LGBTQ Rights

Cuomo-Hochul: Democratic Leadership that Delivers Real Progressive Change



Governor Overruled Republican Opposition to Implement Universal Health Care in NYS, Providing High Quality, Low Cost Health Insurance to Over One Million New Yorkers



Union with Over 275,000 NYS Members Known For Strong Turnout Operation



New York, NY – 1199 SEIU today endorsed Governor Andrew Cuomo for Governor and former Congresswoman Kathy Hochul for Lieutenant Governor. In making the endorsement, the president of the largest union in the state noted Governor Cuomo’s leadership on addressing critical health care challenges facing New Yorkers – including the successful implementation of the NYS health care exchange and securing $8 billion in federal funding for struggling hospitals.



“Governor Andrew Cuomo and former Congressmember Kathy Hochul have been strong and effective leaders for quality healthcare, goods jobs and equality in New York State. Most recently, Governor Cuomo fought hard to secure the $8 billion Medicaid waiver which is being used to support healthcare facilities and caregivers during the transition to community-based care. He has helped lead our state through the successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act, which is resulting in over a million newly insured residents and falling premium costs for New Yorkers.



“Governor Cuomo has also consistently stood up for low-paid homecare workers, lifting thousands of families out of poverty and helping to ensure quality care for seniors and people with disabilities. The Governor's core belief in fairness, human dignity and equal treatment under the law helped New York become a national leader in marriage equality.



“Like the Governor, Kathy Hochul has been a strong advocate for healthcare reform, marriage equality and good jobs, and has defended local communities and small businesses against overdevelopment.



“Both the Governor and Kathy Hochul have vowed to achieve even more policies, such as the Women's Equality Agenda, that will dramatically improve the lives of working New Yorkers in the future.



“The 275,000 healthcare workers of 1199 SEIU in New York are deeply grateful for these and many other major accomplishments, and we will be working passionately throughout all regions of our state to make sure Governor Cuomo and Kathy Hochul win with a strong majority in November.”-- George Gresham, President of 1199SEIU, the largest union in New York and the largest healthcare union in the nation



Governor Cuomo has restored New York’s rightful place as the progressive capital of the nation, showing that government can work and serve all New Yorkers:



Governor Cuomo bypassed Republican State Senate opposition to implement universal healthcare more effectively than nearly every other state in the nation. To date New York State’s health exchange has signed up over a million New Yorkers for high quality, low cost health insurance.Governor Cuomo secured an $8 billion federal waiver to support struggling hospitals in Brooklyn and other communities as well as increase access and improve the quality of healthcare for New Yorkers.Governor Cuomo enacted structural reform of Medicaid through an innovative Medicaid Redesign Team to improve patient care, while saving billions of dollars that can be reinvested into services for New Yorkers.

News Feed

  • Contract talks for nearly 4,000 unionized workers at 27 different nursing homes in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Erie, and Niagara Counties Began Late February As Workers Around Region Begin Strike Votes Next Week Read More
  • While the billionaires try to plunder the social safety net, the Trump administration is working hard to convince working people their economic problems are caused by immigrants. Read More
  • 1199 members protest threats to allow ICE enforcement agents inside treatment and clinical areas. Read More
  • Republican members are joining the fight against Medicaid cuts, as the Union mobilizes to protect the rights of working people. Read More
  • Workers at 11 different primary care locations who work for Optum Health Care in the Hudson Valley, NY (formerly known as Crystal Run Healthcare) voted overwhelmingly to join 1199 on February 25. Read More
  • Members in New York’s Hudson Valley ratified a contract with Columbia Memorial Hospital in early February which will include a 22.25 percent across the-board raise for more than 750 union members over the four years of the contract. Read More
  • 1199 Licensed Creative Arts Therapists joined a coalition of their fellow practitioners, educators and advocates in Albany on March 10, to lobby New York State lawmakers on their patient’s behalf. Read More
  • The New Jersey nurses who formed a union with 1199 at Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville voted to ratify their first contract in mid-February. They were the first group of RNs to successfully negotiate a contract in the Garden State in nearly a decade. Read More
  • 1199SEIU today announced their endorsements for the 2025 New York City elections, including Governor Andrew M. Cuomo for Mayor of New York, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine for Comptroller, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, as well as endorsements for District Attorneys, Borough Presidents, and City Council members. Read More
  • Experienced members at North Shore Medical Center in North Miami, retained their benefits and are now enjoying significant pay increases even though the facility transitioned to new ownership under Healthcare Systems of America (HSA), an affiliate of American Healthcare Systems. Read More
  • On March 7, 1199ers in Washington, D.C. lobbied at their city council for legislation that will help D.C. meet its growing need for homecare workers in the coming decades. Read More
  • JJ Velazquez describes the long and winding road from wrongful incarceration to the Oscars. Read More
  • 1199SEIU joined with other unions representing hundreds of thousands of workers across New York State in urging Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature to quickly pass the New York for All Act and protect immigrant communities from the Trump Administration’s brutal deportation machine. Read More
  • As the home of Broadway and the setting for umpteen movies and television series, New York City employs tens of thousands of people in the performing arts and entertainment industries. When they reach the end of their careers and need some extra help with the activities of daily living, 1199 members are there to look after them. Read More
  • 1199ers from every region are speaking truth to power about the real world consequences of deep cuts to Medicaid. Read More
  • Working people are facing ever more drastic restrictions on their ability to access both abortion and gender-affirming care. Read More
  • 1199SEIU released the following statement about the lawsuit (Johnie Flanagan, Laura Chapman, et al. v Public Partnerships LLC/Case 6:25-cv-06225) filed yesterday in Western District Court of New York alleging Public Partnerships LLC (“PPL”) with violating wage laws: Read More
  • ​​​​​​​“While we fight for economic gains to meet our members’ material needs, we can also produce cultural programs to enrich their lives and deepen their understanding,” founding 1199 President Leon Davis, once said. Read More
  • The 3-year labor contract covering over 450 caregivers at Steuben County’s major hospital is set to expire April 30th as workers demand improved staffing levels and quality affordable health insurance Read More
  • Contract talks for nearly 4,000 unionized workers at 27 different nursing homes in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Erie, and Niagara Counties Began Late February As Some For-Profit Homes Engaged in Millions of Dollars In Related Party Transactions While Local Workers Lack Quality Health Insurance & Benefits Read More