Business and industry groups across the country rallied for immigration reform by calling a national Day of Action that included press conferences and events in Washington, D.C., and in more than 60 congressional districts across 25 states on July 9.
The Dairy Business Association (DBA) hosted one of these press conferences at their office in De Pere, Wisconsin, where Director of Dairy Policy Laurie Fischer explained why members of the Wisconsin-based dairy producer organization need immigration reform now.
“A diminishing workforce of Americans and flawed guest worker visa programs leave many on-the-farm jobs vacant,” Fischer said.
Despite posting job openings, paying a competitive wage and even offering benefits, Fischer said that dairy producers in Wisconsin are struggling to fill open positions. This means that employees are working double shifts, and some dairy producers are in the parlor milking instead of at their desks managing.
The need for a comprehensive immigration policy is a concern for dairy producers beyond America’s Dairyland. Fischer noted she recently met with House Speaker Boehner and dairymen from 16 different states, where she learned of unsettling incidents of dairy worker removal.
“In certain parts of the country, there are helicopters flying over dairy farms, waiting for individuals to walk outside … to try to determine if that individual is a legal citizen or an immigrant,” Fischer said. “Upon ruling that they believe that is an immigrant laborer, they decide to go to that farm and remove those workers.”
Fischer was joined at the press conference by Marcus Brenneman, Nestle USA. As plant manager of the company’s pizza division in Little Chute, Wisconsin, he relies on immigrant labor for nearly one-third of his 1,200-person work force. He reiterated the need for sensible immigration reform that will allow employers to meet labor demands and, thus, continue to drive a thriving U.S. economy.
“If we don’t have this reform occur, I feel that is going to slowly dwindle away,” Brenneman said.
He further noted that companies like his depend on immigrants coming into the U.S. to drive consumption by buying their products.
“Immigrant population also continues to be one of the fastest-growing consumers that we have,” Brenneman said. “Without having this influx of new consumers coming into the nation, we cannot continue to grow our business at the rate we have in the past.”
George Klaetsch, representing the Partnership for a New American Economy, shared findings from a recent opinion survey, specific to Wisconsin, that demonstrates overwhelming public support for immigration reform.
“87 percent of Wisconsin voters say the current immigration system needs fixing,” Klaetsch said. “Of that, four of five voters stated it needs to be fixed this year.”
This survey was conducted by the Partnership for a New American Economy, the Business Roundtable and the National Association of Manufacturers.
“It’s time now to make changes,” Fischer added. “We want to work with the Senate, with the House and with businesses throughout the country to make sure there is a way that we can count on workers that will be here to help us operate and run our dairy farms.” PD
PHOTO
Left to right:Marcus Brenneman (tan jacket), Nestle USA, plant manager of Little Chute, Wisconsion, location; George Klaetsch (speaker), Partnership for a New American Economy;Laurie Fischer, Dairy Business Association, Director of Dairy Policy. Photo by Peggy Coffeen.
