(TONAWANDA, NEW YORK) - The United Steelworkers (USW) and the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) are condemning Japanese-owned Sumitomo Tire’s decision to shutter its Tonawanda Facility, costing 1,200 USW-represented Workers their jobs.

USW District 4 Director Dave Wasiura, who represents Workers in New York and eight other Northeastern States, expressed his deep disappointment in Sumitomo management and urged the company to find a better solution than the abrupt closure: “Our Union has partnered with Sumitomo for years, helping to secure investments, as together we’ve navigated the ups and downs of the Tire Industry.  That management went straight to enacting this extreme measure without coming to us is nothing short of a betrayal of its highly-skilled (and) dedicated workforce.”

Wasiura said the impact of the decision will also ripple far beyond the plant itself: “Sumitomo’s decision to wipe out these good, Union jobs is devastating - not just for Workers, but for the entire community that they help support.”

Sumitomo management informed the USW of its decision late Wednesday (November 6th) and will cease operations effective November 11th.

Workers employed at the Tonawanda Plant are Members of USW Local 135L.

Meanwhile, WNYALF President Peter De Jesús, Jr. released the following statement:

The sudden shutdown of the Sumitomo Rubber USA Tonawanda plant has ripped the livelihoods of 1,550 hard-working individuals from our community.

 This decision is a brutal betrayal of these Workers and their families, who dedicated themselves to this company, our region and creating World-Class American Union-made products.

Our Federation will not stand idly by as this corporate abandonment disrupts lives and devastates our local economy.

We stand in full solidarity with United Steelworkers Local 135L and District 4, alongside our Elected Officials and community allies, fighting for these Workers and demanding justice.

Together, we will ensure that no Worker is left behind.

Sumitomo management is hiding behind vague claims of financial ‘complexities,’ but let us be clear: Every dollar invested in American Workers and Unionized manufacturing builds our future.

This isn’t about logistics or markets - it’s about a corporation putting profits over people.

And in their rush to cut ties, they have failed to meet even the most basic standards of human decency, blindsiding Workers without giving the notice Federal Law requires.

This community is stronger than greedy CEOs and fat cats decimating lives from a distant boardroom.

The Workers of Western New York have faced down adversity for generations and we will remain resilient.

When corporations choose profits over people, the Working Class will stand together.

We will fight, we will support one another, and we will rise.

The WNYALF represents 145,000 Union Members across six Western New York Counties and five Central Labor Councils.

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: For More Background On This Labor News Story, Go To:

The USW ‘Praises’ $122 Million Investment In Sumitomo Rubber USA’s Tire-Making Plant Outside Buffalo - As A Result, Local 135L Leadership Says Company Will Be ‘Adding More Workers’ In The Months To Come - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York

Newly-Ratified Contract At Sumitomo Rubber USA’s Tonawanda Tire-Making Plant ‘Not Only Benefits’ USW Local 135L’s Membership, But ‘Guarantees’ $122 Million Expansion ‘Will Move Forward - Benefitting The Local Community & WNY Region’ - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York

Sumitomo Rubber USA’s Tonawanda Plant Produces Its ‘First’ Falken OE Tire - USW-Represented Workforce Of Nearly 1,000 ‘Proud Of The Opportunity’ That Union Officials Say ‘Bodes Well For The Future’ Of The Company’s WNY Facility - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York