We are facing the most profound attack on working people in our union's history, including court cases that threaten our ability to join together in unions, regressive federal and state legislation, punitive executive actions, and healthcare cuts. But in 2017, we've won and continue to keep winning in our workplaces and in our communities to protect the gains we've made and move forward.

That's why 1199ers continue to join together to build our unity and power that we need to resist these attacks and protect our gains.

Did you feel the power 

when we joined 1199ers from across the East Coast to recommit to 1199SEIU and launch our Unity & Power campaign? 

Did you feel the power 

when we elected healthcare champions in November? 

Did you feel the power 

when hundreds of 1199ers joined together at our Statewide Delegates & Activist Assembly?

It's time to build on that power in 2018.

In 2018, we will continue to stand up for our communities, remain united in our strength, and keep winning to improve the lives of working families everywhere. Join thousands of other 1199SEIU members by recommitting to our union in the New Year. Together, we rise.

Now, let's take a look back at 2017 as we get ready for the year ahead: 

Unity & Power

In 2017, we engaged nearly 18,000 members, had over 16,000 conversations, and built our strength by launching Unity & Power, a campaign that kicked off in Atlantic City with thousands of members of 1199SEIU from across Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, D.C. and Florida.

Organizing & Uniting Healthcare Workers

Not only did we welcome over a thousand1199ers to our union at workplaces includingBrigham & Women's Faulkner Hospital,Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Brockton Visiting Nurses Association, and Pine Knoll Nursing Home – as well as residual units at Nashoba Valley Medical Center, Golden Living Center in Taunton, Genesis Healthcare Center in Saugus, Country Manor in Newburyport, and Blue Hills in Stoughton – but we're engaging thousands of not yet unionized homecare workers across the Commonwealth.

Building Our Skills & Training For the Future

In 2017, nearly 10,000 1199SEIU members participated in trainings, skill-building workshops and tuition reimbursement programs with the 1199SEIU Training and Upgrading Fund. Programs have included a New Medical Coding Apprenticeship Program, Nursing, Medical Interpreter, C.N.A, and English for Speakers of Other Languages. We were also involved withimportant Labor-Management programs and other initiatives that build our skills and train us for the future. 

Continuing to Win Strong Contracts & Protect Jobs

We have continued to win contracts, mobilize to protect good jobs and quality care, and raise standards for members across 1199, and have settled several contracts in 2017. From Nashoba Valley Medical Center technical workers joining the Steward Healthcare Master Agreement to our community hospitals across the state settling strong contracts, we're showing that when workers come together, real improvements can be made – and we're ready to show up at the bargaining table in 2018. 

State Legislative Victories

1199ers made our voices heard across the state advocating on issues that impact our communities, like reforming our criminal justice system, standing up for an immigration policy that keeps families together, and fighting for affordable healthcare. We won major legislative victories – including creating a homecare registry to ensure workers are properly trained and to have better oversight over the homecare industry. We fought for and won a wage-pass through for nursing home workers to lift standards for caregivers. And we advocated for critical amendments to the Senate Healthcare bill that would put frontline healthcare workers' voices at the forefront of changes to the delivery of healthcare.

Defending Affordable Healthcare & Protecting Our Gains

The on-going threat from the Trump administration and the GOP congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act made it critical for us to fight back for our patients, our consumers, and for our jobs. We took to the streets, to our nation's capital, and to the phones to tell the story of importance of Medicaid and affordable healthcare. We stood together against any policies that took aim at these vital programs.

Raising Up Massachusetts

In 2017, we went well over our goal as a union to collect 20,000 signatures for Raise Up Massachusetts! Together with our fellow 1199ers from across the state, we collected 22,546 signatures to get a $15 minimum wage and Paid Family & Medical Leave on the 2018 ballot in Massachusetts. After months of clipboarding, standing outside of grocery stores and MBTA stations, and asking everyone we know to sign our petitions, all of the volunteers from Raise Up Massachusetts - including us - were able to collect 271,521 total signatures! That’s 137,551 signatures for a living wage and 133,970 for Paid Leave for all families in Massachusetts - well beyond the required 64,750 on each!

Resisting Attacks and Persisting Ahead

Whether it was attending the historic Women’s March in January of 2017 in D.C. and Boston, fighting for education justice,marching for climate justice and standing up against pipelines, standing with our LGBTQIA brothers and sisters at Boston Pride, or advocating to keep families together and extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, Nicaraguans or Hondurans ­– 1199ers continued to persist and resist attacks on communities everywhere.

Electing Champions Into Municipal Office

Members from 7 cities across the state interviewed candidates running for Mayor and City Council. Endorsing in nearly 40 races, we knocked doors, called other members, and talked to our co-workers about the importance of voting. We won 34 races, electing and re-electing many champions – like new Lynn Mayor Tom McGee, incumbent Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. We saw an historic rise in the number of women elected to municipal offices, including Lydia Edwards and Kim Janey on the Boston City Council.

Winning Special Elections

2017 was a year of change within the Massachusetts Legislature, resulting in special elections across the state. 1199ers helped elect new progressive champions in both the state senate and state house of representatives who will stand up on the issues we care about, like paid family medical leave and $15 minimum wage.

Standing With Our Brothers & Sisters in Virginia

Knowing the importance of electing progressive leaders across our country, 1199ers headed to Virginia in the Fall of 2017 to help our local allies in the gubernatorial race. We knocked on doors, organized Virginians, and got out the vote for Democratic nominee Ralph Northam. He handily defeated his opponent on November 7, proving that voters chose to stand united against an encroaching divisive agenda.