"We decided to organize a professional nurses union in 1996, because we were tired of standing by while management made cuts that were detrimental to ourselves and our patients. Organizing with HPAE has given us a real voice in issues that are important to us as professionals. We, the nurses, have an equal voice in the decision making in our hospital. We have been able to improve conditions for ourselves and our patients because together we have the power to make real, lasting changes."
Joan Johnson, RN
Virtua-Memorial Hospital, Local 5105

 
"As health care professionals, we have a right and responsibility to protect ourselves and our patients, and to promote quality health care and research. When health professionals organize, we can more effectively exercise our rights and fulfill our responsibilities. Being union members means we have a protected voice in shaping our own work environment and the larger health care environment in this country."
Thomas Murphy
Research Teaching Specialist


 
"I’ve been a member of HPAE since 1996. It really is our professional obligation to represent ourselves and our patients through our union. Our union allows us to be a patient advocate, without fear of losing our job, and to advocate for our profession too. So many of the advances nurses and health professionals have made in NJ are because HPAE won them, in a contract or legislation. Our united voice across the state lifts up every health care worker, and our patients, too. I’m really proud to be part of a union that works so closely with consumer and senior groups to help reform our health care system – to put patients first."
Claudia Storicks
                                                      Virtua-Memorial Hospital, Local 5105