Nearly all strikers are long-term Hispanic employees, many with decades of service, who demand severance compensation after what they see as discriminatory measures tied to federal anti-immigration policies.
DaIry Farmers of America (DFA), which owns the company, is alleged to have threatened to bring in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency and that escalated tensions.
W&W Dairy makes Hispanic-style cheeses and after Dairy Farmers of America recently bought it all workers were require3d to confirm their immigration status by Aug. 31.
About half of the workforce resigned immediately, but 43 employees refused, insisting on three weeks of severance pay per year worked. Workers denounce the move as intimidation, issuing a statement demanding respect for seniority, compensation, and protection from retaliation.
DFA has defended its actions, arguing that compliance with E-Verify is necessary under federal labor law and, in some cases, for federal contracts.
However, immigrant advocates point out that E-Verify is voluntary for most employers and rife with errors that disproportionately harm Hispanic workers.
