Committee on Political Education (COPE)
Mission and Objectives
HPAE members formed the Committee on Political Education (COPE) to educate our elected officials about what is really going on in the health care system – and to fight for change. COPE organizes grass-roots mobilization efforts to win important legislation – and tracks the voting records of our state and federal legislators on HPAE issues. Using this information, COPE also interviews and screens candidates for office, making recommendations to HPAE members.
Through COPE, HPAE members have been instrumental in the drafting of new legislation, in providing testimony before legislators and government officials, and in organizing letter-writing efforts to persuade elected officials to support HPAE legislation.
News
HPAE Statement in response to Governor Murphy’s FY 2025 Budget Address
Governor Murphy's budget address had glimmers of hope, yet there is also much more to be done to retain our healthcare workers who continue to migrate out of the profession.
HPAE mourns the passing of Sen. Ronald Rice
HPAE, New Jersey's largest union of health care workers, mourns the passing of State Senator Ronald Rice, a tireless fighter for his city and state.
Murphy: ‘Norcross has Dedicated His Life to Fighting for NJ’s Working Families’
HPAE President Debbie White and Gov. Murphy join labor and political leaders at Norcross re-election launch.
HPAE Statement on the signing of the FY 2022 New Jersey Budget
We applaud the New Jersey Legislature for approving a State budget that invests in essential programs and services for next year and Gov. Phil Murphy for his leadership during the process and for now signing that budget into law.
HPAE endorses Phil Murphy for a 2nd Term as New Jersey Governor
The Healthcare Professionals and Allied Employees, in recognition of his steadfast support of frontline healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic, today endorsed Phil Murphy in his race to be re-elected as governor of New Jersey.
Sign up form for the NJ Legislative District 37 voter registration phone bank
The primary election is on June 8th and HPAE is supporting Valerie Vainieri Huttle for the NJ Senate, replace retiring Senator Loretta Weinberg who has been a strong advocate for working people in Legislative District 37. We are conducting phone
HPAE endorses Valerie Huttle in Legislative District 37 race to replace Senator Loretta Weinberg
HPAE President Debbie White, RN, said New Jersey’s largest union of nurses and healthcare workers is choosing Huttle because she is a longtime champion of working people.
HPAE Applauds the Restoration of Healthcare Funding in FY2021 NJ budget
HPAE and its more than 14,000 members commend our public officials—including Gov. Phil Murphy and our Legislative leadership—for approving New Jersey's Fiscal Year 2021 funding priorities.
NJ’s Largest Health Care Union Releases List of 2020 Endorsed Candidates
These endorsements come after an extensive review of the candidates’ positions and an endorsement was bestowed upon those who expressed or have shown a commitment to supporting the rights of healthcare workers and improving patient safety.
Testimony of President Ann Twomey, Monday, May 21, 2018 at the NJ Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee in support of S.1612, which establishes minimum certified nurse aide-to-resident ratios in nursing homes
We all need to stop fighting and move on to doing what’s best for the patients and families whose lives are in our hands – not just in California but in New Jersey and every state in the nation.
Testimony of President Ann Twomey, Monday, May 21, 2018 at the NJ Senate Labor Committee in Support of the Thomas P Canzanella 21st Century First Responders Protection Act
Our union supports this legislation which serves to ensure that Workers Compensation coverage for First Responders - including nurses and healthcare workers – is appropriately provided without long costly legal battles.
Education, Healthcare Unions Endorse Andy Kim for Congress
May 8, 2018 Nurses and educators reject MacArthur attacks on health and education systems The American Federation of Teachers New Jersey (AFTNJ) and Healthcare Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE), collectively representing more than 40,000 education and healthcare professionals in New
Legislative updates on issues that matter to HPAE and you
The following four pieces of legislation have passed both the Senate and Assembly and await Governor Murphy’s signature.
HPAE Thanks Senator Joe Vitale & Assemblyman Dan Benson
Nurses caring for patients at the bedside have a voice in their workplace when they are unionized. As the state’s largest healthcare union, HPAE represents 13,000 healthcare workers in hospitals, nursing homes, addiction treatment centers, health clinics, research labs and
Inspira RNs Meet With Political Leaders
With two weeks left before their contracts expire, nurses from HPAE Locals 5131 and 5621 met today with representatives from other unions and elected leaders at a community breakfast to discuss crucial staffing and patient care issues that
HPAE Testimony in Favor of Raising the Minimum Wage for NJ Workers to $15 Over the Next 5 Years
Testimony of Bridget Devane, Public Policy Director, HPAE In Support of S15 Good morning. Thank you, Chairman Madden and members of the Committee and S15 sponsors Senator Vitale and Sweeney for the opportunity to testify in support of S15, which
HPAE Local 5091 Holds Legislative Breakfast with Bergen County Political Leaders
With their contract expiring in less than a month, over 60 members of HPAE Local 5091 attended a legislative breakfast yesterday with state legislators to discuss the current contract negotiations with Bergen Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and the future
Protecting Public Services and Democracy in NJ Cities
President’s Message April 18, 2016 Public health professionals, residents, public service workers and local elected officials in New Jersey’s largest cities are watching with concern as the debate in Trenton continues over the proposed state takeover of Atlantic City. Placing
HPAE Supports Paycheck Fairness Act
HPAE Chief of Staff Jeanne Otersen spoke at the Botto House in Haledon, NJ at an event organized by Congressman Bill Pascrell in recognition of National Pay Equity Day. As a representative of HPAE, Jeanne added her voice in
Members Meet with Cumberland County Freedholders
Inspira RNs from Vineland had a meeting with the Cumberland County Freeholders to brief them on issues that will be presented at the upcoming negotiations and how they may impact the citizens of Cumberland County. Local 5131 RNs
HPAE Testifies at Budget Hearing
On Monday, HPAE’s Public Policy Director Bridget Devane gave testimony to the NJ Assembly Budget Committee (Committee Chair Gary Schaer in photo above) regarding the impact of Governor Christie’s proposed budget on health care access, worker safety, and public
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