The ugliness of Scott Walker--a royal piece of shit--was contrasted by the tens of thousands of people who brought light and came out to fight his brand of warfare against workers. And among the most prominent leaders of that fight was Marty Beil. Beil has died. He needs to be remembered.
RIP:
Marty Beil, the longtime leader of the Wisconsin State Employees Union and one of the most prominent faces of labor in the state, died at his Mazomanie home on Thursday. He was 68.
The death of Beil — gruff, gravel-voiced and rarely reticent — comes just months after he retired from his job as executive director of the state employees union, a position he held since 1985.
And what he had to say about Walker, as well as some Democrats:
“It is unconscionable, and it is something I will hold against Scott Walker until the day I die, the pain he’s caused to state workers in such a careless fashion,” Beil said in a June interview with the State Journal.
A spokeswoman for Walker did not immediately have a comment on Beil’s death.
Beil didn’t save condemnation only for Republicans. In 2010, Beil famously criticized former Democratic Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker for voting against extending employee union contracts, which set the stage for Walker’s Act 10.
“Russ Decker is a whore,” he told the State Journal in 2010. “Not a prostitute. A whore. W-H-O-R-E.”
Community leaders remembered Beil:
Paul Spink, a long time member of Beil's Local and now president of Council 32, said the following:
"Marty was a fiercely dedicated and passionate activist and leader for public employees and the services they provide for more than 40 years. The labor movement is stronger today because of him. We are all devastated by this loss, but we will carry on and never forget his passion or commitment to the cause of economic justice."
Statement issued by Dane County Executive Joe Parisi on passing of Marty Beil:
"I am deeply saddened by the news of Marty Beil's passing. Marty dedicated his life to helping others and fighting on behalf of Wisconsin workers. Marty went to work every day to advocate for Wisconsin's working families. And his legacy will reflect his desire to see all Wisconsinites have a chance to reach the American dream."
Statement of Mayor Paul Soglin on the Death of Marty Beil:
Anyone who has worked in Wisconsin, whether they were a union member or not, owes a debt of gratitude to Marty Beil. He not only gave us better wages and working conditions, but he was dedicated to creating a safe and happy workplace. My thoughts and sympathy are with his family at this very sad time.
Representative Subeck released the following statement regarding the passing of Wisconsin labor leader Marty Beil:
"Marty Beil dedicated his life and work to bettering the lives of working people in Wisconsin. Marty was more than a labor leader - he was a role model and a friend to me and to so many others who will miss his presence. I extend my sincere condolences to his family."
U.S. Representative Pocan Statement on Passing of Labor Leader Marty Beil:
"Marty leaves behind a legacy of tireless advocacy on behalf of workers across the state. For over 30 years as the head of AFSCME, Marty embodied the longstanding Wisconsin tradition of fighting for workers' rights and protections. I will always remember his pivotal leadership and constant presence throughout the weeks of protests following the introduction of Act 10 in 2011. Marty was strong voice for working families in Wisconsin and a firm believer that when we all do better, we all do better. He will be truly missed by the labor community in Wisconsin and my thoughts are with his family at this most difficult time."
Wisconsin State Representative Mandela Barnes (D Milwaukee) released the following statement regarding the passing of Marty Beil:
"While many of us are saddened and devastated by the tragic loss of Marty Beil this week, there is no better time than now for us to embrace and celebrate his steadfast passion to achieve true economic justice for Wisconsin families. My thoughts and prayers are with his friends, family, and those who fought alongside him for our unions and the working people that our unions protect and support every day. Marty's legacy will live on through continued efforts to empower Wisconsin's families through worker and social justice."
Statement by Senator Miller on the Passing of Marty Beil:
"I am shocked and saddened by the passing of Marty Biel. Marty Beil was a tireless advocate for worker's rights, determined to better the circumstances for the working people of Wisconsin. My thoughts are with his family and friends and the many people whose lives he improved."
Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) released the folowing statement regarding the passing of longtime labor leader Marty Beil:
"Marty was a tireless advocate for Wisconsin's working families and a fearless defender of workplace freedom. He understood the value of a hard day's work and was never afraid to take on the powerful out-of-state corporations and special interests who tried to undermine workers' rights. His tenacity and unwavering dedication to Wisconsin's hardworking families will be sorely missed but not forgotten."
Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) released the following statement today on the passing of Marty Beil:
"I am saddened to learn of the passing of Marty Beil, and it is especially unfortunate to lose him so soon after his retirement. Marty worked tirelessly for decades to stand up for the rights of working people, and Wisconsin will miss someone who so fully embodied our state's values. Our thoughts are with Marty's family at this very difficult time."
Senator Jon Erpenbach and Representative Dave Considine release statement on the death of constituent and change agent for working families Marty Beil:
"Marty Beil lived his life working to improve the lives of public employees all over Wisconsin. Even after his retirement he did not stop contributing to positive change. At a recent corrections officers meeting in Portage during his brief retirement, Marty offered his support, his knowledge and his humor; these attributes made Marty a great leader and a good man. Our hearts pour out for his family, his friends and the labor community who have lost a true great in Marty Beil. Earlier this year we were honored to commend Marty on his long career and retirement. The last line of our citation sums it up: Representative Dave Considine and Senator Jon Erpenbach do hereby recognize and thank Marty Beil for his decades of hard work, leadership, and deep personal sacrifices for Wisconsin workers, their families, and the labor movement."
Martha Laning, Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, issued the following statement on the loss of labor leader Marty Beil:
"Marty Beil was a tireless champion for workers in Wisconsin and our state was a better place because he was speaking up for us. He woke up every day determined to make sure workers in our state had a seat at the table and a voice to better their working conditions. His commitment to ensure working families were treated fairly is legendary and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin was proud to stand with Marty during the Act 10 battle. He was a leader for over forty years at AFSCME who will be missed, but we will all be standing up for him as we continue to speak up in support of working families in Wisconsin. Our sympathies are with his family during this difficult time. In solidarity we salute him."