Last month, 110 social workers and counselors at The Long Island Home and Hospital in Amityville, NY joined 1199SEIU. These professionals joined the home’s 220 registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who voted for 1199 representation in 2015.

Sabrina Grindley, a social worker with The Long Island Home, expressed her excitement about coming together with her co-workers. “Now that we’re part of 1199 we have a collective voice,” she said. “Now we feel like one unified body and we can seek peer support from each other and from other union members. I feel like I can stand on the shoulders of 1199 members and feel empowered. I’m part of the negotiating committee for our first contract, and I take so much pride in being able to represent the best interests of my fellow co-workers.”

In addition to having a voice, the newest members were attracted to 1199’s pension, job security, affordable quality healthcare and educational benefits.