Grocery Union Makes NYC Public Advocate Endorsement

QUEENS VILLAGE, NY (01/22/2009)(readMedia)-- United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, New York City's largest Labor Union representing supermarket workers, has announced its endorsement of Queens Councilmember Eric Gioia to be the next New York City Public Advocate.

"The campaign to be the next New York City Public Advocate will have several very fine candidates," stated President of UFCW Local 1500 Bruce W. Both. "However, it was over two years ago when Councilmember Eric Gioia came to the leadership and members of UFCW Local1500 and detailed how as Public Advocate he would pursue and aggressive agenda to help UFCW Local 1500 membership with their core issues: Supermarket development in low income communities, the expansion of the Food Stamp Program, responsible development and the battle to hold Wal-mart accountable for its irresponsible business practices."

"Since that meeting two years ago, Councilmember Gioia has consistently met with the members and leadership of UFCW Local 1500 about his campaign for Public Advocate and how as a Councilmember he has been working on the legislative priorities Local 1500 outlined for him 2 years ago," President Both continued.

"His early commitment to the race, combined with his dedication over the years as a Queens Councilmember to helping Local 1500 members, is why Local 1500 is proud to support Eric Gioia to be the next Public Advocate of for the City of New York, " President Both concluded.

Director of Special Projects for UFCW Local1500 Patrick Purcell added "Local 1500 has a great deal of respect for the other candidates in this race and hope that we can support them in the future for other offices, as we have in the past," Purcell stated." However, Eric outlined an early vision and plan to be the next Public Advocate. He is the right person for the job. He has always been sensitive to the needs of working people in New York, and he will continue to aggressively address the concerns and issues affecting families throughout the city," concluded Purcell

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, based out of Queens Village, represents over 23,000 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 Rite, Gristedes, Fairway, D'Agostino, Key Food and Shop Rite.

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