FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 20, 2021

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

RWDSU STATEMENT WEST HEMPSTEAD SHOOTING

(NEW YORK, NY) – Today, in response to the senseless and tragic shooting at Stop & Shop in West Hempstead, New York, where approximately 150 workers are represented by Local 338 of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), Stuart Appelbaum issued the following statement: 

“What happened today is something no worker should ever have to face, a gunman in their workplace. We are long overdue for critical and sensible gun reform in the United States that ensures no one ever has to endure what our members endured today. 

“The local union’s representatives are on the ground ensuring members have the counseling, and every resource necessary right now. They have the full resources of our office as well. What matters right now is that our members are safe, and that as the events of today continue to unfold we are with them. 

“No worker should have to worry about whether or not they will go home to their families at night, and tonight sadly, someone won’t be going home. That is unconscionable. 

“It will take a long time to heal from today’s tragedy. Our members have been on the frontlines of the pandemic for over a year, they have already endured too much, and we cannot and will not stand for senseless gun violence in their workplaces. We can, and we must ensure workers are safe at work.”

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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.