Nearly 800 Workers Vote To Join 1199SEIU!

December 18, 2018

Saint Anne's Workers Vote Yes! On Tuesday, December 12th healthcare workers at Saint Anne's Hospital in Fall River, MA voted overwhelmingly to join 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

With the vote, 796 healthcare employees working in the service, skilled maintenance, technical, and business office clerical units will join with us, reinforcing 1199 as the largest and fastest growing healthcare union.  The new 1199 members include certified nursing assistants, dietary employees, pharmacy techs, lab techs, environmental services and general maintenance workers, among others.

“This vote is a great victory for workers and patients and all of us who care about Saint Anne’s,” said Kerri Ingham, who works as a radiation therapist at Saint Anne’s Hospital. “We all love and are committed to Saint Anne’s and to its patients, and this vote is an important step to ensure we continue to have a strong voice on the job and access to new training and education opportunities – which will ultimately enhance patient care.”

Founded in 1906, Saint Anne’s Hospital is a full service, acute care Catholic hospital offering comprehensive diagnostic, medical, surgical and emergency services, along with a variety of specialty services. It is a member of Steward Health Care.

“We’re excited about this vote enabling nearly 800 employees at Saint Anne’s Hospital to join 1199SEIU,” said Tim Foley, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU Massachusetts Division. “Today’s vote is a win not only for employees, patients, and the hospital but also for Fall River. The hospital is integral to Fall River’s economy, and this win creates a pathway to economic prosperity for workers and their families.”

Saint Anne's workers join over 5,000 of their colleagues in Steward Health Care who are members of 1199 across 8 facilities. Last January, 1199 members negotiated a crucial agreement with Steward Health Care ensuring that all members working at the health system will make at least $15 an hour as of October 31, 2019.