In the months leading up to the citywide primary and general elections, the Times Newsweekly/Ridgewood Times will feature in this column press releases and statements sent by the campaigns of the candidates on the ballot.
The statements in this column do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Times Newsweekly/Ridgewood Times or its staff. Mud-slinging statements which include personal attacks on candidates are omitted.
Queens Beep Race
UFCW Endorses Katz For Beep
The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1500, New York State’s largest grocery workers union, today announced its endorsement of former City Council Member 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.”
“The endorsement of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1500 means a great deal to me. The UFCW has long been involved in helping working families and women. What a powerful legacy! I will be proud to work with the UFCW as Borough President in its ongoing fight for fair contracts and living wages,” said Katz.
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.
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.
Peralta Supports DREAM Act
State Sen. Jose Peralta, a candidate for Queens borough president, announced his support of the DREAM Act in a statement.
“It took great courage and leadership to achieve marriage equality in New York and to pass the toughest gun laws in the country. Rather than wait on the federal government to do something, Governor Cuomo instead showed the federal government how to get big, important, meaningful things done.
“On behalf of all Dreamers, I am urging Governor Cuomo to again bring to bear his great courage, considerable political skills and extraordinary leadership abilities in getting something big, important and meaningful done. And make no mistake: Immigration reform is important and most certainly needs to get done.
“As a sound investment in our state’s workforce and future that would eventually pay for itself many times over, the Dream Act belongs in the budget.
“The Dream Act means far too much to far too many people to continue to be ignored.”
For more information on voting or to obtain a voting registration application, contact the New York City Board of Elections at 1-212-VOTENYC or visit www.vote.nyc.ny.us.
Press representatives of candidates may send their information to this paper by fax to 1-718-456-0120 or e-mail to info@times newsweekly.com. All releases are subject to editing.
