Prior to 1881, operating, stationary and steam engineers* affiliated with the Knights of Labor. Seeking status as an independent trade, they urged the passage of legislation in all states for the licensing of stationary engineers and the enforcement of proper restrictions that would better protect life and property. Organized as Federal Labor Unions, the steam and operating engineers applied on 7 December 1896 to the American Federation of Labor for a charter of affiliation as the National Union of Steam Engineers; this was issued in March 1897. In May 1897, the AFL granted a request by the Union for a title change to the International Union of Steam Engineers of America. In February 1913, the title was again officially changed to the International Union of Steam and Operating Engineers. And in May 1928, a final title change to the International Union of Operating Engineers was sanctioned by the AFL.
Local 311 of the IUOE was organized at a meeting in Lipp's Hall, Milwaukee, on 29 January 1906, and a full slate of officers was elected. Among the officers were C. W. Denkard, president; A. L. Barnes, vice president; M. G. Blick, recording-corresponding secretary; William Peters, financial secretary; and Joseph Bray, treasurer. Frank A. Neumer was made the Local's first business agent in November 1907. The Local affiliated with the Milwaukee Trades Council at this first meeting, and with the Wisconsin State Federation of Labor the following month.
According to Charles E. Jeske, former secretary of District 48 of the State, County and Municipal Employees Union, and one of the founders of Local 311, the early members were employed in various industries and in several units of municipal government. In 1956, approximately 200 industrial organizations employed Union members including such industries as meat packing, wood working, structural steel, laundries, hotels, hospitals, theaters, power plants, coke and water purification plants, paper mills, dairies, and hosiery mills.
In 1967, as it was now too small to exist by itself, Local 311 merged with Local 317 of the IUOE, Stationary Engineers, also of Milwaukee.
There are a number of Locals in Wisconsin affiliated with the International Union of Operating Engineers. Included are Local 139, Hoisting Engineers; Local 308, Apartment House Engineers; Local 950, Schoolhouse Engineers; and Local 317, Stationary Engineers, all in Milwaukee; and Locals 309 and 502 in Racine; Locals 140, 304, and 310 in Green Bay; Local 475 in Madison; Local 517 in Superior; Local 505 in Oshkosh; and Local 504 in Manitowoc.
