Dairy Workers Strike to Protest Changes That Affect Immigrants [View all]

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/