Want to Join 1199?

Do you want to join the 1199 family?

Since 1932, 1199 members have been on the front lines of the struggle for the rights and dignity of working people. Driven by the mission to win fair wages, better working conditions, and a just society, 1199ers have proudly stood squarely at the intersection of the labor and social justice movements.

Our Union was started by a group of Jewish pharmacists and spent its earliest days organizing neighborhood drugstores in New York City. Over the years we have expanded to organizing workers in hospitals, homecare agencies, nursing homes, community clinics, and more, but we have never strayed from our mission of advocating for society’s most vulnerable and building a country where working families thrive. Now, as then, 1199ers believe that every person––no matter what color you are, where you are from, who you love, or how you worship––deserves their shot at the American Dream.

Today’s 1199SEIU is over 450,000 members strong, representing workers in every sector of healthcare and human services, up and down the East Coast. 1199ers are organizing, building a stronger Union, and ensuring opportunities for more and more workers as our healthcare system evolves. In communities large and small, 1199ers are some of the strongest voices in the struggle to build a better America for working all people.

In recent years, 1199ers have helped make historic gains throughout our regions; improved healthcare funding, a $15 minimum wage, paid family leave, and nursing home staffing reforms are just some of the advances propelled by the power of 1199 members. During the COVID-19 crisis while serving on the front lines of the pandemic, 1199SEIU members have aided in vaccine rollout programs, fought for the availability of lifesaving personal protective equipment (PPE), and won crisis pay to recognize the heroic contributions of healthcare workers.

At the bargaining table, 1199ers are negotiating strong contracts to ensure a voice at work, fair pay, good benefits, educational opportunities, and more. Every day, 1199SEIU members demonstrate that united workers have the power to improve our lives in very real ways. Whether it’s a bigger paycheck or healthcare coverage for our children, 1199ers victories are the foundation of a just society where every child can look with hope into the future.

Fill out the form to become part of this movement. Together, we’ll build a country and a future that works for us all.

Apr 25, 2017
More than 125 workers at the hospital in Irving, NY, are now members of the state’s largest and fastest growing healthcare union.
Mar 22, 2017
Boston, MA (March 22, 2017) – Service workers at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital voted overwhelmingly to join 1199SEIU United…
Feb 9, 2017
Today we welcome 36 new members into our 1199 family after a unanimous vote to join our union. The CNAs and housekeeping staff at the Hope…
Dec 16, 2016
This year was one of historic victories and, for many of us, heartbreaking 1199ers helped scores of working-family friendly candidates win…
Dec 2, 2016
Today the 194 workers employed at the Institute for Family Health (a large Federally Qualified Health Center) in the mid-Hudson voted…
Oct 18, 2016
The caregivers at Baptist Health Rehab and Nursing Center (Baptist Nursing Home) voted overwhelmingly to join 1199SEIU United Healthcare…
Oct 6, 2016
Healthcare workers at Start Treatment and Recovery Centers have voted overwhelmingly, by 93 votes to 37, to join 1199SEIU United Healthcare…
Sep 22, 2016
On September 21, 1199 members at University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown—formerly Maryland General Hospital—voted 136 to 7 in support…
Sep 9, 2016
1199SEIU Florida members at eight Airamed nursing homes banded together early and showed management they meant business. The bargaining…
Jul 20, 2016
Jul 20, 2016
Jul 20, 2016
Jul 19, 2016
Jul 7, 2016
May 31, 2016
On Thursday, May 26, thirty two caregivers from Alaris Health at the Atrium, an assisted living facility in Jersey City, NJ, voted…
Nov 24, 2015
On Friday, November 20, another group of nursing home workers, this time licensed practical nurses (LPNs), voted unanimously to join the...
Sep 4, 2015
More than ever, nursing home workers are looking for the peace of mind that comes with a collective bargaining agreement ...
Aug 21, 2015
What: Announcement and Discussion of Contract : *unconfirmed ? 1199SEIU, Executive Vice President Maria Kercado ? 1199SEIU workers at Mi...
Jul 8, 2015
After several sessions of tense back-and-forth negotiations with management, over one thousand members at 13 Genesis nursing homes acros...
Jun 30, 2015
Following historic Fight for $15 victory for Personal Care Attendants, workers at Medical Resources Home Health Corp. have voted to join...



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Eva James
Eva James
CA/RN , Beth Israel Hospital, New York, NY
This union has enhanced my life with the various benefits offered, such as medical and educational. I had to have major surgery a while back, and 1199 covered all of my expenses.
Eva James
Tiona Rockett
CNA , Syracuse
I know I have a secure pension with 1199SEIU with guaranteed monthly payouts after I retire. That’s important to me and my family. A nonunion facility doesn’t guarantee anything.
Eva James
Anestine Bentick
CNA, South Boston Community Health Center
Unfortunately, my husband lost his battle with cancer but even during that tough process, I was thankful for the family health insurance we have. My family was able to focus on his health rather than worrying about cost. As 1199 members, we are able to negotiate how much we contribute to our health insurance and it was a valuable benefit for me during that tough time.
Eva James
Bernice Gilmore
Housekeeper, Arch Plaza, North Miami, Florida
I supported joining with 1199SEIU because there is power in numbers. With more power, we are bargaining for better benefits and win good health insurance for ourselves and our families.