Displaced Golden Guernsey Dairy worker files complaint with state

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development on Tuesday afternoon, January 8th received a complaint alleging the recent closure of the Golden Guernsey dairy plant in Waukesha occurred without advance notification as required under the state’s Business (Plant) Closing and Mass Layoff Law.

The complaint was filed with the agency’s Equal Rights Division by Robert Storm Jr., of Burlington, who identified himself as one of at least 112 displaced workers as a result of the closing. 

The state Business (Plant) Closing and Mass Layoff Law states that, with certain exceptions, employers with 50 or more workers must provide notice 60 days in advance of when 25 or more employees are affected by a business closing or 25 percent of the workforce is affected by a mass layoff.  

As with any complaint alleging violation of the law, the ERD’s Labor Standards Bureau will conduct a complete and thorough investigation and make a determination based on all relevant facts. 

The general process following an investigation is as follows: 

Additionally, state law indicates an employer can be liable for a forfeiture of $500 per day it failed to notify the municipality where the plant closing or mass layoff occurred.

A copy of the complaint (with Social Security and other personal information redacted) can be accessed here.