After New Era announced in November that they wanted to move away from owning and operating manufacturing plants, they said they would shut down the plant in Derby in March. 

But union workers and politicians are asking them to reconsider that decision.  

"So what we're hoping to do today is start a little bit of a movement to speak up for the workers at New Era, and give them some voice to say the home town team should stay home," said Joe Cantafio, Area Labor Federation Executive vice president.

New York Assembly Member Sean Ryan and Congressman Brian Higgins were also in attendance, voicing their support for New Era workers. 

"We can't have this, we can't stand for it. We are so proud of New Era. Every time I watch a baseball game with my kids, I tell them those hats are made right here in Western New York. We're proud of our heritage, we're proud to have a workforce that can actually make things, and guess who's turning their backs on that workforce," said Sean Ryan, (D) Assembly Buffalo.

Ryan's statements were well supported. 

"The fact that their manufacturing is moving out of Western New York should concern everybody including New Era. We want to help them remain competitive so they will continue to invest and create jobs," said Brian Higgins, (D) 26th Congressional District.

Lakeshore teachers were also among union workers expressing their concern with what the loss of jobs could do to families in the area.  

"So there's 219 families that still work at New Era, and a lot of those families have students in the Lakeshore schools. As a teacher it's upsetting to us that these students may leave, or their families may have hardships."

But despite the rally, New Era says they still plan to close the Derby plant.

"New Era is moving forward with its decision to discontinue operations at the Derby facility, and is in the midst of active discussions with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) regarding severance and other ways to assist employees through the transition — following the plant closing, targeted for the end of March," a statement read from New Era.

The statement continued, "The company has also been working with the NY State Department of Labor on a series of workshops to help the Derby employees with job-finding skills. As part of this effort, New Era held a job fair at the Derby plant this week with 26 employers present, representing hundreds of available jobs."