NEW YORK (April 19, 2021) - In a card count, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East was certified as the representative for 236 workers of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA). Driven by their commitment to equitable access to quality care and reproductive freedom, these workers sought union representation to ensure they have a voice in carrying out Planned Parenthood’s mission. In response to the workers’ interest, PPFA leadership and 1199SEIU entered into an agreement to resolve the issue of union representation without disruption.

“Forming a union gives us new ways to stay united and support each other. 1199 empowers us to show up for our coworkers and the people and communities we serve,” said Sebastian Deken, Associate Editorial Director in Development.

“I support forming a union because I believe in Planned Parenthood,” said Farhana Sheikh, Associate Director of IT. “We are a nonprofit that works for the benefit of community and the future of our organization depends on our ability to retain the best people.”

“Just like Planned Parenthood’s patients, I want all of us to feel safe, protected, seen, and heard. Joining 1199SEIU gives us a voice,” said Anya Trent, a Contributions and Compliance Specialist in Development.

PPFA is the latest group of workers to gain union representation in the Planned Parenthood family. In August 2019 the clinical staff of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York voted unanimously to join 1199SEIU.

Representing more than 450,000 healthcare workers throughout Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Florida, and Washington, D.C., 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America.