Local (Division) 456 of the Amalgamated Association of Street, Electric Railway and Motor Coach Employees of America which represented employees of the Madison Bus Company was organized in 1911. A semi-industrial union, the local represented MBC drivers, mechanics, washers, janitors, and other garage employees; it did not represent clerical employees, guards, or supervisors.
During its long history, the local struck in 1936 and 1945. Resolution of the labor-management differences in 1945 provided for the utilization of arbitration in settling future contract disagreements. In subsequent years, arbitration was used six times to resolve labor-management disputes.
In 1967 after a National Labor Relations Board election, the Madison Bus Company employees elected the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 695 as their new union representative. At this time Local 456 was dissolved. In 1970 the Madison Bus Company was sold to the city of Madison.
