his past February, Remington Arms announced a reduction in workforce at their Ilion plant in New York.
The announcement revealed that Remington – with Governor Andrew Cuomo’s SAFE Act as a catalyst – would build a new factory in Huntsville, Alabama, and consolidate several facilities, including the Bushmaster and Remington lines produced in Ilion.
The Alabama plant was to bring 2,000 jobs to Huntsville.
While those jobs were certainly a lost opportunity for New York, Rich Azzopardi, spokesman for Governor Cuomo, tweeted this about the situation:
Some are misinformed, others gleefully spreading misinformation, but to be clear, no Remington jobs are leaving NY.
— Rich Azzopardi (@RichAzzopardi) February 16, 2014
Yesterday it was announced that over 100 people were being laid off at the Remington Arms plant. Were those 100 people also “misinformed?” Via CNY Central:
At least 105 people will be without a job as layoffs hit Remington Arms in Ilion. Assemblyman Marc Butler confirmed the layoffs, saying, “The latest announcement from Remington Arms, although not unexpected, is still deeply disappointing for our community. This is more than 100 of our friends, neighbors and relatives whose families now face an uncertain future. Our thoughts are with them. “ He went on to blame the need to downsize on Governor Cuomo’s controversial NY Safe Act, which outlawed automatic weapons in the state, including the Bushmaster rifle, which was produced at Remington Arms in Ilion.
The news led Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin to ask Azzopardi if he would like to clarify his previous statement. McLaughlin also lays the blame squarely on Governor Cuomo and the SAFE Act:
This is on you @NYGovCuomo. 115 more jobs gone. You, the #SafeAct and your policies caused this. #OpenForBusiness ?? http://t.co/a5nnem93dn
— Steve McLaughlin (@SteveMcNY) August 18, 2014
McLaughlin had this to say upon initially hearing of Remington Arms consolidation plans in February:
Remington is making what I sadly believe will be the first of many moves to greatly downsize their operations in Ilion, if not close there altogether.
Ironically, Chuck Schumer, a Democrat and big proponent of New York’s gun laws, was singing the praises of Remington Arms and their economic and employment impact in the state back in April of 2012.
“Today is a great one for Remington Arms in Ilion, its workers and the Mohawk Valley economy as a whole. The Ilion plant has secured an expanded role in producing high-quality equipment for our brave men and women overseas, and this contract will provide a huge boost to Central New York’s economy.”
Schumer was referring to an $84 million contract between Remington Arms and the Army.
Months after stating that “extreme” conservatives who are “pro-assault-weapon” are not welcome in New York, Cuomo is watching a company forced to eliminate or transfer their employees as a result of the SAFE Act.
Now, New Yorkers are waving goodbye to thousands of jobs, and millions in revenue.
All thanks to Cuomo’s extreme view on gun control.
Cross-posted at the Mental Recession
