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Summer heatwave continues in New York City
(New York, NY) — The former co-founder of United Bodegas of America (UBA) in New York City has resigned. Fernando Mateo stepped down from his leadership role, after the group’s president Radhames Rodriguez endorsed Zohran Mamdani to be the next mayor of New York City. Mateo called the endorsement a “betrayal” and said Rodriguez didn’t consult anyone. In addition, Mateo says the endorsement illegally violated the bodega owners group’s nonprofit status.
Listen To Cats & Cosby’s Interview with Fernando Mateo here:
Over the summer, UBA was concerned over Mamdani’s plan to ” launch five city-owned grocery stores in as many boroughs would put the small shop owners out of business.” However, Rodriguez this week said, “Mamdani will cut fines and fees for small business in-house, allow business to get up and run faster.” He added, Mamdani “will speed up permits and make the online application easier.”
Mateo said the UBA should remain politically neutral and focus on advocating for issues that affect independent bodega owners. Mateo also announced that he plans to form a new coalition called Bodega Alliance. He hopes this group will better represent the interests of small-shop owners across all five boroughs.
77 WABC News Director James Flippin caught up with Mateo when he was at the studio for an interview.
@jamescflippin EXCLUSIVE: Fernando Mateo the leader of the NYC bodegas union is fed up! #nyc #mamdani #Sliwa #Cuomo #bodega
