In the heart of Monroe, Wis., a significant event is unfolding as workers at a local cheesemaker plant take a stand against new employment policies. The transition to new ownership by Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) cooperative has ignited a strike, driven by concerns over employment and immigration verification processes.
The shift began on August 1, when DFA officially acquired W&W Dairy. As part of this transition, DFA implemented E-Verify, a federal system designed to verify employees’ immigration status. This move triggered protests due to fears that some immigrant workers might lose their jobs. Employees, many having dedicated years — even decades — to W&W Dairy, feared the changes and voiced their demand for severance pay as recognition for their longstanding commitment to the W&W Dairy.
“I think it’s really great that people stood up for themselves simply out of the dignity that, ‘we’re not new employees, we’ve been here 10, 15, 20 years, and we should be recognized as such,” Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of immigration advocacy group Voces de la Frontera, said in a statement.
Neumann-Ortiz took part in a rally that was outside of the dairy plant on Tuesday.
“Obviously, there was a great sense of betrayal that they kind of were told ‘nothing’s going to change,’” she said. “And then it did.”
DFA’s Commitment to Compliance
DFA responded with a statement affirming their commitment to retaining 100% of the W&W workforce while complying with federal employment eligibility requirements. The company’s spokesperson, Kim O’Brien, noted DFA did not initiate a new policy — they are simply adhering to federal law that requires proper documentation.
“With the intention to retain 100% of the W&W workforce, as part of the hiring process to become DFA employees, all W&W workers and other applicants were notified of the need to provide documents to complete both an I-9 form and the E-Verify process. In the event any applicant chose not to provide the required documentation, or the E-Verify process was not successfully completed, DFA’s ability to offer employment was impacted,” the DFA statement said, adding that some media outlets have incorrectly reported that a new company policy is to blame for workers not having a job.
“This is not a new DFA policy; we take compliance with state and federal labor laws very seriously and are committed to complying with federal employment eligibility requirements. As a federal contractor, DFA uses E-Verify across our national network of 80+ manufacturing plants,” the statement said.
The Bigger Picture: Immigration and Food Security
This situation in Monroe reflects broader challenges within the U.S. dairy industry. In fact, DFA has been active in the national conversation about the need for pragmatic solutions to address our nation’s broken immigration policy.
The recent DFA statement read, “This is another example of the significant challenges facing those producing this country’s food. We are advocating for the urgent focus required to develop a solution to sustain the U.S. food supply.”
On July 23, Dennis Rodenbaugh, president and chief executive officer of DFA, shared an open letter on LinkedIn that was published as a full-page ad in the New York Post and Wall Street Journal, emphasizing the critical need for agricultural labor reform in the U.S. dairy industry. Other food industry associations have also issued statements on immigration in the U.S.
Rodenbaugh, who once dairied in western Kansas, highlighted the unique year-round demands of the dairy sector, which are not addressed by current immigration policies like the H-2A program.
“The only agricultural visa available, the H-2A program, is limited to seasonal or temporary work, which is inadequate for dairy operations that require skilled labor every day of the year. These jobs cannot be automated; they demand experience, expertise, and hands-on performance. What’s urgently needed is an immigration policy that addresses the unique challenges of the dairy industry and ensures a sustainable U.S. food supply,” wrote Rodenbaugh, who has been employed with DFA for 18 years and served as CEO since May 2022.
Rodenbaugh’s letter serves as a call to action, advocating for immigration policies that support the dairy industry’s sustainability. He argues that food security is a national priority, intertwined with the economic stability and future of American agriculture.
Rodenbaugh wrote that America’s food security is a matter of national security, as is the U.S. agricultural system — which contributes over $1 trillion to the economy. He wrote the labor shortage has reached “a critical inflection point.”
“Failures of the past are not corrected by creating even greater problems in the present, or worse, by using rhetoric intended to eliminate any path forward,” he wrote. “Doing so risks food access and affordability, disrupts communities and leaves U.S. farms and hardworking families with an uncertain future.”
Moving Forward
The strike at Monroe’s cheesemaker plant sheds light on the complexity of labor and immigration issues within the dairy sector. As the situation unfolds, it underscores the need for thoughtful immigration reform that considers the unique demands and contributions of agricultural workers to America’s economy and food security.
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