Massachusetts AFL-CIO Resolution in Support of Restored Funding for the Toxics Use Reduction Institute at the University of Mass

WHEREAS, the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) serves a vital role in improving the health and well-being of workers by helping businesses to reduce or eliminate the use of toxic chemicals in the workplace; and

 

WHEREAS, TURI’s role in reducing the use of toxic chemicals in Massachusetts workplaces was established by a mandate in the 1989 Toxics Use Reduction Act; and

 

WHEREAS, TURI plays an important role in business development in Massachusetts by helping companies to remain competitive by reducing overhead costs; and

 

WHEREAS, Massachusetts companies working with TURI recently reported over $4.5 million in annual savings on operations; and

 

WHEREAS, since the establishment of TURI in 1989, the use of dangerous chemicals in Massachusetts has declined by 41 percent, toxic chemical waste has fallen by 65 percent and emissions by 91 percent; and

 

WHEREAS, the Toxics Use Reduction Act stipulates that TURI be funded through assessments on Massachusetts companies that use toxic chemicals, and is therefore self-sustaining; and

 

WHEREAS, TURI’s independent line item in the 2010 state budget has been eliminated, and funding for the institute has been rolled into the larger University of Massachusetts line item, where it is presently an unfunded program; and

 

WHEREAS, TURI was recently forced to issue layoff notices to their dedicated employees; and

 

WHEREAS, a group of 40 state lawmakers have requested restored funding for TURI in a supplemental budget in order to keep the institute running; therefore be it

 

RESOLVED that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO supports any effort to restore funding to the Toxics Use Reduction Institute, whether through a supplemental state budget or through adequate funding by the University of Massachusetts, so that it may continue its valuable role in protecting the health of workers and spurring business development in the commonwealth; and be it finally

 

RESOLVED that the President of the Massachuetts AFL-CIO will transmit a copy of this resolution to all relevant parties in order to demonstrate its ardent support for restored funding to the Toxics Use Reduction Institute.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Robert J. Haynes, President

Louis A. Mandarini, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer