Longtime state union leader Marty Beil dies at age 68

MADISON — The longtime leader of the Wisconsin state employee labor union has died.

Marty Beil, who led the union for 30 years, died in his sleep at home on Thursday night. His sister Mickey Beil said Friday that he had not been ill and his death was sudden and unexpected. She says the family does not yet know the cause.

Beil was 68.

He had retired in June as head of the Wisconsin State Employees Union American Federation of State, Municipal and County Employees Council 24.

To many, Beil was the face of the union. He led the fight against Gov. Scott Walker's law known as Act 10 that effectively ended collective bargaining for most state workers.

Beil began his career in 1969 as a state probation and parole officer.