Bankrupt Colibri's workers plan protest

Former employees of bankrupt Rhode Island jewelry maker The Colibri Group plan to protest an auction of the company’s assets.

The sale of high-end cigarette lighters, cuff links, clocks and other items is scheduled for Thursday at the company’s former headquarters in East Providence. The protest is scheduled for Wednesday at the same site.

Proceeds from the sale are expected to go to the company’s creditors, HSBC Bank and Sovereign Bank, which are each owed about $14 million.

The former workers tell The Providence Journal they should get some money because they are owed 60 days pay and two months of medical coverage they claim was withheld when the company abruptly shut down without notice in January after 80 years in business.