Every year, the1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds (TEF) holds a Recognition Ceremony to honor 1199ers who completed a degree, certificate, or skill-building program. The event is a yearly highlight and moment of unabashed pride and joy. Though COVID-19 denied this year’s 2,000 graduates their moment of communal joy, there was still plenty of pride to go around.
As COVID-19 engulfed New York City, hospitals and healthcare workers became both beacons of hope and ground zero for COVID’s ravages. Caregivers battling the largest public health disaster in modern American history also struggled to protect their own health, provide for their families and care for their patients.
1199SEIU announced via social media on July 17 the union’s participation in a boycott of Latin foods giant Goya Foods. During a July 9 appearance at the White House, Goya President Bob Unanue praised Donald Trump and characterized the United States as “blessed” to have Mr. Trump as its leader. The response to Unanue’s compliment was swift and severe, with a social media-driven, organized boycott
movement springing up with the hashtags #BoycottGoya and #Goyaway. The action quickly drew high profile supporters, including famed playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represents a heavily Latinx district that spans the Bronx and Queens.
Florida 1199ers at hospital operated by the healthcare giant Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) made major strides in July when HCA
agreed to a three-month contract extension.
1199ers joined thousands of workers in 25 cities across the U.S. on July 20 for a national Strike for Black Lives.
It’s the end of summer. For many of us, we’d normally be planning for back to school, coordinating camp pickups, or headed to cookouts or family reunions—maybe even a last-minute getaway and a few days of rest.
Our 1199SEIU Executive Committee has endorsed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to become the next President and Vice President of the United States. This should come as no surprise to any 1199 member.
Press statement in response to proposed layoffs
Are you a member of the 1199SEIU Federal Credit Union? It’s vital to keep your share accounts with the credit union active. New York State law requires that all financial institutions report any account that is considered dormant or inactive, and turn them over as abandoned property. Any account that has been without activity for three years is considered inactive. We are required by law to publish this list of dormant account holders. A report of these unclaimed funds will also be sent to the New York State Comptroller.
COVID-19 has changed every aspect of our lives, and our political activism is no different. 1199ers are more than prepared to pivot and embrace new methods of communicating, mobilizing, and organizing to help elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.