CWA, Alabama workers join to stand up in support of New Era

-- Union-Company Announce Neutrality Organizing Agreement --

Derby, NY Jan. 28, 2008 – More than 500 New Era Cap union and non-union employees rallied in support of the company today at its Derby, New York, production facility to show unity in the face of unfounded charges being levied against the company by the Teamsters Union. The rally was held to demonstrate that New Era, which is one of the only domestic manufacturers of baseball caps in the country, hires, promotes and pays its people fairly.

During the event, the Communications of America (CWA) and company also announced they have signed a neutrality agreement allowing the CWA access to the company’s two non-union Alabama manufacturing facilities. The neutrality agreement allows the CWA access to the facilities for the purpose of organizing the workers in Jackson and Demopolis. The exact same offer of neutrality was rejected by the Teamsters Union.

“We come together today, a unified front, to show the public who the real New Era is,” said Christopher H. Koch, New Era Cap CEO. “We’re a company that respects its people, embraces diversity and offers growth opportunity. No anti-company campaign is going to shake those principles by which we do business.”

Speaking along with Koch, were CWA union leaders, regional director Dave Palmer and local President Jane Howald. The CWA represents the 320 unionized workers at New Era’s Derby facility. In addition, a diverse group of 10 employees, all who hold management positions at the company’s facilities in Alabama, attended the rally in Derby, New York to publicly stand up against the charges being made about the company.

“The CWA knows our business and our processes. They understand what it takes to make apparel in today’s competitive marketplace. And most of all, they work in good faith, with honesty and integrity,” said Koch.

New Era and the CWA have worked together for 10 years and recently renewed their contract in Derby through 2010. The two were joint recipients of Cornell University’s “Champions @Work” award, in recognition of their ongoing cooperative relationship.

New Era has had 20 negotiating sessions spanning more than 4 months with the Teamsters to sign its first contract at its Mobile distribution facility. To date, the two sides have reached agreement on several issues; however, an economic proposal has yet to be submitted by the Union.

In the meantime, the Teamsters have publicly charged New Era with discrimination and other untrue allegations. When the company heard about the allegations of discrimination, it immediately contacted and met with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), providing them documentation regarding the situation and welcoming them into the Mobile facility. Despite New Era’s numerous attempts to reach out to the NAACP, the company received no response from NAACP. It was not until January 25th that the company was made aware that the NAACP and the Teamsters were holding a joint press conference in Washington later today. Repeated requests from New Era to discuss the situation and concerns raised by the NAACP went unanswered. The company remains willing and available to discuss any concerns.

New Era has consistently provided information disproving the Teamsters allegations including the fact that 81% of the company’s Alabama workforce is African-American and 39% of the managers and supervisors at all three plants are minorities. Some of those individuals joined other workers at the rally to describe their experience with the company.

According to an analysis conducted by an outside consultant, there’s no evidence of racial discrimination in regards to promotions; and no difference in pay based on race or gender. In addition, New Era’s average rate of pay at its Mobile facility is $10.00 an hour, which, according to the Economic Research Institute, is on par for similar positions in Mobile.

“Our agreement with the CWA shows our commitment to move forward. We know there’s a bright future in front of us, said Koch. “The people of New Era are committed to this company and this company is committed to the people of New Era.”


New Era Cap
Founded in 1920, New Era Cap Company, Inc., is the nation’s leading headwear manufacturer and creator of New Era Apparel, brings to market products that transcend time, culture, sport and fashion. Producing more than 35 million caps per year, New Era is the exclusive manufacturer and marketer of the official on-field cap worn by every Major League Baseball team and their Minor League affiliates and maintaining agreements with other licensed entities. On the street, New Era is known as the Originator of the True Fitted for its signature cap style, the 59FIFTY. Some of the Company’s core markets include Action Sports, Children, Fan, Suburban, Women and Fashion/Lifestyle. The Company, headquartered in Buffalo, New York, employs approximately 1,700 people world-wide in New York, Alabama and at its operations in Canada, Europe, Japan and Hong Kong. New Era is a ‘Category A’ affiliate of the Fair Labor Association.


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CONTACT:
Dana Marciniak
Corporate Communications Manager
716.536.9913 (cell)
dana.marciniak@neweracap.com