South Central Federation of Labor

Know your rights to form and join a Union

Most private sector workers have the right to form and join a Union. New resources on the US Dept of Labor website educates workers about their rights and protections.

Pride Month

The labor movement is intersectional. This means we fight for all working people—no matter the gender, race, ethnicity or any other identity. Those identities intersect with your own identity as a worker, as a parent, as a sibling.

In America, we believe all people should be able to work without fear of discrimination or violence. You should be able to work without hiding your light and without hiding your true, authentic self.

SCFL 2023-24 Scholarship

Deadline June 23, 2023

Members and children of members who belong to any SCFL affiliated union, live or work in one of eleven counties, have not yet received a post-secondary degree, and have not previously been awarded a SCFL scholarship are eligible to apply. SCFL awards four $1000 scholarships, by lottery drawing from amongst the eligible applicants. The application deadline is Friday, June 23, 2023. The Scholarship Committee will conduct a lottery drawing of the qualified applicants by July 10, 2023.In addition, for members or children of members who live or work in Dodge County, we are offering two additional $500 scholarships. Applicants should fill out the online application. If an applicant does not have access to the internet, the application can be sent by mail to: SCFL, 1602 S. Park Street, #228, Madison, WI 53715.

Scholarship Rules and Application

PRESS RELEASE
OPEIU 39 SUSPENDS TRUSTAGE STRIKE – BARGAINING CONTINUES

Madison, WI – The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 39 has moved to suspend its strike on employer TruStage, formerly CUNA Mutual Group. Approximately 450 workers represented by the Union began an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike on May 19th and have been on strike for more than two weeks. The Union has filed nine ULP charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), citing months of illegal activity by TruStage.

On Friday, June 2nd, hundreds of members met to evaluate the strike and developments in bargaining. Following discussion, Union leaders proposed suspending the strike and returning to work on Monday, 6/5/23. During the strike, OPEIU39 and TruStage representatives tentatively agreed on priority issues such as job security and remote work flexibility. But with many issues still open, members also voted to authorize a work stoppage within the next thirty days if necessary.

Chief Steward Joe Evica explained, “After illegally refusing to bargain with us for more than four months straight, our unfair labor practice strike got TruStage back to the bargaining table. We were able to make some important progress, but several large priorities and unfair labor practices remain unresolved. Though we are suspending the strike, our membership has voted 92% to go back out on the picket line if TruStage stalls the bargaining again.”

Will Roberts, a multi-media specialist at TruStage and member of the Union’s Contract Action Team noted, “This isn’t the same union that we were when we first voted to authorize this ULP strike back in April. We are far more united and determined. We’ve taken a stand against our employer’s designs to undercut and undermine our livelihoods and well-being, and that takes a lot of courage.”

Liz Kidder, a Sr. Claims Professional and Union member, said, “After learning how the bargaining session went on Friday, it really fired me up to fight harder for a fair contract. I had voted to not extend the strike because I felt like the Company was finally starting to bargain in good faith, but we have our futures on the line. They have tried to make us feel like there is no hope of obtaining a fair contract; it did the exact opposite for me. I am more than happy to go back out on the picket with my Union.”

The Union and Employer have two bargaining sessions scheduled this week, June 6th and 9th.

Madison’s Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 17
11 a.m.
Penn Park

Juneteenth is dedicated to the celebration of the lived experiences and accomplishments of Black Americans historically and presently here in Madison and across the nation. It’s a unique opportunity to experience the rich history of Black Americans through various forms of entertainment, lectures, performances, exhibits, visual presentations, food, music, and other activities.

This year’s event host, Kujichagulia Madison Center for Self-Determination, will be officially commemorating the 158th year of the Juneteenth Day Celebration in the United States on Saturday, June 17, at Penn Park. The theme will be “Juneteenth 2023…Black Resilience: Collective Liberation and Transformation.” Organizers are looking for volunteers for the event in many different capacities.

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Register Here

Strong Building Services Means Supporting Staff and Democracy at MMSD

Stand with union workers at Madison Metro School District and call on the Board of Education and Administrators to include the steps below to defend and improve our schools.

--Managerial accountability
--$5 per hour wage increase across the board
--Reverse administrative bloat
--Ensure budgetary transparency
--Defend democracy by ensuring a balance of power among the Board, administrators, and union workers.

Please add your name to this petition. Let's get as many signatures as possible and deliver them to the Board in a big stack of papers.

See Webinar here

See the Transcript here

The Voice of Working Families in South Central Wisconsin

Published semi-monthly by the South Central Federation of Labor. Subscription is just $10/yr. Subscribe or renew here.

See a few of our recent articles below.

Bad Faith with the Red Cross

AFSCME Wisconsin filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing the American Red Cross of bargaining in bad faith. Read more

Fighting the Big Lie By Matt Rothschild

On the afternoon of June 15, there was a great protest on Sherman Avenue in Madison, right outside Kavanaugh’s Esquire Club, where members of the Republican National Committee and officials of the Wisconsin Republican Party were launching their nine-city “election integrity” tour. Read more