Sanders and Teamsters Confront DFA Over St. Albans Creamery Closure

Local 597 President Curtis Clough warned that closing the plant would devastate a regional economy already struggling with volatile milk prices and industry consolidation. The facility has served as a cornerstone of the Vermont dairy sector for over 100 years, providing stable, well-paying jobs that sustain local families and farmers. Clough demanded that the company provide a transparent accounting of its decision-making process before dismantling a critical piece of local infrastructure.

Senator Sanders went further, labeling the move as an act of illegal union busting. He urged the dairy giant to reverse the closure and engage directly with the workforce. Warehouse worker and union steward Ted Westover highlighted the suspicious timing of the announcement, noting that employees recently endured a strike to secure a fair contract. The union has pledged to pursue all available avenues to protect the jobs of its members and maintain the plant’s operations.