CONGRESSMAN ANDY KIM JOINS RWDSU MEMBERS FOR ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON WORKPLACE ISSUES & WALKTHROUGHS OF UNION WORKPLACES IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY WEEKS AHEAD OF ELECTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, October 9, 2024

CONTACT: Chelsea Connor | cconnor@rwdsu.org | 347-866-6259

RWDSU Members Highlight New Jersey’s Need for a Senator Who Will Bring the Challenges of the Streets They Live and Work on Every Day to Washington, but More Importantly, Bring the Resources Home We Need to Make Everyday Life Better

(NEWARK, NJ) – Today, Congressman Andy Kim met with union leadership and members of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) from several industries for a roundtable discussion on workplace issues and joined the union for workplace walkthroughs at Twin City supermarket and Newark Airport. (Photos of today’s event can be found here.)

RWDSU Local 108 members joined the conversation with Congressman Kim from a myriad of industries across New Jersey, including grocery and supermarket workers, nursing and housekeeping workers in both live-in and temporary care facilities, bus and shuttle bus drivers and mechanics, warehousing and distribution workers, as well as public sector workers, including crossing guards and parking authority officers. Congressman Kim was also joined by RWDSU National President Stuart Appelbaum, RWDSU Local 108 President Charles N. Hall Jr., and RWDSU Local 108 Secretary-Treasurer Ousmane Ngokana.

“This morning with RWDSU, I spoke with grocery store workers and cashiers, and shuttle drivers at Newark Airport about their needs on the job, and what I can do to support them as the next Senator for New Jersey,” said Congressman Andy Kim. “The stories and discussions we had today give me hope that we can find tangible solutions to improve the lives of union members who dedicate themselves to helping New Jersey run; today was just the beginning of working together to build a better state for our workers.”

“We know that Andy Kim will fight for working families because he has a track record of doing just that. Meetings and walkthroughs like today’s tell us he hears our concerns and he wants to make sure employers are keeping workers safe and holding up their end of the contract – RWDSU members in New Jersey are ready to send Andy Kim to DC as New Jersey’s Senator,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).

“Our members need a Senator who will stand on the frontlines for them in Washington. Congressman Andy Kim has never wavered in his support for our members, whether they work in nursing or in the public sector or essential services like grocery stores, warehousing, and distribution, or as bus and shuttle bus drivers. When our members have needed him, he’s been there. That’s why during this election we’re standing for him. Today, he took the time to hear our members' concerns, and walk through a day in their lives. We know he’ll take that understanding with him as he fights for workers in DC – it’s incredibly important we have that advocate,” said Charles N. Hall Jr., President of Local 108 of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU)

The RWDSU’s 10,000+ members across New Jersey have been working in support of Kim’s campaign since the union endorsed the Congressman earlier this summer, by phone banking, canvassing, and spreading the word among fellow members in the state to make their plan to vote ahead of or on election day.

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The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) represents 100,000 members throughout the United States. The RWDSU is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). For more information, please visit our website at www.rwdsu.org, Facebook:/RWDSU.UFCW Twitter:@RWDSU.