>>Valley Patriot>> |
The press conference, held at Malden Mills, included: speaker Warren Pepicelli, Manager of New England Joint Board and International Vice President of UNITE HERE; Paul Cory, President of Malden Mills Local 311; and, Nelson Rampsay, President of Mechanist Union Local 1271. On hand to support Alvarez were former Council President Steve Kfoury (who is also chairman of the Democrat City Committee), council candidate Grisel Silva, former candidate for state representative Jonathan Leavitt, community activist Gloria Swartz, mayoral candidate Howard Tejeda, and supporters from the Devers mayoral campaign, including Alfredo Cruz. Mr. Pepicelli said that the unions were proud to endorse Alvarez because of her “commitment to helping Lawrence workers” and because “she has always defended the rights of workers every time they needed it.” Pepicelli said that Nilka will do an excellent job as councilor-at-large. Rampsay also spoke very highly of Alvarez, stating that while she was a district councilor, she was “instrumental” in working with Merrimack Valley Project to expose poor working conditions of temporary workers at Gillette. Alvarez then spoke to the crowd recalling how, as a child, she had the tragic misfortune of her depressed father committing suicide because he could not find work. She said that experience has inspired her to a life-long goal of helping poor people find work and hold employers accountable to their employees. Alvarez-Rodriguez’s father had been laid off prior to his death. “I am truly grateful to receive the endorsements of these three unions,” she added. “I believe in local jobs for local people and I will continue to fight for jobs for all Lawrencians. I know personally how hard it is for a family to survive after the bread winner is laid off or finds himself out of work. I promise to do everything in my power to help the people of Lawrence earn a decent living for their family and try to achieve the American dream.” Alvarez-Rodriguez resigned from the city council earlier this year after being forced to move from her home in the Arlington Neighborhood. Though her family purchased a home on Prospect Hill (District "A") she originally announced that she would finish her term as a District "C" councilor, promising to live with a friend in the district until her term expired. But the former councilor said that the separation from her family was too difficult and resigned a few weeks later, paving the way for the city council to appoint Barbara Gonzalez to fill the remainder of her term. Gonzalez is now seeking election in District "C" against School Committeeman Jorge Gonzalez and city resident Joe Boren. Alvarez is
well known as a champion of women’s issues and women’s
rights. *Send your questions
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Former District “C” city
councilor and at-large candidate Nilka Alvarez-Rodriguez
received endorsements last month from local labor unions
before a substantial crowd of supporters.