Wisconsin Operating Engineers Local No. 139 Wage Welfare Bond
Overview
Contractors and employers working under agreement with Operating Engineers Local No. 139 in Wisconsin are required to carry this bond as a condition of employing union workers. It guarantees that wages, fringe benefits, and welfare contributions owed to covered employees will be paid in full and on time. Local 139 is protected as the obligee, meaning the union can pursue a claim if a signatory employer fails to meet its financial obligations to workers. This bond is a direct requirement of the labor agreement — not a state license — and must be maintained for as long as the contractor employs Local No. 139 members.
Who Needs This Bond?
You are a contractor or construction employer who has signed a collective bargaining agreement with Wisconsin Operating Engineers Local No. 139. Any signatory employer who hires operating engineers covered by that agreement must secure this bond before putting those workers on the job. It applies whether you are a general contractor, a subcontractor, or a specialty firm — if Local 139 members are on your payroll, this bond is required. Employers who let the bond lapse risk losing their ability to use union labor on Wisconsin jobsites.
What is this Bond For?
Operating Engineers Local No. 139 uses this bond to protect its members from nonpayment of wages, health and welfare contributions, pension contributions, and other fringe benefits owed under the collective bargaining agreement. If a signatory employer fails to make those required payments, the union or affected workers can file a claim against the bond to recover what is owed. This is not a performance bond for a construction project — it is specifically a financial guarantee tied to employment obligations under the Local 139 labor agreement. Without it, a contractor cannot legally employ Local 139 operating engineers on Wisconsin projects.
When is it Required?
Before your first Local 139 employee reports to work, this bond must already be in force. The requirement is triggered at the point of signing a collective bargaining agreement with Operating Engineers Local No. 139 — not after workers are hired. Letting the bond expire while Local 139 members are still on your payroll is a violation of the labor agreement and can result in work stoppages or grievance actions. Get the bond in place first, then start the job.
Where Does it Apply?
This bond is a statewide Wisconsin requirement that follows the jurisdiction of Operating Engineers Local No. 139, which covers construction and heavy equipment projects throughout Wisconsin. There is no county or city limitation — wherever you are performing work in Wisconsin under the Local 139 agreement, this bond must be active. It is a union-mandated requirement, not issued by a state licensing agency.
How to Buy Online
Click 'Buy This Bond Online' on this page and the secure surety portal will open in a new tab. Enter your business information, complete the application, and you can have your bond issued quickly without waiting on an agent callback. Your bond documents are delivered digitally so you can submit them to Local No. 139 right away.
Why Bond Titan?
Bond Titan is powered by The Southern Agency and offers a nationwide surety bond catalog — including labor and wage bonds like this one — available for purchase entirely online. There is no waiting on an agent, no phone tag, and no delay between approval and document delivery. If you need a Wisconsin Operating Engineers Local No. 139 Wage Welfare Bond today, you can get it here today.