WLEA: Makes Labor History

Contact:
Casey Perry, 920-360-3612

Today the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Association (WLEA) achieved a resounding victory for the right to represent the Law Enforcement Bargaining Unit. With an overall turnout of more than 90% of eligible voters, 62 percent voted for the WLEA while only 37 percent voted for AFSCME and one percent for no representation.

“Labor history was made today,” said Glen Jones, a State Trooper and spokesperson for the WLEA. “The members were ready for a change. WLEA leadership expected a large margin of victory and the members made a clear statement with their ballots.”

The WLEA overcame incredible odds to make this election a reality. Last October, the WLEA was successful in petitioning the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission (WERC) to conduct an election seeking new union representation for state law enforcement officers. This in itself was groundbreaking in that no other state bargaining unit has ever been successful in triggering an election process for new representation. The election process came to an end today and WERC officials declared the WLEA as the new bargaining representative for state law enforcement officers.

“This was truly a victory for the members by the members,” said Casey Perry, a State Trooper and one of the founders of the WLEA. “Our accomplishment demonstrates the strength of a well organized grass roots effort. We were successful without professional union organizers or a paid staff.”

AFSCME WSEU Council 24 AFL-CIO, the largest state employee union in Wisconsin, has been the bargaining representative for law enforcement officers since it was organized in 1944. In recent years, however, the membership felt that the representation devoted to the law enforcement unit was inadequate and the members began looking for a change.

The WLEA will be an independent labor union, representing state law enforcement and related positions. Represented positions include Capitol and University police officers and detectives, DMV driver’s license examiners, police communication operators at the Universities, Capitol and State Patrol, along with Troopers and Inspectors.

Jones said, “Our members work hard every day to provide vital services to the State of Wisconsin and to protect the rights of its citizens. It will now be the goal of WLEA to give them the same level of service and protection.”