On Strike: New Dairy Select Milk Employees Protesting Over Health Care Plan
Workers who help produce sour cream for several well-known brands, including Taco Bell, Wendy’s and Hello Fresh, have gone on strike. Teamsters Local 662 members at New Dairy Select Milk, a subsidiary of Borden Dairy formerly known as Morning Glory, are striking to protest due to what they claim are unfair labor practices at the company.
“Borden Dairy is saying ‘take it or leave it,’” Tom Strickland, Local 662 Secretary-Treasurer, says. “The employer isn’t bargaining in good faith; this offer is terrible and concessionary. We’re not going to take it.”
Local 662 is pushing for the workers to join a Teamster health care plan, which would offer better coverage at a lower rate for both parties. Although negotiations have reached a stand-off because Borden Dairy is demanding that the workers receive the company’s health care coverage.
“There are more than one million workers covered under Teamster health care plans, and hundreds of employers are signatories to them – including other Borden facilities,” said Peter Finn, Teamsters Western Region Vice President and Food Processing Division Director. “This posturing makes no sense, and the company needs to give its workers what they deserve.”
Company officials have released the following statement regarding the strike.
“NDSM is disappointed that our employees (members of Teamsters Local 662) recently rejected our proposed new labor contract and have decided to strike. Throughout this process, the company has listened carefully to the members' concerns and requests. As a result, the company offered a very competitive new contract that significantly increases key items requested by our employees to include above-market pay and benefits. While NDSM did not want a strike, we will continue to provide our products and services to our customers with the same great service they expect. It is our hope that the union and our employees will reconsider our proposal in the days ahead so we can finalize a contract and move forward together.”
Teamsters Local 662 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout central and northern Wisconsin.
Workers are currently picketing outside of the company’s facility in De Pere, Wis.
