Steven Fulop Picks Up Endorsement of State’s Largest Health Care Union
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Bruno Tedeschi
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Health Professionals and Allied Employees Backing is Latest High-profile Endorsement From Organized Labor
JERSEY CITY – March 25, 2013 – The State Executive Council of New Jersey’s largest health care union, the Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE), endorsed Steven Fulop for Mayor of Jersey City, citing his support for community health care and the rights of patients and healthcare workers during the effort to preserve Christ Hospital in Jersey City last year.
HPAE is the state’s largest health care union, representing 12,000 nurses and health professionals at hospitals, nursing homes, home care facilities, blood banks and universities, including at Christ Hospital in Jersey City.
“Each day, nurses and health professionals are by the side of our patients – and speaking up to protect access to quality care for our communities,” said Ann Twomey, president of the 12,000-member health care union. “In a rapidly changing healthcare industry, we need the leadership of elected officials like Steven Fulop to make sure that patients and the needs of our communities come first. Steven Fulop has proven himself an effective advocate for the Jersey City community in protecting access to health care and deserves the support of nurses, healthcare workers and patients. ”
“The hardworking members of the HPAE are the backbone of our city. It’s an honor to receive their endorsement,” Fulop said. “As mayor, I will be an ally for the members of HPAE. I will fight to protect workplace rights and be an advocate for continued access to quality healthcare for the families of Jersey City.”
HPAE’s backing is the latest in a string of high-profile endorsements Fulop has received from organized labor. Fulop is also endorsed by SEIU Local 32BJ, which has more than 125,000 members in eight states and Washington D.C., the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, which represents 6,500 heavy equipment operators in New Jersey and New York; and the American Federation of Teachers Local 1839 in Jersey City, which represents 900 members.