TEAMSTERS SECURE MAJOR LEGAL VICTORY FOR ST. ALBANS CREAMERY WORKERS

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is applauding a court ruling requiring Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) to continue providing health care coverage to members of Teamsters Local 597 while the legal challenges to the idling of the St. Albans Creamery move forward.

"This ruling is a major victory for the workers in St. Albans who were facing the prospect of losing their health care through no fault of their own," said Jesse Case, Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division. "Many of our members and their families are dealing with serious medical conditions that require ongoing treatment and care. Had DFA been allowed to cut off their health insurance, workers and their loved ones could have lost access to life-saving care."

The ruling prevents DFA from terminating health care coverage for workers and their families while the Teamsters continue challenging the dairy cooperative's decision to idle the St. Albans Creamery. The union maintains that the closure was unlawful retaliation following last year's strike and is pursuing its claims through the grievance and arbitration process.

"I cannot emphasize how much relief this will be for our members and their families," said Curtis Clough, President of Teamsters Local 597. "No one who has already lost their job should have to worry about whether they can afford the medication or treatment they need to stay healthy. We are grateful the court protected these workers and are committed to securing the best possible outcome for our members at St. Albans."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents over 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:
Lena Melentijevic, (347) 208-2279
LMelentijevic@teamster.org

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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters