Regunberg Apologizes for Crossing Providence Teachers’ Picket Line, Supports Stop & Shop Workers
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Former State Representative Aaron Regunberg has responded to reports by Providence teachers that he had crossed their picket line at a fundraiser for Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza in June -- while he has been outspoken in support of Stop & Shop workers during their current strike.
Regunberg, who had run for Rhode Island Lt. Governor in 2018, issued the following statement to GoLocalProv.com on Tuesday. On Monday, former Boston Bruins' player and Hall of Famer Ray Bourque apologized for crossing a Stop & Shop picket line.
Statement from Regunberg
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTI was explicitly told beforehand that was an informational picket only, and I apologized to my teacher friends who were disappointed by my action. I was proud to fight for public schools, public school teachers, and the labor movement before I was elected and every day I was in office, and I’ve been honored to have the support of every teachers union, including PTU, in each of my campaigns - because they know I've stood with our teachers time and time again.
I've also been proud to march with workers on every major strike in Rhode Island, from Verizon in 2016 to DHL in 2018 - and I'm grateful this year to be working with someone like Mayor Elorza who is standing with our neighbors at Stop & Shop. I plan to continue visiting striking Stop & Shop workers every day until this strike is won and they have the fair contract they deserve.
Regunberg on Stop & Shop
Regunberg, who has continued to be politically active following his defeat in the Democratic primary last September -- including announcing his support for a Green New Deal in Rhode Island in March -- sent the following email out on April 12.
Yesterday, thousands of Stop & Shop workers in Rhode Island and across New England went on strike.
I ask you to join me in standing in solidarity with these hardworking Rhode Islanders by honoring the strike until Stop & Shop offers its employees a fair contract.
Yesterday I visited three store branches in Providence to speak with striking workers, and I was inspired by their united, brave commitment to stand up for themselves and their families.
These are mothers, fathers, and professionals - many of whom have been loyal employees of Stop & Shop for 20 or 30 years. Yet right now they are facing draconian cuts that threaten their basic economic security.
Stop & Shop's parent company made over $2 billion in profits last year, and recently received a $225 million tax cut from Trump. Yet they are demanding that their workers accept deep cuts to their pensions, health benefits, sick days, and take home pay. It's simply not right.
American workers are struggling with stagnating wages, while the wealth of those at the very top continues to increase exponentially. That's what this fight is about. And that's why it's so important we back our fellow Rhode Islanders until they secure the fair contract they and their families deserve.
Thank you for supporting their stand.
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