Union representatives from Teamsters Local 492 claim that negotiations have been ongoing since March but have been repeatedly delayed by the company. The union’s vice president, Jesus Vidaca, alleged that Creamland has engaged in “stalling and stalling” tactics and has even violated federal labor law by prohibiting union members from wearing their Teamsters pins at work. These actions, the union asserts, are part of a pattern of bad-faith bargaining that has led to the current production shutdown.

The strike is already having a tangible impact on the dairy supply chain. A pasteurizer, JJ Akers, noted that production of all Creamland’s cultured dairy products—including milk, sour cream, and cottage cheese—has been affected. He pointed out that the company was producing 22 large vats of cottage cheese per week before the strike and that it would be impossible to maintain that output without the striking workers. This disruption highlights the critical role that a small number of key personnel can play in the stability of a regional agribusiness operation.

In response to the strike, a spokesperson for Dairy Farmers of America denied the union’s allegations. The company stated that it is committed to a “respectful, constructive bargaining process that offers competitive wages and benefits” and expressed disappointment that the union had initiated a strike. Despite these claims, the company also confirmed that it has a plan to continue supplying milk and dairy products to Albuquerque Public Schools, a major customer, in an effort to mitigate the public impact of the labor dispute.