Sumitomo Rubber employee Eric Dutschman reacts to the plant’s closure in Tonawanda on Thursday

Sumitomo Rubber employee Eric Dutchman reacts to the plant’s closure in Tonawanda on Thursday

Transcript

00:00I assume, like everyone else we've talked to, no notification of nothing, right?

00:06The only notification we were given is a couple weeks ago we got an informational letter from our union

00:13saying that we were given a week off with full pay to reduce inventory in the warehouse.

00:19Did that seem fishy at the time, or did you just chalk it up to too much inventory?

00:23It seemed fishy at the time a little bit, but we've had a lot of inventory in the warehouse.

00:28More than normal.

00:30We've kind of known we were in a little bit of trouble over the last year or so with production and whatnot,

00:37but no clue that this was coming.

00:40The first I notified is I was doing some home improvements, and I saw the app pop up that says they closed the plant.

00:49How thoroughly are you discussed about it?

00:53I'm thoroughly discussed it.

00:56I have nine years here.

00:58I'm a member of our emergency response team and fire department here as well.

01:04I worked overtime on Sunday.

01:07I came in on Sunday morning for overtime.

01:10No clue that this was happening today.

01:16Obviously this is still very fresh.

01:18Has the union said anything yet?

01:20Is there any plan?

01:21What do you do now?

01:22I've heard nothing.

01:24We've heard nothing from the union.

01:27Again, the news outlets are the first I've heard of this.

01:32I've texted a few people, and we're all kind of in shock, but we've heard nothing from anybody yet.

01:38About a year ago, maybe a year and a half ago, there was an issue with computers.

01:42It was never confirmed if it was like a cyber attack, but they shut down for some time well over a year ago now.

01:47Correct.

01:48This seems to be a consistent kind of reoccurring theme with just some issues.

01:52Was that management level or what?

01:55I can't say if it was management level or not.

01:57I think there was some kind of computer attack or issue going on, but they're still doing improvements inside.

02:05We're still putting in presses.

02:09Friday afternoon, I saw an HVAC contractor programming our heating system for the winter.

02:16Nothing inside would have given you a clue that this was happening today.

02:20So Friday you're at work or whatever.

02:22Everything seems to be normal.

02:24Here we are now Thursday.

02:25The plant has shut down.

02:27What do you think has changed in those few days?

02:30I really don't know.

02:32I'm kind of in shock right now that they have barricades up and security guards in tactical gear at our main entrance.

02:40I mean, honestly, I'm in shock.

02:45I'm in shock.