Laid-off workers allowed in Golden Guernsey Dairy to recover belongings

WAUKESHA (WITI) -- Laid-off workers for Golden Guernsey Dairy were allowed back into the Waukesha plant on Wednesday, January 23rd to pick up their personal belongings.

Over 100 people were suddenly laid off about two weeks ago after the company unexpectedly closed its doors. The company that owned the plant has since filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Starting at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, workers began arriving at the gates of the dairy plant. They went up the stairs, were met by security inside, and each of them went to their lockers to grab boots, office supplies and pictures of their families.

Some employees who spoke with FOX6 News were emotional about the fact that this may be the last time they set foot in the building.

"I was just hugging them in there. As much as I would love to see a bunch of these cats again, I'm sure there's a small handful, we'll go get beers and stuff once in a while, but you know how it is," said one employee.

"I guess reality set in and I'm still kind of in shock that this place closed down. It's been here so long. I worked here 20 years. It's just, I don't know, hopefully it opens back up again," said another dairy worker.

Another former employee said he was starting a new job right away. But he knows there are plenty of others still looking for work. Many said they would like to work at the dairy plant if it were to ever open again.

The dairy plant's owner, OpenGate Capitol is no longer in charge of the plant after filing for bankruptcy. Court papers indicate a lawyer in New Jersey has been appointed as a trustee.

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