HPAE/AFT/AFL-CIO

Private Equity Delivers High Risk, Low Returns and Costly Fees WASHINGTON—Private equity does not deliver the superior returns that its advocates insist justify pension fund investment in this sector, and such investment would be highly risky for retail investors...

Private equity has a track of record all right: one of extracting huge fees from our members’ retirement savings and with zero transparency and disappointing returns. Read more in our new report with @OurFinancialSecurity.org: www.aft.org/press-releas...

NJ hospitals told they must maintain charity care | NJ Spotlight News While the status quo continues, the charity care program has changed significantly since the lawsuit was filed in 2017.

Court rules NJ hospitals must maintain charity care www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/07/cour...

It was great to be with delegates from NJ AFL-CIO today. They know the different that a union can make in the lives of working people. And they're gearing up to be ready to turn voters out for pro-worker candidates up and down the ballot.

We're ready to fight for leaders like @mikiesherrill.bsky.social. She's supported by working people and our unions because she'll fight for it. She gets working families, she's one of us.

Trump Administration Attacks on Social Security Put Kids and Families at Risk Millions of American children and their families count on benefits from the Social Security Administration each month—but Trump administration actions are undermining these essential supports.

Millions of American children and their families count on benefits from the Social Security Administration each month—but Trump administration actions are undermining these essential supports. ‪@mollyww.bsky.social‬ explains:

As contract expires, Bergen New Bridge nurses push for better staff ratios The union representing nurses at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus have authorized a strike if a new contract agreement can’t be reached.

HPAE members at Bergen New Bridge have authorized a strike if an agreement can’t be reached that provides lower staff-to-patient ratios. Studies show RN-patient ratios not only improve patient outcomes and patient satisfaction scores but increase retention of RNs.
www.northjersey.com/story/news/h...

Inspira Health workers prepared to strike for 'safe staffing' Health care workers at the Inspira facilities in Bridgeton and Vineland are prepared to go on strike if their new contracts do not include enforceable nurse-to-patient ratios, their union said.

pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/b...

Building boom: NJ hospitals plan $6.5B in expansion projects as care and costs rise The projects for NJ hospitals come amid spiraling medical costs, staff shortages and a massive pullback in government health care funding.

Nurses' unions have made staffing ratios their top priority in recent contract negotiations and have scored victories at several NJ hospitals. "Square footage alone won’t improve access or patient quality outcomes," Cola said. #SafeStaffingSavesLives @aft.org www.northjersey.com/story/news/h...

HPAE statement on the federal budget - Insider NJ HPAE statement on the federal budget: “The budget deal passed by the Republicans in the House of Representatives strips away support programs from the people who need it most in order to give large ta...

No NJ Hospital will suffer more than University Hospital. The vast majority of UH patients rely on government funding for their healthcare, making up 80% of the hospital's net patient revenue, with over a third coming from Medicaid. www.insidernj.com/press-releas...

Science Shows Nurse-to-Patient Ratios Protect Patients ~ HPAE 2025 Nurses Week Op-Ed - Insider NJ By HPAE President Debbie White, RN EMERSON NJ—It never ceases to amaze those of us who have read the research and know the truth, just how “uninformed” many hospital administrators claim to be.  This ...

It never ceases to amaze those who know the truth, just how “uninformed” many hospital administrators claim to be. This is not a guess; there is well-documented research showing that safe staffing is best for patients, nurses and even the hospitals, themselves. www.insidernj.com/science-show...

Will leadership solve distressed Newark hospital? | NJ Spotlight News University Hospital is NJ's only public hospital and sees the most in state funding. It's getting another change in administration

Who will lead UH, Level 1 trauma center, highest # of uninsured patients? Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz' “I’m hoping for someone with a forceful voice who can push for their needs.”
Debbie White, HPAE, "UH should be a priority now more than ever.” www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/05/will...

Worker safety agency NIOSH lays off most remaining staff Laid-off employees ranged from those working in firefighter health programs, to those approving new respirators.

Healthcare workers face unsafe conditions every day. Without government oversight & guidance these NIOSH layoffs further jeopardize workers on the frontlines saving lives. Workers will need to stay vigilant & vocal protecting themselves, coworkers and patients.
www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/wor...

Local 5138 RNs voted to authorize a strike. Nurses are fighting for safe staffing ratios in their contract to keep patients safe. The bargaining team continues to negotiate with Hackensack Meridian. https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/southern-ocean-nurses-overwhelmingly-authorize-strike/

"We are here to tell the state legislators that they must protect New Jersey from the enormous cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. We must protect New Jersey’s public healthcare, including University Hospital here in Newark."
@hpae.bsky.social President Debbie White.

After getting some rest, I am in awe of everyone who continues to lift their voice and speak out. This is a moment for our country, and we must make a choice about the America we want to be.

Working people are fed up with a system where CEOs make 238x what they make.

We don’t have to accept the current state of our country, where billionaires take more and more while workers live paycheck-to-paycheck.

It’s time to fight for our fair share. aflcio.org/formaunion

We are so proud of the great Senator from NJ. Stay Strong @booker.senate.gov!

Since last night, Senator Booker has stood on the Senate floor, speaking out on critical issues like Social Security, healthcare, and education. Thank you @booker.senate.gov for your powerful leadership and tireless advocacy. Watch here to see him #ProtectOurKids: bsky.app/profile/book...

In these unusual times, we must use our voice to protect those who are most vulnerable. We are listening with gratitude. Stay strong Senator Booker.

Live: Speaking on Trump, Musk, and America’s Moral Moment on the Senate Floor | Senator Cory Booker YouTube video by Senator Cory Booker

I’ve taken the Senate floor and will speak for as long as I’m physically able to lift the voices of Americans who are being harmed and not being heard in this moment of crisis. Watch here:

Hands off! Union contracts.

On April 5th, America’s unions are coming together with allies of labor at events across the country to send a message: #HandsOff our unions and our contracts!

Find an event near you: www.mobilize.us/handsoff/

📢 On April 5, we’re joining hundreds of thousands across the country to say: Hands off!

Hands off our Social Security. Hands off our services. Hands off our democracy.

AFT members will be in the streets this Saturday—will you join us? Find an event near you: www.mobilize.us/handsoff

Hundreds gathered in Monmouth County to urge Congress to stop cuts to Medicaid. We need to invest in public health and education to protect children, people with disabilities, senior citizens, low wage workers and families. Stop the Cuts! @aftunion.bsky.social @njcitizenaction.bsky.social

YouTube video by AFT Weingarten on MSNBC: This is an evisceration of the Department of Education

This week, President Trump gutted the Department of Education, firing half of the staff and making it nearly impossible to distribute the resources schools depend on.

As @rweingarten.bsky.social pointed out, "This is an evisceration of the department, not cuts for efficiency or waste."

“TOMORROW from 8-10 a.m.: Education Advocates and Recently Fired Employees to Rally Against Mass Firings and Plans to Dismantle the U.S. Department of Education” - PoPville photo by Fritz Myer From a press release: "On Friday, March 14, U.S. Education Department civil servants, education advocates, members of Congress, and supporters will rally to demand accountability a...

Head to the Department of Education tomorrow between 8-10am! www.popville.com/2025/03/fede...

#EDMATTERS

Celebrating the power of Black education, labor — and history by Fedrick Ingram

" ... education alone is not enough in a system so hostile to your humanity. You need solidarity ... Unions became a sanctuary for Black workers still eager to get their hands on the American dream."

-Fedrick C. Ingram, secretary-treasurer of the AFT

aftvoices.org/celebrating-...

#BlackHistory

Tell Congress: Hands off Medicaid! Medicaid supports people from birth to after retirement and is essential to keeping hospitals open and supporting students at school. Cutting Medicaid will hurt individual patients and entire communit...

Right now Congress is discussing a budget plan that will mean steep cuts to the Medicaid program which supports people from birth to retirement and beyond.

Regardless of whether you’re in a blue, red or purple district, your representatives need to hear that Medicaid cuts are not acceptable.

5 Ways the ACA’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Have Improved Health Coverage Affordability and Access Enhanced financial help has made ACA coverage more affordable for millions of people, but without an extension beyond 2025, these gains will be reversed.

The ACA’s enhanced tax credits have made health insurance more affordable and accessible for American families across the country.

Policymakers must act to preserve affordable health coverage.

There will be pain: Continuing low tax rates for the rich and corporations will hurt working families Extending Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will have painful trade-offs for the U.S. economy and most Americans.

No matter where Trump chooses to cut, the tax cuts he wants to give to millionaires and billionaires will hurt low-income kids and families the most - especially if those cuts come from SNAP or Medicaid. @epi.org www.epi.org/publication/...

Tell Congress: Hands off Medicaid! Medicaid supports people from birth to after retirement and is essential to keeping hospitals open and supporting students at school. Cutting Medicaid will hurt individual patients and entire communit...

Medicaid supports people from birth to after retirement and is essential to keeping hospitals open and supporting students at school. We can't let Congress cut this vital program. Tell Congress: Keep your hands off of Medicaid! actionnetwork.org/letters/medi... @AFTUnion.bsky.social