For immediate release July 4, 2012

Press Contact: or 212-694-8762

Vice-Presidential Candidate to Support Locked Out ConEd Workers

‘ConEd workers deserve all our support!’

Candidate to Hold Press Conference near Picket Line
Thursday, July 5, 11am
4 Irving Place, NY, NY 100003

PSL Vice-Presidential Candidate Yari Osorio condemned ConEd management today for the lockout of 8,500 workers who are fighting to retain their hard-earned pension benefits. Osorio called on supporters of his campaign, along with the thousands who have taken to the streets against Wall Street greed, to join the Utility Workers Union of America at their picket locations throughout the city. He announced that on Thursday he would show his support at the Irving Place Manhattan site and hold a press conference nearby at 11am.

“These workers have dangerous jobs, work in extremely difficult jobs, and only want to be treated with the respect they deserve. For the sake of securing ever-greater corporate profits, Con Ed is trying to strong arm their employees, and in the process is putting the whole city at risk,” Osorio said.

He continued, “While the company will pursue a policy of divide-and-conquer, trying to pit New York City residents against ConEd workers, and older workers against new hires, we call for unity against this corporate monopoly. ConEd Customers and workers have a common interest and must stand together.”

Osorio explained how ConEd’s aggression is the product of constant deregulation and privatization of major utilities. “Both Republicans and Democrats created a context in which ConEd could impose sky-high monopoly pricing, cut back on services and attack their employees. In contrast, our campaign stands against privatization, for making public utilities accountable to the public, not to financial investors.”

“Over the past year, hundreds of thousands of people around the country have taken to the streets to show their disgust for a system where the super-rich ruling class and their politicians—the 1 percent—make all the rules while we suffer,” he continued. “The ConEd lockout is another example of why we need a new system, where the needs of poor and working people come first. That’s why I am running on the PSL’s presidential ticket—to give a voice in the elections for all those who stand against privatization, cutbacks and layoffs. Socialism means poor and working people come first!”

Osorio is available for interviews — please use contact information above.

Go to VotePSL.org for more information.

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