Union Applauds Candidates “Smart Food Policy” and Opposition to Walmart
WESTBURY, NEW YORK (01/30/2013)(readMedia)– The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1500, New York State’s largest grocery workers union with over 23,000 members, today announced its endorsement of Scott Stringer for New York City Comptroller.
“As Manhattan Borough President, Scott Stringer has proven everyday that he clearly understands how important it is to develop an economy that produces not just jobs but good jobs with a living wage. He understands that the success of Main Street is just as vital as the success of Wall Street. The entire City of New York will be better off having a man of Scott Stringers integrity and intelligence as its Chief Financial Officer,” stated UFCW Local 1500 President Bruce W. Both. “The membership of UFCW Local 1500 is excited to support his 2013 campaign for Comptroller and will work hard to see that he is elected.”
UFCW Local 1500 represents 23,000 grocery workers across New York State with just over 10,000 members located within the five boroughs.
“Scott Stringer was an early supporter of Local 1500’s “Building Blocks” Campaign that called on New York City to develop a food policy that focuses on bringing full service supermarkets to under served communities,” stated Patrick Purcell, Assistant to the President. “Scott is dedicated to bringing good food, good jobs and good health to all New Yorkers and will continue to develop smart policies that will grow the cties economy and develop middle class jobs. Most importantly, as Borough President, has been relentless in holding Walmart accountable for their irresponsible business practices and demanding they show real change before they enter the New York City market. Our members are thankful for his leadership.”
UFCW 1500 promotes progressive policies such as demanding Wal-Mart be held accountable for it’s unethical business practices, supporting the expansion of supermarkets into underserved communities and creating good food, good jobs and good health for all New Yorkers. Other Issues of importance to Local 1500 members include aggressive wage theft prosecution, demanding labor standards be attached to corporate subsidies and strengthening New York City land use laws.
UFCW Local 1500 represents grocery workers in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. Members of Local 1500 are employed by Pathmark, King Kullen, Stop and Shop, Gristedes, Key Food. Fairway, D’agastinos and Shop Rite.