SOUTH BURLINGTON — Forty-five employees at the Ben & Jerry’s corporate headquarters, accompanied by co-founder Ben Cohen, briefly walked out of work Wednesday in support of CEO Dave Stever amidst an ongoing legal battle regarding his employment status. 

In a lawsuit filed this past November, Ben & Jerry’s employees claimed parent company Unilever removed the CEO from his position without consulting the ice cream brand’s independent board of employees. Court filings claimed Stever was removed due to “his commitment to Ben & Jerry’s Social Mission and Essential Brand Integrity” rather than his ability to properly execute his job.

An unsigned media statement released by employees Wednesday said the demonstration reflected staff’s commitment to preserve the values that have defined Ben & Jerry’s for over four decades. The statement also signaled concern about any potential leadership change that could compromise its social impact efforts.

Employees declined to comment after the demonstration. Cohen, who founded the ice cream company with Jerry Greenfield in 1978, no longer works for the company but has expressed interest in repurchasing it. He also declined to comment during Wednesday’s protest.

Unilever has not provided more clarity on Stever’s employment status. A spokesperson said last week that “despite repeated attempts to engage the Board and follow the correct process, we are disappointed that the confidentiality of an employee career conversation has been made public.”

The company acquired Ben & Jerry’s in 2000 but agreed to allow its independent board to oversee social mission initiatives. However, Anuradha Mittal, chair of Ben & Jerry’s board, recently said in a written statement that “Unilever has repeatedly interfered with the Independent Board’s authority.”

As litigation continues and the future of Ben & Jerry’s leadership remains uncertain, employees said in their statement the walkout was a message that they stand firmly behind the company’s values and the board’s desire to maintain its independence.