ATLANTIC CITY … Based on her support for other unions in addition to her commitment to building the American Federation of Teachers New Jersey (AFTNJ), the New Jersey State AFL-CIO selected AFTNJ president Donna M. Chiera as ‘Labor Person of the Year.’
“This recognition is made possible by the collective efforts of the leaders and activists in our statewide federation representing 30,000 education workers,” said Chiera. “Union work became part of my professional voice as a teacher in Perth Amboy and has continued from my local classroom to Trenton and Washington, DC. I am proud to be part of the labor movement and help workers recognize that our interests are aligned regardless of where we work.”
Chiera received the award at the New Jersey State AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention in Atlantic City. New Jersey AFL-CIO unions represent more than one million workers in the state.
Charles Wowkanech, New Jersey AFL-CIO president said Chiera has earned the respect of union leaders across the state. “Donna is always on the front lines when it comes to defending other unions and has committed her life to the education of children and building the AFTNJ,” he said. “Donna demonstrates solidarity in everything she does because she understands the importance of labor unity.”
Donna was president of her local, the Perth Amboy Federation, from 1991 to 2013 and became president of AFTNJ in 2011. The union federation represents 30,000 educators working with students from prekindergarten through graduate school in more than 40 locals in New Jersey.
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