In memory of Wisconsin labor leader, Marty Beil

Marty Beil began his career as a union probation and parole officer more than 40 years ago and ultimately led Wisconsin’s fight against Scott Walker’s assault on union rights.

A state employee himself, Marty became active in his union and was elected president of his local in 1973. Five years later he was elected president of AFSCME in Wisconsin and became the union’s executive director in 1985.

Marty was a passionate unionist who believed in the power of working families to build an economy that works for everyone. Despite losing a battle with Republican Governor Scott Walker—whose campaign against working families stripped collective bargaining rights for public employees in Wisconsin—Marty never lost hope for the future of the labor movement in this country.

"Marty would be the first to tell you that this movement is not about any single person, it’s about the all of us standing together and fighting for justice,” Rich Badger, executive director of Wisconsin’s AFSCME Council 32 said this week. “Now is the time to double our resolve to keep our union and Marty’s legacy, moving forward together.”

At 5 p.m. on October 6, workers, friends and supporters gathered at Wisconsin’s State Capitol for a candlelight vigil to honor Marty Beil.

“Those of us in Illinois light our own candles in Marty’s memory,” said AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch. “The battle to defend workers’ rights has now come to our state and it is up to all of us to carry on with Marty’s firm resolve and unbending resistance to continue the work of building a brighter future for our communities and our country.”