BOSTON, MA – Hospital workers at Merrimack Valley Hospital in Haverhill, Massachusetts have voted overwhelmingly to join 1199SEIU. The vote means that the nearly 200 hospital workers at Merrimack Valley will now join with thousands of other workers across Massachusetts in several other Steward Healthcare facilities.

“Healthcare workers across Massachusetts know we must come together to protect the quality of care we provide, the economic health of our hospitals and our communities.” said 1199SEIU President George Gresham. “We’re proud to welcome the workers at Merrimack Valley into the 1199 family – and we’re ready to continue this unprecedented momentum at hospitals throughout Massachusetts.”

“It’s very important for Registered Nurses to have a voice in the delivery of care,” said Cynthia MacDonald, a Registered Nurse at St. Mary’s  “Having a voice means that we will be able to create workplace policies that benefit the children we care for and the communities we live in, along with helping to raise standards for Registered Nurses everywhere.”

Kicking off in May, 30 workers at Niagra Falls Medical Center in Upstate voted to join 1199SEIU to gain dignity and respect at work. Workers at Medford nursing home in Long Island and the Springs Nursing and Rehab Centre also voted to unite with 1199 this July.

Our biggest victory this summer welcomed more than 900 New York City homecare workers voted overwhelmingly to join 1199 after an exciting campaign that will finally give home health aides and other homecare workers throughout downstate New York a real voice in issues including patient care, no-cost educational opportunities, higher wages and more.

Click here to read the full story about our newest NY Healthcare Workers!

"I am very happy because I have been working with NYHC for 11 years," said Yolanda Alicea. "It’s about time we had the union!"]]>The DC/MD Division Congratulates its First Training & Upgrading Fund RN Grad, Geoffrey Kebwarohttp://www.join1199seiu.org/home/2011/8/23/the-dcmd-division-congratulates-its-first-training-upgrading.htmlJoin1199SEIU2011-08-23T15:10:50Z

(BALTIMORE, MD) Geoffrey Kebwaro has been a member of 1199SEIU working as a CNA at Genesis HealthCare for nearly four years. Last month, he graduated from the nursing program at Baltimore City Community College, and is now preparing for his board exam, the final step to receiving his RN license, which he hopes to complete before August 2011.

When asked what his greatest challenge was in getting his degree, he didn’t hesitate: "Finances - but 1199 [Training & Upgrading Fund] helped a lot with that," adding that "time management" was very challenging as well, when juggling work and school commitments.

Geoffrey was proud to complete the program without repeating any classes. He was one of just eight students, of 120 in his class, who completed the program on time. His advice to fellow nursing students: "Stay focused. Avoid distractions. It’s all about your willingness to sacrifice and determination."]]>“Giving People Choices, Making the World More Just. That’s How I Live My Life” – Joy Luckyhttp://www.join1199seiu.org/home/2010/9/29/giving-people-choices-making-the-world-more-just-thats-how-i.htmlJoin1199SEIU2010-09-29T15:50:19Z Joy Lucky -- an LPN at River Valley Healthcare Center in Poughkeepsie, NY has dedicated her life to making a difference in the lives of her patients and her community.

Eight years ago, Joy was working at a veteran’s hospital in the southern part of the Hudson Valley when the CNAs and service and maintenance workers at RVCC became 1199SEIU members.

Click to watch video]]>Solidarity rocks: New Dropkick Murphys music video supports 1199SEIU union drivehttp://www.join1199seiu.org/home/2010/9/28/solidarity-rocks-new-dropkick-murphys-music-video-supports-1.htmlJoin1199SEIU2010-09-28T14:34:34Z The new music video from Boston rock icons Dropkick Murphys features more than just footage from the bands rollicking sold-out arena shows. It also delivers a timely social justice message supporting blue collar and frontline workers in Boston’s largest industry - healthcare. The new "Tomorrow’s Industry" video was created through a unique collaboration with Boston hospital workers as part of their campaign to join 1199SEIU. ]]>Workers at Avery Manor Nursing Home Celebrate Victory!http://www.join1199seiu.org/home/2010/8/6/workers-at-avery-manor-nursing-home-celebrate-victory.htmlJoin1199SEIU2010-08-06T19:47:08Z Nursing home workers at Avery Manor in Needham, MA, made their voices heard on June 24 by voting 54 - 23 to unite together in 1199SEIU. Workers faced a difficult organizing campaign during their quest to join the union, but they persevered against management’s usual threats and scare tactics.]]>Danny Glover Electrifies Caregivers’ Heart of Baltimore Rallyhttp://www.join1199seiu.org/home/2010/8/6/danny-glover-electrifies-caregivers-heart-of-baltimore-rally.htmlJoin1199SEIU2010-08-06T18:23:07Z Dodging thunderstorms to get to Baltimore, actor Danny Glover arrived at the climax of the June 24th Rally for Better Care and Better Jobs and electrified the crowd with an impassioned speech about the Heart of Baltimore campaign.]]>Welcome Florida!http://www.join1199seiu.org/home/2010/6/17/welcome-florida.htmlJoin1199SEIU2010-06-17T17:35:28Z Members of Florida’s largest healthcare union voted this week to join forces with 1199SEIU. Over 97 percent of those voting approved of the merger. The 16,000 healthcare workers represented by SEIU Healthcare Florida will now become part of 1199SEIU.]]>Victory at The Pines in Poughkeepsie!http://www.join1199seiu.org/home/2010/5/5/victory-at-the-pines-in-poughkeepsie.htmlJoin1199SEIU2010-05-05T16:53:48Z Workers at The Pines Nursing Home made their voices heard on April 16th by voting overwhelmingly, 148 to 42, to unite in 1199. With this victory, 1199 now represents over 1,200 workers in the area, which is a drastic change from years past when almost 1,900 workers in Dutchess County were unorganized.]]>The Heart of Baltimore Is Beating Stronghttp://www.join1199seiu.org/home/2010/5/5/the-heart-of-baltimore-is-beating-strong.htmlJoin1199SEIU2010-05-05T16:53:10ZThe Heart of Baltimore campaign is beating even stronger this spring as members of 1199SEIU spent a week reaching out to Baltimore caregivers.

Since the blitz began, more than 400 new healthcare workers and public supporters have signed up to join the Heart of Baltimore campaign, which aims to win free and fair union elections for every hospital and nursing home worker in the city.

"We’re out here telling our brothers and sisters they don’t have to be afraid anymore,” said Deborah Odom, an 1199 member who’s worked as a geriatric nursing assistant at Baltimore’s Ravenwood nursing home for 21 years.

"So many workers in Baltimore have been scared to say anything for fear of losing their jobs,” Odom said. “But we’re letting them know that when we’re all together, united, we have the power to stand up for our patients and ourselves. We have the power to make a change.”

Click here to read more about the Heart of Baltimore campaign.

Massachusetts’ largest community-based healthcare system and 1199SEIU recently announced that they have reached an historic four-year labor agreement that will enhance jobs and care delivery at four Caritas Christi hospitals.  The innovative agreement establishes a series of joint labor-management initiatives and committees to enhance quality care delivery across the facilities.

Contract Highlights:

• All workers will now earn at least $12.62 per hour.

• All workers will receive a 3% raise at the start of the contract and 4% in October 2010

That’s 7% in one year alone and a total of 11% over the life of the contract!

• All workers received a $350 sign on bonus.

• All workers are now eligible for the 1199 Training and Upgrading Fund (Up to 6 credits per semester at no cost!)

• Significant job protections including no subcontracting.

• Lower health care premiums – especially for those enrolled in family plans.