UFCW Local 1500, the largest supermarket union in New York, held a press conference on September 21 to announce their endorsement of District Leader Costa Constantinides for City Council, District 22, which represents Astoria, and parts of Long Island City and Woodside. “Many elected officials talk the talk but few will walk the walk as consistently as Costa Constantinides will as a councilmember,” UFCW Local 1500 Assistant to the President Patrick Purcell said. “Whether it’s demanding Wal-Mart be held accountable for its unethical business practices or supporting the expansion of supermarkets into underserved communities and creating good food, good jobs and good health for thousands of New Yorkers, Costa will support good policy, works tirelessly to create coalitions and build consensus necessary to see these policies succeed.” UFCW Local 1500 represents more than 23,000 grocery workers in New York state. Members are employed by Stop Shop, Shop Rite, Pathmark, King Kullen and Fairway. Their members live and work in the five boroughs of the city. “Costa will be a true fighter for the American Dream as a Queens councilmember and will help more people realize that dream,” Purcell concluded. “I’m honored to have the support of the UFCW 1500,” Constantinides said. “Unions like UFCW are critical to building a strong future for Astoria. I have a vision—that we share— for a better Astoria and a better city. I will be a strong advocate in the city council for good jobs with a living wage. ” This early endorsement by a major labor union for the city council election, which will take place next year, is another sign of the strength of Constantinides’ campaign. Earlier this year, he was endorsed by the Working Families Party. “UFCW 1500 fights for working people—the people who have always been the heart of the Astoria I love,” Constantinides said.
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