NEJB Announces Endorsement of Steve Grossman for MA Governor

NEW BEDFORD- Today our union announced its endorsement of Steve Grossman for Governor of Massachusetts. Members, officers, and staff of the New England Joint Board gathered outside of the Joseph Abboud factory in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where over 600 NEJB members are employed, to make the announcement. 

Against the backdrop of the growing factory, Bert Barao, President of the NEJB and a full time tailor at Macy’s in Braintree, highlighted the significance of the setting. “The story of this factory and it’s continued growth serves as a model for positive labor management relations and underscores that we CAN still make things in the USA while protecting and creating good quality union jobs. Today we’re here to announce our endorsement of a man who will do just that.” 

Ethan Snow, Chief of Staff and Political Director for the union, stressed Grossman’s progressive values for the reason for the endorsement. “Steve knows that we’re all better off when workers are treated fairly and valued as part of the solution to our economic troubles, not the problem. He’s done this as a businessman and will continue to do this as Governor of the Commonwealth.”

The New England Joint Board represents approximately 8,000 members in New England and New York with about 5,000 throughout Massachusetts. Our union represents workers in the textile, garment, manufacturing, laundry, warehousing, food service, and human services industries. For over one hundred years our union’s mission has been to bring low wage workers into the middle class with dignity and respect.

Grossman, the current State Treasurer, highlighted his plans to build the economy and support immigrant workers. “Immigrant families built our country, and we ought to treat all people with the dignity and respect they deserve. As governor, I’ll create new manufacturing jobs that pay a living wage, and I’ll fight to reform our broken immigration system so that hard-working families can have a fair chance to get ahead and build a brighter future.”

After the event Treasurer Grossman spent time meeting with the Joseph Abboud workers, answering questions, and learning more about the work of the skilled union garment workers. 

 

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