October 8, 2014
By Stephanie West
Lena, Wisconsin – Workers at the Saputo Inc. cheese production facility in Lena, Wisconsin, have voted overwhelmingly, in favor of representation by Teamsters Local 662 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. There are 459 production, maintenance and warehouse workers.
"We are proud to welcome these brothers and sisters to the Teamsters. The Saputo workers have wanted respect from the company for a long time. Their campaign started seven weeks ago and was a quick victory due to the resolve of the group to gain Teamster representation," said Rick Skutak, Teamsters Local 662 Secretary-Treasurer.
"This margin of victory shows what we can do together when the membership is this united. We are looking forward to negotiating a strong bargaining agreement for this deserving group of workers," said Tom Strickland, a business agent with Local 662.
Saputo is a Montreal-based Canadian dairy company with operations is over 40 countries. In Lena, workers cited favoritism, unaffordable health insurance and lack of respect as the main reasons for organizing with the Teamsters.
"I am so happy to be a Teamster because I know we will be treated fairly," said Brett Behnke, a string assembler at Saputo.
