On February 3, 2012, workers at Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a milk processing plant in Adrian, Michigan, voted for representation with UFCW Local 876 in an effort to gain job security and a voice on the job.

The vote ended the workers’ two month union organizing campaign. Workers said they became interested in forming a union when management began to use intimidation tactics to increase productivity. Workers cited wanting respect, equality and accountability as reasons to vote for union representation.

“The workers at DFA are very much a close community, and watching management mistreat coworkers was an incentive for workers to fi nd their voices,” said Noah Hefner, a DFA receiver. “I am really proud of my coworkers today,” We are ready to make progress by bargaining a fair contract with management.”