Retail workers union endorses Sherrill

The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) has announced its support for Democrat Mikie Sherrill for governor, adding to a steady stream of labor groups who typically side with Democrats signing on after the primary election picked a nominee.

“Our members – grocery store workers, nursing home workers, bus and shuttle drivers, public service staff, and more – kept New Jersey running during the toughest days of the pandemic, and they deserve a Governor who won’t forget that,” said Charles Hall Jr., the RWDSU Local 108 president. “Mikie Sherrill gets it. She’s stood with us in Washington, and we know she’ll continue to stand with us in Trenton. We need a Governor who listens to workers, respects unions, and delivers real results. That’s Mikie Sherrill.”

RWDSU Local 262 President Daniel Righetti said that Sherrill “has always been accessible to labor and attentive to the issues facing working people in our state.”

“Whether it’s supporting legislation to strengthen workplace safety or advocating for fair wages, Mikie understands the daily struggles of our members and the broader labor movement,” said Righetti.  “As governor, we know she’ll fight for union jobs, safe workplaces, and strong communities.”

Stuart Applebaum, the national RWDSU president for the last 27 years and a close friend of Gov. Phil Murphy, also endorsed Sherrill.  Applebaum is a force in national Democratic politics.

“Mikie Sherrill is the kind of principled leader working people need in New Jersey. From fighting for union rights in Congress to supporting critical investments in public services, she’s demonstrated that she understands both the dignity of work and the needs of working families,” said Applebaum.  “She’s shown up for our members—not just with words, but with action—and we know she’ll continue to stand up for workers as governor.”

The union represents workers in the grocery, retail, warehousing, healthcare, manufacturing, transport, public service sectors, and other industries, and has approximately 15,000 members in New Jersey.