December 9, 2025 • 22 mins
Leslie is joined by Scott Kroona and Brad Lusk, members of Teamsters Local 120, which represents over 15,000 workers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
They discuss why their Union has authorized a strike at Actus Nutrition and Foremost Farms.
They explain what has led to the strike, and how they and other dairy workers are pushing back against cuts to their health care, pensions, and other protections.
The website for Teamsters Local 120 is www.TeamstersLocal120.org.
They discuss why their Union has authorized a strike at Actus Nutrition and Foremost Farms.
They explain what has led to the strike, and how they and other dairy workers are pushing back against cuts to their health care, pensions, and other protections.
The website for Teamsters Local 120 is www.TeamstersLocal120.org.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
And we are back. We've got a full house, just
had a lovely chat off the air about football. We
won't get into that. I have to do that for
another day. I think we could call that episode three
Guys in one chick talking football anyway. Welcome and welcome back,
only true democracy and talk. I'm Leslie Marshall and joining us.
We have not one, but two guests from the Teamsters
(00:25):
Local one twenty. They represent over fifteen thousand workers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa,
North and South Dakota. They are Scott Kruner and Brad Lusk. Now.
Scott works is a business agent for Teamster's Local one
twenty in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He's been in this role for
eight years, and he's been a Teamster for twenty eight years,
including ten serving as a union steward and before we
(00:47):
becoming a steward, Scott worked as a truck driver in
the construction industry. And Brad he is the first shift
flex operator at Actus Nutrition now that's formally Foremost Farms
in case you're like, what's that name there in Sparta, Wisconsin.
He's worked at the facility for twelve years. He's been
at Teamster since he started and Brad became a Union
steward just over a year ago. Wonderful to have both
(01:10):
gentlemen with us on the program. You guys okay with
first names or would you prefer me to be formal
and do mister Kruna and mister Lust.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Or not not at all, Leslie Brent Scot Scott. Yeah,
thanks on.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Patriots Fan, I can be on a first name basis. Well,
I want to talk first. I want to direct people
to the website. You guys have your own website, Teamster's
Local one twenty dot org. So you during the breaks
or you know later, you know, you can just find
out more information that we may not cover today. And
these websites, I gotta say Teamster's websites are a plethora
(01:45):
of information, just a lot of good stuff there and
a good way to learn beyond what you're hearing and
what you're watching. Guys, thank you for being with us.
I know that you're very, very busy now. The Wisconsin
Teamsters have authorized strikes that actus nutrition and foremost far arms. Basically,
you have workers, dairy workers who are pushing back against
(02:05):
what anybody in their right mind would push back against
in my opinion, and I think most Americans would agree.
You know, when you have corporations at a time like this,
when you know people are saying everything's getting more expensive
and not even looking at what's going to happen with
you know, premiums for some people that have health care
that may not be provided for their employer because they're
(02:26):
not union workers. Union workers get that healthcare. But what
do they want to do right now? They want to
cut they want to make cuts to health care. When
cutting health care when we don't know what's coming down
the pike the first of the year. They want to
cut pensions when prices are going up and the future
is very uncertain, and other protections. So let's let's talk
(02:46):
about this. You have right there at act As Nutrition
and the two foremost farms. You have over one hundred
and fifty workers there alone. Right, let's just start right
there with with Scott.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Yeah, yeah, well, thanks again for having us on, Leslie.
It's a real honor to be on your show. So yeah,
in western Wisconsin, there there's a there's well, Wisconsin just
known for its dairies, and we do represent multiple dairies
in that area, specifically this one that we're talking about
in Sparta. You're talking about forty workers who are standing
(03:20):
up against corpor greed. I mean, that's really what it is.
These guys they enjoyed a contract under Foremost Farms, a
mature contract, one that had been established over a number
of years, and they worked hard, voted these contracts in,
maybe took some concessions on things like wages in order
to build up things like their pensions, their healthcare coverages,
(03:42):
just like you talked about. And it was literally pulled
out from underneath them when this Foremost Farm sold the
facility to a place called Actus Nutrition based out of
Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and they have several other dairies in
the area, and they chose not to honor that contract.
There was language in the contract successor language in the contract,
(04:05):
and they just flat out ignored it. And you know,
we protested that through the grievance process. It's in arbitration
right now. We're waiting on the decision. But we're not
going to stand by and let big corporations like this
and let corporate greed just run right over the top
of our members. And you know, the good hard working
men and women of Western Wisconsin.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
And this is why the teams just are wonderful organization
because you guys, you fight, you fight hard for your workers,
and I seeing things going on for years and you
usually prevail in the end. I see usually like ninety
nine point nine nine nine percent of the time. You know, Brad,
these individuals that are going to be striking, that are
being affected with this corporate greed, these cuts that you
know are really hurting somebody you know, trying to make
(04:49):
ends meet and trying to you know, just you know,
make a living for their family. They're employed at three locations.
But these three three locations just you know, they're pretty
special because they're critical to Darry product and processing throughout
western Wisconsin.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Correct, Yeah, I mean, farmer's got to milk cows every day.
It's got to go somewhere. So it's pretty important to
open keep these plants open and running and keeping the
workers happy.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
I know some people, Brad or you know, have read
about and I have read about protein facilities, like a
protein facility in Sparta. Can you explain for people that
you know aren't as aware and educated on the dairy business,
you know what that does, what a protein facility does
that Actus currently is operating there in Sparta.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
So we take a byproduct off of cheese plants, it's
called Way and we get the protein out of that
runs through a dryer in a powder and that gets
shipped all over as an ingredient in some of the
products that are sold at Major.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
That's what we're putting in our protein shakes, right, Way
protein in our in our scoop, we always look for
Way protein. Now. Foremost also Scott still continues to run
a couple of plants and those are cheese processing plants
in Rickland Center and Lancaster. Correct, are these being affected
by these cuts under this under this umbrella and under
(06:18):
this sale from Foremost to Actus.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
So no, those two facilities are still being operated under
Foremost Farms, and so we're currently in negotiations with those
locations separately from Sparta. Sparta is the one that was sold,
and that's the one that we're Our main concern right
now is on those workers in Sparta. It's just what
this company, this act as nutrition is done to those
(06:45):
workers is unconscionable. They ignored the union contract that they
knew very well was there, right, and so we're trying
to get those guys a fair contract. Really when it
comes down to it, that's really what we want. And
the two main issues are, like you had already mentioned
the healthcare they enjoyed Teamster team Care healthcare, and this
(07:07):
company just wants to maintain every bit of control and
they want to put those guys into a company plan
that they have exclusive control over and can change the
conditions and the terms of that planet any time they want.
They don't want them in a pension plan because they
frankly don't have a say in what happens and cannot
(07:28):
change that because those are guaranteed benefits that those members
would enjoy, and under a company four oh one K
that they maintain one hundred percent control of. It's just, frankly,
you know, there's no protection there that as you well
know what a union contract can offer. So we just
want a fair contract and that's what we're fighting for.
And these guys are willing to walk out and stand
(07:51):
on the street and would rather stand on the street
than work under a contract that doesn't have these protections,
and they're willing to do it, and as you well know,
the Teamsters will stand behind them and we have their back,
you know, every step of the way.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Brat just thirty days before selling the Sparta plant to Actus,
And of course nobody says to the workers, how do
you feel about this? Let's have a vode you know,
do you want to do this? And to me, it's
such a betrayal. Right, you know, you go to a
job interview, you know for a certain position. You're working
for a company. This is the company you want to
(08:28):
work for. This is the job you want to be in.
Here are the rules. Now, of course things can change,
but this is beyond changing because when you have a
sale and you have a finalized contract, you know, less
than a month with the with the teamsters, and like
Scott had said, there is successor language. Now I've only
done a couple of semesters of law school, but this
(08:49):
is pretty much law school one oh one. You know,
actors can argue this is not worth the paper it's
written on, but it is very valuable the paper it's
written on, because it is illegally by contract that's supposed
to protect those workers. So Brad, I would imagine you're there,
you have the workers ears, you know, what are they saying?
Do they do they feel completely? First of all, what
(09:11):
a great way to have a new company have all
their employees hate them from the start, right, you know, hey, welcome, welcome,
We're going to treat you like crap. We're not going
to honor what you were told is going to happen
with this transition.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Yeah, the attitude there is very low. It was very devastating.
We were so excited to have this contract with Foremost
and then, like you said, thirty days later they come
in and say, yep, we're selling, and then we find
out that Actus is not taking the contract. They did
not start out on a good foot. For sure, we
(09:45):
want to work hard for the company and were willing
to work hard, but we just want to be treated fairly,
that's all. I mean. That's not tasting for too much.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
And you're not you're not also because it's not like
they're saying these are demands and this is something new
and this is something that they're you know, bringing to
the you know, bargaining table. No, this is something that
was already agreed upon and in writing with that success
or language. We're going to take a break. We're going
to be back with these two fine gentlemen and we're
gonna talk more about what Actus is doing at this
plant and Sparta and what they're doing is they're they're
(10:20):
they're completely ignoring and violating the terms of a legally
binding contract that screws more hard working American workers in
the dairy industry in Wisconsin. We'll be back right after this. Hey,
we are back. How you doing. Happy Tuesday? And Leslie
(10:40):
Marshall welcome. We're welcome back only true democracy and talk.
Thank you for listening watching, whether you do it live
or you know you're watching later after you taped at
your convenience, or just you know, taking a listen. You
got to listen up to what's happening here because it's
you got to stand up for injustice. My parents taught
me that and I think most of us know that's
the right thing to do. I think that's the American way.
(11:01):
And this is an injustice. What's happening to these workers
in the state, in the great state of Wisconsin. And
you know Teamster's Local one twenty where you're talking with
Scott Kruna and Brad Lusk for Local one twenty. Scott
works for them in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and we mentioned that
Brad is flex operator at Actis, which formerly was Foremost
Farms in Sparta. They sold to Actus, and they came
(11:25):
up with an agreement so that their workers would be protected.
And Actus is basically sorry, sticking the middle finger up
to that contract. And the workers by wanting to cut
their health care benefits, not just cut change the entire
healthcare program that they have. They have a really great
healthcare plan with the Teamsters. A union healthcare plan is
going to be offered. Bet are the most corporate plans,
(11:46):
and the corporate plans are going to try and Nikolin
dime you and give you the least healthcare for the
least amount of money for them so they have more
money for their pocket. And then of course they're pensions.
You just shouldn't touch what people work so hard and
pay into throughout their lives. Getting back to the gentlemen,
thank you for holding and getting back actors Scott have
(12:07):
presented what they call their last, best and final offer.
And then of course the workers said, you know, okay,
you know we're going to strike, and you know in
ten days you're not going to screw you know with
our health care, our pensions, prick picket line protections and
maintenance of standards language. Can you expound a little bit
more about some of that language, because I think people
(12:28):
fully understand cuts to healthcare and screwing with somebody's health
care package and their pensions. We know what about picket
line protections, and corporations always try to mess with that,
But what are these maintenance of standard standards language that
these workers are also striking over that negatively would impact
them as workers in this field and for this company.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
Yeah, sure, happy to So you know this started for me.
I jumped into this process in June bargaining with the company.
We talked about, you know, trying to get trying to
get to a contract. A lot of the boiler plate
stuff we got through, but at the end of the day,
you know, these guys had to vote to respond to
(13:11):
the company's last best and final offer in December first,
and in that last best and final offer, you get
to that last, best and final offer when you've literally
bargained to the point where the company says, we're not
just we're not willing to give any more. This is
as far as we're willing to go. And so what
was left out of that offer was obviously, like we
talked about the Central State's pension, the team Care health care,
(13:33):
but also those maintenance of standards language. So the maintenance
of standards is something like it's a it's a help,
it's an aid to protect in past practice situations. Something like,
you know, if your company gave you a Christmas bonus
right it's the holidays right now. If they gave you
a Christmas bonus every year and then that was the
(13:55):
standard at your company, and then they agreed and maintenance
a standards language, that would mean they agree to maintain
that standard that has been happened for years, and then
going forward, if the company did similar to what you know,
you would be scared. Somebody like actors, the way they've
treated these members, they're going to pull the rug out
(14:16):
from under them. That meant it's the standards allows you to,
through the grievance and arbitration procedure, challenge the takeaway of
something like a Christmas bonus, and it allows these members
a voice in the workplace in a way to say hell, no,
we're not going to take that. You don't get the
only say in this. So that's what that language is
(14:36):
intended to protect. And that's one of the things that
the company act as nutrition said, we're not going to
put in this offer.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
Brad the members negotiated without a doubt, in good faith,
and they secured a strong agreement. So the workers, the
Teamsters members held up their end of the deal, no wonder,
they're ready to hit the street because they want to
get what's rightfully they and you know Tom has spoke.
(15:04):
Tom Ericson, president of Local one twenty and director with
the Team's Just Warehouse division, has said as much. So, Brad,
you know, are they just again? Are they in complete shock?
They're like, because I would think, wait a minute, you know,
this was negotiated in good faith, This was a strong agreement.
We had an agreement, agreement, both sides agree, and now
(15:25):
we're holding up our end of the deal and you
are not.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Brad. Yeah, there's a lot of frustration. A lot of guys,
even early on, we're like, we got to hit the streets,
like right away and hit these guys because we're getting
screwed over our healthcare. We got guys that are saying
that's another car payment or even like a mortgage payment
a month just for this insurance and it's hitting them hired.
(15:49):
I got guys saying they're making less now than they
did twenty years ago just because of this insurance. So yeah,
there's a lot of frustration, and we're if we don't
hit the healthcare that we deserve, we're going to hit
the streets.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
Absolutely as you should. Scott. I'm wondering who is advising
this Actus company, because if I were advising them, I
would tell them you are headed into a fight that
you can't win. I'm sorry that to me, two plus
two is four. This is a legally binding contract. These
terms were agreed upon. As a matter of fact. The
(16:25):
sale could be reversed if if you know, depending on
the lawyers involved, and you know, and on your side
of the aisle, you know, they could maybe fight hard
enough to say well, then then the sale is dull
and void because this was a part of the sale.
This is part of the transition. These workers are part
of this corporation. Do you scratch your head and say
who's advising them? Because look, I know it may not
(16:48):
happen overnight. Hopefully he's not going to be too long
a battle. But I'm sorry, I'll I'll bring my house
to Vegas and put it on a roulette table that
you guys are gonna win this one.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Yeah, I mean, you know it is. It is a
scratcher for sure. So what I can tell you is
that you know, under under Tom Merricks and our principal
officer here at Local one twenty, we've we've got competent
attorneys working on that. So I don't claim to I
don't claim to get into that realm, but but we
absolutely trust our attorneys, and I can tell you that
(17:18):
that that is still unresolved, right is that matter?
Speaker 1 (17:22):
So?
Speaker 2 (17:22):
But but what the Brad is talking about is this healthcare.
The costs to these members have gone up under this
company plan to the point where they're so frustrated. And
you know, under under General President Sean O'Brien of the
Teamsters and the way he has turned the International and
(17:43):
the Teamsters nationwide all across North America as a more
militant union and willing to stand up to this type
of I mean, we're not going to be bullied by
these guys, right, these members, We're going to stand up.
And so there's a there's a strike a defense fund
at the International. So when these men and women do
(18:04):
finally say we've had enough and we're going to hold
a picket sign instead of working under your plan, they're
going to be taken care of right, there's going to
be there's going to be strike benefits if they do
have to walk those picket lines. So just rest assured
that the Team strips will take care of these members
and we will have their back.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
So and by the way, just to show how dedicated
these people are too, wanting to receive what they were
promised legally in writing in an agreement, They're not only
willing to picket and strike, they're willing to do it
in December in Wisconsin. And I've lived in Wisconsin. I
lived there in the I lived there in the summer.
I lived in Milwaukee in the summer, great summerfest by
(18:46):
the way, and I live there in the summer. But
I got to tell you, you know, and I'm from Boston,
that you know, you guys beat us in winters and
resilience and stuff like that. So this is not an
easy task or an easy decision, you know, by any means.
But this is how important this is to them. And
I mean, come on, you're talking healthcare and pensions, you know. Hello.
(19:06):
I also wanted to ask you, Scott Foremost Farms seems
to be pushing for similar reductions at their Ricklin Center
of Richland center. If I'm saying that wrong. A plant
and Lancaster plant and Actis is moving to slash workers
and you know their benefits and protections. Do we see
(19:28):
some foreshadowing and some concern coming down the line at
those two other plants? Is there a concern that foremost
may sell those facilities in the future as well?
Speaker 2 (19:40):
So one hundred percent, I mean that's uh, that's exactly
right those two facilities. As you could imagine, the trust
has has really been eroded there. I mean, it is
sort of the safe way to say that the there
is successor language, there's there's negotiations going on actively. I
(20:02):
think we're close to setting up a vote for those
locations with some successor language that has been enhanced to
prevent that company from doing what it did to these workers.
So I think right now we're waiting on votes at
those two facilities. But I mean, this affects customers all
across western Wisconsin. It affects the farmers. We know right
(20:26):
now what farmers are going through in this country nation wide,
not just in Wisconsin, And so where these guys going
to bring their milk if there's no facilities to bring
them to. So I think this is just it's an
indication of what's going on, not just in western Wisconsin.
We can look at it at the small picture, at
the local level, but you could expand this out nation wid.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
This is absolutely there's always a domino effect. Like you
mentioned the farmers who supply the milk to the facility,
but what about the consumers who are putting that high protein,
that wave protein into their products. All and large businesses
that are using that way protein. Come on, how many
of the Baarristas of putting some way protein shots into
those comedies.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
Everybody should be paying attention to what's going on here
right now and look at it. It could happen to
their doorstep next.
Speaker 1 (21:14):
Absolutely, and that's why we're so glad that you guys
took the time to be with us today. Teamster's Local
one twenty. We have Scott Krouhner you've just heard from
in Brad Lusk Scott Teamster's Local one twenty in Minneapolis, Minnesota,
and he's the business agent for them, as I mentioned,
and Brad bradis of first Shift flex operator at Actus Nutrition.
They're the bad guys right now because they're trying to
(21:35):
take away and chip away and entirely change healthcare benefits
and healthcare program for these wonderful dairy workers in western Wisconsin,
and Scott had a one hundred percent right that you
may say, well, live in Wisconsin, are working in the
dairy business. It affects you. It affects you you're a farmer.
It affects you use way protein, It affects you by
any product where anything has dairy. Hello, it affects yourshall
(22:00):
by the way, check out their website. If you want
to learn more about this or how you can help
and support them, go to Teamsters Local one twenty dot org.
We hope you have a wonderful rest of the day
and be safe. It's crazy out there.
And we are back. We've got a full house, just
had a lovely chat off the air about football. We
won't get into that. I have to do that for
another day. I think we could call that episode three
Guys in one chick talking football anyway. Welcome and welcome back,
only true democracy and talk. I'm Leslie Marshall and joining us.
We have not one, but two guests from the Teamsters
(00:25):
Local one twenty. They represent over fifteen thousand workers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa,
North and South Dakota. They are Scott Kruner and Brad Lusk. Now.
Scott works is a business agent for Teamster's Local one
twenty in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He's been in this role for
eight years, and he's been a Teamster for twenty eight years,
including ten serving as a union steward and before we
(00:47):
becoming a steward, Scott worked as a truck driver in
the construction industry. And Brad he is the first shift
flex operator at Actus Nutrition now that's formally Foremost Farms
in case you're like, what's that name there in Sparta, Wisconsin.
He's worked at the facility for twelve years. He's been
at Teamster since he started and Brad became a Union
steward just over a year ago. Wonderful to have both
(01:10):
gentlemen with us on the program. You guys okay with
first names or would you prefer me to be formal
and do mister Kruna and mister Lust.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Or not not at all, Leslie Brent Scot Scott. Yeah,
thanks on.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Patriots Fan, I can be on a first name basis. Well,
I want to talk first. I want to direct people
to the website. You guys have your own website, Teamster's
Local one twenty dot org. So you during the breaks
or you know later, you know, you can just find
out more information that we may not cover today. And
these websites, I gotta say Teamster's websites are a plethora
(01:45):
of information, just a lot of good stuff there and
a good way to learn beyond what you're hearing and
what you're watching. Guys, thank you for being with us.
I know that you're very, very busy now. The Wisconsin
Teamsters have authorized strikes that actus nutrition and foremost far arms. Basically,
you have workers, dairy workers who are pushing back against
(02:05):
what anybody in their right mind would push back against
in my opinion, and I think most Americans would agree.
You know, when you have corporations at a time like this,
when you know people are saying everything's getting more expensive
and not even looking at what's going to happen with
you know, premiums for some people that have health care
that may not be provided for their employer because they're
(02:26):
not union workers. Union workers get that healthcare. But what
do they want to do right now? They want to
cut they want to make cuts to health care. When
cutting health care when we don't know what's coming down
the pike the first of the year. They want to
cut pensions when prices are going up and the future
is very uncertain, and other protections. So let's let's talk
(02:46):
about this. You have right there at act As Nutrition
and the two foremost farms. You have over one hundred
and fifty workers there alone. Right, let's just start right
there with with Scott.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Yeah, yeah, well, thanks again for having us on, Leslie.
It's a real honor to be on your show. So yeah,
in western Wisconsin, there there's a there's well, Wisconsin just
known for its dairies, and we do represent multiple dairies
in that area, specifically this one that we're talking about
in Sparta. You're talking about forty workers who are standing
(03:20):
up against corpor greed. I mean, that's really what it is.
These guys they enjoyed a contract under Foremost Farms, a
mature contract, one that had been established over a number
of years, and they worked hard, voted these contracts in,
maybe took some concessions on things like wages in order
to build up things like their pensions, their healthcare coverages,
(03:42):
just like you talked about. And it was literally pulled
out from underneath them when this Foremost Farm sold the
facility to a place called Actus Nutrition based out of
Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and they have several other dairies in
the area, and they chose not to honor that contract.
There was language in the contract successor language in the contract,
(04:05):
and they just flat out ignored it. And you know,
we protested that through the grievance process. It's in arbitration
right now. We're waiting on the decision. But we're not
going to stand by and let big corporations like this
and let corporate greed just run right over the top
of our members. And you know, the good hard working
men and women of Western Wisconsin.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
And this is why the teams just are wonderful organization
because you guys, you fight, you fight hard for your workers,
and I seeing things going on for years and you
usually prevail in the end. I see usually like ninety
nine point nine nine nine percent of the time. You know, Brad,
these individuals that are going to be striking, that are
being affected with this corporate greed, these cuts that you
know are really hurting somebody you know, trying to make
(04:49):
ends meet and trying to you know, just you know,
make a living for their family. They're employed at three locations.
But these three three locations just you know, they're pretty
special because they're critical to Darry product and processing throughout
western Wisconsin.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Correct, Yeah, I mean, farmer's got to milk cows every day.
It's got to go somewhere. So it's pretty important to
open keep these plants open and running and keeping the
workers happy.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
I know some people, Brad or you know, have read
about and I have read about protein facilities, like a
protein facility in Sparta. Can you explain for people that
you know aren't as aware and educated on the dairy business,
you know what that does, what a protein facility does
that Actus currently is operating there in Sparta.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
So we take a byproduct off of cheese plants, it's
called Way and we get the protein out of that
runs through a dryer in a powder and that gets
shipped all over as an ingredient in some of the
products that are sold at Major.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
That's what we're putting in our protein shakes, right, Way
protein in our in our scoop, we always look for
Way protein. Now. Foremost also Scott still continues to run
a couple of plants and those are cheese processing plants
in Rickland Center and Lancaster. Correct, are these being affected
by these cuts under this under this umbrella and under
(06:18):
this sale from Foremost to Actus.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
So no, those two facilities are still being operated under
Foremost Farms, and so we're currently in negotiations with those
locations separately from Sparta. Sparta is the one that was sold,
and that's the one that we're Our main concern right
now is on those workers in Sparta. It's just what
this company, this act as nutrition is done to those
(06:45):
workers is unconscionable. They ignored the union contract that they
knew very well was there, right, and so we're trying
to get those guys a fair contract. Really when it
comes down to it, that's really what we want. And
the two main issues are, like you had already mentioned
the healthcare they enjoyed Teamster team Care healthcare, and this
(07:07):
company just wants to maintain every bit of control and
they want to put those guys into a company plan
that they have exclusive control over and can change the
conditions and the terms of that planet any time they want.
They don't want them in a pension plan because they
frankly don't have a say in what happens and cannot
(07:28):
change that because those are guaranteed benefits that those members
would enjoy, and under a company four oh one K
that they maintain one hundred percent control of. It's just, frankly,
you know, there's no protection there that as you well
know what a union contract can offer. So we just
want a fair contract and that's what we're fighting for.
And these guys are willing to walk out and stand
(07:51):
on the street and would rather stand on the street
than work under a contract that doesn't have these protections,
and they're willing to do it, and as you well know,
the Teamsters will stand behind them and we have their back,
you know, every step of the way.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Brat just thirty days before selling the Sparta plant to Actus,
And of course nobody says to the workers, how do
you feel about this? Let's have a vode you know,
do you want to do this? And to me, it's
such a betrayal. Right, you know, you go to a
job interview, you know for a certain position. You're working
for a company. This is the company you want to
(08:28):
work for. This is the job you want to be in.
Here are the rules. Now, of course things can change,
but this is beyond changing because when you have a
sale and you have a finalized contract, you know, less
than a month with the with the teamsters, and like
Scott had said, there is successor language. Now I've only
done a couple of semesters of law school, but this
(08:49):
is pretty much law school one oh one. You know,
actors can argue this is not worth the paper it's
written on, but it is very valuable the paper it's
written on, because it is illegally by contract that's supposed
to protect those workers. So Brad, I would imagine you're there,
you have the workers ears, you know, what are they saying?
Do they do they feel completely? First of all, what
(09:11):
a great way to have a new company have all
their employees hate them from the start, right, you know, hey, welcome, welcome,
We're going to treat you like crap. We're not going
to honor what you were told is going to happen
with this transition.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Yeah, the attitude there is very low. It was very devastating.
We were so excited to have this contract with Foremost
and then, like you said, thirty days later they come
in and say, yep, we're selling, and then we find
out that Actus is not taking the contract. They did
not start out on a good foot. For sure, we
(09:45):
want to work hard for the company and were willing
to work hard, but we just want to be treated fairly,
that's all. I mean. That's not tasting for too much.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
And you're not you're not also because it's not like
they're saying these are demands and this is something new
and this is something that they're you know, bringing to
the you know, bargaining table. No, this is something that
was already agreed upon and in writing with that success
or language. We're going to take a break. We're going
to be back with these two fine gentlemen and we're
gonna talk more about what Actus is doing at this
plant and Sparta and what they're doing is they're they're
(10:20):
they're completely ignoring and violating the terms of a legally
binding contract that screws more hard working American workers in
the dairy industry in Wisconsin. We'll be back right after this. Hey,
we are back. How you doing. Happy Tuesday? And Leslie
(10:40):
Marshall welcome. We're welcome back only true democracy and talk.
Thank you for listening watching, whether you do it live
or you know you're watching later after you taped at
your convenience, or just you know, taking a listen. You
got to listen up to what's happening here because it's
you got to stand up for injustice. My parents taught
me that and I think most of us know that's
the right thing to do. I think that's the American way.
(11:01):
And this is an injustice. What's happening to these workers
in the state, in the great state of Wisconsin. And
you know Teamster's Local one twenty where you're talking with
Scott Kruna and Brad Lusk for Local one twenty. Scott
works for them in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and we mentioned that
Brad is flex operator at Actis, which formerly was Foremost
Farms in Sparta. They sold to Actus, and they came
(11:25):
up with an agreement so that their workers would be protected.
And Actus is basically sorry, sticking the middle finger up
to that contract. And the workers by wanting to cut
their health care benefits, not just cut change the entire
healthcare program that they have. They have a really great
healthcare plan with the Teamsters. A union healthcare plan is
going to be offered. Bet are the most corporate plans,
(11:46):
and the corporate plans are going to try and Nikolin
dime you and give you the least healthcare for the
least amount of money for them so they have more
money for their pocket. And then of course they're pensions.
You just shouldn't touch what people work so hard and
pay into throughout their lives. Getting back to the gentlemen,
thank you for holding and getting back actors Scott have
(12:07):
presented what they call their last, best and final offer.
And then of course the workers said, you know, okay,
you know we're going to strike, and you know in
ten days you're not going to screw you know with
our health care, our pensions, prick picket line protections and
maintenance of standards language. Can you expound a little bit
more about some of that language, because I think people
(12:28):
fully understand cuts to healthcare and screwing with somebody's health
care package and their pensions. We know what about picket
line protections, and corporations always try to mess with that,
But what are these maintenance of standard standards language that
these workers are also striking over that negatively would impact
them as workers in this field and for this company.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
Yeah, sure, happy to So you know this started for me.
I jumped into this process in June bargaining with the company.
We talked about, you know, trying to get trying to
get to a contract. A lot of the boiler plate
stuff we got through, but at the end of the day,
you know, these guys had to vote to respond to
(13:11):
the company's last best and final offer in December first,
and in that last best and final offer, you get
to that last, best and final offer when you've literally
bargained to the point where the company says, we're not
just we're not willing to give any more. This is
as far as we're willing to go. And so what
was left out of that offer was obviously, like we
talked about the Central State's pension, the team Care health care,
(13:33):
but also those maintenance of standards language. So the maintenance
of standards is something like it's a it's a help,
it's an aid to protect in past practice situations. Something like,
you know, if your company gave you a Christmas bonus
right it's the holidays right now. If they gave you
a Christmas bonus every year and then that was the
(13:55):
standard at your company, and then they agreed and maintenance
a standards language, that would mean they agree to maintain
that standard that has been happened for years, and then
going forward, if the company did similar to what you know,
you would be scared. Somebody like actors, the way they've
treated these members, they're going to pull the rug out
(14:16):
from under them. That meant it's the standards allows you to,
through the grievance and arbitration procedure, challenge the takeaway of
something like a Christmas bonus, and it allows these members
a voice in the workplace in a way to say hell, no,
we're not going to take that. You don't get the
only say in this. So that's what that language is
(14:36):
intended to protect. And that's one of the things that
the company act as nutrition said, we're not going to
put in this offer.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
Brad the members negotiated without a doubt, in good faith,
and they secured a strong agreement. So the workers, the
Teamsters members held up their end of the deal, no wonder,
they're ready to hit the street because they want to
get what's rightfully they and you know Tom has spoke.
(15:04):
Tom Ericson, president of Local one twenty and director with
the Team's Just Warehouse division, has said as much. So, Brad,
you know, are they just again? Are they in complete shock?
They're like, because I would think, wait a minute, you know,
this was negotiated in good faith, This was a strong agreement.
We had an agreement, agreement, both sides agree, and now
(15:25):
we're holding up our end of the deal and you
are not.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Brad. Yeah, there's a lot of frustration. A lot of guys,
even early on, we're like, we got to hit the streets,
like right away and hit these guys because we're getting
screwed over our healthcare. We got guys that are saying
that's another car payment or even like a mortgage payment
a month just for this insurance and it's hitting them hired.
(15:49):
I got guys saying they're making less now than they
did twenty years ago just because of this insurance. So yeah,
there's a lot of frustration, and we're if we don't
hit the healthcare that we deserve, we're going to hit
the streets.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
Absolutely as you should. Scott. I'm wondering who is advising
this Actus company, because if I were advising them, I
would tell them you are headed into a fight that
you can't win. I'm sorry that to me, two plus
two is four. This is a legally binding contract. These
terms were agreed upon. As a matter of fact. The
(16:25):
sale could be reversed if if you know, depending on
the lawyers involved, and you know, and on your side
of the aisle, you know, they could maybe fight hard
enough to say well, then then the sale is dull
and void because this was a part of the sale.
This is part of the transition. These workers are part
of this corporation. Do you scratch your head and say
who's advising them? Because look, I know it may not
(16:48):
happen overnight. Hopefully he's not going to be too long
a battle. But I'm sorry, I'll I'll bring my house
to Vegas and put it on a roulette table that
you guys are gonna win this one.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Yeah, I mean, you know it is. It is a
scratcher for sure. So what I can tell you is
that you know, under under Tom Merricks and our principal
officer here at Local one twenty, we've we've got competent
attorneys working on that. So I don't claim to I
don't claim to get into that realm, but but we
absolutely trust our attorneys, and I can tell you that
(17:18):
that that is still unresolved, right is that matter?
Speaker 1 (17:22):
So?
Speaker 2 (17:22):
But but what the Brad is talking about is this healthcare.
The costs to these members have gone up under this
company plan to the point where they're so frustrated. And
you know, under under General President Sean O'Brien of the
Teamsters and the way he has turned the International and
(17:43):
the Teamsters nationwide all across North America as a more
militant union and willing to stand up to this type
of I mean, we're not going to be bullied by
these guys, right, these members, We're going to stand up.
And so there's a there's a strike a defense fund
at the International. So when these men and women do
(18:04):
finally say we've had enough and we're going to hold
a picket sign instead of working under your plan, they're
going to be taken care of right, there's going to
be there's going to be strike benefits if they do
have to walk those picket lines. So just rest assured
that the Team strips will take care of these members
and we will have their back.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
So and by the way, just to show how dedicated
these people are too, wanting to receive what they were
promised legally in writing in an agreement, They're not only
willing to picket and strike, they're willing to do it
in December in Wisconsin. And I've lived in Wisconsin. I
lived there in the I lived there in the summer.
I lived in Milwaukee in the summer, great summerfest by
(18:46):
the way, and I live there in the summer. But
I got to tell you, you know, and I'm from Boston,
that you know, you guys beat us in winters and
resilience and stuff like that. So this is not an
easy task or an easy decision, you know, by any means.
But this is how important this is to them. And
I mean, come on, you're talking healthcare and pensions, you know. Hello.
(19:06):
I also wanted to ask you, Scott Foremost Farms seems
to be pushing for similar reductions at their Ricklin Center
of Richland center. If I'm saying that wrong. A plant
and Lancaster plant and Actis is moving to slash workers
and you know their benefits and protections. Do we see
(19:28):
some foreshadowing and some concern coming down the line at
those two other plants? Is there a concern that foremost
may sell those facilities in the future as well?
Speaker 2 (19:40):
So one hundred percent, I mean that's uh, that's exactly
right those two facilities. As you could imagine, the trust
has has really been eroded there. I mean, it is
sort of the safe way to say that the there
is successor language, there's there's negotiations going on actively. I
(20:02):
think we're close to setting up a vote for those
locations with some successor language that has been enhanced to
prevent that company from doing what it did to these workers.
So I think right now we're waiting on votes at
those two facilities. But I mean, this affects customers all
across western Wisconsin. It affects the farmers. We know right
(20:26):
now what farmers are going through in this country nation wide,
not just in Wisconsin, And so where these guys going
to bring their milk if there's no facilities to bring
them to. So I think this is just it's an
indication of what's going on, not just in western Wisconsin.
We can look at it at the small picture, at
the local level, but you could expand this out nation wid.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
This is absolutely there's always a domino effect. Like you
mentioned the farmers who supply the milk to the facility,
but what about the consumers who are putting that high protein,
that wave protein into their products. All and large businesses
that are using that way protein. Come on, how many
of the Baarristas of putting some way protein shots into
those comedies.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
Everybody should be paying attention to what's going on here
right now and look at it. It could happen to
their doorstep next.
Speaker 1 (21:14):
Absolutely, and that's why we're so glad that you guys
took the time to be with us today. Teamster's Local
one twenty. We have Scott Krouhner you've just heard from
in Brad Lusk Scott Teamster's Local one twenty in Minneapolis, Minnesota,
and he's the business agent for them, as I mentioned,
and Brad bradis of first Shift flex operator at Actus Nutrition.
They're the bad guys right now because they're trying to
(21:35):
take away and chip away and entirely change healthcare benefits
and healthcare program for these wonderful dairy workers in western Wisconsin,
and Scott had a one hundred percent right that you
may say, well, live in Wisconsin, are working in the
dairy business. It affects you. It affects you you're a farmer.
It affects you use way protein, It affects you by
any product where anything has dairy. Hello, it affects yourshall
(22:00):
by the way, check out their website. If you want
to learn more about this or how you can help
and support them, go to Teamsters Local one twenty dot org.
We hope you have a wonderful rest of the day
and be safe. It's crazy out there.
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