Two former New England Confectionary Company employees have filed a lawsuit against the candymaker’s owners for the sudden closure of the Revere, Massachusetts plant.
The class action lawsuit, which was filed on Friday by Dexter Main and Francesco D'Amelio, states that Round Hill Investments and Sweethearts Candy, both Delaware-based limited liability companies, failed to warn employees ahead of time of NECCO's closure.
It was filed under the WARN Act, which requires at least a 60-day notice for layoffs.
"Throughout the Bankruptcy Case and the acquisition by Round Hill, the Employees were consistently told that operations were continuing," the lawsuit stated.
The candy company was bought at a bankruptcy auction in May by Round Hill Investments for $17.8 million; Round Hill formed Sweethearts Candy Co. LLC in June to manage the operations at NECCO, according to the lawsuit.
The Revere plant abruptly shut down its factory on July 24, leaving its 230 workers stunned and unemployed. They were told to pick up their final paychecks that same Friday.
In a statement on July 24, which was included in the lawsuit, Round Hill said it was "excited" to have the NECCO brand, but added, "After careful engagement and consideration, however, the firm decided to sell the brands to another national confection manufacturer and today announced the closure of the operations in Revere, Massachusetts."
