Labor Working Group Charter

Rechartered: 2026-03-20

Article I: Name

The name of this group shall be the Madison-Area Democratic Socialists of America Labor Working Group, hereafter Labor Working Group (LWG).

Article II: Scope

The purpose of the LWG shall be to fulfill the following objectives:

  1. Serve as a meeting place for labor activists in our area, to discuss and workshop issues, and to connect workers and unionists.
  2. Support the creation of new unions, workplace activism, and solidarity efforts with workers’ struggles.
  3. Train and develop labor activists, helping to guide socialists into labor work and develop worker activists into socialists with the goal of reconnecting the Labor and Socialist movements.
  4. Promote a militant, democratic, socialist perspective on unions, workers’ struggles and labor issues.
  5. Generate support for worker rights among the working masses of Dane county through publishing and hosting events about labor struggles.

Article III: Membership and Voting

  1. LWG meetings shall be open to all DSA members in good standing; LWG may not prevent a DSA member from attending LWG meetings. Any membership-related issues are to be brought to the MADSA Executive Committee. As a body of MADSA, LWG is subject to the Harassment-Grievance process.
  2. Only DSA members who have attended at least two (2) LWG meetings in the past six months are to be considered voting members of LWG. 
  3. A list shall be kept by the LWG Steering Committee (SC) of voting-eligible members of the working group. Non-DSA members are invited to participate in meetings, but are not voting members of LWG.
  4. LWG will make decisions in a democratic manner, voting on what actions they take. Any member may call for a vote on any decision. A simple majority will suffice for any decision. In the event of a tie, the co-chairs will make the final decision. If they cannot reach consensus the measure shall fail, or continue discussion and revote.
  5. LWG will strive to have one member meeting per month.
  6. LWG requires 5 voting members for quorum.

Article IV: Leadership

  1. LWG shall elect two co-chairs from its membership. The co-chairs will manage meetings, agendas, campaigns, and budgeting for the working group. The co-chairs shall be responsible for coordinating the work of the group, including ensuring regular meetings and communicating with the Chapter’s Executive Committee.
  2. Co-chair elections shall be held annually before the adoption or extension of the LWG charter.
    1. Voting in leadership elections shall be open to all LWG members, as established in Article III.
    2. Co-chairs who must step down before the completion of their role will be replaced by an election of the LWG
    3. In the event of two co-chair vacancies, the role shall be filled by the MADSA executive committee or a process they determine.
    4. Co-chairs are limited to two (2) consecutive one-year terms, but may run for as many terms total as they like
  3. The LWG Co-chairs for 2026/27 will be Aaron L. and Athnie M.
  4. LWG will also house two Solidarity Captains. Solidarity Captains are tasked with supporting labor actions across Dane County and Wisconsin. They will manage strike readiness pledges and contact lists for rapid outreach when needed. They are also tasked to coordinate with local union leaders, LWG co-chairs, and DSA National Labor Commission to develop local programs and resolutions for any national strike readiness campaigns called for by labor leaders.
  5. Solidarity Captain elections shall be held annually at MADSA’s yearly chapter conventions. 
    1. Voting at the convention shall be open to all MADSA members in good standing according to the chapter bylaws. 
    2. Solidarity Captains who must step down from this role may be replaced by the MADSA executive committee or a process they determine. 
    3. Solidarity Captains are limited to two (2) consecutive one-year terms, but may run for as many terms total as they like
  6. Recall of either Co-chairs or Solidarity Captains shall be conducted through the Executive Committee of MADSA

Article V: Finances

  1. A budget for LWG shall be submitted at the time of charter and upon successive rechartering.
  2. LWG finances are to be handled through MADSA’s Treasurer and should not be independently managed. Any funds raised by LWG shall be submitted to MADSA’s Treasurer; funds submitted are not for MADSA general purposes and are to be added to LWG’s ledger. MADSA’s Treasurer must disperse allocated funds as directed by LWG.
  3. LWG’s Co-chairs may spend up to $150 at a time on working group activities as they deem fit. Larger expenditures must be voted on by LWG membership.

Article VI: Bylaw Amendments

  1. Bylaw amendments must first be passed by a two-thirds vote at a LWG meeting. Amendments shall not take effect until after they have been approved by a majority vote from MADSA membership. This may occur during re-chartering at chapter convention or at MADSA general meetings at other times of the year.

Article VII: Terms of Charter

  1. To last for one year after the adoption of this charter, or until the 2026 MADSA Convention Meeting, whichever is longer.
  2. LWG will be governed by the bylaws of MADSA, which describe in detail the operation and leadership selection of Working Groups.
  3. For the duration of this charter, LWG shall be empowered to represent itself as MADSA in creating events and materials. Written statements shall be brought to the MADSA Executive Committee for approval.