LGBTQ Rights

1199SEIU’s support for LGBTQ rights predates the formation our union’s Lavender Caucus in 2002. The caucus centralized the union’s ad hoc support for LGBTQ issues under a group dedicated to working closely with labor and LGBTQ organizations in New York and other 1199SEIU regions. The caucus also cooperates in efforts with the AFL-CIO’s Pride at Work constituency.

1199SEIU represents workers at LGBTQ organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights organization. Some of these members have been profiled in union publications.

Our union is proud of our long record working in political and legislative arenas on the behalf of LGBTQ rights. Union leadership and members have marched and lobbied for marriage equality and the Equality Act, which would protect LGBT workers from employment discrimination.

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Jun 4, 2019
1199 is unique in this world. Our Union was founded not only as a workers’ rights organization, but also as one of freedom fighters. Written…
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Dec 26, 2018
Anxiety punctuated much of the last year, but 1199ers continued to shine, winning in the workplace, standing up to attacks on health care,…
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Feb 27, 2018
Like many of her colleagues at Maryland’s Chase Brexton Health Care, 1199SEIU delegate Stacey Jackson is deeply committed to providing…
Sep 6, 2016
Coy Jones is our Political Organizer in Orlando, Florida. One month after the Pulse Tragedy, she couldn’t just sit there and watch Senator…
Aug 22, 2016
Workers at Baltimore-based Chase Brexton Health Care spoke out at a rally organized by Chase Brexton patients and community advocates.
Jun 17, 2016
As we grieve for Orlando, our sister Anita Williams is grieving for her cousin Eddie. The tragedy in Orlando this weekend has affected us…
Jun 13, 2016
There is an urgent need for O Negative, O Positive and AB Plasma blood donors. One Blood is asking those that are not or do not know your…
Jun 9, 2016
This issue of "Our Life & Times" arrives as many of our sisters and brothers in the LGBTQ community are celebrating Pride Month. And no ...
Apr 8, 2016
?The healthcare workers of 1199SEIU denounce the recent passage of legislation in Mississippi and North Carolina which openly endorses d...
Dec 29, 2015
This was an exciting year for 1199SEIU?s growing membership base, with nearly 4,000 workers joining in 2015. This new membership include...
#
Jun 4, 2019
1199 is unique in this world. Our Union was founded not only as a workers’ rights organization, but also as one of freedom fighters. Written…
#
Dec 26, 2018
Anxiety punctuated much of the last year, but 1199ers continued to shine, winning in the workplace, standing up to attacks on health care,…
#
Feb 27, 2018
Like many of her colleagues at Maryland’s Chase Brexton Health Care, 1199SEIU delegate Stacey Jackson is deeply committed to providing…
Sep 6, 2016
Coy Jones is our Political Organizer in Orlando, Florida. One month after the Pulse Tragedy, she couldn’t just sit there and watch Senator…
Aug 22, 2016
Workers at Baltimore-based Chase Brexton Health Care spoke out at a rally organized by Chase Brexton patients and community advocates.
Jun 17, 2016
As we grieve for Orlando, our sister Anita Williams is grieving for her cousin Eddie. The tragedy in Orlando this weekend has affected us…
Jun 13, 2016
There is an urgent need for O Negative, O Positive and AB Plasma blood donors. One Blood is asking those that are not or do not know your…
Jun 9, 2016
This issue of "Our Life & Times" arrives as many of our sisters and brothers in the LGBTQ community are celebrating Pride Month. And no ...
Apr 8, 2016
?The healthcare workers of 1199SEIU denounce the recent passage of legislation in Mississippi and North Carolina which openly endorses d...
Dec 29, 2015
This was an exciting year for 1199SEIU?s growing membership base, with nearly 4,000 workers joining in 2015. This new membership include...

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