Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union Endorses Bob Menendez for U.S. Senate

RWDSU credits Menendez for standing up for working people

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – The Menendez for Senate Campaign today announced that Bob Menendez has been endorsed by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) for U.S. Senate, citing the Senator’s strong record of fighting for working people in New Jersey.  

“I want to thank RWDSU for their support.  It was through the efforts of unions like theirs that workers achieved basic rights, livable wages, and a 40-hour work week, a fight that I proudly continue every day in the United States Senate,” said Menendez.   “I am fighting each day to strengthen the middle class and protect workers from powerful corporate interests.  When our unions are strong, our economy and our middle class are strong.”

Bob Menendez has made fighting for New Jersey’s middle class, expanding workers’ rights, and creating good-paying jobs among his top legislative priorities.  The Senator is a vocal advocate for making it easier for workers to unionize and to do so without any fear of retaliation, and has championed policies that protect employees from discrimination in the workplace.  He works to ensure the fair treatment, basic rights, and workplace safety for all workers.

“Senator Menendez has a strong record of fighting for working people in New Jersey, and now more than ever we need elected officials that stand up for America’s workforce instead of trampling on us.  Bob is that advocate in the United States Senate and we are proud to announce our support for his campaign today,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).  “Bob has been a fierce advocate for giving workers the opportunity to testify before the National Labor Relations Board without fear of retaliation.  Their voices, their issues, and their experiences need to be heard; and we know Senator Menendez won’t stand down in his fight to protect the rights of working people.  As a co-sponsor of the Protecting America’s Workers Act, Senator Menendez increased the penalties for violations and made it easier to prosecute employers.  For these and so many more reasons, from his stance on paid medical and paid sick leave to his fight to extend TPS for so many immigrant workers, we endorse Senator Menendez’s re-election campaign. Our members are ready to get to work. Working people cannot afford to lose United States Senator Robert Menendez.”

“Senator Menendez has been a tenacious advocate for union members and the working people for years—his stewardship of legislation that has made fundamental changes to everyday life for New Jerseyans is more critical now than ever before. I am proud to announce our support for his re-election campaign and our members are ready to hit the ground,” said Charles N. Hall Jr., President of Local 108 of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).

“We need elected officials that will stand up for working people in New Jersey; Senator Menendez is the strong voice we need in Washington right now and we are pleased to endorse his re-election campaign today,” said Tom Walsh, President of Local 262 of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).

RWDSU fights for progressive action on behalf of workers and for workers’ rights through contract negotiation, organizing, and standing up to corporate greed.  The union represents members who work in New Jersey warehouses, 911 call centers, in retail and grocery stores, among many other industries in the state.