Debbie White elected as AFT vice president

The head of New Jersey’s largest healthcare union is going national.

On Tuesday, Health Professionals and Allied Employees President Debbie White was elected to be vice president of the American Federation of Teachers, HPAE’s parent organization.

“This is an important honor not only for me but for all our healthcare workers and other members who have sacrificed and risked so much at this moment in our history,” White said. “This position will allow us to continue the important work ahead of us empowering our members to not only continue to persevere on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic but to continue to build our union and lead in the fight for safer, quality and more equitable health care in our communities.”

AFTNJ President Donna Chiera was also elected as a vice president of the union’s national branch.

“HPAE and AFTNJ have been working together in our state to address these issues,” Chiera said. “Now, as a Jersey team on the AFT executive board, Debbie and I will be able to raise the voices of the professionals we represent to the national level.”