Minnesota Dairy Workers Secure Major Gains After Strike Authorization
FARMINGTON, Minn., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — More than 110 members of Teamsters Local 471 at Kemps in Farmington, Minn., have overwhelmingly ratified a new two-year agreement that delivers improvements on wages, workplace protections, a two percent reduction for their health care cap, and other benefits.
Kemps, a subsidiary of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), is a key part of DFA’s Midwest dairy operation. Teamsters at the Farmington facility produce and package popular products like Top the Tater and Kemps cottage cheese.
“This agreement is proof that when workers stay engaged and stick together, they can raise standards for themselves and their families,” said Lyndon Johnson, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 471. “Our members remained focused throughout bargaining and secured meaningful improvements that reflect the value they bring to this company every single day. I’m proud to say that they earned everything in this new contract.”
In addition to better wages and health care, Teamsters secured a two percent increase in contributions to the Central States Pension Fund. Workers also won a 400 percent increase in the night shift differential, the extra pay provided to employees for hours worked on overnight shifts. More than 70 percent of the bargaining unit will benefit from the increase.
“This contract addresses the issues we identified as priorities from the start of bargaining,” said Ryan Just, a worker at Kemps and steward with Local 471. “We stayed united, focused on what mattered most, and got a contract that will make a real difference for us and our families. We’re proud of what we accomplished together.”
Teamsters Local 471 represents workers throughout Minnesota across industries, including dairy processing, warehousing, and distribution. For more information, go to local471.com.
Contact:
Lena Melentijevic, (347) 208-2279
LMelentijevic@teamster.org
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SOURCE Teamsters Local 471
