Nearly 300 healthcare and homecare workers at Upham’s Corner Health Center voted to unite in 1199SEIU, the fastest growing healthcare workers union in the state. Through a mail ballot election, workers voted to join a growing movement of healthcare workers organizing to protect good jobs and address the industry-wide issues of inadequate staffing, low wages, and burnout. 

“For me it was moving that we achieved a decisive victory for the working class,” said Jose Morales, a health aid at Upham’s Corner Health Center. “With this process that we have achieved with La Unión 1199SEIU, we can negotiate a decent contract, where our voices are heard without any type of coercion.”  

The workers who voted to join 1199SEIU include home health aide, medical assistants, patient service representatives, maintenance, dental assistants, and more. 

“This vote highlights how workers deeply connected to the communities they serve are organizing to shape the future of care in Massachusetts,” said Tim Foley, 1199SEIU executive vice president. “Upham's Corner caregivers will now have a voice and a seat at the table to address burnout, short staffing, and inadequate wages, which have pushed so many out of the healthcare field.” 

Upham’s Corner workers began organizing last year, filing for their union election in October 2023. This union victory is just the latest in healthcare workers uniting in 1199SEIU. In October 2023, nearly 450 workers at Fenway Health joined the union. 1199ers at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts also approved their first contract in September 2023.  

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About 1199SEIU 

Representing nearly 80,000 healthcare workers throughout Massachusetts and over 450,000 workers across the East Coast, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million member Service Employees International Union.