Kissell: "The only concessions I'm seeing in the 8th district are the ones families make as they work to hold on to their homes and businesses in this tough economic time."

BISCOE , N.C. - Larry Kissell, 27 year veteran of the local textile industry and Democratic candidate for Congress in North Carolina's 8th district, responded today to the latest round of layoffs -- again in Scotland County -- on the one year anniversary of the most infamous flip-flop in North Carolina political history.

"As a 27 year textile veteran that's seen the layoffs and plant closings, I've been there and my heart goes out to the families affected," said Kissell.

The Eaton Corporation's Golf Pride Division in Laurinburg will be eliminating or laying off up to 60 of its employees - yet another blow to the county after WestPoint Stevens announced it would be laying off more than 300 employees at its Scotland Plant in September.

Scotland County has suffered the highest unemployment rate in the state the past 3 months, with a current rate of 8.8 percent unemployed.

Just last month when hundreds more lost their jobs to plant closings and layoffs in counties around the 8th District, Larry Kissell joined others in expressing his frustration with so-called free trade agreements.

"What these companies call stream lining we call shutting down. We lost 800 jobs in Montgomery County when Renfro [Kissell's former employer] closed and went south of the border. Robin Hayes said he was 'flat-out, horizontally opposed' to the Central America Free Trade Agreement after seeing thousands laid-off by Pillowtex -- then he goes and votes for it when the President asks him to saying he got concessions. The only concessions I'm seeing in the 8th district are the ones families make as they work to hold on to their homes and businesses in this tough economic time."

Montgomery Economic Development Director Judy Stevens blamed her county's recent plant closing on the effects of foreign trade. Stevens stated that globalization "continues to have a devastating effect on the more rural areas such as ours."

"It's no longer just textiles in our district being devastated by the Washington politicians. We see it from Kannapolis all the way to Fayetteville. If we don't take a stand now, there won't be any manufacturing jobs left at all. It is time for Robin Hayes to realize that switching his vote on CAFTA is a firing offense," said Kissell.

This time exactly one year ago Robin Hayes assured North Carolina working families " "I am flat-out, completely, horizontally opposed to CAFTA." [Charlotte Observer, 7/25/2005]

"NAFTA plus CAFTA equals SHAFTA," said Kissell.

Fayetteville Observer: Lost Jobs Could Put Hayes at Risk