Ethnic diversity is what makes our Union and our country what it is –a powerful and vibrant mix of the best cultural traditions in the world.

Each summer, first and second generation immigrants who make up a huge proportion of 1199 membership, come together in New York City to honor their heritage. And it is not only cultural variety that 1199ers appreciate. LGBTQ+ members celebrate Pride in Buffalo and Rochester, as well as in NYC. Members in these cities also took to the streets for Labor Day marches in September to demonstrate worker solidarity. No matter how many attacks the Republican extremists in Washington try to mount against our families and our communities, 1199ers will stand together and support and protect one another.

Puerto Rican Day

As ever, 1199ers made up a sizeable contingent at the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City on Sunday, June 8. Brookdale Hospital Delegate and Social Worker, Susie Collazo proudly celebrated her Borinquen pride.

Labor Day

Members in several 1199 regions, most notably Rochester and Buffalo, took part in Labor Day worker solidarity parades on Monday, September 1. The New York City Labor Day march took place the following Saturday, September 6, with Union members displaying worker solidarity along 5th Avenue in Manhattan.

West Indian Day

Adult masqueraders danced their way down Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights on Monday, September 1, in the West Indian American Day Carnival. With the help of contributions from Mount Sinai Brooklyn and One Brooklyn Health hospitals, 1199 mounts a MAS camp for costume production each year. Nadeszka Weah, an 1199 Discharge Planner Aide in the Psychiatric ward at Brookdale Hospital, whose mother was a member for three decades, grew up with the Union. “When I decided to play this year,” said Weah (pictured right), “Why go with anyone else but 1199?”

Dominican Day

On Sunday, August 10, home care member Carla Douglas joined Quisqueya festivities on Manhattan’s 6th Avenue for the National Dominican Day Parade – coming together in joy, solidarity and strength.

Junior Carnival

Union children displayed their dazzling costumes in Brooklyn on Saturday, August 30, when they paraded with pride at the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) Junior Carnival.

African American Day

In Harlem on Sunday, September 21, it was time to celebrate Black heritage, culture, unity, and power, at the African American Day Parade in Harlem.

Pride

1199ers celebrated LGBTQ+ pride throughout the month of June, with the Union’s newly elected President Yvonne Armstrong attending the NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 29. Earlier in the month, Upstate members took part in the Buffalo Pride Parade on Sunday, June 1 and at another Upstate Union stronghold, 1199ers joined the Rochester Pride Parade and Festival on Saturday, July 19.