The Wisconsin State Council of Machinists was organized in August 1941 by representatives of twelve Wisconsin lodges of the International Association of Machinists (IAM). The founders sought to extend unionization to all Wisconsin workers within the jurisdiction of the IAM and give them a single voice at all American Federation of Labor (AFL) conventions and meetings of federated trade councils. Membership was open to any IAM lodges in the state and lodge donations provided original financing.
The State Council dealt with issues which affected all members, such as state and national legislation, housing, inflation, apprenticeship rules, peacetime military conscription, and wage levels. Direct lobbying was initiated in 1948 through organization of a political arm, the Wisconsin Machinists Non-Partisan Political League (MNPL). Several political education committees worked to register voters and publicize officeholders' records.
Jurisdictional disputes with other unions were a continuing problem for the Council and the IAM nationally, and led to a decision at the 1946 IAM convention to withdraw from the AFL. It remained independent until re-affiliation with the AFL in 1951.
Through the 1950's and early 1960's the State Council maintained its membership during a period of general decline for trade unions. The MNPL lobbied for establishment of national health insurance for the elderly (1962) and proposed instituting a 35-hour work week to curb unemployment. Activities of the State Council continue to reflect the opinions and concerns of its affiliated lodges and to stress expanding membership in all areas of manufacturing.
