The heroes of COVID-19
Endorsements from New Jersey’s frontline workers
A Note from Phil
It would be an understatement to say that this last year has been difficult. We all felt the grief and witnessed the inequities that this virus laid bare. We all experienced the trials that our communities, businesses, neighbors, and families faced.
But one constant was the faith we had in our frontline workers. Health care workers, grocery store employees, first responders, firefighters — they all had our back. When we needed them, they were there for us.
I know that there is still work to do so we emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever before. With these frontline workers — these heroes — on our team, I know we can accomplish anything. Their endorsements mean more than they know.
— Phil
Phil Murphy is honored to have the endorsements of various unions representing frontline heroes. Firefighters, nurses, grocery store workers — they all stepped up to the call when they were needed.
Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE)
“From the early days of the COVID pandemic, Gov. Murphy listened and responded to the science. He rapidly worked to develop a distribution plan for the PPE that would protect our frontline workers and made sure we were the first group to be vaccinated because he knew that healthcare workers were most exposed and at risk of contracting COVID.” — Debbie White, President of the Healthcare Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE)
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union New York and NJ
“Whether it was raising the minimum wage to put more money in hardworking families’ pockets or strengthening vital COVID-19 workplace safety measures to protect workers on the job, Governor Murphy has stood side by side with New Jersey essential workers when they needed it most. It’s clear that Governor Murphy will always step up for New Jersey working families and UFCW is proud to endorse him for re-election.” — Max Bruny, President of UFCW District Council of New York and New Jersey
New Jersey Nurses Economic Security Organization (JNESO) District 1
“It’s been a little more than fifteen months since New Jersey reported its first case of COVID-19, and in that time our members have faced life and death circumstances as we collectively navigated a once in a lifetime public health crisis. It is because of Governor Murphy’s committed leadership that we had the resources, information, and support to fight on the front lines of this.” — Elfrieda Johnson, President of New Jersey Nurses Economic Security Organization District 1 (JNESO)
NJ State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA)
“Our union has tried to work with every governor that has served during our 125 year history. None have, through both words and actions, shown their willingness to put politics aside to protect the safety of our members and the communities we serve more than Governor Murphy.” — Eddie Donnelly, President of the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA)
New Jersey State AFL-CIO
“These leaders proved themselves during the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech. “They acted quickly with legislation to protect first responders, health-care professionals, and essential workers who came in contact with the public daily. They revised unemployment compensation and other benefits to aid workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. Cash grants and loans helped businesses survive and keep their workers employed. New Jersey’s government needs stability and continuity. We’re headed in the right direction. We need to build on the progressive laws these leaders enacted in the last 15 months to restore our economy and put everyone back to work. They will help us put this unprecedented crisis behind us once and for all.”
Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA)
“From his commitment to transportation infrastructure investment, to his strong support of apprenticeship programs, to designating construction workers essential during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Phil Murphy has been a stalwart ally of organized labor and Laborers in particular,” said Raymond M. Pocino, LIUNA Vice President and Eastern Regional Manager. “For these reasons and more, we are proud to endorse Governor Murphy in his reelection bid.”
