Foundry Workers Appeal Judgment Denying Pay for Shift-Change Activities

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Employees of Waupaca Foundry Inc. are appealing federal court rulings denying them compensation for showering and other activities they say are necessary to lessen exposure to silica dust and toxic chemicals.

Ryan DeKeyser and 490 other opt-in co-workers notified the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin Oct. 8 that they are appealing the adverse judgment issued by Judge William C. Griesbach to the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

Judge Griesbach dismissed the plaintiffs’ state-law claims Sept. 6, having ruled in July that the activities for which the workers at six company …