Wisconsin’s Legacy as a Labor Leader Helps Shape the Future

Wisconsin has a rich history of labor leadership. This legacy includes some of the first unions — in the country — formed in Milwaukee. It started with the bricklayers in 1847, carpenters in 1848, and shoemakers in 1867. The Badgers State also celebrated Labor Day years before it became a national holiday. Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary Amy Pechacek says there’s a trailblazing history to protect and uplift workers.

“Wisconsin was actually the very first state in the nation to pass a constitutionally valid workers’ compensation law back in 1911,” Pechacek explains. “We were also the first to create an unemployment insurance program, ensuring families could maintain economic stability through unexpected job loss.”

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Listen to a full interview with Wisconsin DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek here:

These protections, she notes, grew from struggle. 

“There’s a saying that every regulation is written in blood,” she says. “The child labor, unsafe conditions, and grueling hours that were once commonplace. Unions and organized labor fought those battles so we could enjoy an eight-hour workday, fair pay, and safe workplaces.”

A hard-working spirit remains the hallmark of Wisconsin today. The state celebrated record-breaking milestones throughout the last year, including the lowest unemployment rate in history, record-high employment, and a surge of workers with disabilities entering the workforce. Wisconsin also led the nation in expanding apprenticeship opportunities, not only in traditional trades like welding and electrical work but also in emerging fields such as nursing, dental care, and even aviation.

“Our apprentices earn while they learn,” Pechacek explains. “That means no crushing student debt, family-sustaining wages, and a direct connection to Wisconsin employers who need their talent.”

The state is also looking ahead by preparing for the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence. Governor Tony Evers established the nation’s first workforce-focused AI task force in 2023, producing a 45-page playbook to help industries adapt while ensuring workers remain at the center of technological change.

“We’ve always been innovators when it comes to worker protections and workforce development,” Pechacek says. “That history of progress continues today as we make sure Wisconsin workers are prepared for the future.”

Labor Day may remind the nation of both sacrifices and achievements made for organized labor during the last 175 years. And Wisconsin’s story offers a powerful example of resilience, innovation, and commitment to the people involved, then and now.

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