Thursday, January 17, 2013

Union meets with Golden Guernsey workers

The union representing nearly 70 laid off Golden Guernsey workers met with its members Thursday morning in Pewaukee, but not many details were shared.

It's been nearly two weeks since workers found themselves suddenly out of a job.

"Our union's doing everything it can, and I'm real encouraged by the efforts of our business agent and their stewards, and all that. They're doing everything they can," former Golden Guernsey worker Dave Geiger said.

Geiger put in 25 years at Golden Guernsey before its owner, OpenGate Capital, shut it down, earlier this month.

Workers told WISN 12 News there's uncertainty about insurance and two months pay.

Some said they've been locked out, unable to get inside the plant to get their tools and belongings.

Gene Gowey, the business representative for Local 695 said it's being worked on.

"Management has had some conversation with me. They understand that those issues are there. So far, we're trying to very carefully work through that so everybody's rights and privileges are respected. And hopefully that will all be taken care of in the near future," Gowey said.

Several of the employees left the meeting once it wrapped up and headed straight to another meeting with the Department of Workforce Development to find out what options are available to them.

Darrel Mundt is one of them, but he said he's hopeful a buyer will step forward.

"If another company came in and purchased us, they could, actually I really feel they could stay with the Golden Guernsey name," Mundt said.

For now, he's looking for work after 35 years with the dairy.

The plant shut down Jan 5. WISN 12 News asked the union representative why it waited until Thursday to meet.

"They shut the plant down, but there was no indication if they were going Chapter 7, Chapter 11 or Chapter 13, and quite frankly, I'm not gonna call union's membership in and say, 'Here we are.? I'm sorry. You can ask me questions.' I'm gonna stand there and say, 'I don't know the answers.' I wanted to make sure any meeting I had was a meaningful meeting, and when they asked a question, they had an answer," Gowey said.

Source: http://www.wisn.com/marketplace/milwaukee-jobs/Union-meets-with-Golden-Guernsey-workers/-/9375170/18175354/-/85kvs2z/-/index.html?absolute=true

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