Maria Castaneda, Secretary-Treasurer

Born in the Philippines in 1955, she was involved in student and community organizing, and became an advocate for trade union and human rights. When she moved to New York in 1984, she became a volunteer community organizer, assisting Filipinos in their immigration issues, and promoting Philippine cultural heritage.

She came to work for 1199 in July 1985 as an Organizer in the RN Division, a position she filled for 12 years. In 1998, Maria was elected 1199SEIU VP of the Montefiore network, representing 5,300 members.
 
In 2005, she became Executive Vice President of Health Systems 6, representing the members in the Continuum Network (Beth Israel Medical   Center Petrie and Kings Highway division, Roosevelt Hospital, Long Island College Hospital and St. Lukes Hospital), Montefiore Network and Maimonedes and Lutheran Medical Center. In this capacity, Maria became a leader in developing and effective team Officers, Organizers/Contract Administrators and Delegates. 

Together with the team, she led Joint Labor and management initiatives that help promote training and upgrading programs for thousands of members; increase members’ voice and input in the workplace; strengthen Union committees to help enforce the contract and employment security; promote health, safety and wellness programs; and processes to promote quality care for patients and worker job satisfaction.

Maria also serves on the International Executive Board of the SEIU, and as a Trustee of the 1199SEIU National Benefit and Pension Funds, Child Care Fund and Planning and Placement Fund. 

As 1199SEIU Secretary-Treasurer, one of her goal is to focus on leadership development and education at all levels--Officers, Organizers/Contract administrators, Delegates.

She also hopes to be a role model for women and Asian Americans to be leaders in their workplace and community

Maria is married with one daughter.