The Stories Project: Oregon Livelihoods Traded Away

Diego Castellanoz Residence: Nyssa, OR Occupation: Supervisor, Amalgamated Sugar Processing Plant, Employee for 28 years Affiliations: City Councilor, School Board Member, Former Mayor [ Hear Diego Castellanoz's story ]

Snapshots "These trade agreements craft a new way that companies do business. There is definitely nothing fair about them." "Because of the factory competition and sugar allotments put into affect by NAFTA, the Amalgamated Sugar company had to shut down a processing plant. It turned out to the Nyssa Mill. There was a certification that this was a NAFTA-related lay off." "This community loses about $1 million a year from this one shut down, including pay from workers. People are leaving the area to look for work and cause a loss of $400,001 for the school system. This is a huge blow to the town of Nyssa."

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