8/14/2019 GE-16 - Paper Workers Letter of Support Hunters College 0298

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8/14/2019 GE-16 - Paper Workers Letter of Support Hunters College 0298

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UNITED PAPERWORKERS INTERNATIONAL UNIOREGION II

71 Bay Street Glens Falls. New York 12801

5CAR5ELLETTA) JR.e President & Regional Director February 9, 1998

Office: (518) 793-4FAX: (518) 793-4

Han. George E. Pataki, GovernorExecutive ChamberAlbany, NY 12224Dear Governor Pataki:

Thanks to your vision and leadership, New York State is far better off than it was just threeyears ago. That is why the United Paperworkers International Union, Region Two, isendorsing you fo r re-election to another term as Governor. A press release to that effect willbe issued by my office later this week.The United Paperworkers Intemational Union represents 250,000 workers in the UnitedStates and Canada, including 25,000 members in Ne w York State.In the late 1980's and early '90's, Ne w York lost half a mil lion jobs and businesses wereforced co leave the Slate because of high taxes, over-spending and over-regulation. However,during your first term, you have made New York a better place for businesses, theiremployees and their families.You may recall that in late 1996 and early 1997, we were faced with the closure of a plantin Fulton which employs upwards of 400 of our members . Sealright's executives hadinformed us that they planned co consolidate its Kansas, Fulton and Los Angels frozen foodpaperboard packaging operations into tw o facilities. With 35-40 percent of the company'sbusiness coming from the west cost, Sealright quickly decided co keep that plant, whichmeant either the Kansas or New York facility would be closed. In less than a month, yourstaff, together with county officials, puc together an incentive package which retained theoperation in Fulton and has added over 100 jobs, bringing ou r membership there to 505 atthe end of 1997.Secondly, fo r some years UPIU has had a joint training program funded by the state throughHunter College. Some very valuable training and publications have emerged from thatcooperative effort, including a booklet on the prevention of ergonomic injuries in theworkplace which was printed in both English and Spanish and distributed co our members.However, budget cuts planned for 1997 threatened co eliminate this ongoing t raining, andit was only after my appeal to you citing the important benefits of this education co theworkers that it WJS allowed to continue.

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Governor George Pataki February 9, 1998

These two examples leap immediately to mind, however, there is no denying theconcentrated effort that has been exerted during your administration ro keep jobs in our stateand ro cut taxes to help the working men and women of our state.You have proven to be a very accessible leader. You have listened closely to , and addressed,many of our concerns, and the concerns of labor in general. Your policies of reducing taxes,protecting our environment and making low-cost power available has helped retain jobs andcreate new opportunities for working men and women.You deserve another term to build on your success and lead new York State into the newmillennium.Sincerely,

1 1 ~ ~ ~Mario Scarselletra, ]1'.Vice President and DirectorRegion TwoMS/fg

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