Vermont dairy closing under fire

By Ted Cohen

The union representing Dairy Farmers of America’s plant in St. Albans accused the company Monday of closing the plant in retaliation for a recent strike.

“This closure is not an isolated business decision,” Jesse Case, director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division, said in a statement issued from Washington, DC. “It is the result of a broader strategy by DFA to consolidate market share and power across the dairy industry by taking control of processing facilities, absorbing local cooperatives, locking down supply, and extending its reach into hauling and distribution.”

In announcing the 107-year-old dairy processing plant’s closure last month, company officials said it was triggered by “operational changes.”

But Case is suggesting the shutdown stems from the company’s anger over a union strike last year at the plant amid a contract dispute.

“The Teamsters are closely reviewing DFA’s actions and are prepared to pursue every available avenue to push back against its anti-competitive and anti-worker agendas,” Case said.

An estimated 80 employees will be out of work starting next month at the historic St. Albans plant, which was founded in 1919 as the St Albans Cooperative Creamery.

“For generations, the plant and store have been part of the St. Albans community,” Dairy Farmers of America, which acquired the plant seven years ago, said in a statement when it announced closing the facility. “This was a difficult decision made as part of broader operational changes across DFA’s network to support long-term value for our farmer-owners,” DFA officials said.