NECCO workers sue over sudden plant shutdown

Workers at the suddenly shuttered NECCO plant in Revere say the company's new owner violated federal law when it closed the place last week without warning.

In a lawsuit filed in US District Court, the workers cited the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, which requires a 60-day notice of any plant closings and "mass layoff" of 100 or more workers. NECCO employed more than 100 workers, the suit says, adding:

Throughout the Bankruptcy Case and the acquisition by Round Hill, the Employees were consistently told that operations were continuing.

Last Tuesday, Round Hill issued a statement that while it was looking forward to embracing the world of chalky wafers, Valentine's Day message hearts and chocolate bars filled with four different centers, it had decided it didn't really want to make those things and was shutting the NECCO plant and would be selling off the brand.

The suit was filed by two NECCO workers, one from Lynn, the other from Revere, but they are asking to be appointed lead plaintiffs in a class-action suit on behalf of all the laid off workers. The suit seeks 60 days of back pay for all the workers as well as attorney's fees and unspecified damages.