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Omaha Steve

(106,801 posts) Wed Aug 20, 2025, 05:48 PM Aug 20

Dairy Workers Strike to Protest Changes That Affect Immigrants

Source: Urban Milwaukee-WPR

43 workers at Monroe cheesemaking facility strike to protest new owner's rules.

By Anya van Wagtendonk, Wisconsin Public Radio - Aug 20th, 2025 12:11 pm

Dozens of workers at a Wisconsin dairy facility have been on strike for a week after new ownership changed internal policy in a way that workers say will put immigrants out of work.

The Kansas-based Dairy Farmers of America cooperative acquired W&W Dairy in Monroe on Aug. 1. As part of that transition, the company last month implemented E-Verify, an online system that checks an employee’s immigration status, among other official information, according to federal records.

Last week, 43 W&W workers walked out, saying the new company policy effectively forces out some workers and that they are entitled to severance pay after years or decades of employment.

At a rally in front of the facility Tuesday, organizers from labor unions and the Milwaukee-based immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera argued the workers are entitled to compensation for their years of service.

Attendees picket in support of striking workers Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, at W&W Dairy in Monroe, Wis. Angela Major/WPR

Read more: https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2025/08/20/dairy-workers-strike-to-protest-changes-that-affect-immigrants/

5 replies

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Dairy Workers Strike to Protest Changes That Affect Immigrants (Original Post) Omaha Steve Aug 20 OP

I didn't see what union represents them MichMan Aug 20 #1

I saw SEIU on the shirt in the photo Omaha Steve Aug 20 #4

Looks like they are non union MichMan Aug 20 #5

They target people based on ethnicity. Like, round up all the Japanese, American Indians, Yada, yada, yada, yaddddda twodogsbarking Aug 20 #2

By using E-Verify? MichMan Aug 20 #3

MichMan

(15,805 posts)

1. I didn't see what union represents them

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Wed Aug 20, 2025, 06:13 PM

Aug 20

What does their contract say about severance?

Omaha Steve

(106,801 posts)

4. I saw SEIU on the shirt in the photo

Reply to MichMan (Reply #1)

Wed Aug 20, 2025, 06:32 PM

Aug 20

No idea on the contract.

OS

MichMan

(15,805 posts)

5. Looks like they are non union

Reply to Omaha Steve (Reply #4)

Wed Aug 20, 2025, 06:43 PM

Aug 20

W&W Dairy, 2903 3rd St., North Monroe, was recently purchased by Kansas City-based Dairy Farmers of America. Upon acquiring the North Monroe business, it required its nearly 100 employees to verify their eligibility to work in the United States by August 30. Around half of the employees left, while 43 stayed on. Those remaining intended to separate at the end of the month but requested a severance package commensurate with their decade or more of employment with the company — which was ultimately denied.

Todd Larson, lawyer, diplomat and Green County Board Supervisor for the 25th district, shamed Dairy Farmers of America for not meeting a standard severance agreement.

Current discussions are up in the air. No word from management has come back and employees are unsure of when they will hear from them again. Tensions and worries are high as employees are concerned for their ability to support their families.

Ultimately, as a non-unionized group, the employees are hoping to have their demands heard, but figure they may have to give up the fight eventually.

I've been retired a few years. Is 3 weeks of severance per year worked now standard? I was downsized in 2008 after 18 years and got 1 week per year.

https://madison365.com/monroe-immigrant-dairy-workers-strike-demanding-severance/

twodogsbarking

(15,297 posts)

2. They target people based on ethnicity. Like, round up all the Japanese, American Indians, Yada, yada, yada, yaddddda

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Wed Aug 20, 2025, 06:21 PM

Aug 20

MichMan

(15,805 posts)

3. By using E-Verify?

Reply to twodogsbarking (Reply #2)

Wed Aug 20, 2025, 06:26 PM

Aug 20

Pretty certain my last couple employers used it when I was hired

E-Verify, authorized by Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), is a web-based system through which employers electronically confirm the employment eligibility of their employees.

https://www.e-verify.gov/about-e-verify

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