UFCW Essential Workers Applaud Newsom Victory

Sacramento, CA – The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council today celebrated Governor Gavin Newsom’s overwhelming victory in the partisan anti-worker recall election. UFCW workers across California, the state’s grocery workers, pharmacists, cannabis workers and other hard-working Californians, knocked on tens of thousands of doors and made hundreds of thousands of phone calls to let their neighbors know their union stood for Gavin Newsom and to vote no on the recall.

“Governor Newsom has stood with workers since day one of his governorship and we knew we had to put our all into making sure he beat back this partisan anti-worker recall,” said Andrea Zinder, President, UFCW Western States Council and UFCW Local 324. “From the onset of the pandemic, Gavin Newsom displayed bold leadership and vision to fight for what’s right, saving our members and millions of other Californians’ lives through quick action on worker safety, paid sick leave and workers’ compensation benefits. We’re glad to be a part of why Governor Newsom can finish out his term and continue to work on behalf of California’s workers.”

“Governor Newsom had our back during the darkest days in recent memory when our members were on the frontlines, facing the brunt of the pandemic, and union members turned out in force to stop this sham of a recall,” said Jim Araby, Director of Strategic Campaigns, UFCW Local 5. “Under Governor Newsom’s continued leadership, California can now ensure California is the best and brightest it can be, including creating quality jobs that support families and communities, and a commitment to affordable health care, criminal justice reform and workers’ right to have a voice on the job.”

“We’re glad California voters saw that Governor Newsom is clearly the best choice to continue leading California, a state that exemplifies progressive values,” said John Grant, President, UFCW Local 770. “Newsom’s leadership is exactly what California needs to continue building a strong economy where workers’ voices are respected and create good jobs and opportunities for our children as our state rises out of the pandemic. We’re glad we will be able to continue working with the Governor to ensure California keeps moving forward.”