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Union protesting at New Era The Teamsters union is alleging that black employees at New Era Cap Co.'s Mobile plant are being discriminated against and also said workers reported "sweatshop"-like conditions at the company's Jackson plant. New Era officials deny the allegations. Teamsters protested at five New Era locations over the weekend but not in Mobile, where the baseball camp manufacturer and the union are negotiating a new contract. Dana Marciniak told the Mobile Press Register, "In our opinion, it's just an attempt to get what they're not getting at the bargaining table. It's a sad way to put pressure on a company that is family owned, that is making American products in America." The union is alleging that in Mobile experienced black workers have been passed over for promotions and that all but one of 20-plus managers are white. The union did not offer any supporting details of its "sweatshop" allegations at the Jackson plant where an expansion is nearing completion that will allow manufacturing operations in Mobile to relocate there. The Jackson plant currently employs about 360 workers and recently observed its seventh anniversary in Jackson. Distribution will remain in Mobile, where there are about 120 employees. Marciniak said New Era maintains "very high standards" and that a third-party audit of the Mobile facility found no claims of discrimination in September. New Era is also a member of the Fair Labor Association which requires a "stringent code of conduct that includes providing a workplace free of discrimination of any kind."
New Era is based in Buffalo, N.Y. and is the largest sportslicensed cap company in the world. Founded in 1920, the company manufactures and markets caps for major and minor league baseball teams, college teams and others.
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