DERBY, N.Y. (WKBW) — Dozens gathered in front of the New Era Derby, N.Y. plant, asking New Era to reconsider their plans to close the plant.
"There is no reason to shut it down," Richard Lipsitz, President of WNY Labor Federation, "And we're hoping that they decide to change their mind."
Among those in attendance were multiple unions, and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.
The plant is planned to close on March 29th, where 216 people will be out of jobs.
In a statement, New Era said:
"New Era is moving forward with its contemplated decision to discontinue operations at the Derby facility and has recently met with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), at their formal request, to discuss severance and other ways to assist employees through the transition following the plant closing, targeted for the end of March.
The Company has also been working with the NY State Department of Labor on a series of workshops to help the Derby employees with job-finding skills. As part of this effort, New Era will host a job fair at the Derby plant in the next month with as many as 20 companies, representing hundreds of available jobs."
