Laid off workers fight for rights

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Workers that were laid off when a local jewelry maker closed it's doors last month said they can't wait six months for the money they are owed. On Tuesday, several of the formal workers gathered to fight for what they say are their legal rights.

Some of The Colibri Groups now unemployed workers, who were layed off suddenly on January 14th, rallied outside the Providence office for the court appointed receiver, saying they're do pay and benefits they stopped receiving.

"We want our 60 day pay, medical, plus severance pay," said Donna Walker, one of the estimated 280 workers locked out of their longtime jobs at Colibri's of East Providence, Cranston and Smithfield offices. The jewelry maker was forced into receivership by the controlling private equity firm, which meant closing the company that dated back to the 1920s.

"People have families, mortgages. They have rent to pay. There's no health coverage," added Walker.

The former employees argued that the company broke federal law when it suddenly closed, denying them 60 days of pay and benefits.

Now, they say they've been told by the court appointed receiver file if they file with court they could get their money in six to 12 months.

"We're not gonna wait six to 12 months. We can't wait. People have families, and children need to be fed. There's no jobs in Rhode Island," added Walker.

Founders Equity is the New York City based private equity group which forced the Colibri Group to close down last month, when they tried to collect some of their assets.