BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — About one month after Sumitomo Rubber USA announced the sudden closure of its Town of Tonawanda tire facility, the company says it has agreed on a separation benefits package with union representatives.
Sumitomo says pay for eligible employees includes:
- 2.5 weeks of pay for each year of service, with a minimum of 8 weeks’ pay, and a maximum of 48 weeks’ pay
- 2025 vacation days and sick leave payout
- 12 months of health insurance paid for by the company
- 12 months of vision and dental paid for by the company
- 27 months of life insurance paid for by the company
- Entitled to all pension or 401K benefits, which is fully protected
Sumitomo says there will also be access to career transition services:
- Job search services through Career Partners International Buffalo | Niagara
- Letter of reference for each employee
- Access to job fair participation
Watch: Sumitomo union workers react after learning their plant would be closing.
'No clue that this was coming': Sumitomo Rubber closing Tonawanda facility, 1,550 workers impacted
Sumitomo announced in early November that it would be closing its tire plant in the northtowns. About 1,550 union and non-union workers lost their jobs.
The company said this closure came after an extended examination of the facility's viability.
