Sign at the SEMCO Windows and Doors building in Merrill, WI. (Photo courtesy of WAOW-TV)
MADISON, WI (WSAU) — A Central Wisconsin company that closed at the end of 2019 is facing a lawsuit from the State.
Attorney General Josh Kaul and Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek are alleging that Semling-Menke Company, Inc (SEMCO) failed to provide the required notice to employees before ceasing its business operations. The DWD concludes that 140 employees are due wages totaling $682,864.90 due to the failure, and announced a lawsuit against the company.
The legal action seeks to recover these wages by enforcing a lien against all property owned by the company. Attorney General Kaul said of the lawsuit “Enforcing our labor laws protects working families. This case alleges that 140 people didn’t receive the required 60 days’ notice when SEMCO abruptly closed, and Wisconsin DOJ is working to get justice for these Wisconsinites.”
DWD Secretary-designee Pechacek also made a statement saying, “DWD recognizes the significant burden placed on workers and their families when an employer fails to give employees proper notice of a business closing. DWD believes in enforcing the law and is pleased to move forward in holding SEMCO accountable to its workers.”
According to the complaint, SEMCO gave notice to its employees that it was ceasing operations on December 30, 2019. Employees were terminated effective as of the next day, December 31, 2019. The complaint claims this action constitutes as “business closing, meaning it falls under Wis. Stat. § 109.07(1m), which states that an employer must give affected employees 60 days’ notice of a business closing.
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