Employment
“Economic betterment, today, tomorrow, in home and shop, was the foundation upon which trade unions have
been built. Economic power is the basis upon which may be developed power in other fields. It is the foundation
of organized rights.” Samuel Gompers, president AFL
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1917
(in selected occupations)
Union Coal Dealers - 16
Tenneson Fuel Co., Yerly Coal Co., O. C. Walters,
Whitebrest Coal Co., Anderegg Coal Co.,
Peoples‟ Fuel and Ice, Taylor Lumber and Fuel Co.,
Leider and Lampert,
Union Ice Dealers – 7 People‟s Fuel and Ice,
Grosch and Mader Ice, Peter Terpstra Ice,
Louis Jahnke and Sons Ice, Cargill Co., Gateway
Lumber and Fuel Co., Peterson Coal Co.
Union Meat Markets - 31
O. Baum, Buehler Brothers, Drucshke, Farley, G.
Fuchs, H. Gobe, Hagenbaugh, Hanifl,
Hegge Market, Hentschel,
Michel, Norby, Prentice, Schams, Schnick, Schubert,
Sievert, Smales, Stifter Brothers,
Techmer, Temte, Tittles Brothers, Tomalka‟s
Sausage Factory, Urban Brothers, Vogel, Wakeen,
Wittenberg, Herlitzka, Jehlen and Sons, Knutson,
Langdon, Lier, Bedessem
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1928
Many employers were unionized by 1928.
Most of these union employers were lost due to
consolidation of industries and services which lead to
less employee input and control of workplace
conditions.
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse - 1928
(in selected occupations)
11 Union Coal dealers
4 Union Ice dealers
34 Union Meat markets
7 Union Ice stations
Number of Union Employers
(in selected occupations)
10 Unionized General hauling firms
16 Union Barbershops
10 Union Orchestras
10 Union Cigarmakers
10 Union Clothing Stores
10 Union Garages
4 Union printers
15 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
27 Union Carpentry Contractors
17 Union Painting and Contractors
9 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
8 Union Electrical Contractors
376
Union Draying and Hauling - 10
Emil Walters, Fred Opland, Guy Sagear, Andrew
Novak, Paul Zschoche, Henry Ikert, Lawrence
Ferguson, Vern Wadden, Herman Jaekel, Leonard
Stroeh
Union Printing Shops - 7
Crescent Printing, Curtis Printing, Inland Printing,
Gust Keller, Liesenfeld Printing,
Spicer and Buschman, Tribune Publishing Co.
Union Bands - 7
Make‟s Eveready, Novelty, Holcomb, Kruetz, Rudy‟s,
Izzy‟s Night Owls, Nick‟s Entertainers
Union Plumbing & Steam fitting – 16
Niebuhr, Branson and Son, Braunec, Hengel
Plumbing and Heating, Mike Hoffman,
P. Iverson, Marquardt and Manning, Otto Ratz, Leo
Albel, H. Thill, Steinman and Kienholz,
Russell Lovold, William Buchner, W. Baker, John
Mydels and Son
7 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
13 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors 326
There were ten union Cigarmakers in 1928.
Company Cigar(s)
Chick Cigar Company La Fortune Chick
Albert Major Walker Whiteside
Straight
Herman Affeldt San Ardo Country
Club
Charles Weigel Royal Court
Advance
John Bitzer, Aral,
Bitzer‟s Favorite c
George Wiesehuegel Defender
Partridge
Charles Horn Winneshiek
Pacolet
Alfred Anderson Al‟s Blue Ribbon
J.J. Kabat (Bangor) Big Duke Havana
Smoker
J.W. Wais (Cashton) Peter Chimes
Savora
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1935
(in selected occupations)
5 Union Dairies
326
Extracted from various newspaper microfilms of
La Crosse newspapers

5 Union Ice Dealers
40 Union Barbershops
4 Unionized General hauling firms
8 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
10 Union Painting and Contractors
11 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
6 Union Electrical Contractors
5 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
10 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors
3 Union Sign Companies
5 Union Printers
3 Union Breweries
In 1935 the five union printers were;
Crescent Printing Company, G.A. Keller, Jansky
Brothers, A.A. Liesenfeld and Spicer and Buschman.
The three union brewers were; Heileman and their
Old Style beer, La Crosse Breweries and their
Peerless Ale and Elfenbrau beer and the George Kuntz
brewery with Altbrau beer.
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1936
(in selected occupations)
7 Union Cigarmakers
3 Union Brewers
23 Union Meat markets
40 Union Barbershops
20 Union Orchestras
In 1936 the following firms used union
plumbers and steamfitters; Leo Able, F.M. Branson
and Son, Al Braunec, Nick Hengel, George
McKashkey, Marquardt and Manning, Niebuhr and
A.L. Steiman.
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1937
(in selected occupations)
19 Union Coal Dealers
9 Union Dairies
4 Union Ice Dealers
6 Union Printers
29 Union Meat markets
38 Union Barbershops
20 Union Orchestras
5 Unionized General hauling firms
21 Union General Contractors
11 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
12 Union Painting and Contractors
11 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
5 Union Electrical Contractors
10 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
19 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors
Other Union employers in 1937 included;
Segelke-Kohlhaus, E. Hackner, Allis-Chalmers,
Northern States Power, La Crosse Public Schools,
and the
Torrance Foundry.
377
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1939
(in selected occupations)
11 Union Bakeries
18 Union Coal Dealers
12 Union Dairies
3 Union Ice Dealers
7 Union Laundries
8 Union Printers
12 Union Service Stations
7 Union Theatres
36 Union Meat markets
47 Union Bars
34 Union Barbershops
19 Union Orchestras
8 Unionized General hauling firms
33 Union General Contractors
12 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
15 Union Painting and Contractors
12 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
7 Union Electrical Contractors
7 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
16 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors
In 1939 Union members were employed by
the following gasoline service stations; Ashland
Station, Gasoline Alley, Instant Tire Station, Spooner
Station, Thill Station and the Thurston Station.
Members of Retail Clerks Local 640 worked
at the following stores; the Arentz Shoe Store,
Continental Clothing Store, Daniels Confectionery,
Doerflingers, Markos Dry Goods Store, Sears
Roebuck, Tink Market Grocery, Spence McCord Drug
Company and the Nelson and Newburg clothing
stores.
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1940
(in selected occupations)
11 Union Bakeries
9 Union Printers
6 Union Theatres
36 Union Meat markets
51 Union bars
45 Union Barbershops
21 Union Orchestras
31 Union General Contractors
11 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
14 Union Painting and Contractors
14 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
6 Union Electrical Contractors
9 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
16 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors
In 1940 Union members were employed by
the following; Weisse Sash and Door Factory, La
Crosse Disposal Plant, St. Francis Hospital, Fehr
Cement Pipe Plant, La Crosse Garment Industries,
and the La Crosse Tribune and Leader Press
newspaper.

Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1941
(in selected occupations)
10 Union Bakeries
20 Union Coal Dealers
11 Union Dairies
3 Union Ice Dealers
6 Union Laundries
9 Union Printers
13 Union Service Stations
6 Union Theatres
33 Union Meat markets
57 Union Bars
47 Union Barbershops
20 Union Orchestras
10 Unionized General hauling firms
28 Union General Contractors
10 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
14 Union Painting and Contractors
14 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
6 Union Electrical Contractors
9 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
19 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors
In 1941 Union Members were employed by
the following; WKBH Radio, La Crosse Steel Roofing
and Corrugating Company, and the Relief
Department.
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1942
(in selected occupations)
11 Union Bakeries
21 Union Coal Dealers
10 Union Dairies
3 Union Ice Dealers
8 Union Laundries
9 Union Printers
12 Union Service Stations
6 Union Theatres
33 Union Meat markets
52 Union Bars
41 Union Barbershops
14 Union Orchestras
9 Unionized General hauling firms
In 1942 Union Members worked at the
following Union Bakeries; Erickson, Federal, Harvey‟s,
Loomis Home Bakery, Manning‟s South Side Bakery,
Reget‟s Oven to House Bakery, Ruplin, Sunbeam and
White Bakery.
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1943
(in selected occupations)
8 Union Bakeries
20 Union Coal Dealers
11 Union Dairies
3 Union Ice Dealers
7 Union Laundries
8 Union Printers
8 Union Service Stations
378
6 Union Theatres
30 Union Meat markets
48 Union Bars
39 Union Barbershops
14 Union Orchestras
9 Unionized General hauling firms
In 1943 AFSCME Local 407 represented City
of La Crosse employees in the; Street, Water, Sewer,
Engineering, Park, Library, Plumbing and Electrical
Inspectors Department‟s.
Union Members worked for the Betz, Blue
Ribbon, Casperson‟s, Hoeth, Holmen, Krause,
Modern, Pet Milk, Reburn, Stroeh and Weiker‟s
dairies.
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1944
(in selected occupations)
8 Union Bakeries
21 Union Coal Dealers
9 Union Dairies
7 Union Laundries
9 Union Printers
8 Union Service Stations
6 Union Theatres
28 Union Meat markets
48 Union Bars
39 Union Barbershops
11 Union Orchestras
9 Unionized General hauling firms
In 1944 Union Members were employed by;
the La Crosse Telephone Company, Rivera
Sportswear, Neshonoc Light and Power, and the State
Teachers College.
Union musicians played in the following
bands; Emil Breidel, Burr‟s, Club Royal, Harry Gross,
Louie‟s Old Time Dance, Mader‟s, Gene Mendez,
New‟s, Seidel‟s and Ziemann‟s Orchestras‟.
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1945
(in selected occupations)
8 Union Bakeries
18 Union Coal Dealers
9 Union Dairies
3 Union Ice Dealers
7 Union Laundries
12 Union Printers
7 Union Service Stations
6 Union Theatres
28 Union Meat markets
51 Union Bars
38 Union Barbershops
14 Union Orchestras
9 Unionized General hauling firms
10 Union General Contractors
7 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
12 Union Painting and Contractors
10 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
6 Union Electrical Contractors
7 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and
Ornamental Plastering Contractors
15 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors

In 1945 Union Members worked at the Fifth
Avenue, Strand, Rivera, Rivoli, Wisconsin and
Hollywood movie theatres. Union printers worked at
the Inland, Janksy, Keller, La Crosse Composing, La
Crosse Printing, Liesenfeld, Spicer and Buschman and
Tri-State printing companies.
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1946
(in selected occupations)
8 Union Bakeries
19 Union Coal Dealers
9 Union Dairies
3 Union Ice Dealers
7 Union Laundries
7 Union Printers
11 Union Service Stations
6 Union Theatres
27 Union Meat markets
58 Union Bars
38 Union Barbershops
17 Union Orchestras
10 Unionized General hauling firms
9 Union General Contractors
7 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
12 Union Painting and Contractors
11 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
6 Union Electrical Contractors
15 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
12 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1947
(in selected occupations)
6 Union Bakeries
18 Union Coal Dealers
3 Union Ice Dealers
5 Union Laundries
7 Union Printers
8 Union Service Stations
6 Union Theatres
38 Union Meat markets
71 Union Bars
37 Union Barbershops
26 Union Orchestras
13 Unionized General hauling firms
9 Union General Contractors
8 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
12 Union Painting and Contractors
9 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
8 Union Electrical Contractors
17 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
16 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors
In 1947, Union Members were employed by
the Clean Towel, Groves and Steins, La Crosse
Laundry and Cleaning, Modern Laundry and Dry
Cleaning Company and Schultz Cleaners, laundries.
The Collins, Jagow Advertising, Frank
Kaufmann, La Crosse Sign and Advertising and Neon
379
Supply Company, sign companies employed Union
Members.
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1948
(in selected occupations)
8 Union Bakeries
18 Union Coal Dealers
8 Union Dairies
3 Union Ice Dealers
7 Union Laundries
7 Union Printers
36 Union Meat markets
93 Union Bars
33 Union Barbershops
24 Union Orchestras
10 Union General Contractors
9 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
12 Union Painting and Contractors
11 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
10 Union Electrical Contractors
5 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
13 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors
In 1948 members of AFSCME Local 27
worked for the Sheriff‟s Office, the La Crosse County
Jail and the La Crosse County Highway Department.
Union Members also worked at the Pla Mor, V.F.W.
Club, Recreation Lanes, AFL Club and Eagle‟s Club
bowling alleys.
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1949
(in selected occupations)
7 Union Bakeries
18 Union Coal Dealers
3 Union Ice Dealers
8 Union Dairies
3 Union Ice Dealers
7 Union Laundries
7 Union Printers
9 Union Service Stations
7 Union Theatres
38 Union Meat markets
104 Union bars
34 Union Barbershops
22 Union Orchestras
13 Unionized General hauling firms
19 Union General Contractors
13 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
13 Union Painting and Contractors
11 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
10 Union Electrical Contractors
5 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
Of the 104 Union bars in La Crosse in 1949,
a few are listed below;
Ah Ha Bar 829 Rose
Bachelor Club 800 South 3rd
Bentzen‟s Pit 1200 South 11th
Blue Moon 128 South 3rd

Bowlers Inn 324 Jay
Club 53 2735 George
Dog House 124 North 3rd
Flame Tavern 701 Copeland Avenue
Golden Harp 227 Pearl
Jungles 624 South 9th
Knotty Pine Onalaska
The Spot 122 South 2nd
Trocadero Nite Club 120 North 3rd
Viking Tavern 512 Pine
Zephyr Bar 228 South 3ed
Status of Employment in 1945
The U.S. Army terminated its contracts in
the middle of August. The Electric Auto-Lite plant laid
off 345 workers in response to the lost work, leaving
1,350 employees on the job. Northern Engraving laid
off 60 workers in what was hoped would be a
temporary layoff. The La Crosse Trailer Company
(later to become Paper Calmenson or PACAL
Company) employed 280 workers and expected to
pare that down to 125 to 130 due to the loss of
military orders. Allis Chalmers had 1,000 workers on
duty, the La Crosse Rubber Mills had 850 working and
the La Crosse Garment Company had 300. Due to
the switch to consumer products now that the war
was winding down, Allis Chalmers announced a need
for 200 additional workers.
Union Employers 1950-1958
The relative strength of the labor movement
in the local community can be gauged with a great
deal of accuracy from the annual publication of the La
Crosse Trades and Labor Council, the La Crosse Labor
Leader, which lists in detail the names of the union
employers during this era.
A snapshot of the number of unionized
workplaces is recounted year by year and the trends
can be discerned to a degree by the data.
1950, Public Services
In 1950 the public schools of La Crosse were
employing custodians who were members of Building
and Service Employees Local 21, along with the Labor
Temple Association. Saint Francis Hospital, Allis-
Chalmers, G. Heileman Brewery and WKBH radio
were employing IBEW Local 135 members.
Providing electrical service, Northern States Power,
Barron Electric, Clark County Electric, Dairyland
Power, Dunn County Electric, Monroe County
Telephone Company, Eau Claire Electric, Trempealeau
County Electric, Wisconsin Hydro Electric and the
Electrical Contractors of Eau Claire were listed as
being employers of IBEW Local 953.
IBEW Local 990 members worked for the
local telephone company. Police officers worked for
the City and La Crosse County as members of
Policemen Local 125. City workers worked at all the
departments of the City as members of BSEIU
AFSCME Local 194 had its members
employed at the State Teachers College. AFSCME
Local 227 represented the workers at the County
Highway Department, the Sheriff‟s Office and the
County jail. Local 519 members ran the bus system
and Local 127 employed the Firefighters.
380
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1950
(in selected occupations)
7 Union Bakeries
19 Union Coal Dealers
7 Union Dairies
3 Union Ice Dealers
9 Union Laundries
7 Union Printers
8 Union Service Stations
7 Union Theatres
36 Union Meat markets
111 Union bars
31 Union Barbershops
23 Union Orchestras
12 Unionized General hauling firms
28 Union General Contractors
14 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
14 Union Painting and Contractors
12 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
14 Union Electrical Contractors
13 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
14 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors
In 1950 some of the union meat markets
were; A & P, Bakalars, Cram Brothers, Farley‟s
Sausage Factory, Fuzzy‟s Market, Hake‟s Poultry,
Kroger, Koller, National Tea, Piggly Wiggly, Quillins,
Real Food Shop, Schachinger Sausage Factory and
the West Avenue Market.
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1951
(in selected occupations)
8 Union Bakeries
17 Union Coal Dealers
6 Union Dairies
2 Union Ice Dealers
9 Union Laundries
8 Union Printers
7 Union Service Stations
7 Union Theatres
36 Union Meat markets
111 Union bars
31 Union Barbershops
23 Union Orchestras
13 Unionized General hauling firms
32 Union General Contractors
16 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
14 Union Painting and Contractors
13 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
14 Union Electrical Contractors
6 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
13 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1952
(in selected occupations)
5 Union Bakeries
17 Union Coal Dealers

6 Union Dairies
2 Union Ice Dealers
9 Union Laundries
8 Union Printers
7 Union Service Stations
7 Union Theatres
36 Union Meat markets
97 Union bars
30 Union Barbershops
1 Union Orchestras
15 Unionized General hauling firms
35 Union General Contractors
16 Union Painting and Contractors
16 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
15 Union Electrical Contractors
6 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
14 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1953
(in selected occupations)
6 Union Bakeries
16 Union Coal Dealers
7 Union Dairies
2 Union Ice Dealers
9 Union Laundries
8 Union Printers
4 Union Service Stations
8 Union Theatres
38 Union Meat markets
66 Union bars
32 Union Barbershops
36 Union Orchestras
19 Unionized General hauling firms
38 Union General Contractors
24 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
Union Painting and Contractors
15 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
Union Electrical Contractors
5 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
14 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1954
(in selected occupations)
6 Union Bakeries
16 Union Coal Dealers
7 Union Dairies
2 Union Ice Dealers
12 Union Laundries
8 Union Printers
4 Union Service Stations
8 Union Theatres
36 Union Meat markets
96 Union bars
32 Union Barbershops
30 Union Orchestras
18 Unionized General hauling firms
42 Union General Contractors
28 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
14 Union Painting and Contractors
381
13 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
17 Union Electrical Contractors
8 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
15 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1955
(in selected occupations)
6 Union Bakeries
16 Union Coal Dealers
7 Union Dairies
2 Union Ice Dealers
13 Union Laundries
7 Union Printers
6 Union Service Stations
7 Union Theatres
36 Union Meat markets
59 Union bars
33 Union Barbershops
38 Union Orchestras
33 Unionized General hauling firms
25 Union General Contractors
26 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
15 Union Painting and Contractors
13 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
17 Union Electrical Contractors
8 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
15 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1956
(in selected occupations)
6 Union Bakeries
15 Union Coal Dealers
5 Union Fuel Oil Dealers
8 Union Dairies
2 Union Ice Dealers
7 Union Laundries
7 Union Printers
7 Union Service Stations
7 Union Theatres
35 Union Meat markets
35 Union bars
37 Union Orchestras
17 Unionized General hauling firms
36 Union General Contractors
23 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
14 Union Painting and Contractors
11 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
16 Union Electrical Contractors
6 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
15 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1957
(in selected occupations)
6 Union Bakeries
14 Union Coal Dealers
9 Union Dairies

2 Union Ice Dealers
15 Union Laundries
8 Union Printers
7 Union Service Stations
6 Union Theatres
35 Union Meat markets
37 Union bars
34 Union Barbershops
33 Union Orchestras
18 Unionized General hauling firms
32 Union General Contractors
21 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
14 Union Painting and Contractors
12 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
16 Union Electrical Contractors
6 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
15 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1958
(in selected occupations)
3 Union Bakeries
16 Union Coal Dealers
5 Union Fuel Oil Dealers
10 Union Dairies
18 Union Laundries
7 Union Printers
6 Union Service Stations
8 Union Theatres
32 Union Meat markets
Union bars
35 Union Barbershops
35 Union Orchestras
18 Unionized General hauling firms
32 Union General Contractors
21 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
14 Union Painting and Contractors
12 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
Union Electrical Contractors
Ads from the 1938 Labor Review
Showing Union Clothing Stores
382
6 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
15 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors
Number of Union Employers
in La Crosse – 1959
(in selected occupations)
7 Union Printers
7 Union Theatres
30 Union Meat markets
34 Union Barbershops
32 Union Orchestras
32 Union General Contractors
22 Union Plumbing and Heating Contractors
7 Union Painting and Contractors
10 Union Sheet Metal Contractors
18 Union Electrical Contractors
6 Union Plastering, Stuccoing, and Ornamental
Plastering Contractors
12 Union Brick and Stone Mason Contractors
Members of Allied Industrial Workers Local
124 labored for the Badger Company, IAM Lodge
1115 members worked for the DeLuxe and Wittcrose
Engineering Companies, the Tool Room at Trane and
at La Crosse Brush. UAW Local 175 members held
jobs at Dolly Madison Dairies, Gateway Products, P.
Lorillard Company, Miller Broom Company and the
Oak Grove Cemetery Association.
Union Barbers, 1962
Donald Pokarth, Joseph Wright, Theron Phelps, Orbie
Moss, Francis Miller, Harold Evyen, Ole Hablstad, Don
Burr, Gerald Besl, Martin Grabinski, Isadore Michalski,
George Byers, Joseph Houska, Reinie Oberlander,
Thomas Grabinski, Oliver Gueltzow, Oscar Berg,
Ernest Weideman, Leo Schauls, Victor Larson, James
Bates, Myrl Turner, Theodore Lapitz, Wenzel
Schubert, Arnie Gilbertson, Carl Bruhnke, Anthony
Donndelinger, Arthur Kopin, Duand Garbiesch

Front page La Crosse Union Herald, May 1980
383
Ads from 1938 Labor Review
Showing Union Building Contractors

List Four: La Crosse Consumer Prices
"The best of wages will not compensate for excessively long working hours which undermine
health". „Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis.
How much did it cost to live in the early years? According to the La Crosse Chronicle
newspaper of the era these were the average prices of groceries for the households of La
Crosse.
Commodity Price Price Price Price
Year 1888 1889 1890 1891
Butter, a pound 20 cents 20 cents 24 cents 18 cents
Flour, a barrel $5 $3.80 $4.60 $5
Eggs, a dozen 18 cents 17 cents
Potatoes, a bushel 28 cents 20 cents 75 cents 25 cents
Hams, a pound 11 cents 10 ½ cents 10 ½ cents 10 ½ cents
Bacon, a pound 12 ½ cents 8 cents 8 cents 9 ½ cents
Chickens, a pound 6 cents 7 cents 3 ½ cents 10 cents
Turkeys, a pound 7 cents 9 cents 11 cents
Apples, a bushel $2 $2.75 $4 $2.15
Cheese, a pound 10 cents 9 ½ cents 9 cents
According to advertisements ran in other La Crosse newspapers of the particular era
cited, prices were as follows for groceries in the twentieth century and on into the current
era.
YEAR FLOUR ROUND STEAK PORK CHOPS BUTTER EGGS MILK
Quantity 5 pounds per pound per pound pound dozen ½ gallon
1901 13 cents 14 cents 13 cents 27 cents 22 cents 14 cents
1918 34 cents 7 cents 39 cents 58 cents 57 cents 28 cents
1934 25 cents 28 cents 26 cents 32 cents 33 cents 22 cents
1950 49 cents 94 cents 75 cents 73 cents 60 cents 41 cents
1960 55 cents $1.06 86 cents 75 cents 57 cents 52 cents
1970 59 cents $1.30 $1.16 87 cents 61 cents 66 cents
1984 $1.07 $2.91 $2.38 $2.11 $1.00 $1.13
1996 $1.44 $3.12 $3.41 $2.05 $1.11 $1.56
2003 $1.56 $3.84 $3.13 $2.81 $1.24 $n/a 327
2009 $2.24 $3.98 $2.28 $2.50 88 cents $1.35
Year – By – Year Cost-of-Living Comparison
1886
Local grocers were selling boneless hams for 6 ¾ cents per pound, breakfast bacon
for 7 ¾ a pound and Picnic hams for 6 ¾ cents per pound. Old Chief Smoking tobacco was
10 cents a pound and cigars were going for one penny a piece. At the Park Store, in
downtown La Crosse umbrellas were being offered to shoppers at the cost of 35 cents.
School supplies for the children were set at 10 slate pencils for a dime and lead pencils were
sold for a nickel.
327 Extracted from various newspaper microfilms of La Crosse newspapers
384

1902
The Continental clothing store in La Crosse was proudly advertising a Union-Made
man‟s suit of clothes for $9.95. For the citizens of the city that were remodeling their homes,
the Staat‟s wall paper store was offering a double roll of wall paper for 2 ½ cents.
1910
In this year five pounds of sugar cost 23 cents, a pound of coffee went for 25 cents
and a pound of butter cost 30 cents. For their salads, three bunches of carrots cost 10 cents,
a basket of tomatoes went for 40 cents and a peck of potatoes was 45 cents. Women‟s
blouses were being sold for 98 cents, men‟s straw hats cost the same and a man‟s wool
worsted suit was $10.
Holmen Creamery Butter cost 30 cents a pound. A Ford car cost $950 at the P.
Hofweber and Sons dealership located at 113 main streets.
1915
Working families seeking entertainment could go to the Casino Movie Theatre to see
Mary Pickford staring in The Star, for 10 cents for adults and 5 cents for children. Schulze‟s
Baking Company was busy delivering throughout the city in their “white autos” their Butter-
Nut bread for 10 cents a loaf. At the Co-operative Store on 114 South 4th Street, three cans
of corn were selling for 22 cents and a quart of prepared mustard was going for 10 cents.
1920
The La Crosse Montgomery Ward's store advertised Women‟s swim suits for $3.85,
coverall house paint for $2.88 a gallon, work shoes for $2.49 and a pressure cooker for
$15.90. For the local sportsman, fishing lures were on sale ranging from 9 cents up to
$1.29, a tackle box cost $1.89 and rifles were advertised for $14.95. Local shade-tree
mechanics could pick up spark plugs for $1.80 for a set of four. Car batteries cost $7.59.
1925
At the La Crosse A & P rye bread sold for 10 cents, sandwich bread was 13 cents, 2
pounds of coffee cost 93 cents and oleomargarine was 27 cents a pound. At the Krause
Clothing Company Men‟s overcoats cost $18.75, boy‟s suits $8.75, lady‟s coats $21.75 and
girl‟s coats $5.35.
1930
Automobile buyers were offered the Nash “400” a six-cylinder sedan for $935 and as
an eight-cylinder for $1,675.
1935
Title Brothers Packing Company on 312 Main Street offered hamburger at 11 cents a
pound, strip bacon for 28 cents a pound, bologna 13 cents a pound and bulk kraut at 7 cents
a quart. T-bone steaks sold for 15 cents a pound and chuck roasts sold for 11 cents a pound.
Erickson‟s Bakery was selling filled crème puffs for 5 cents apiece and a chocolate cake with
white frosting sold for 39 cents
1936
At the S & H Sports Shop, 325 Main Street, fishing reels were selling for 50 cents and
up, fly rods went from $10 to $35. At Marx Music and Appliance Company, 320 Pearl Street
a Champion 2 ½ H.P. Outboard Motor sold for $49.95. It was said to make 1 to 12 miles an
hour. At Harry Rapers‟ Oldsmobile dealership and Olds Six was selling for $665 and an Eight
for $810.
385

1940
Caramels and butterscotch wafers 10 cents a pound and chocolate drops 8 cents a
pound read the ad in the local La Crosse newspaper at the Spurgeon‟s Store. Barron‟s was
selling women‟s cloth coats for $39 to $59, trimmed with any of the following furs; silver fox,
badger, Persian ocelot, tipped skunk, natural squirrel, raccoon or gray fox. Handbags ran
from 69 cents to $3.50. 328
At Koller‟s Grocery turkeys cost 18 cents a pound. Hamburger was 29 cents for two
pounds and 3 loafs of 1 ½ pound sized bread cost 25 cents. The local Kroger‟s sold your
choice of 3 pounds of either cabbage, onions or carrots for 10 cents and 3 pounds of
macaroni for 25 cents.
1943
During the height of World War. National Tea sold ground beef for 25 cents a pound
and celery for 19 cents a stalk. Local fresh water fish were on sale at the A & P, sunfish for
22 cents a pound and bullheads for 35 cents a pound.
1950
The Piggly Wiggly was selling 49 cents a pound ground beef and sirloin steak for 69
cents a pound. National Tea was selling a 1 ½ pound loaf of bread for 33 cents and red
potatoes for 39 cents for ten pounds.
Koller‟s Grocery sold cigarettes, $1.90 a carton. Local IGA stores offered ground beef
for 61 cents a pound. Gerber‟s baby food sold for 10 cents a jar. 50 pounds of IGA flour
went for $3.71.
1960
Koller‟s Grocery advertised ten-pounds of potatoes for 39 cents. Two cantaloupes for
39 cents and a half-gallon of ice cream for 69 cents. In the meat department they offered,
rump roast for 69 cents a pound and your choice of; round, sirloin or T-bone steak for 59
cents a pound. Pork chops were being sold for 33 cents a pound.
At Super Valu, a chuck roast would cost you 39 cents a pound and two heads of
lettuce was going for 29 cents. At Kroger‟s Grocery Spotlight Coffee sold for three pounds for
$1.49, a pound of bacon went for 49 cents and whole frying chickens were selling for 29
cents a pound.
At the Leath Furniture Store you could have your choice of a number of mattress and
box spring sets for anywhere from $16 a set to $30 a set. Baby cribs sold for $29.95. At the
Gambles Store a Coldspot Refrigerator cost $29.95 or you could buy a Westinghouse
Refrigerator for $34.50. The Dairy Queen Store sold malts for 19 cents and at McCord‟s
Jewelers you could purchase an Elgin Wrist Watch (7-jewels) for just $19.95‟
1970
Those living on the north side of La Crosse could shop at Freddie‟s Market and buy
pork hocks for 39 cents a pound, or smoked picnics for 45 cents a pound. A pound of bacon
sold for 49 cents. At Super Valu, bratwurst was selling for 89 cents a pound and lettuce was
going for two heads for 49 cents.
At the Jack Robinson Appliance Store, a washing machine was selling for anywhere
from $198 to $248. Glen‟s Bar on the city‟s north side was offering a ½ a chicken dinner to
patrons for $1.25 a plate. At the National Tea Company Store, ground beef was 59 cents a
pound, a dozen large eggs cost 39 cents and 4 pounds of margarine was $1. The IGA stores
of the city sold turkeys for 49 cents a pound and 5 cans of Green Giant brand vegetables for
$1. The Goodyear Tire Store advertised four tires, of various sizes for $50. For those with
an extra dollar or two the Cerise Club offered a Lobster Special on Friday nights for $3.35
328 Extracted from various newspaper microfilms of La Crosse newspapers
386

1980
At the Ponderosa Steak House diners were offered a $1.99 meat and salad special.
Movies went for 99 cents at the King I and II theaters. A 12-pack of Blatz could be bought
for $3.12. Quillin‟s IGA advertised a gallon of milk for $1.55 and Skogen‟s IGA offered ground
beef for $1.19 a pound. Super Valu stores sold chuck roasts for $1.59 a pound and a head of
lettuce for 39 cents.
2000
The local union grocery store, The People's Food Coop advertised peaches and
cauliflower for 99 cents, cantaloupes for 49 cents and green grapes for 99 cents in a June ad
in the Tribune. Two to three bedroom homes with two-car garages were selling for 90 to 100
thousand dollars and many were on the market. Honda Motorwerks advertised a 2000
Honda Accord for $17,410. Brenegen Motors offered a 2000 Ford Mustang for $17,880 and a
200 Windstar for $19,990. At the Ridgeview Restaurant, a dinner of Tenderloin Tips went for
$7.95 on Tuesdays a 1/2 a chicken dinner cost $5.95. At Schmidty's and on Mondays' a 7
ounce Tenderloin steak dinner ran $6.95. On Wednesdays' a dinner of brats and kraut cost
$6.25. Thursdays' a prime rib of beef dinner cost $9.95. The Village Optical Shop offered
eye exams for $55.
2009
At the time this book was published a pound of ground beef was selling for $2 to $3 a
pound and pork chops were going for $2.28 a pound. At the Onalaska Woodman's Grocery
store, ground chuck sold for $1.99 a pound and three pounds of Johnsonville brats cost
$7.49. A rump roast cost $2.49 a pound and watermelons sold for $2.97. At the local
dealerships new 2009 Chevy Silvarado's sold for $26,990.00 and a Ford F-150 cost
$18,490.00. For the environmentally minded a 2010 ford Fusion Hybrid could be had for
$29,590.00. At a local root beer stand a bacon- double cheeseburger could be purchased for
$5.99.
CIO Pioneer Hall, photo from Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO files
387
Working the shoe line at the Rubber Mills
Photo, Courtesy, Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin –
La Crosse

Appendix List Five: Officers & Delegates of the
Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO
2009 Officers and Executive Board
President, Terry L. Hicks – ATU Local 519; retired
Vice President, Mike Koziara – BMWE/IBT Local 509
Financial Secretary/Treasurer, Mary Von Ruden – AFSCME Local 1947
Recording Secretary, Denise Grover – IAM Lodge 21
Sergeant At Arms, Tom Carroll – IAM Lodge 21
Guide, Vicki Ash – AFGE Local 1346
Executive Board Member, Dan Hanson – BCT & GM Local 22
Executive Board Member, Kurt Randorf – USW Local 2-150
Executive Board Member, Dean Rink – IAM Lodge 1115
Executive Board Member, Bill Rudy – ATU Local 519; retired
Executive Board Member, Dave Stark - AFSCME Local 227
2009 Delegates
(not including officers and executive board members previously depicted)
Jon Halverson – IAM Lodge 1115
Dave Thurston – AFT Local 3605
Milt Tyler – IAM Lodge 1115; retired
Bill Brockmiller – AFSCME Local 2748, Chapter 10
Rick Mickschl – IAM District Lodge 66
Bill Beeler - IBEW Local 14
Dave Branson – UA Local 434
Laurie Gruber – OPEIU Local 277
Robyn Ferraro – OPEIU Local 277
Mark Shoemaker – BLET Division 13
Ernie Domnie -IAM Lodge 1115
Pam Woods -AFSCME Local 1449
Andy Thompson -DALU Local 2411
Ben Bass -Workers United Local 379
Dave Prelwitz -Workers United Local 379
Honorary Delegates
Mary Hicks
John Medinger
Kathy Hanratty
Marilyn Wigdahl
Bev Brower
Bridget Flood
Terry Hicks Terry was first elected as Vice President of the Labor Council in 1994.
In 1995 he became acting president and he was first elected
president in 1996. The officers of the labor council serve a
two year term. Hicks has been elected president in 1996,
1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008. He has held the
office the second longest in the 109 years of the existence of
the labor council, now in his 15th year. Only Joseph
Verchota (16 years) has held the post longer. Terry is the
third member of his Local Union (ATU Local 59) to hold the
post of labor council president. Robert Franklin (1936/1938-
388

two years) and John Darling (1942/1953-12 years) also served as presidents' of the
Labor Council. These three members of Local 519 have held the post collectively for
29 of the 109 years of the Labor Council. Hicks also serves as editor of the Union
Herald, Inc. newspaper having taken over that post in 1999 and continuing to this
date. Louis Youngman held the post of editor for 27 years, Hicks has held it for 10
years. Between Youngman and Hicks, they have held the job of editor of this labor
newspaper for 37 of the 58 years it has been published. In 2004 Hicks was hired as
the Program Director of the Mississippi Valley Labor Management Council, Inc. He
still works as such today. He has represented La Crosse County on the board of
directors' of Coulee cap since 2004. that same year, he was appointed as the 3rd
Congressional District COPE representative on the Wisconsin AFL-CIO's COPE
Committee. At the 2006 Wisconsin AFL-CIO biannual convention, held in La Crosse,
he was awarded the AFL-CIO Volunteer Organizer Award for assisting in the
unionizing of Union Office Solutions in Westby, Evan's Printing in Sparta and the
People's Food Coop in La Crosse. Terry was awarded the Labor Council's 2nd Babe
Harnish award in 2006, an award given when the body of labor feels someone has
made a long-term commitment to the advancement of organized labor.
Mary Von Ruden Mary is the Financial Secretary/Treasurer of the Labor Council.
She has served in many offices in her Local, AFSCME 1947
during her 18 years with them. She has been employed by
the Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center in Sparta for 26 years.
She has been chair of the Safety Committee at Rolling Hills
for 10 years. In her community Mary is very active in fund
raising and community charitable work. She is active in the
Monroe County Democratic Party and donated generously of
her time on many political campaigns. She is very active in
AFSME Council 40 and was elected to the Executive Board in
1999. She has served on many of its committees. She was
appointed by Governor Jim Doyle to the Board of the
Wisconsin Retirement Fund in 2004 and reappointed for
another 5 year term in 2009. She is the Secretary of that Board. Mary is the Vice
President of the Union Herald, Inc. She writes a monthly column in the Union Herald
newspaper. Mary was chosen as the 2009 receipent of the Babe Harnish Award, th
4th one awarded.
Mike Koziara Mike is the Vice President of the Labor Council. He is a member of
BMWED/IBT 509. He is the state legislative director for the
BMWED/IBT* International Union. He is the Chairman for
the Rail Conference of the Teamsters Joint Council 39. Mike
is a registered lobbyist for the union also. He is the current
President of Local 509. He is extremely active in political
campaigns and pursues labor's interests with a zeal.
*Brotherhood of Maintenance and Way Employees Division
of International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Mike is the Vice
President of the Union Herald.
389

Denise Grover Denise is a member of IAM Lodge 21 and is currently laid-off from
her work for the Trane Company. Denise is the Recording
Secretary of the Union Herald, Inc. She is also the Recording
Secretary of the Labor Council having served since 2008. She
is a the Sentinel and Conductor for IAM District 66. Denise is
the Recording Secretary of the Union Herald.
Dan Hanson Dan is the Labor Liaison of the Greater La Crosse United Way
organization. He is one of the longest serving Labor Liaison's
in Wisconsin. Dan has in the past worked as the Treasurer of
the Union Herald, Inc. He is currently a member of the Labor
Council's Executive Board. He is a member of BCT&GM Local
22. He has a long history of bakery experience and has
served as the President of Local 22. Dan regularly reports
United Way events along with information about the various
agencies served in a regular column in the Union Herald
newspaper. Dan is on the Board of the Western Technical
College and Workforce Development of La Crosse.
Kurt Randorf Kurt is the current President of USW Local 2-150. He has been their
President for 10 years. He previously served the local as its
Vice President for 3 years. This local works at the Exopac
Plant in Tomah. Kurt served 3 years on the Bargaining
Committee for his union. Kurt is extremely active in politics
and thrives on political challenges. He is the USW Rapid
Response Sub District Coordinator. He is on the Executive
Board of the Labor Council.
Dean Rink Dean is on the Executive Board of the Labor Council. He is Vice
President of IAM Lodge 1115. He also serves as the
Recording Secretary of IAM District Lodge 66. He is a member
of the Labor Council's Executive Board. He has worked at
LUXCO for 25 years. The past 9 to 10 years he has been the
Shop Chairman.
390

Dave Stark Dave Stark is on the Executive Board of the Labor Council. He had
previously served on that board from 1980 to 1985 He has
served as the Financial Secretary for his union, AFSCME Local
227. Dave has been a member of the Executive Board of
AFSCME Council 40 from 1995 to date. He has worked for the
La Crosse County Highway department for 31 years. He
currently is a parts man for the County. Dave was the Labor
Day parade marshal in 2004.
Bill Rudy Bill had served as financial secretary from 1970 until June 1973. Bill is a
past member of Lodge 21 when he was employed at the Trane
Company in La Crosse. From 1962 to 1965 Bill served in the
U.S. Army in the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of
the3rd Aviation Battalion in Kitzingen, Germany. Bill is very
active in the local labor community. After retirement he
became a delegate to the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO central
labor council representing ATU Local 519. After two years he
became the Treasurer of the Union Herald newspaper, a
position he currently holds. Around the same time he became
Labor Co-Chair of the Mississippi Valley Labor Management
Council. In 2006 he was appointed as a representative of La
Crosse County on the board of directors, of Coulee Cap. For several years Bill has
served as a judge for the Wisconsin History Society‟s Labor History Award given to
students during the National History Day event held at the UWL. Bill is on the
Executive Board of the Labor Council. Bill writes under the pen name Wrinkly Rude
Eye for the Union Herald newspaper. He is also the Treasurer of the newspaper.
Dave Thurston Dave is a member of AFT Local 3605 working at Western Technical
College as an Electrician Apprenticeship Instructor. He has
served as a Steward and Bargaining Committee Member of his
union. He was a principle member of the Wisconsin Bureau of
Apprenticeship Standards La Crosse Area Electrical Joint
Apprenticeship and Training Committee from 1984 until 1997.
He currently serves as a consultant for that committee. He is a
tireless worker for the Labor Movement; his participation as
the delegate from his union on the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO
Central Labor Council since 2004 along with his many duties on
Labor Day and willingness to pitch-in when needed, attest to
that fact. Dave was elected the 2009 Labor Day Parade
Marshal.
391

Milt Tyler Milt was been a of IAM Lodge 21 from 1966 until 1968. He joined IAM
Lodge 1115 in 1968 and retired on January of 2001. He has
served his lodge as both a Union Steward and a member of its
Bargaining Committee. He is the President of the Union
Herald, Inc. He has served many years as a Delegate for his
Lodge on the Labor Council. He has served on the Executive
Board of the Labor Council. His service dates from 1994. He
was a close associate of Alfred (Babe Harnish) the former
President of IAM Lodge 1115. He is the Vice President of IAM
District Lodge 66. He has been involved in many Organizing
Campaigns for the Machinists union over the years. Milt was
awarded the Labor Council's 3rd Babe Harnish award, an
award given when the body of labor feels someone has made a
long-term commitment to the advancement of organized labor.
William (Bill) Brockmiller Bill is a member of AFSCME Local 2748, Chapter 10 and
works as a Labor Market Analyst for the state of Wisconsin.
He is the web master of the Labor Council's web site since its
inception in 2003 and maintains the web site at
www.westernwisconsinaflcio.org. He has been the Vice
Chair of his union since 2003. He serves on AFSCME'S
SEPAC body since 20004. He has been on the Statewide
Bargaining Team for AFSCME Professional Social Services
workers from 2007. He has been a member of the
DWD/AFSCME Labor Management Committee since 2003.
He has been a delegate to the Labor Council since 2003. In
2006, Bill was elected to the La Crosse County Board as a
representative of the 13th District.
Bill Beeler Bill has been the Assistant Business Representative of his union, IBEW
Local 14 since2002. He has been a member of IBEW Local
since 1967. Local 14 has been a very active union and has
helped with the annual food drive for the United Way for
many years as well as many other community projects. Jerry
Jenson (IBEW 14 member) donated his labor to do all the
electrical work on the Workers Memorial Monument.
Dave Branson Dave was on UA Local 31's Executive Board, served as Local 31's
President and its merged union, Local 434 as well as Local
434'S Business Agent. He still serves his local as the Business
Agent. He is the Financial Secretary of the La Crosse Building
and Construction Trades Council. He currently is the Financial
Secretary/Recording Secretary for the now renamed, Western
Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades Council. He is a
past president of the Labor Council. He has been a Delegate
since 1986.
392

Rick Mickschl Rick was the President of IAM Lodge 21 from 2000 until 2005. He
has served as the Directing Business Representative for IAM
District Lodge 66 since 2005. He has been a delegate to the
Labor Council since 2000. Rick has served on several Boards
in his career also, such as Workforce Development and
others. Rick writes a monthly column for IAM members each
month in the Union Herald newspaper.
Vicki Ash Vicki is a member of AFGE Local 1346 and works out of the La Crosse
office of Social Security. She has been a delegate for several
years and is always ready to volunteer to work at Labor Day,
Workers Memorial Day, and all other council events. Vicki
joined Local 1346 in January of 1979. She became the office
Health and Safety Officer in 1995 and continues as such to this
day. She was elected Chief Steward in June of 2006 and her
term ran until May of 2009.
Robyn Ferraro Robyn is a members of OPEIU Local 277, employed by America
Income Life Company. She is a Public Relations Specialist and
works throughout Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. Previously,
she was an AFSCME member, on belonged to Council 31 for 20
years. She is a delegate to four Labor Councils in Wisconsin
and one Labor Council in Illinois. For that Illinois Labor Council
she served as Labor Day Pageant Chair.
Laurie Gruber Laurie Gruber has been a member of OPEIU Local 227 for 14 years.
She served as Secretary of The Fond Du Lac Central Labor
Council for 5 years. She was the Chair of the Labor Day Parade
Committee. She works out of the Eau Claire office of American
Income Life and is the Secretary of the Greater Eau Claire Area
Labor Council (as of January 2008) and a delegate of her union
at the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO. When Laurie worked in the
Fond Du Lac area she received an award for her contributions
to labor.
393

Tom Carroll Tom has been a Delegate on the IAM District 66 Council representing
IAM Lodge 21 since 1995. He has served two stretches as a
Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO Delegate for Lodge 21 and is
currently doing so. He previously served on the Council and
assisted with the construction of the Workers' Memorial
Structure in Green Island. Tom is the Sergeant At Arms for the
Labor Council. He has served as a Union Steward for IAM
Lodge 21. Tom is a delegate of the IAM District Council 66.
Mark Shoemaker Mark is a Locomotive Engineer for the BNSF Railroad and is a
member of BLET Division 13, the oldest of all the unions in
the La Crosse area. He formerly was a member of BLET Local
32. He had been a Safety Representative for BLET Division
13 from 1995 to 1998.
Jon Halverson John has been a member of the IAM for 20 years. He is the current
Recording Secretary for Lodge 1115. He became a delegate
to the Labor Council in 2009. He is a graduate of the
National Labor College, majoring in Safety and Health Union
Leadership. He served 23 years in the U.S. Air Force retiring
in 2007 after serving two tours of duty in Iraq.
Ernie Domnie Ernie has worked at Crown Beverages since 1998. He is the
President of IAM Lodge 1115. He was elected to that post in
2006 and recently reelected until 2012. He is the Chairman
of the Shop Committee at Crown. He is a delegate of the
IAM District Council 66. He served in the U.S. Navy 1988 to
1992.
394

Pam Woods Pam is a member of AFSCME Local 1449. She has been a Union
Steward for 15 years. She is active in her union's
activities. She is known for battling for her members when
disputes arrive on the job. She was selected as a member
of the Local's bargaining team for the Fiscal Term of 2009-
2011. She hopes to become the District Representative
Arbitrator in the future for her Union. She has worked at
the UWL Student Health Center since 1993. Pam works
hard to build a better quality of life for families of the Union
Worker. She likes to say, "Without giving one needs to
remember there will be no getting! Strength through
numbers and solidarity to all".
Bob Wilson Bob is a member of AFSCME Local 1449, (formerly of Local 194 before
their merger)he been employed since 1984 at the University
of Wisconsin - La Crosse. Presently he serves on the
Executive Board and he also serves asTrustee to Local 1449.
Ben Bass is the Vice President of Workers United Local 379. He formely was a
member of IAM Lodge 1771 in Sparta. He has worked at the
Company Store for 8 years.
Dave Prelwitz has worked at the Company Store for 6 years. He has been the
Chief Steward there for since 2007.
395

Honorary Delegates of the La Crosse AFL-CIO/Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO
Mary Hicks Mary was honored for her work as a volunteer for the Labor Council
by being made the first Honorary Delegate to the Council.
Mary is a former union member (at the F.W. Means
Company), but had to quit because of health issues. For
over 15 years she, along with her children, volunteered for
the Labor Council's many events. Some of these events
included Labor Day Parades, Labor Fests, Workers
Memorial Day commemorations, The Hard Times Supper,
Local Wisconsin AFL-CIO Conventions, and The Front Lines,
Bread Lines and Picket Lines event. Mary also made it a
monthly habit to provide refreshments for the monthly
Labor Council meetings by cooking for them and sending a
snack to be served during the meetings.
John Medinger John is a former state legislator and mayor was made the Labor
Council's second honorary member due to his life-long
support of working people and his knowledge of the
legislative needs of working families. John's parents were
also a strong influence on his view of unionism due to their
involvement in organized labor. When John was Mayor of La
Crosse a "Living Wage Ordinance" was enacted after being a
request and information was provided by the Labor Council.
Medinger was also Mayor when the Workers Memorial
Monument was dedicated and was instrumental in improving
the site while it was being constructed.
Kathy Hanratty Kathy is a past member of AFSCME Local 1449 was made the
Labor Council's fourth honorary member when she resigned
from that body due to accepting a promotion at her
employment at the University of La Crosse. Kathy had long
served her union as a delegate and activist. She was often
the chair of the Workers Memorial Day Committee and
labored hard and long to assure that event was meaningful
and professionally presented by arranging the program and
lining up volunteers for the annual event. She also
volunteered at Labor Day events for the Labor Council each
year she was a delegate.
396

Marilyn Wigdahl Marilyn was a member of AFSCME Local 1449. Marilyn was
awarded the Labor Council's 1st Babe Harnish award, an
award given when the body of labor feels someone has made
a long-term commitment to the advancement of organized
labor. During the many years Marilyn served as a delegate of
AFSCME Local 1449 on the council she held many posts. She
was the Recording Secretary and Vice President of the Council.
She also held several posts on the Union Herald's Board of
Directors' over the many years of her involvement in local
organized labor. She resigned from the Labor Council and
Union Herald due to winning election as a Councilwomen
representing District 16 on the La Crosse City Council. She
was employed by the UWL up to her retirement. She was
made the third honorary delegate of the council.
Bev Brower Bev was a decade's long employee of the La Crosse Rubber Mills/La
Crosse Footwear until her job was eliminated when a massive
layoff occurred. She served as the Sergeant at Arms and
Guide of the labor council for many years. She was very
active in Local 14 and served as one of its delegates for many
years on the council. She was an active volunteer for
organized labor and worked at every Labor Day and Workers
Memorial Day event annually. She became the fifth honorary
delegate of the labor council.
Bridget Flood Bridget is a member of AFSCME Local 2484 is now retired. Bridget
was made the sixth honorary delegate of the Labor Council
after she resigned due to being elected to the La Crosse
County Board as a representative of the 12th District. She
had served as the Labor Councils' Recording Secretary up to
the time she left for a seat on the County Board. Bridget was
always an active delegate and was instrumental in securing
donations of labor history books to donate to the local public
library. She also laboered to plan the annual Workers
Memorial Day event the Council holds each April 28th.
Andy Thompson Andy was hired in April of 2009 as the Service Area Organizer for
Western Wisconsin, serving La Crosse and Eau Claire. His
role will be to assist Labor Councils and local unions to
develop better communication and mobilization programs
that can help us strengthen our political, legislative,
organizing, and local union support capacity across the state.
Andy is a member of DALU (Directly Affiliated Local Union)
Local 24111.
397

Appendix List Six: Labor Council Affiliates
& Current Officers
La Crosse AFL-CIO 1986 (34)
AFSCME Locals, 194, 1097 and 1449
Bricklayers No. 1
SEIU Locals, 21, 150 and 180
Carpenters Local 1143
Communication Workers Local 5540
IBEW Locals, 135 and 953
IAFF Local 127
Garment Workers Local 379
Molders Local 437
Meat Cutters Local 73
OPEIU Local 44
Painters Local 374
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 31
Printing Pressman Local 189
Musicians Local 201
Garment Workers Locals, 379 and 1108C
Iron Workers Local 383
Rubber Workers Local 14
ATU Local 519
IAM Lodges 21, 1115, and District 66
AFT Locals, 3605 and 3535
Stagehands Local 141
Sheet Metal Workers Local 18
Labor Council Affiliates 2001 (38)
AFSCME Locals, 227, 1449, 1947, 2484
ATU Local 519
APWU Local 360
Bakers Local 22
Bricklayers Local No. 1
BLE Division 13
BMWE Local 509
Firefighters Local 127
GCIU Local 77P
GMP Local 437
HERE Local 379
IAFF Local 127
IAM Lodges, 21, 1115, 2191 and District 66
IBEW Locals, 14 and 953
Iron Workers Local 383
La Crosse Building and Trades Council
NALC Branch 59
OPEIU Local 277
Operating Engineers Local 139
Plasterers Local 599, Area 257
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 434
SEIU Locals, 21, 150 and 180
Sheet Metal Workers Local 18
UAW Local 316
UFCW Locals, 73A and 1444
La Crosse Union Herald
UNITE Local 379
Steelworkers Local 14L
398

Affiliated Unions and Labor (43)
Organizations of the Western
Wisconsin AFL-CIO
2009 Affiliated Unions (40)
AFSCME Local 136A
AFSCME Local 227
AFSCME Local 340
AFSCME Local 1151
AFSCME Local 1403
AFSCME Local 1449
AFSCME Local 1947
AFSCME Local 2470
AFSCME Local 2484
AFSCME Local 2748, Chapter 10
AFSCME Local 2918
AFGE Local 1346
AFT Local 3605
AFGE Local 1346
APWU Local 360
ATU Local 519
BCTGM Local 22
BAC WI 1
BLET Division 13
BMWE/IBT Local 509
GCCIBT Local 77P
GMP Local 437
HERE Local 379
IAFF Local 127
IAM Lodge 21
IAM Lodge 1115
IAM Lodge 1771
IAM Lodge 2191
IBEW Local 14
IBEW Local 953
IPAT Local 66
Iron Workers Local 383
NALC Branch 59
OPEIU Local 277
UA Local 434
UAW Local 316
UFCW Local 1473
USWA Local 2-150
SEIU Local 150
SWMIA Local 18
Workers United Local 379
2009 LABOR ORGANIZATIONS (3)
IAM District Council Lodge 66
Union Herald, Inc
Western Wisconsin Building &
Construction Trades Council
La Crosse CLC Delegates Numbers
1940 73 delegates
1949 81 delegates
1950 83 delegates
1958 79 delegates
1959 142 delegates*
2009 23 delegates
*In 1959 the La Crosse AFL and CIO merged
and pooled their delegates
399
Explanation of Acronym
Alphabetically Listed
American Federation of State, County and
Municipal Employees
American Federation of Teachers
American Federation of Government Employees
American Postal Workers Union
Amalgamated Transit Union
Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and
Grain Millers Union
Brotherhood of Maintenance and Way
Employees, Division of Teamsters
Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
Graphic Communication Confernece Union
Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied
Workers International Union
Hotel Employees Restaurant Employees
International Association of Machinists and
Aerospace Workers
International Association of Firefighters
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
International Painters and Allied Trades of the
United States and Canada
International Association of Bridge, Structural,
Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers
National Association of Letter Carriers
Office and Professional International Union
United Steel Workers of America
United Association of Journeymen and
Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting
Industry of the United States and America
Service Employees International Union
Sheet Metal Workers International Association
United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural
Implement Workers of America International
Union
United Food and Commercial Workers
Workers United (a division of SEIU)

Union Officers circa: 2009
Of the Affiliates of the
Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO
Central Labor Council
AFSCME Local 136A
Joan Wittwer, president
Becky Forster, treasurer
AFSCME Local 227
Allen Lueck, president
Dave Stark, secretary treasurer
AFSCME Local 340
Jewell Bretengross, president
Edith MacDougal, secretary
Jacqueline Newcomb, treasurer
AFSCME Local 1151
Kenneth Dawson, president
Paula Konetchy, secretary
Sara Dawson, treasurer
AFSCME Local 1403
Darcy Ecklund, president
Patricia Seidel, secretary treasurer
AFSCME Local 1449
Cyndi Taylor, president
Tim Miller, vice president
AFSCME Local 1947
Francis Schmidt, president
Noreen Becker, treasurer
AFSCME Local 2470
Michael Pierce, president
Dwight Kuehl, secretary
Randy Schmitz, treasurer
AFSCME Local 2484
Mary Speltz, president
Gail Eiland, secretary
Annette Kirchhoff, treasurer
AFSCME Local 2748, Chapter 10
Cindy Ellefson, chair
Bill Brockmiller, co-chair
AFSCME Local 2918
Rebecca Wilson, president
Marla Sadowski, secretary
Ashley Waalsh, treasurer
AFGE Local 1346
Loni Schultz, president
AFT Local 3605
Randy Christensen, president
Paul Garness, treasurer
Jeff Cermak, chair, faculty and non-teaching
professional
Dawn Konze, chair, paraprofessional and school
related personnel
400
APWU Local 360
John Shea, president
Kelvin Janecek, treasurer
ATU Local 519
Dale Anderson, president
Cathy Thurston, Financial Secretary
BCT & GM Local 22
Ron Mohrland, president
Doug Lemke, treasurer
BAC WI 1
Victor Czaijka, president
Glen Bass, treasurer
BLET Division 13
Art Gillham, president
Rachel Evenson, treasurer
BMWE/IBT Local 509
Mike Koziara, president
Jerry Weis , treasurer
GCC/IBT Local 77P
Rick Grissom, area representative
GMP Local 437
Jeff Shuda, president
Melvin Davy, treasurer
HERE Local 479
Mary Jo Carl, president
Debbie Zielke, secretary treasurer
IAFF Local 127
Jeff Murphy, president
Lance Tryggestad, secretary/treasurer
IAM Lodge 21
Brian Inglett, President
Tim Nutter, Vice-President
Jim Urbanek, Secretary/Treasurer
Mike Osley, Recording Secretary
IAM Lodge 1030
Bob Blank, President
George Borzyskowski, Vice-President
Bryan Olson, Secretary/Treasurer
Becky Spande, Recording Secretary
IAM Lodge 1115
Ernie Domnie, President
Dean Rink, Vice-President
Rod Perry, Secretary/Treasurer
Jon Halverson, Recording Secretary
IAM Lodge 1771
Linda Kinghammer, President
Jim Murphy, Vice-President
Ruby Eide, Secretary/Treasurer
Carol Langrehr, Recording Secretary

IAM Lodge 2191
Dennis Gerke, President
James Jones, Vice-President
Bryan Adams, Secretary/Treasurer
Tom Conrad, Recording Secretary
IBEW Local 14
Bill Beeler, La Crosse representative
IBEW Local 953
Tim Henenway, president
Arlin Ziemann, treasurer
IPAT Local 941, District Council No. 7
Joe Jazdzewski, representative
Iron Workers Local 383
David Thesing, part time business representative
Mike Grimslid, business manager
NALC Branch 59
Donna Daily, president
Mike Keveny, treasurer
OPEIU Local 277
Lori Gruber, La Crosse area representative
Robin Ferraro, La Crosse area representative
USW Local 2-150
Kurt Randorf, president
Terry Hayward , treasurer
UA Local 434
Dave Branson, La Crosse area business agent
Terry Hayden, business manager
SEIU Local 150
Jean Muehlenkamp, La Crosse area
representative
Mike Thomas, state president
SWM Local 18
Roger Jackson, La Crosse/Eau Claire
representative
Craig Wagner, La Crosse/Eau Claire
representative
Patrick Landgraf, business manager
Randall Krocka, treasurer
UAW Local 316
Phil Conrad, president
Mike Davis, treasurer
UFCW Local 1473
John Eiden, president
Grant Withers, secretary treasurer
Workers United Local 379
Bruce Erickson, president
Benjamin Bass, vice president
Connie Kuster, treasurer
Dave Prelwitz, chief steward
401
Western Wisconsin Building & Trades
Council
Steve Severson, president
Dave Branson, recording secretary
Roger Jackson, financial secretary
Dave Hahn, vice president
Union Herald, Inc.
Milt Tyer, president
Bill Rudy, treasurer
Mary Von Ruden, vice president
Denise Grover, recording secretary
Terry Hicks, editor
IAM District Lodge 66
Rick Mickschl, Directing Business Representative
Raleigh Fox, President
Milt Tyler, Vice-President
Dennis Gerke, Secretary/Treasurer
Dean Rink, Recording Secretary