Press Releases

Text of Letter (PDF)

Boston, MA - Today, Senators  Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) sent a letter to the expected new owner of Brooks Brothers asking that the company keep open the Southwick facility in Haverhill, Massachusetts. The recent bankruptcy of Brooks Brothers terminated the jobs of more than 400 jobs at the facility, and many of these workers are members of UNITE HERE 187. The expected owners, Authentic Brands Group, has previously purchased two American clothing retailers and committed to keeping those factories open and maintaining manufacturing in America.

"The Southwick facility has a long history of employing needle trade workers to contribute to the Brooks Brothers' iconic brand," wrote the lawmakers in their letter. "Those employees, dedicated members of UNITE HERE Local 187, are skilled garment workers who have made some of the finest clothing in the world. They deserve to be included in your vision of maintaining jobs across the Brooks Brothers' network."

On May 15, Brooks Brothers issued a WARN Act notice that their manufacturing facility in Haverhill would be closing permanently in late July due to financial constraints caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Congresswoman Trahan and Senators Warren and Markey previously wrote to Brooks Brothers Group, Inc. Chairman and CEO Claudio Del Vecchio requesting the company provide fair severance to the 413 employees set to be laid off.

###