Wisconsin Makes History, Passing Labor History Bill,
I recently witnessed history in the making, when I was invited to watch Governor Doyle sign the bill mandating teaching the history of organized labor and collective bargaining in Wisconsin public schools. With this new legislation, students across the state will have the opportunity to learn about how the labor movement was pivotal in teh formation of the workplace rights that benefit us everyday.
Approximately fifty people crowded into a room at the Capitol to witness the signing of this legislation, co-authored by Senator Dave Hansen from Green Bay and Representative Andy Jorgensen from Fort Atkinson. The crowd was made up of those in the labor movement who have been fighting for the passage of this bill for years. For decades, UFCW has tried to enact similar legislation across the country. I still remember a UFCW International Convention, 20 years ago, where we were urged to pass mandatory labor history in education in our state's legislature. Eight years later, in 1997, the first bill was attempted in Wisconsin. Now, 12 years have passed since the original bill and a Democratic Assembly, Senate and Governor have made history by turning that bill into law -- one of the first labor history bills in the United States.
Ordinary workers in Wisconsin, for generations, have banned together, fought and even died to gain workplace rights, better wages and working conditions. Students in Wisconsin will now learn about the great efforts and achievements of ordinary individuals. Hopefully, in turn, students will appreciate how difficult it was to achieve these rights in the first place and how important it is to hold onto them today.
Wisconsin students will also know that they have a lot to be proud of as residents of this state. Wisconsin workers have been on the forefront of the Labor Movement and progressive rights since the 19th Century. In 1886, workers in Bayview, Wisconsin died fighting for the eight-hour workday. In 1911, a strong labor movement in Wisconsin fought to pass the first worker's compensation bill in the country. In 1932, Wisconsin passed unemployment compensation. In 1959, Wisconsin passed the Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act, which was also the first in the nation.
These landmark events and many more like them make up the rich labor history of Wisconsin that students in this state will now have the opportunity to laern about in their public school education. When I went to grade school, I remember history always being taught from the perspective of powerful political and social leaders. Every major event, revolution or evolution seemed to be attributed to one of the great leaders or innovators. Students in Wisconsin students today, however, will learn how in the case of worker's rights, it was the ordinary individuals who fought and died for their cause that catalyzed social change. Perhaps by learning of these ordinary workers of the past, whose actions still have an impact on us today, Wisconsin students will see opportunities to organize and create positive social change in their workplaces and communities today.
Though I am encouraged that students will learn the hisotry of the worker's movement and collective bargaining, becasue it is long overdue. What most inspires me is that with this legislation their can be positive growth in the future of the worker's movement. Wisconsin has always been on the forefront of progressive worker's rights, and with the passing of this legislation I look forward to see what the future will bring.
