1199 members form The First Chinese Presbyterian Church Home Attendant Corporation gathered at a mid-town Manhattan hotel on May 21 to celebrate their victory in a year-long contract fight.

Union and management representatives signed the collective bargaining agreement, which includes improvements to shift differentials and paid time and stipulates that workers with managed care cases shall receive the same benefits as when they were home attendants, on May 7.

“I feel very emotional,” said Laura Nunez, a home attendant with First Chinese Presbyterian for eight years. “I feel very proud of all of the elected officials and all of the staff that worked with us on this fight. I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you.”

New York City Public Advocate Bill De Blasio, whom 1199SEIU recently endorsed in the city’s mayoral race, was the evening’s surprise guest. He congratulated the workers on their steadfastness in the struggle for a fair contract. De Blasio has been a longtime and vocal supporter of 1199SEIU’s homecare workers. He was greeted by cheers, uproarious applause and chants of, “Bill! Bill! Bill!” You won a great victory because of your hard work,” he said. “I want to thank you for standing up for your own rights and the rights of all working people. Because of your victory, you’ve won a victory for working people all over the city.”

Also on hand to lend her support and congratulate First Presbyterian workers was City Councilmember Margaret Chen, whose Chinatown district is home to First Presbyterian Chinese. Chen has been a stalwart supporter of First Presbyterian workers and kept pressure on the agency to do the right thing. The Union honored her with a plaque at the celebration for her service and commitment to their struggle. Chen thanked the workers and said the real praise belonged to them.

“This was a fight to make sure we still have a union representing all of the workers at First Chinese Presbyterian. I remember stressing to them that First Chinese has had a union for more than 20 years and we are not going back. They knew you were strong and willing to stand up,” she said. “You set a great example for homecare workers and for other workers across the City of what is possible if workers stick together.”