Citing his work to raise the state’s minimum wage, paid family leave, and earned sick leave, six presidents of United Food and Commercial Workers unions that represent roughly 73,000 members across New Jersey have endorsed former Senate President Steve Sweeney for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.
The union leaders are Max Bruny (Local 888/Elmwood Park), Sam Ferraino, Jr. (Local 360/Berlin), Robert LaSalle (Local 312/Matawan), John Nicollai (Local 464A/Little Falls), and Harvey White (Local 1282/Clifton), along with Charles Hall, Jr., the president of the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Local 109 in Maplewood.
“The issues you are committed to – especially job growth and retention, better schools, and tax relief – are extremely important to the rank-and-file members of our union,” said Whille in a letter to Sweeney. “We especially appreciate your concerns regarding the increasing number of self-checkouts and the impact they are having on jobs.”
Sweeney, a veteran ironworkers union leader, is expected to make labor support a key element of his bid to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy in two years. He has already secured support from the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, the International Longshoremen’s Association, and New Jersey Building & Construction Trades Council President Bill Mullen.
Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, the other announced candidate in the race, has also won labor endorsements from the Amalgamated Transit Union International, Hospital & Health Care Employees District 1199, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees, SMART-TD Local 60, and three Teamsters locals.