American Rights At Work

He carries a rifle in his truck and threatens pro-union employees with it. He shouts abusive language and racial slurs at his workers. He refuses to grant lunch breaks. His employees drink from the same water barrels as his cows.¹
His name is Dick Bengen, and at Ruby Ridge Dairy in Washington, workers say he imposes some of the most unspeakable working conditions we've ever encountered.
So we're helping bring attention to the injustice at Ruby Ridge. On Tuesday, workers will protest at the headquarters of Northwest Farm Credit Services, the lender that bankrolls Ruby Ridge, and will deliver a petition demanding that it stop funding the dairy. Can you add your name before it's delivered?
SIGN NOW: Northwest Farm Credit Services, stop funding Ruby Ridge until the illegal, inhumane conditions end!
Northwest Farm Credit Services claims to maintain "high standards of integrity" and practice "ethical decision making." But they're funding Ruby Ridge Farm to the tune of $13 million in loans.²
Northwest FCS is a regional outfit. The company needs to know that it's not just a handful of disgruntled workers rallying at its headquarters tomorrow – it's up against thousands of outraged people like you across the country. Northwest FCS can't afford a national PR disaster. That's why we need your help. Together, we can urge them to avoid this controversy and use its leverage to make sure Ruby Ridge cleans up its act!
Sign our petition NOW!
Workers at Ruby Ridge have tried to fight for their rights and their dignity quietly, with a majority of them signing cards asking for union representation. But the workers allege that the owners illegally fired 10 men for trying to form a union and then, as an act of retribution, forced the remaining pro-union employees to work longer, more grueling shifts without extra pay.
And Dick Bengen uses outrageous threats of violence to thwart any potential efforts to form a union. "This rifle is for those people with the union," he told his employees.
Appeals to common sense and basic decency don't work with people like Dick Bengen, who shamelessly told the press that he is a "model" employer and that "this is the way employers should treat their employees."³ If we want results, we need to strike directly at Ruby Ridge's bottom line.
The protest at Northwest FCS headquarters is on January 11. We've got to stop this unacceptable abuse of workers, and we can't do it without your help.
Sign the petition insisting Northwest FCS quit bankrolling Ruby Ridge's campaign of fear and intimidation – we'll deliver your signature TUESDAY.
I've seen plenty of companies that treat their workers poorly, but Ruby Ridge has sunk to a new low. Please, speak out for these workers – they need your help, and they need it now.
Thanks so much for your support.
Sincerely,
Liz, Beth, Zoe and the entire American Rights at Work team