Longstanding History and Pride Leads the Operating Engineers to Success

by Dave Backmann, Communications Director, Local 139

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 marked its 107th anniversary in 2009 with the reopening of its expanded and remodeled headquarters building in Pewaukee.

Exclusively using union contractors, the nine-month project added 6,700 square feet to an existing 23,600-square-foot property originally built in 1990. State-of-the-art, computer-controlled audio/visual equipment was added to improve training facilities in a building where winter classroom instruction is offered annually to Local 139 members living in southeastern Wisconsin. KBS Construction Madison was the general contractor for the multi-million-dollar undertaking.

"We now have the ability to offer live, Internet-based training to literally hundreds of our members gathering in a comfortable membership hall," said Local 139 Business Manager Terry McGowan. "The facilities were quite basic before this project was completed. Our instructors now can lead classes in a 21st Century learning environment. This is important because it's becoming increasingly necessary for Operators to add skills and to maintain their certifications if they want to keep working."

Local 139 is a statewide skilled trade union with approximately 9,000 active and retired members. The union primarily represents operators of heavy equipment and mechanics who service the machines. Based in Pewaukee, Local 139 has branch offices in Madison, Altoona and Appleton. An elected officer of the union is responsible for the operation of each office and its assigned business agents, organizers and support staff.

Embracing the motto, "Providing a Skilled Workforce for Wisconsin's Future," the union is committed to providing the most comprehensive training experience in the industry. Therefore, Local 139 also maintains the state-certified Joseph J. Goetz Training Center on nearly 400 acres in Coloma. Here apprentices can learn the craft and journeymen can hone and add to their skills base in both classroom and field settings. Thousands of operators typically attend classes at the school during the winter training season.

Local 139 also acts as a powerful advocate for both the construction industry and economic development in Wisconsin. Through political action committees funded by the voluntary contributions of 139ers, the union is respected on both sides of the political aisle at the state and federal levels.

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