Following a concession by Hugo Boss to back off from their staunch position to close their only U.S. clothing factory, the retailer agreed to resume negotiations with Workers United on behalf of the 350+ Cleveland suit makers whose jobs are at risk.

Here's the statement from Workers United following negotiations with Hugo Boss in Cleveland at the office of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service on Thursday, April 8, 2010:

Today, representatives of Workers United and officials of Hugo Boss held a bargaining session at the Cleveland region of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

We made a substantial offer designed to save the jobs at the Hugo Boss factory in Brooklyn, Ohio. Our proposal would enable the company to maintain its global competitiveness. The company did not respond with an agreement today.

We are committed to saving the jobs of the more than 300 workers in Cleveland who have made Hugo Boss successful. We encourage the company to be flexible and to join the factory workers, the Cleveland community and elected leaders who are trying to save this plant.

Our bargaining team included five long-term workers from the plant. They, along with many of the workers they represented today, have dedicated all of their working lives to making Hugo Boss continue to be a successful company.

We will continue our campaign to fight to save the jobs of our members. The union and Hugo Boss will return to the bargaining table on April 21st.

Help us keep the pressure on Hugo Boss not to close the plant as planned on April 27 by signing this petition--we'll make sure your message gets to Hugo Boss and their investors.