CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Two former shepherds from Peru are accusing key players in the sheep industry in the western U.S. of conspiring to keep wages low for foreign workers.
The two men are represented by a Denver law firm called Towards Justice.
The lawsuit filed this week in U.S. District Court in Denver targets the Salt Lake City-based Western Range Association and Casper-based Mountain Plains Agricultural Service. The companies place foreign workers with sheep operations. The lawsuit also names eight sheep-ranching operations as defendants.
Foreign shepherds work around the West for as little as $750 a month. The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed raising wages.
Officials at Western Range and Mountain Plains said Wednesday they're reviewing the lawsuit. They emphasize the federal government approves wage rates.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
