FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 20, 2021

Contacts: Chelsea Connor, [email protected], 347-866-6259; Nikki Kateman, [email protected], 347-668-2860 

(MINEOLA, NY) – Today, in response to the senseless and tragic shooting at Stop & Shop in West Hempstead, New York, where many workers are represented by Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW, the union’s President John R. Durso issued the following statement: 

“We are devastated by the tragic shooting at the Stop & Shop in West Hempstead. Our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and all those, including workers and customers, who witnessed today’s horrifying events. Our priority is and always will be the physical and mental well-being of our members. Representatives of our union are on site at Stop & Shop and will be ensuring that our members have all of the support they need, including access to counseling. We encourage our members to reach out to us for anything they may need during this difficult time.

“The working people at Stop & Shop are essential workers and ensured that all of our communities, including West Hempstead, had what they needed to navigate the pandemic. The last year has been one full of resiliency, but also one of great worry. These workers have been through a tremendous amount and should never have to fear for their safety. We as a society must recognize that gun violence is a workplace safety issue and that as part of this healing, we must make changes to ensure that this doesn’t happen again. We owe it to our essential workers.”

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