Massachusetts

Sen. Markey, Revere Mayor Meet With Unemployed Necco Workers in Show of Support

The sudden shutdown stunned more than 200 workers, who were picking up their final pay checks on Friday

What to Know

  • At least 230 former Necco employees lined up outside the Revere plant on Friday to collect their final pay checks.
  • Senator Ed Markey and Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo joined them in a show of support.
  • The workers were left stunned when New England's oldest candy maker closed its doors this week unexpectedly.

There was a show of support Friday for hundreds of former Necco employees.

Senator Ed Markey and Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo met Friday morning with at least 230 Necco employees who lined up outside the plant in Revere, Massachusetts, to collect their last pay checks, which they claim don't include severance and vacation payments they'd been promised.

Maria Rosa lost her job after 38 years when New England’s oldest candy maker closed its doors this week unexpectedly.

“A lot of people cry, and the last day a lot of people don’t want to go,” Rosa said.

”We were expecting it to close, but not like they closed it,” said Linda Evans of Boston.

On Tuesday, employees were told Round Hill Investments, which purchased the financially-troubled Necco in May, had sold the iconic confectioner to a still unidentified equity firm.

“We’re going to make sure they are made accountable,” Sen. Ed Markey said. “They can run but they can’t hide.”

Dozens of other firms have contacted the city about hiring the now unemployed Necco workers.

“We’re here today to make sure that these people get what they deserve and that they land on their feet,” Mayor Arrigo said.

Necco has been making Necco Wafers and other candies for more than 170 years. There is no word right now on what might happen to those popular sweets.

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