The Memorial Union Labor Organization (MULO) was an independent labor union which represented part-time student workers and limited term employees at the student unions (Wisconsin Union) on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. MULO was begun in 1970 by a group of Wisconsin Union workers to democratize power within the Wisconsin Union system and enable students and workers to exercise primary control over the Wisconsin Union's operation. It was also felt that through MULO, workers would have a strong, effective medium to voice their concerns. In April 1971, a formal constitution was written and MULO was finally recognized as the exclusive bargaining agent on December 20, 1971. In January 1972, MULO began bargaining with the management of the Wisconsin Union for their first contract.
The bargaining process was slow and the student union management (management) refused to discuss several key issues of great importance to MULO. In 1972, these key issues included: wages and fringe benefits, increased participation in decision making, and ecologically responsible practices. Due to management's reluctance to bargain, on April 19, 1972 MULO voted to strike in order to enforce contract demands. The strike lasted until the end of May when a compromise was finally reached. The MULO membership formally ratified the resulting contract on May 26, 1972.
In 1976, bargaining again broke down after management refused to bargain on some issues concerning wages and working conditions. MULO wanted to increase wages for all student and LTE employees as well as improve working conditions such as leaking pipes above wash stations and the existence of asbestos. With the support of 80% of its membership, MULO again went on strike. With the end of the semester fast approaching and the imminent departure of student members, MULO signed a contract after only three weeks of striking.
Following the 1976 strike, MULO membership began to decline because employees were frustrated with the strikes and they thought the 1976 contract was weak. Leadership of the union was confined to a small, elite core within the union. MULO was always affected by the high turnover rate in student employment and in 1976 this began to take its toll. Active members left without finding replacements and in 1978 only one officer remained. Virtually nothing was done in 1978 except for the bargaining of a 23-month contract. By the fall of 1978, activity had come to a standstill.
In February 1979, signs were present that some of the remaining members were interested in reorganizing MULO. MULO began conducting regular meetings again, filing grievances, and publishing a bi-weekly newsletter on a regular basis. Due to these efforts, membership rose sharply. By the following spring, MULO had regained its former strength. Approximately 50% of eligible workers had joined, enabling MULO to bargain the strongest contract of its ten year history. Subsequent contracts were negotiated every two years without the severe bargaining problems that had characterized the early 1970s. During this time, MULO also concentrated its attention on health and safety protections, grievance representation, and support of other labor and community groups.
MULO again went on strike in 1980 due to another break down of negotiations over similar issues as in the past. In 1984, MULO voted to strike again but in the end bargaining was successful and the strike was avoided. MULO operated successfully, and without striking, between 1984 and 2004 when they officially became defunct due to lack of interest and the decline of the labor movement.
