During the 1960's a rising enrollment at the University of Wisconsin created increasing demands upon the limited stock of rental property in downtown Madison. This resulted in a general deterioration in the quality of housing and a rising number of incidents of tenant exploitation. During the summer of 1969 a group of students and other renters began discussions which led to the formation of the Madison Tenant Union in September. Although there was some early disagreement over goals and organizing targets there was a common understanding that tenants needed assistance with their individual problems (a service not being offered by any city agency) and organizational strength to bargain with land-lords and put pressure on governmental agencies. Committees established in that fall indicated MTU's commitment to research, organizing, and grievance negotiations.
Locals of the union have been formed around individual landlords after 50 percent of the tenants indicated a willingness to permit MTU to become their bargaining representative in negotiations. MTU organized its first local in November 1969. In December the first group of union members withheld rent in an escrow account to force repairs, and in February 1970 MTU members participated in their first major rent strike. A more detailed account of the union's past activities is included in the historical material in folder 1 of the collection.
