BUFFALO (WBEN) - Dozens of Western New York union members will hold another rally to protest the closure of New Era's Derby production facility, which is likely to close in March. Members of the Western New York Area Labor Federation, being led by the Lake Shore Central Teachers Association, are planning to gather at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday outside of New Era Field to voice their displeasure.
"We teachers want to stand up for the community and stand up for those families that are going to be impacted," said Joe Cantafia, who serves in offices for both the Western New York Area Labor Federation and West Seneca Teachers Association. "In the next five weeks, we are going to do all that we can to stop this from happening."
Cantafio says local labor leaders are not happy with New Era's decision to close down its Derby production plant, and that it sure seems like the company is placing a greater importance on its bottom line than on the people who help New Era achieve its margins.
"If you're making record profits, if your workers have done everything you've asked from them, and for that, they're putting money in you pocket, we are asking them to put people over profits," said Cantafia.
He noted that Assemblyman Sean Ryan and Congressman Brian Higgins are planning on attending along with other local officials.
"This factory is making a great product, it is offering a good job to help the economy in the area and the Lake Shore School District there, and the owners have admitted that they're making great profits, yet they just want to close down the plant and move it down south for cheaper labor and things like that."