Union workers and elected leaders gathered outside New Era Field in Orchard Park Saturday to protest New Era's decision to close its Derby plant.
Joe Cantafio is a West Seneca teacher and executive vice president of the WNY Area Labor Federation. He's calling on New Era to reverse its decision.
"New Era is making record profits. They're doing very well," said Cantafio. "But yet, they're putting profits over people. They want to close down a plant. Over 200 people will be without a job."
In a statement from New Era, the company says the Derby plant will close by the end March and that it's working with affected employees to find new employment.
Among the elected leaders who attended the rally were Congressman Brian Higgins and State Assemblyman Sean Ryan. Both lamented the loss of manufacturing jobs in Western New York.