States Largest Grocery Workers Union Endorses Melinda Katz for Queens Borough President

WESTBURY, NY (03/27/2013)(readMedia)-- The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1500, New York State's largest grocery workers union, today announced its endorsement of Melinda Katz for Queens Borough President in 2013.

"Throughout her career, Melinda Katz has distinguished herself as a vocal and aggressive advocate for the working families that reside in Queens County. She has been a steadfast defender of a worker's rights to organize, earn a living wage and live the American Dream" said UFCW Local 1500 President Bruce W. Both. "UFCW Local 1500 is excited to support her 2013 campaign to bring strong working class values and common sense governing to the Office of Queens Borough President. Our 23,000 members are proud to endorse Melinda Katz to be the next Queens Borough President."

UFCW Local 1500 represents 23,000 grocery workers across New York State with just over 10,000 members located within the five boroughs. UFCW Local 1500 helped write and pass the NYC FRESH Initiative, a zoning and financing law aimed at bringing more Supermarkets to under served communities. The Union also serves on the New York State Supermarket Commission.

UFCW Local 1500 also has an active "Women's Network," which assesses issues particular to women like domestic violence and breast cancer awareness, and develops action programs to address them. Over half of UFCW Local 1500's members are women.

"Many elected officials talk the talk but few walk the walk as consistently and with such unwavering dedication as Melinda Katz," said Rhonda Nelson UFCW Local 1500 Recorder and Chair of the UFCW Women's Network. "Whether it is demanding Wal-Mart be held accountable for it's unethical business practices or supporting the expansion of supermarkets into under served communities and creating good food, good jobs and good health for thousands of New Yorkers, Melinda Katz does not just support good policy, she works tirelessly to create coalitions and build consensus necessary see these policies succeed. As a mother, a full time worker and now candidate for Queens Borough President," Nelson continued, " Melinda is an inspiration to countless young women in our Union and we will work hard to see she is elected."

United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, based out of Westbury, NY 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, Fairway, D'agastinos, Key Food and Shop Rite.