Rockingham County: Teamsters announce deal with Danone with pay, benefit increases

Teamsters Local 29, which represents 550 dairy workers at the Danone North America plant in Rockingham County, have ratified a new contract that includes significant pay and benefit increases.

“Our members deserve a great contract that reflects the sacrifice and commitment they provide to making Danone successful, and that is exactly what we accomplished,” said Michael Moxley, president of Teamsters Local 29.

“This contract provides our members with better pay and a secure retirement,” Moxley said.

The new agreement guarantees wage increases, additional paid sick time and vacation time, maintenance of medical benefits, entrance into the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Fund, and a simplified grievance procedure.

“We fought for what we deserve, and we got it,” said Allen Robertson, a mechanic at the Danone plant in Mount Crawford, which opened in 1988 as Shenandoah’s Pride, and after a series of acquisitions ended up in the Danone corporate family in 2017.

The local plant produces dairy beverages under brand names including Horizon Organic, Silk, International Delight, SToK and So Delicious.