UNITE elects Bruce Raynor president

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 6/11/2001 12:00:00 AM

NEW YORK — The general executive board of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE) voted unanimously to elect Bruce Raynor as president of UNITE, North America's leading apparel, textile and laundry union, effective July 1. Raynor, who has served as UNITE secretary-treasurer since 1998, replaces retiring president Jay Mazur at the helm of the 250,000-member union. In addition, UNITE executive vp Edgar Romney was elected to replace Raynor as secretary-treasurer. Vice president William Lee was elected to fill the open executive vp position. UNITE represents workers throughout the United States and Canada in apparel, textile, laundry and other related industries.

Said Raynor, "I am confident that UNITE will continue to meet the difficult challenges we face and become an even stronger union. This will mean focusing on organizing and growing the union in key industries where we have strength; fighting to preserve jobs and building strong, active locals where members feel real ownership of their union; standing up for the rights of immigrant workers; and ensuring that our members interests are represented at every level on the political arena."