As lawmakers in Tallahassee finalize the Florida budget, I hope they take a sober look back over this past year while the COVID-19 healthcare crisis raged through the state, tragically highlighting many of the shortcomings of our healthcare system. Read More

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday issued new interim public health guidance for the fully vaccinated. This guidance applies to COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization. Fully vaccinated people can now unmask at small outdoor gatherings, or when dining outside with friends from multiple households. Read More

We made our communities safer and healthier this Legislative Session! Read More

NEW YORK--The Communications Workers of America District 1, 1199SEIU and the New York State Nurses Association issued statements today in support of new safe staffing legislation introduced in both the Senate and Assembly. Two pieces of legislation sponsored by Assembly member Aileen Gunther and Senator Gustavo Rivera would establish a process for setting and enforcing safe staffing minimum standards at every hospital and nursing home Read More

NEW YORK (April 19, 2021) - In a card count, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East was certified as the representative for 236 workers of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA). Driven by their commitment to equitable access to quality care and reproductive freedom, these workers sought union representation to ensure they have a voice in carrying out Planned Parenthood’s mission. In response to the workers’ interest, PPFA leadership and 1199SEIU entered into an agreement to resolve the issue of union representation without disruption. Read More

The Black Coalition Against COVID and the Kaiser Family Foundation have launched a new campaign to provide Black communities with credible information about COVID-19 vaccines. Read More

“Today’s decision in the Derek Chauvin case is a victory for humanity and for the work being done to fight for freedom for all Americans. Read More

We came together around the challenges nursing homes workers face, across the state: not enough time to provide the care and comfort residents deserve, and a lack of investment in quality care by profiteering nursing home owners. Read More

Each week, more of us are becoming eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Soon, nearly 40 percent of us will have at least one vaccine shot. In New York State, nearly 60 percent of nursing home workers and 80 percent of hospital workers have taken their shots. Despite all this good news, we all know someone who is still reluctant to get vaccinated. Read More

Buffalo, NY - Following the retirement of 1199SEIU Executive Vice-President Ruth Heller, on April 1, the area director for Western New York Nursing Homes, Todd Hobler, was appointed by Union President, George Gresham, as Executive Vice-President (EVP) for Upstate/Western New York division. 1199SEIU is the largest healthcare workers union in the country, representing over 350,000 nursing home, homecare, and hospital workers. The Upstate/Western New York Division has nearly 23,000 members with offices in Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester and Governor. Read More

Despite the recent success with vaccinations, we know there are still many people who are reluctant to take the shot. A recent poll found 32 percent of the US population may not get the vaccine. And we know to fully protect everyone we need to reach at least 75 to 85 percent of us. We’ve all heard some of the reasons why people are hesitant—the technology is too new, steps must have been skipped, we don’t know the side effects, and others. Read More

Airbnb provided free housing to members across six states during pandemic Read More

I got my first dose of the Moderna vaccine last week. I walked away feeling fine. And grateful. Like all of us, I am missing so many of the important people and things in my life. 1199ers have surely been through hell over the last year. Recently, we were starting to see the light. We could think with genuine hope about returning to our lives. Grandparents could hug their grandchildren. We could spend time with old friends. No more Zoom birthday parties! Read More

We are making incredible progress. Each week, vaccine supplies are increasing and more and more of the population is becoming eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination. 1199ers are playing a central role in educating our co-workers and our communities about the vaccines. Vaccination rates are going up and hesitance is going down. Read More

This continuing education offering presents the 2021 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. The participants will learn the latest best and evidence-based practices in diabetes care as per current clinical practice recommendations from ADA. There will be a discussion on the pharmacologic and nutritional approaches with an emphasis on the role of the nurse. There will be a thorough discussion on insulin physiology which will assist the nurse to intelligently monitor and manage acute complications such as hypoglycemia. New glycemic targets will be discussed and the ways to guide the patient in achieving them safely. New trends such as continuous glucose monitoring, new insulins, and delivery system will be included. Read More

This continuing education offering is an introduction to basic dysrhythmia. The participants will review the physiology of the electrical conduction of the heart and the associated mechanical and cellular events. The various dysrhythmias will be categorized according to the site of conduction defects. The participants will learn rules of rhythm analysis and follow a consistent method to ensure accuracy of readings. Read More

This month (March) 23years ago, 1199 greatly increased its reach and power when members voted by an overwhelming margin to affiliate with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and New York Local 144. Some 30,00 Members of Local 144, predominantly nursing home workers, had voted earlier in the year to merge with 1199. Read More

“A special election must be called by the governor for Florida Senate District 37 because it’s so blatantly clear that the November race was corrupted and stolen with dirty political tricks. Voters in South Florida deserve to have their voices honestly heard in a free and fair election, and should be furious about this obvious perversion of democracy.” Read More

CAPITAL REGION, NY (WRGB) — Thousands of healthcare workers will call on the governor and state lawmakers to pass real nursing home reform. Read More

Hello 1199 Family. I am very excited to report that last week I received my first vaccination. The process could not have been easier. The staff were fantastic, and I feel fine. I'm thrilled to be part of our increasing vaccination numbers in Upstate/Western New York State. Also, in our region (as across the country) case numbers, hospitalizations, and death tolls are continuing to decline. Read More