About Local 317 IUOE



Local 317 is part of the International Union of Operating Engineers, an AFL-CIO affiliated Union. The IUOE has nearly 400,000 members throughout the U.S. and Canada. The General President of the IUOE is Vince Giblin. Local 317 was formed in 1939 and has approximately 600 members working at various employers. Our biggest bargaining unit is at We Energies with about 500 members.

For detailed information about Local 317, click on the links below for more information.
  • Job Referral
    The Union accepts resumes for referrals from individuals who take our classes or enroll in the Power Engineering Program at MATC. We also accept resumes for referral from current and retired members. Local 317 only refers candidates to signatory employers. We are not a hiring hall.

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  • Representation
    Mark Maierle serves as the union Business Manager. Mike Weber serves as part-time Business Agent.

    Officers and Executive Board members are elected by the membership. Stewards and bargaining committees members are appointed to represent members in the work place.

    Bob Drenzek serves as Operations Chairperson for We Energies and Earl Matzinger serves as Maintenance Chairperson.

    Local 317 is represented by the Law Offices of Mark Sweet. Attorney Sweet has a legal services agreement with the union to provide discounted services to members. The phone number for the law firm is (414) 332-2255.

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  • Meetings
    The Union holds monthly membership meetings that are normally held on the second Tuesday of the month at the Local 317 Union Offices,1140 W. Anderson Ct., Oak Creek, WI. Meetings begin at 7 pm. Meetings are occasionally held at alternate sites. The 15-member Executive Board of Local 317 meets quarterly on the first Tuesday of the month. There is a posting at work locations every month with updated meeting information.

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  • Stationary Engineers
    There are two departments within the IUOE: construction and stationary.

    Stationary Engineer work includes: boilers and steam systems, electrical, HVAC and refrigeration, pneumatics, building maintenance, computer control systems, water treatment, appliance repair, plumbing, equipment operation and repair, and other duties.

    Local 317 holds a Stationary Charter giving Local 317 jurisdiction throughout Wisconsin for purposes of organizing and representing stationary engineers. Traditional Stationary Engineers are responsible for operations and maintenance duties in commercial and industrial facilities including: office buildings and retail facilities, hotels, hospitals, airports, schools, entertainment and convention complexes, factories and production facilities as well as power plants and utilities.

    Other Stationary Locals in Wisconsin are Local 310-Green Bay (Wisconsin Public Service) and Local 950-Milwaukee (Milwaukee Public Schools). Local 305, Superior, WI and Local 266, Manitowoc have recently merged with Local 317.

    Construction Operating Engineers are in the Building Trades and operate hoisting and portable equipment, like scrapers and cranes, as well as heavy and highway equipment for road building. Local 139 holds the Construction Charter for the State of Wisconsin. (Local 317 is not in the Building Trades and does not manage a hiring hall.)

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  • Training
    Local 317 is committed to developing and providing training to our members. We sponsor the Power Engineering program at Milwaukee Area Technical College where a full diploma program is offered. Power Engineering is a field that requires skills in a variety of fields including boiler operation, equipment repair, industrial maintenance, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, energy conservation and other areas.

    For more information about current training offerings, see Training.

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  • Education
    Local 317 regularly sends members and staff to labor education programs and various conferences. Topics covered include grievance and arbitration handling, bargaining, pension and health benefits, labor issues, organizing and training administration. Conferences include the IUOE North Central States Conference, State AFL-CIO conferences, Utility Workers Conference, IUOE Business Managers Conference and the IUOE General Convention.

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  • Safety
    Local 317 and the IUOE are strong advocates of safety. Our members take leadership roles on workplace committees and are highly respected for their knowledge and contributions. The IUOE is highly regarded for safety training programs and legislative efforts to protect workers. The IUOE regularly holds train-the-trainer sessions for local unions to send interested members to become instructors.

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  • Organizing
    Local 317 maintains an active organizing program. Organizing means helping workers at non-union facilities to form a union, win the election, bargain a first contract and become members of Local 317. Union leadership believes it is critical to maintain an active organizing program and we encourage our members to help out by promoting the benefits of forming a union to friends and acquaintances.

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  • Legislative
    Local 317 engages in lobbying and other activities necessary to protect our jobs and promote the best interests of our members. We encourage our members to vote and to actively participate in our activities. Every two years the State AFL-CIO holds a Legislative Conference in Madison that we send a number of members to as our delegates. Local 317 occasionally endorses candidates in local elections. We also invite political speakers to address our members on topics important to the membership. Local 317 Trustee William Holton chairs the union’s political action committee.

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  • Governance
    Local 317 is governed by the IUOE constitution, local by-laws and approved policies. By-laws and policies may only be changed with the approval of the membership. The Business Manager is the Chief Executive Officer of the Local. The Executive Board is the policy-making and administrative tribunal of the Local. Local 317 holds Union elections every 3 years. “Job Responsibilities” for all positions have been adopted by the Executive Board and are available to members for review.

    For more information about the leadership of Local 317, please click here.

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  • Dues and Fees
    Union dues for full-time employees are the equivalent of two hours pay plus $5.00 per month. The initiation fee is $60.

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  • Diversity
    We support diversity in a number of different ways. We provide skilled training, we encourage women and minority members to take active roles in the Local, we participate in outreach programs, and we support various community and employer programs. Through our job referral program we seek to identify women and minority applicants for skilled positions. Perhaps our most effective way to enhance the diversity of our membership is through our organizing efforts. Union representation is shown to provide significant economic benefits to women and minorities.

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  • Benefits and Rewards
    The Central Pension Fund of the IUOE is one of the largest multi-employer union pension funds in the country and provides excellent benefits upon retirement. Employer participation and contribution levels can be bargained for during negotiations. Local 317 members are awarded IUOE service pins for years of service. Local 317 submits applicants to signatory employers for job openings through our job referral program.

    For more information about Benefits, please click here.

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  • Affiliations
    In addition to the IUOE, Local 317 is affiliated with the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, Milwaukee County Labor Council, Kenosha Labor Council, Ozaukee County Labor Council, Utility Workers Coalition and the North Central States Conference of the IUOE. Local 317 also maintains membership in the National Association of Power Engineers (NAPE) and Wisconsin Citizen Action. Brother William Holton is a member of the State AFL-CIO Conservation Committee.

    For more information about Affiliations, please click here.

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  • Member Involvement
    The strength of the Local is the membership. We encourage our members to not only attend Union meetings when they can, but to also participate in Union activities. Members may become stewards, volunteer for committees or run for elected Union positions. Members assist with our training programs as instructors or advisors.

    One of the most important roles our members can fill is to look for organizing opportunities. Every one knows someone or has a family member who is working non-union. The best source for organizing leads is the existing membership, and the best organizers are members who promote the benefits of the Union.

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