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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Editorial: Shaping the Future Honors Our Past
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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A Look Back at 2018
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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Our Delegates: Stacey Jackson, Lead Therapist
Feb 27, 2018
Like many of her colleagues at Maryland’s Chase Brexton Health Care, 1199SEIU delegate Stacey Jackson is deeply committed to providing…
49 hours for the Orlando 49
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…
Chase Brexton Workers Speak Out at Rally
Aug 22, 2016
Workers at Baltimore-based Chase Brexton Health Care spoke out at a rally organized by Chase Brexton patients and community advocates.
We lost one of our own in Orlando
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…
1199 Stands with Orlando
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…
Pride In Our Victories & Vigilance To Protect Them
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 ...
Statement Re: Mississippi and North Carolina Anti-LGBT Laws
Apr 8, 2016
?The healthcare workers of 1199SEIU denounce the recent passage of legislation in Mississippi and North Carolina which openly endorses d...
1199 Expands in 2015 With Nearly 4,000 New Members Joining for Quality Care, Respect and a Voice on the Job!
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...
Caregivers at New York City’s Premiere Provider of LGBTQ Healthcare Join 1199SEIU’s Growing Movement for Community Care
Jan 23, 2015
On Tuesday, January 13, 200 healthcare workers at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center voted overwhelmingly to join with 1199SEIU. These...
1199 President George Gresham Addresses the North Carolina NAACP
Oct 14, 2014
1199SEIU President George Gresham joined Julian Bond, US Senator Kay Hagan and the Riverside Church?s Rev. James Forbes as featured spea...
1199SEIU Endorses Governor Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul
Sep 1, 2014
1199SEIU Endorses Governor Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul Cuomo-Hochul: Democratic Leadership that Delivers Real Progressive ...
1199SEIU Endorses Governor Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul
Sep 1, 2014
Cuomo-Hochul: Democratic Leadership that Delivers Real Progressive Change Governor Overruled Republican Opposit...
Healthcare Workers Applaud Appointment of Barrios-Paoli as NYC Deputy Mayor for Health & Human Services
Dec 12, 2013
The nurses and healthcare workers of 1199SEIU strongly support the appointment of Lilliam Barrios-Paoli as Deputy Mayor for Health and H...
1199's Milly Silva Scores Big in NJ Lt. Governor Candidates Debate
Oct 15, 2013
On October 11h, 1199SEIU New Jersey Executive Vice President Milly Silva, the Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor and running mate of ...
Statement Regarding Supreme Court Decisions By 1199SEIU, Nation’s Largest Healthcare Union
Jun 28, 2013
?Recent Supreme Court decisions have both outraged the members of our union and given us cause for celebration. Regardless, we are commi...
1199 MD/DC Stands with Labor to Support Marriage Equality in Maryland
Oct 31, 2012
On January 5, members of 1199SEIU in Baltimore hosted the Maryland and DC AFL-CIO, as the 300,000-member labor federation announced supp...
How Organized Labor Helped Win Marriage Equality in Maryland and Washington--And What We Can Learn
Apr 16, 2012
An April 15 article on "Alternet", the award-winning Internet news magazine, describes the leadership role of the 1199SEIU MD-D.C. regio...
1199SEIU Calls On New Jersey To Pass Marriage Equality Bill
Jan 25, 2012
1199SEIU, New Jersey?s largest long-term-care union, has called upon the state legislature in Trenton to pass the marriage equality legi...
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News Feed

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  • Contract talks for nearly 4,000 unionized workers at 27 different nursing homes in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Erie, and Niagara Counties Began Late February As Union Files Unfair Labor Practice Charges Against WNY’s Largest Nursing Home Chains 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 Union Files Unfair Labor Practice Charges Against WNY’s Largest Nursing Home Chains Read More
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  • Contract talks for nearly 4,000 unionized workers at 27 different nursing homes in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Erie, and Niagara Counties Began Late February Read More
  • URMHC Management Disrespectful Comment To Workers Continues As CEO & President Greg Hutton Sends Intimidating Email Threatening To Replace Specialized Caregivers Read More
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  • The caregivers of 1199SEIU celebrate the life and legacy of Hazel Dukes, a mentor and lifelong champion for working families, civil rights, quality healthcare, and democracy. Read More
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  • Contract talks for union nursing home workers in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Erie, and Niagara Counties Began Late February Read More
  • Caregivers Raise Concern Over Management’s Continued Stall Tactics and Demand that University of Rochester Decision Makers Join Contract Talks As CEO Greg Hutton Refuses To Face Workers At Bargaining Table Read More
  • Trump’s hateful display of lies and vitriol in his address to Congress last night reminds all of us of the immense and immediate harm his administration poses to working people, our jobs and the cost of living, our rights and our freedoms. Read More
  • The 3-year labor contract covering nearly 8,000 caregivers expires May 31st as workers demand improved staffing levels and added safety protections in the workplace as violence against healthcare workers on the rise across U.S. Read More
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  • Twenty-three-year-old Karlie Cole is a new 1199SEIU member-leader at HCA Florida Northside Hospital in Saint Petersburg and a proud member of Generation Z. Read More
  • At North Shore Medical Center in North Miami, dozens of experienced and talented members of 1199SEIU are enjoying significant pay raises negotiated by union members and leaders even after the facility has transitioned to new ownership. Read More
  • More than two hundred 1199SEIU Florida delegates and leaders gathered at the 2024 Delegate Assembly for a celebration of their efforts and achievements on behalf of fellow union members and healthcare workers in the face of great challenges throughout the year. Read More