UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS ENDORSE SABINA MATOS FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Rhode Island’s Largest Grocery and Food Workers Union Backs Matos in 2026 Race

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos today announced the endorsement of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), the union representing thousands of Rhode Island grocery store workers, food processing employees, and retail workers across the state.

The UFCW endorsement reflects Matos’s consistent record standing with working families, from fighting for fair wages and workplace protections to her advocacy on grocery affordability through her Fair Price Grocery Agenda.

“Sabina Matos has been a real partner for our members — not just in words, but in action,” said Domenic Pontarelli, Secretary-Treasurer, of UFCW. “When grocery workers needed someone in state government who understood what they were up against — rising costs, corporate consolidation, job security — Sabina showed up. She has been a champion for the men and women who stock our shelves, run our registers, and keep food on Rhode Island families’ tables. We see her taking action to lower grocery prices for families and are proud to stand with her.”

Lieutenant Governor Matos called the endorsement a reflection of shared values.

“Rhode Island’s grocery and food workers are the backbone of our communities,” said Matos. “They showed up every single day through a pandemic, kept our families fed, and never got the recognition they deserved. Earning the trust of UFCW means everything to me. I will keep fighting for every worker who punches a clock and deserves a fair shot.”