August 11, 2021
HOLYOKE — Rebecca Lisi has earned the endorsement of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1459 in her campaign to be mayor of Holyoke.
“We have gotten to know you well throughout the time you have served Holyoke as a City Councilor and have no doubt that you would be a tremendous advocate for working people when you win the Mayoral race,” said Matt Szulborski, UFCW 1459 Political Director, in the union’s endorsement letter.
“You have always put workers first and your unique knowledge of Holyoke makes you perfectly qualified for the position you seek.”
Before running for mayor, Lisi had been endorsed by UFCW Local 1459 in each of her seven at-large city council races.
“I am so grateful for UFCW 1459’s consistent support over the years,” said Lisi. “UFCW 1459 has an amazing presence in Holyoke and has worked hard on behalf of its members — and with the City — to advance good jobs with fair pay and benefits for our community.”
UFCW Local 1459 represents about 5,000 members in Western MA and Vermont. Their membership includes those in retail food, food co-ops, school transportation, the public sector, health care, and other fields.
Locally, UFCW 1459 represents workers at Stop and Shop Stores #0009 (Lincoln St.) and #0030 (Northampton St.); the bus drivers and monitors with Durham School Services that currently holds the bus operator contract with the City; the Department of Public Works laborers; and many others.
In 2018, Lisi was a vocal advocate for the retention of the union contract with UFCW 1459 when Holyoke Public Schools (HPS) announced that they would be changing their special education transportation contract from minibuses to vans. Ultimately, a compromise was reached that preserved most jobs and saved almost $1 million a year in transportation costs.
Lisi supported the UFCW 1459 Holyoke Lincoln St. workers in their strike against Stop and Shop in 2019. She refused to cross the striking workers’ picket line and urged other Holyoke residents to do the same. On Facebook she posted to a black background “I support UFCW 1459. No contract, no Stop & Shop for me.”
A strong advocate for workers’ rights and other progressive issues, Lisi has earned the endorsement of the Massachusetts Nurses Association and the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus. She has been designated a “Rising Star” by Mass Alliance, a progressive coalition of 28-member organizations.
The four pillars of Lisi’s campaign for mayor are education, economic development, being welcoming to newcomers and civic engagement.
Voters will narrow the field of candidates for mayor to the top two vote-getters in the preliminary election Sept. 21. Those two will compete for mayor on Election Day Nov. 2.
Vote Lisi!