The Health Professional and Allied Employees (HPAE) union, which represents over 13,000 workers including those at the Heights University Hospital, are supporting Jersey City Ward E Councilman James Solomon for mayor.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“The HPAE endorsement is a tremendous honor and a huge responsibility. As a cancer survivor, I know firsthand what nurses put into their work, and it is only fair that we fight alongside them to preserve the dignity of that work,” Solomon said in a statement.
“That’s why I was proud to spearhead the citywide resolution calling on Christ Hospital’s new owners to honor their workers’ contracts. From the beginning of my career in public service, I’ve fought alongside unions like HPAE to protect the lives and livelihoods of every worker. As Mayor, I can’t wait to do even more.”
The HPAE represents employees throughout Hudson Regional Health, which also includes the Bayonne University Hospital and the Hoboken University Hospital, and they announced new three-year deals for their Bayonne and Jersey City union members last month.
This averted a strike and leadership for HRH called the deal “a historic agreement with the HPAE.”
“Council member Solomon has been a powerful champion of healthcare workers across Jersey City, and our endorsement of him is a testament to the leadership he’s demonstrated in public service,” HPAE President Debbie White.
“People all across the city should know that James is a true ally of the working class, and that he will fight for your right to an affordable, dignified life. That’s exactly what makes him the ideal candidate for Mayor at this time, and we’re proud to throw our full support behind him.”
The downtown councilman received the endorsement of the Committee of Interns and Residents SEIU (CIR), the healthcare union that represents resident physicians and fellows at the Jersey City Medical Center and Heights University Hospital back in June.
