AFT Local 212- Our History

Local 212 was officially established when the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) granted a charter to the Milwaukee Vocational Teachers’ Association, Local 212, on January 27, 1930.

A major challenge to Local 212’s existence occurred in 1968-69. The lack of good faith bargaining on the part of the District Board led to a bitter strike in January, 1969. For over a month the faculty, led by President Bill Thomas and Carston Koeller, Chair of Contract Enforcement, walked the picket lines in the bitter cold.

After 44 days, the MATC administration and board agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement with Local 212 that included numerous benefits. Among them, the college president agreed to meet monthly with Local 212 representatives; non-professional duties such as hall monitoring and elevator duty were eliminated; and the requirement that faculty punch a time clock was discontinued. Compensation and benefits were significantly improved so that today they are the best in the state and among the best in the nation.

Come back on Wednesday to learn more about the membership of AFT Local 212