FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 4, 2021

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

STATEMENT FROM RWDSU

(NEW YORK, NY) – Today, in light of the findings of the independent investigation conducted into the allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) issued the following statement calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign:

“Governor Andrew Cuomo has provided crucial leadership during the pandemic; he raised the minimum wage to $15 before any other state; he achieved marriage equality in New York when others didn’t believe it would be possible. Our union will always be grateful for when his leadership supported our members.

“Yet after reading the 164-page report of the independent investigation overseen by the Office of the State Attorney General, we cannot ignore the facts. The Governor’s behavior towards women in his own workplace was well documented and verified through multiple sources. There can be no denying that his behavior created a toxic environment for women, and can only be called sexual harassment.

“The RWDSU fights daily to uphold our values of dignity and respect in the workplace for our members.  We cannot accept anything less from our leaders. Whether Governor Cuomo believes he acted maliciously or not, we cannot look the other way; nor should he. Governor Cuomo needs to recognize the harm he has caused the women who have bravely come forward. While we acknowledge the good things he has achieved, now is the time for Governor Cuomo to resign.”

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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.