AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT JOHN T. NICCOLLAI - THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022

May 26, 2022

The Honorable Phil Murphy

Governor, State of New Jersey

225 W. State Street

Trenton, NJ 08625

RE:      OPEN LETTER ON TEMPORARY ABATEMENT OF NEW JERSEY STATE GAS TAX

Dear Governor Murphy:

As you know, the ever-escalating cost of gasoline is now forcing working people to choose between putting food on the family table or putting fuel in their vehicles. Unfortunately, our members in the Supermarket Industry do not have the option of working from home.  They must get to their store every day. We should also be aware that we are moving into the traditional vacation period, with many workers looking forward to day trips to our beautiful Jersey Shore with their families.

We keep talking about rewarding our essential workers, like those employed at Supermarkets, who held our society together during the Pandemic by providing a steady supply of food. We even saw the Federal Government disperse funds to States that could be used to reward these heroes. Unfortunately, what we got was just the talk and no reward.

 There are five State Governors who have already suspended the gas tax in their respective states. New Jersey has not, and we should be aware that we have the fourth largest gas tax in the nation at 42.4 cents per gallon. The UFCW views you as one of our most astute political leaders, who truly understands the plight of working people.  That is why we have taken the time and effort of sending you this Open Letter and posting it on our Union Websites.

We respectfully request that you take the necessary actions, whether it be through your Executive Power or through the Legislature, to mandate a temporary abatement of the New Jersey Gas Tax.  This action will clearly demonstrate to our members, and all working people, that Government is willing to share the pain with us and not just benefit off our backs.

Respectfully,

John T. Niccollai                                                                          Harvey Whille

President, UFCW Local 464A                                                   President, UFCW Local 1262

Brian String                                                                                                                                                

President, UFCW Local 152                                                                                                                  

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