MASSACHUSETTS – More than 1,000 volunteers who are members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East or who have been recruited by 1199SEIU members have participated in Election Day turnout efforts today across Massachusetts, with a particular focus on urban neighborhoods in Bay State cities. 1199SEIU is the largest and fastest growing union in the Commonwealth and is widely considered the most politically active Local union in the state. 

Morton workers are latest in Mass. to vote for a voice through 1199SEIU to promote quality jobs, quality care

Nursing home workers at Plaza Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Elizabeth, members of the powerful healthcare workers union, 1199SEIU, United Healthcare East will hold an informational picket in front of the facility on Wednesday.  The workers, who provide direct care and support services to the frail and elderly, have been trying to negotiate a contract with the employer, to no avail.  They are asking for modest wage increases to keep up with the cost of living, having received no raises at all in the past 2 years.  Their contract proposals also call for affordable health insurance and a secure pension plan.

Tonight, Elizabeth Warren showed that she is on the side of working families, while Scott Brown was clearly unable to defend his record of voting against jobs, against women, and against the economic interests of Massachusetts.  As healthcare workers, we remember very clearly last year when Brown said he would rather cut Medicare and Social Security than do away with tax giveaways for big oil companies. 

Miami, Fla. - Yesterday, a settlement was announced in the lawsuit initiated by 1199SEIU Healthcare Workers East, Advancement Project, Fair Elections Legal Network, Project Vote and LatinoJustice PRLDEF on behalf of two Florida citizens and 1199SEIU UHWE members, and several South Florida community groups, challenging Governor Rick Scott’s attempt to suppress their vote. Under the agreement, the state will reverse the harmful effects of its flawed purge program, which resulted in thousands of eligible voters being threatened with disenfranchisement, and caused widespread confusion among the voting public.

Members of 1199SEIU, the state’s largest healthcare workers union, announced their endorsement of Claire Cronin in her campaign for state representative in the 11^th Plymouth district composed of precincts in Brockton and Easton.

Miami, FL – Forging a new era in labor-management relations, University of Miami Hospital employees and management have worked together to negotiate and approve an innovative new union contract that invests in quality patient care and a brighter future for workers at UMH.  The contract, which includes a first-ever education fund for employees, was ratified by UMH workers who are members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

Miami, FL – After finishing contract negotiations with an unprecedented level of collaboration, University of Miami Hospital (UMH) management and employees will sign a union contract, announcing a new partnership that is already making significant improvements in patient care.

BOSTON, MA –  “The healthcare workers of 1199SEIU applaud the agreement reached by the House and Senate on the health spending and delivery reform legislation.  It is an historic next step in Massachusetts healthcare reform efforts.  By specifically prioritizing Medicaid rate increases and workforce training in the bill, the legislature is helping to ensure the long term success of these important reforms for the benefit of patients, consumers, and caregivers alike.

Assemblyman Singleton will perform the everyday tasks of nursing home workers, from housekeeping to rounds with certified nursing assistants.  A question and answer forum with 1199SEIU members and their residents will follow.

SPRINGFIELD / NORTH ADAMS, MA – Following his vote to uphold the Affordable Care Act to bring healthcare security to millions of Americans, Congressman Richard E. Neal has earned a coveted endorsement from the members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East in his bid for the 1^st Massachusetts Congressional District seat.

"Today’s decision by the US Supreme Court is a momentous victory for working people across the country.

“SEIU and our Florida members, many of whom are Registered Nurses and healthcare workers on the front lines, are jubilant about today’s Supreme Court decision because we understand firsthand the human and financial toll for four million uninsured Floridians. In contrast, we have witnessed the positive impact that the Affordable Care Act has already had on the health of our state...

BOSTON, MA – Veronica Turner, Executive Vice President of the largest union of healthcare workers in Massachusetts, released the following statement today reacting to the Supreme Court decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act.

Caregivers call for day of action at State House

Frontline health workers cite Medicaid, workforce training as key priorities for new round of health reforms

BOSTON, MA – As the Massachusetts legislature convenes a conference committee to hammer out details of a new healthcare cost control law, the state’s largest union of healthcare workers is taking their advocacy on the highly anticipated legislation to the next level.

“1199SEIU caregivers support the overall goals of payment reform and applaud Governor Patrick and the legislature for taking on this important task.  Healthcare workers are going all in at this phase of the debate to ensure the final bill is crafted in a way that best serves our patients and promotes stability in the state’s largest employment industry – healthcare,” said 1199SEIU Executive Vice President Veronica Turner.

BOSTON, MA – The state’s largest healthcare union released a statement this afternoon regarding the latest healthcare cost control proposal from the Massachusetts House of Representatives.  Members of 1199SEIU say they will be stepping up their legislative advocacy as debate on the highly anticipated reform measures begins in earnest this week.

(Newburgh, NY)- Registered Nurses and Pharmacists at St. Luke’s Cornwall will hold a “Picket for Quality Care & Jobs” at the hospital’s main campus in Newburgh to protest radical contract proposals put forth by the administration that could negatively impact patient care in the Hudson Valley. The RNs and Pharmacists of St. Luke’s Cornwall have been without a contract for over a year because the administration refuses to negotiate a fair agreement. The administration is threatening to increase their healthcare costs by as much as 100 percent, and cut their pay, among several other drastic proposals that threaten employees’ ability to provide for their families.

Orlando, FL – Today, radio ads in Spanish and English will begin airing on local radio stations to help mobilize thousands of Central Floridians to join the NAACP and 1199SEIU-sponsored march demanding justice for Trayvon Martin on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 11:00 AM from Crooms Academy, 2200 West 13th Street in Sanford and to the Sanford Police Department at 815 West 13th Street.