Schumer pushes Danaher CEO to maintain Pall jobs on Long Island after takeover

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is seeking assurances from the chief executive of Danaher Corp. that the company will retain the jobs of roughly 700 employees at the Port Washington headquarters of its $13.8 billion acquisition target, Pall Corp.

"I spoke directly with Danaher CEO Thomas Joyce, and urged him to protect these important jobs on Long Island," Schumer said Thursday of their conversation on Tuesday. "These jobs are vital to the local community and economy, the employees at Pall Corp. were a key driver in the company's success over the years, and they should remain a critical part of Danaher's company after the acquisition is complete."

Schumer, who has a history of trying to cajole companies to retain jobs in New York after mergers or acquisitions, also urged Joyce to maintain about 650 jobs at Pall's plant in upstate Cortland.

The Cortland plant, which produces water filtration systems, has been in operation since 1961.

Danaher announced the Pall acquisition for $127.20 per share on May 13.

Pall posted 2014 revenue of $2.8 billion, making it Long Island's fourth largest public company. Since the acquisition was announced, however, its market capitalization has swelled to about $13.3 billion, the largest among its Long Island peers.

By Ken Schachter

kenneth.schachter@newsday.comkschach

Ken Schachter covers corporate news, including technology and aerospace, and other business topics for Newsday. He has also worked at The Miami Herald and The Jerusalem Post.