UFCW Issues Statement on Members Killed in Racially Motivated Mass Shooting in Buffalo

Our hearts are with the families of the ten people who were killed and three who were injured at a Tops grocery store in Buffalo, New York, on Saturday in what police described as “a racially motivated hate crime.” The mass shooting took place in a predominantly Black neighborhood where four Tops workers were among the victims. United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1 represents dozens of employees at the store. The union is collaborating with Tops management to ensure all of its members receive the support they need.

Local 1 President Frank DeRiso quickly responded to news of the worst mass shooting in Buffalo history. “It’s just terrible,” he told The Buffalo News. “And then, you know, you’re a customer, you go there to shop on a Saturday afternoon, never expecting that you’re not going to come home. It’s just senseless, it’s stupid. And something’s got to be done about it.” 

In a statement, UFCW International President Marc Perrone said the union is "heartbroken" about such a senseless act of violence against grocery workers and customers."Our hearts are with our members, the families, loved ones, coworkers, and community who are enduring the most unthinkable pain and loss this evening," said Perrone on Saturday. “Over and over again, workers across industries, including UFCW grocery workers, have been subjected to this type of senseless hate and workplace violence. It is long overdue for America‘s elected leaders to take the steps necessary to protect our workers and communities from these continued acts of hate and violent tragedies.”