MATC AFT LOCAL 212 CALLS-OUT HYPOCRISY IN WALKER-TRUMP TECH COLLEGE VISIT

The union representing the state’s largest group of skilled trades educators slammed President Trump’s and Governor Walker’s tour of Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) as nothing more than a politically-motivated public relations stunt.

“Sheer hypocrisy,” declared Dr. Lisa Conley, President of AFT Local 212, “Trump and Walker are using WCTC and its students for a photo-op while pushing policies that undermine apprenticeship and skilled trades training,” Conley explained.

“We need to invest in our skilled workforce

For Immediate Release:  May 2, 2017

The University of Wisconsin has faced cuts in five of the last six budget cycles. In fact, since 2011, cuts to the UW have totaled $795 million. This comes at a time when most states, under both Democratic and Republican control, have decided to reinvest in their colleges and universities.

Cuts to the UW have resulted in fewer and bigger classes, fewer advisors, and more time to a degree for students. Because the state has cut the UW budget while freezing tuition, our students have suffered more than ever, and the quality of our world-renowned university is at

Madison – Once again, faculty and staff at technical colleges across the state have voted to re-certify their unions at increasingly large margins, despite repeated attempts by the Walker administration to discourage unionization.  Act 10, which was written to undermine public sector unions, also requires an annual vote to re-certify the union.

Dr. Michael Rosen, President of Milwaukee Area Technical College AFT Local 212 noted, “MATC educators have once again rejected Governor Walker’s attempt to strip educators of their right to organize and have a voice

This past weekend, the AFT-Wisconsin Executive Board voted to endorse the AFT-Wisconsin Statement on Refugees, Immigration, and the Trump Agenda.   The Statement is about the recent Executive Orders on refugees and immigrants issued by President Trump, but also and more broadly about the role of our unions in times like these.  

Under Resources on this website, you will also find a pamphlet on Immigrant and Refugee Children published by the American Federation of Teachers for educators, school support staff and service providers who teach, mentor and help open the doors of opportunity for

For information, please go to the Wisconsin Labor History Society's website - click here. 

Dear members:

I purposely waited to send an email to the membership, partly because I’m sure all of you have been bombarded with emotion and partly because I did not know what to say. This past week has sent me through every emotion and brought back painful memories of 2011. I tried to avoid social media but then felt disconnected. However, social media spurred me all over again with rage, sadness and shock. I have read statements by leaders and analysts, listened on multiple conference calls, and nothing provided comfort or understanding. Everyone has opinions on what went wrong, who’s to