Stop & Shop, Shaw's & Supermarket Workers Endorse DeStefano

July 31, 2006

President of largest labor union in Fairfield County - representing 10,000 workers statewide - says Malloy's record for working families is "shaky."

New Haven - John DeStefano - Democratic candidate for governor - today stood with supermarket workers from across Connecticut and accepted the endorsement of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, the largest labor union in Fairfield County - representing more than 10,000 workers statewide. Supermarket workers and union leadership joined DeStefano for news conferences at the Stop & Shops in Bridgeport and Rocky Hill.

Local 371 President Brain Petronella said, "We're endorsing John DeStefano because of his leadership on universal health care, tax relief for seniors, and increasing the minimum wage. There are two kinds of Democrat, real Democrats, and then just Democrats. As far as I'm concerned DeStefano is a real Democrat with real values and programs that will help working families."

"My campaign stands for working families and I'm honored to have the support of the men and women of the UFCW," said DeStefano. "Whether it's universal health care, fighting for increases in the minimum wage or helping parents and children get the child support they deserve, I will always stand with working families."

Petronella added, "DeStefano is more progressive than Dan Malloy, whose record for working families is shaky. Malloy has not talked about the Wal-Mart effect and the Wal-Mart economy, and has not been outspoken about raising the minimum wage. In addition, Malloy has had his own labor problems with his police and municipal workers."

Petronella also detailed how his members will mobilize for DeStefano over next week, "We'll be reaching out to every single member in state of Connecticut, asking them to vote for John and asking them to ask their family and friends to vote for John. We are a statewide organization and will communicate with all members, whether they live in New Haven, Norwalk, Stamford, Bridgeport, or other communities."

DeStefano has earned the endorsement of U.S. Reps. John Larson and Rosa DeLauro, along with Lt. Gov. Kevin Sullivan, Senate President Pro Tem Don Williams, Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney, and House Majority Leader Chris Donovan. The CT AFL-CIO - representing 210,000 working families and over 600 labor unions - has also endorsed DeStefano, the first time the organization has ever endorsed a candidate in a gubernatorial primary.