A Brief History of
SEIU Local 152
On September 12,1934 SEIU Local 152 was granted it’s charter. Services Employees International Union which encompassed the Building Service Employees (BSE) and Food Service Workers, which were employed in the School System located in Racine, Wisconsin.
On July 23, 1958, the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO granted Local 152, full recognition and all that goes with it.
On June 5, 1981, the Secretary/Clerical division of the Racine Unified School District (RUSD) voted to become the third unit of SEIU Local 152.
Throughout the years the Local has grown in size, make up of the local (male/female) and all that we do. From a high population of 525 members to our current number of 469.
During our history, the local has been involved in three (3) work stoppages. The longest was the 57 day strike in 1977. After this work stoppage, the State of Wisconsin brought into play binding arbitration for all public employees.
In 1972 the Food Service workers voted to go to a contract company, which removed them from the public sector, giving up the state pension, in favor of the right to collect unemployment through the summer.
For those interested in history here are some of the past and present employee's that have made a difference. These are probably not all who have served, only the ones we can recollect. If you remember more let us know who they are.
President –
William Knudsen, Bob Tighe, Joe Paolocci, Larry Hobbs, Louis Schneider , Wayne Rasmussen.
Vice President –
Dennis Smith, Betty Yuhas, Paul Ginther, Frank Martin, Art Breheim, Bob Vogel,
Bonnie Chady
Recording Secretary –
Joe Kopecky, John Ittner, Maryln Mack, George Kadamian, Jodi Gatzke.
Treasurer -
Louis Schneider, George Feichner, Pat Hansen.
Secretary/Treasurer -
Jodi Gatzke,Jeff Everson.
Stewards –
Pat Beckett, Annetta Hoppe, Veronica Hanson, Joe Anzalone, Shaunte Stills, Bob Pirk, Cathy Schmidt, Rick Matavaka, Bruce Volpintesta, John Wilda, Mike Anzalone, Durk Harris, Jim Williams, Shirley Reams, Kathy Bovitz, Florence Weidner, Doris Petzke, Mary Faltke, RoseMary Kusters, Mary Ann Bernhardt, Donna Carmon, Bonnie Chady, Debbie Schatzman, Glen Jaskulske, Jack Neilson, Anthony Johnson, Laurie Krueger, Vicki Ellenberger, Kim Reitsma, Mike Sheckles, Willanetta Kittel, Chad Tucker, Gregg Olley, Debbie Patton.
Financial Secretary -
Jackie Fedders, Pirce Smith, Cheryl Carol.
Grievance Chair Person –
Dennis Smith, Jan Hardaway, Glen Jaskulske, Keri Nelson.
Health and Safety Person -
Theodore Czebotar, Marc Eisch, Larry Hobbs.
When the local first started we used a small room in the labor center, which is now a closet as our office. Today we own our building which was purchased in June of 2005, and is the central point of all union activities.
With the help of our secretary membership, the local has up – graded how we handle a lot of activities for our membership. Both information as well as the business side of the local.
SEIU Local 152 over the past 75 years has grown from a small independent local to one being recognized as a leader in the Racine community and in Southeastern Wisconsin.
The future of the local is only limited by the limitations we place on ourselves. The new members coming into the local be it BSE, Secretary/Clerical, or Food Service Associates will bring in the hopes for a better future. Our hopes are that Local 152 will continue to grow and prosper in the years ahead. Remember that when you ask the question what does this union do for me,? You also have to recognize that you are the the Union and our future is in all of your hands.
