Join us for a film screening of three rare films about UAW Local 248 at the West Allis Public Library on Saturday March 28th from 3-5pm.

The films include historic strike footage and interviews made by union activists and leaders from some of the state’s fiercest labor battles. The event is free and open to all.

• “Turbines, Turmoil, and Tears”

1980 film produced by the UW School for Workers, featuring rare footage from the historic 1941 strike filmed by union members.

• "A Half Century of Struggle: A-C Workers Tell Their Story" segments

1980’s film produced by UAW Local 248 featuring union activists and leaders, and actions around the plant closure and pension fight.

• “Who paid the dues” segments 

1980's film by Mary Kronen featuring interviews with former UAW 248 President Harold Christoffel

Co-sponsored by: The Wisconsin Labor History Society, UW School for Workers, Milwaukee Area Labor Council's Education Committee and Young Workers Committee

UAW LOCAL 248
A FIGHTING UNION

The Allis-Chalmers Workers Union, UAW Local 248, was once the largest union local in Wisconsin, at one point representing over 20,000 workers. The union played an important and historic leadership role in both the state and national labor movement, pioneering industrial unionism from the 1930's onward. A-C workers garnered national attention for defiantly standing up to a ruthless corporate giant, facing unprecedented violence and repression. Local 248 inspired workers across the country and helped organize unions at six A-C plants, Ford Motor Co, and others. There may be no greater example of genuine, effective trade unionism in Wisconsin history.

Local 248 utilized the strike weapon a dozen times in their 60+ year history, taking on a notorious corporate giant to win massive gains in wages, benefits, working conditions, and union security. In 1941 and 1946 thousands of striking workers faced down federal orders and violent repression. Hundreds of union members were jailed and leaders blacklisted, but the union would not be defeated.

For half a century Local 248 defended and expanded a strong contract, creating tens of thousands of family-supporting union jobs with high quality pay, benefits, job protections, paid time off, and pensions that lifted the entire region.

Equality for All - Local 248 was an early leader in the fight against racial and gender discrimination at work and the community, fighting for equal pay and job opportunities, supporting civil rights struggles, and promoting African Americans, women, and immigrant workers who were hired during WWII in the union’s leadership and robust steward structure, even at a time when the Allis-Chalmers workforce was predominantly white men.

How you and your union can support the project

• Invite us to give a short presentation on the historical significance of UAW Local 248 for your union or organization

• Read about Local 248's effective shop floor strategy here and apply the lessons in your workplace

• Make a donation to help reach our goal of $5,000 to cover the cost of an official state historical marker

• Sign up to the campaign email list below to receive updates and get involved in the project

• Join the next campaign meeting - sign up to the email list to receive meeting details
  
  
  

Historical Materials
The committee has collected extensive research and materials about UAW Local 248, including photos, union buttons, newsletters, articles, books, art, and music. Our goal is to make these resources widely available in the coming months and years.

Here are a few pinback buttons from UAW Local 248 and UAW-CIO: