WASHINGTON – Nearly 70 members of the Pulp and Paperworkers’ Resource Council (PPRC) will take their issues and concerns regarding the paper and wood products manufacturing industry directly to members of the U.S. House, Senate and administration during the organization’s annual Washington, DC Fly-in from Feb. 12 – 15.
The PPRC is a 27-year-old grassroots organization of hourly employees of the paper and wood products industry who voluntarily serve to educate on issues that impact jobs and economic growth in their industry. The Council has scheduled almost 275 meetings with offices on Capitol Hill and across Washington for meetings during the fly-in. Their goal is to educate officials on the impact of legislative and regulatory decisions on the families and communities that depend on forest products manufacturing for their livelihood.
“Communities around the country need the types of good-paying jobs that forest products manufacturing provides – whether it’s making paper, building products, bath tissue or boxes – products Americans use every day,” said David Wise, PPRC chairman. “The PPRC believes that our elected and government officials need to protect the environment while at the same time support the global competitiveness of the U.S. paper and wood products industry. Overly burdensome regulations and legislation ultimately hurt the U.S. workers we represent and the communities where we live, work and play.”
The forest products industry represents more than four percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP and employs about 900,000 people – many in small, rural communities. The industry generates total wages of approximately $50 billion and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 45 states.
Media Contact: David Wise, PPRC Chairman; (843) 269-0164, (843) 319-7189
