The Wisconsin State Federation of Labor was founded in 1893 by Frank J. Weber. It was the official state agent of the American Federation of Labor, and its purpose is to provide a unified program for the unions in the State and to lobby for legislation beneficial to labor. The organization worked in close connection with the Federated Trades Council of Milwaukee in promoting the interests of the American Federation of Labor in Wisconsin. Frank J. Weber, founder and General Secretary of the Federated Trades Council, was president of the body until 1917 when he declined to stand for reelection. From 1917 to 1941, with Henry Ohl Jr. as president, and John J. Handley as general secretary, the State Federation did much to promote the interests of labor and to expand the membership and its activities. Ohl died in 1941. Herman Seide, general secretary of the Federated Trades Council, succeeded him but he also retained his post with the Trades Council. George Haberman assumed the presidency in 1943, the year in which Seide died, and William Nagorsne became general secretary.
The Wisconsin State Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Wisconsin Industrial Union Council (CIO) merged in 1958 to form the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.
