What's Happening?

Kevin Gundlach Elected New SCFL President

A new generation labor leader will take the reins at the South Central Federation of Labor on February 1, following a vote by over 200 area union leaders who elected 44-year-old Kevin Gundlach to head the organization, January 16.

Gundlach takes over from SCFL’s retiring president Jim Cavanaugh who has served in the position for the last 25 years. The South Central Federation of Labor is an umbrella organization for labor unions in Dane, Dodge, Sauk, Columbia, Jefferson and Iowa Counties. Currently there are 94 labor organizations, representing more than 30,000 workers, affiliated with the central labor council.

A longtime Wisconsinite, Gundlach has been active in AFSCME Local 705 for much of his adult life, serving in a variety of roles, most recently as local union president, vice president of the Dane County Joint Council of AFSCME unions, and chair of the AFSCME’s political action committee for the 2nd Congressional District. As an activist, Kevin has gained broad experience in political and legislative action, contract bargaining, community organizing and coalition building. (Read more of the news release.)

Celebrate Cavanaugh’s 25 Years at SCFL

South Central Federation of Labor delegates and others are invited to celebrate 25 Years of Dedication to Labor, at a retirement party for outgoing SCFL President Jim Cavanaugh. The party takes place on Saturday, February 18, from 6-9 pm at the Madison Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park St. Click here for a flyer with more details.

“The Greater Madison Area labor community is as strong, vibrant, and effective as it is, because of the leadership and efforts of Jim Cavanaugh.  That was evident in last spring’s Wisconsin Uprising,” say John Matthews, executive director at Madison Teachers, Inc. (MTI).

Cavanaugh leaves behind a legacy of accomplishments upon which the next generation can build. Read more about Cavanaugh's 25 Years Building a Progressive Labor Movement + Labor's Best Kept Secret, a Respected Community Asset.

SCFL Delegates Support West Coast Longshore Workers

Over 200 delegates present at SCFL's meeting on Monday, January 16, heard a very disturbing report about the planned use of U.S. military to intervene on the side of management in a crucial labor dispute in Washington State, and voted unanimously to condemn such intervention.

President Jim Cavanaugh wrote the following to President Obama (cc’ing AFL-President Rich Trumka, the ILWU, Senator Kohl and Congresswoman Baldwin):
 
“The International Longshoremen Workers Union is engaged in a crucial struggle at the Port of Longview, Washington, where a multinational company, EGT, is attempting to operate as the West Coast’s only non-ILWU facility, despite promising otherwise when it received millions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies to build its grain exporting terminal. 

“Now, as the first ship makes its way to the port to fill up with grain bound for Asia, it is reported that Coast Guard ships and helicopters will be used to escort this ship.  Use of our tax dollars and our military to assist such union busting is horrifying.
 
“Mr. President, as Commander in Chief, we call upon you to order the Coast Guard to stand down, to not interfere on the side of management in this labor dispute.

What's News?

State Workers Taste Life without a Union Contract

In the wake of the passage of the “concealed carry” law in Wisconsin, local government agencies, the University and private business across the state are posting signs prohibiting guns on the premises. Yet earlier this month state Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch issued an order that state agencies would not be required to post signs prohibiting guns. Read more ...

Let’s Not Celebrate Ohio Vote Too Soon

By Jim Cavanaugh, South Central Federation of Labor President | All across the country on November 8 voters resoundingly rejected the radical policies pursued by the right wing politicians elected just a year earlier. The pundits reacted by declaring a pendulum swing away from the rabid conservatism ushered in by the elections last year. I’m not so sure, and I’ll tell you why. Read more ...

Ask Al: New Research Reveals Labor Temple Bar Best Place to Get a Working Class Buzz

Q. So, Al, you’re supposed to be so smart. Where’s the best place for a working stiff to get a drink in Madison? Read more ...

Area Unions Have Had Four Labor Temples Since 1893

Formal dedication of the present Labor Temple took place on September 1, 1958 (Labor Day). This marked a significant milestone in the history of the Madison labor movement. Historically the present Temple is the fourth meeting place and headquarters for Madison unions. The original idea for a home for local unions was formed back in the 1890’s when the “Madison Federated Trades Council” was chartered in 1893. Read more ...

UW Student Labor Action Coalition Changes the Sweatshops of the World

By Sue Vilbrandt | UW-Madison’s Student Labor Action Coalition (SLAC) has always been about more than simple protests – SLAC wanted nothing less than to change the world – and part of that dream is now being realized. After more than a decade of struggle, an innovative program masterminded by SLAC members back in 2006 is beginning to change the face of the global apparel industry. Read more ...

UW ‘Efficiency’ Project Promises Budget Cuts And Maybe Cuts in Jobs & Accountability Too

By Barbara Smith | Do words like “efficiency, flexibility and cost savings” sound positive to you? Those are the terms UW-Madison management is using when they talk about their project on “Administrative Excellence.” They say the project could save $8.5 million initially by consolidating computer servers and making smarter purchases on things like ink pens. Read more ...

New Progressive Talk Show Comes to Madison Area

The People’s Mic with Doug Cunningham joined the line-up of WXXM-FM – Madison’s Progressive Talk – The Mic 92.1 on November 14. The show can be heard locally and streaming weekdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“We are very excited about adding Doug and the People’s Mic to our daily line up,” said WXXM Operations Manager Tim Scott. “Doug’s passion and background coupled with the success of Mary Carol and Outloud makes WXXM FM the TRUE voice of Progressives in Madison, Dane County, and beyond.” Read more ...

Largest Corporations in Wisconsin Pay No Taxes While Exec Pay and Profits Soar, Jobs Disappear

You pay more state taxes than Kimberly-Clark, Brunswick, Rockwell Automation and Snap-on. The Institute for Wisconsin’s Future issued yet another report in October detailing how some of the largest manufacturers in the state avoid paying their fair share in taxes. Read more ...

Retiring President’s Advice: Trust the Members

A year ago I announced to the delegates to the South Central Federation of Labor (SCFL) that upon completion of my current term in office in January 2012, I would be retiring. By that time, I will have served as president of SCFL for twenty-five years, long enough by any measure. The Managing Editor of this newspaper, Ron Blascoe, suggested that I might use this space to share some insights that I may have gained over those years. So here, sort of, I’ll take a shot at it. Read more ...

Recall Walker...Now!

Successful mass movements cannot be put on a shelf to cure, mass enthusiasm cannot be banked and spent later. Now is the time to recall Scott Walker and now is the only time it will be successful. ... Mass movements need to go from victory to victory to empower people. Read more ...

Attention SCFL Delegates: Click here for SCFL Constitution as amended, October 17, 2011.
(Still unofficial pending acceptance by AFL-CIO.)

Click here for the draft minutes of the last SCFL Delegate Meeting.

 SCFL Annual Report:
Curious about the work of the South Central Federation of Labor? Download our annual Highlights and Activities Report for 2011

United Way Volunteers Sought

Labor volunteers are being sought to fill seats on United Way's Community Solutions Teams that address the problems in the community. Read more ...

As a result of the New Alliance, a statewide labor reorganization, the Dodge County Central Labor Council merged with SCFL and became a Chapter. Click here for more information on the Dodge Chapter.

Union Sectors in Brief

The South Central Federation of Labor is preparing brief introductions to the various union sectors in the area. These articles are meant to foster a greater understanding of the unions and the issues facing workers in each sector. Click on any of the following sectors to read the briefing:

Additional sector briefings will be added as they become available.