Statement of Milly Silva, Executive Vice President, on Supreme Court DAPA/DACA decision

199SEIU members have always stood at the forefront of the most important movements for justice, equity, and peace. In the weekend before the new Juneteenth Federal holiday, 1199ers from around the Union were making their voices heard. In many shops, members have also negotiated a paid holiday for Juneteenth, the day which commemorates the end of chattel slavery in the United States.

Rite Aid members have ratified another three-year contract after a tough round of negotiations which includes annual three percent raises and a dollar per hour increase in the night differential. Management came after members healthcare benefits, but 1199ers fought back and protected their affordable insurance. Members were also successful in protecting their 1199SEIU Pension Fund, Training & Upgrading Fund and Child Care Fund in the face of management attempts to take these valuable funds off the table.

Retirees in Florida kicked off the election season with their annual picnic in Orlando on June 30th. It was an opportunity to enjoy food and fellowship, but also to prepare for the important battles ahead as the country heads into the midterm elections in November.

It is clear that we are living in turbulent times. Our national political landscape is rife with deep divisions and the terrible Russian offensive against the Ukrainian people rages on— threatening stability across the globe.

At a time when our Florida politics are so often polarized, paralyzed along party lines, today we can celebrate an act of collaboration and understanding that will greatly benefit some of our state’s most deserving workers.

No matter how young or old we are, we Americans have grown up hearing quite a few myths about our democracy that very often proved to be false.

Lewiston, NY - Yesterday, the three separate bargaining units represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new four-year agreement with Mount St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston. More than 350 union healthcare workers at the hospital are covered by the new contract, which includes nurses, service and maintenance workers, technical workers, and other professional staff.

Buffalo, NY – More than 600 Nursing Home Workers at four for-profit facilities overwhelmingly ratified a 3-year contract last week, while workers at 5 facilities overwhelmingly voted to authorize 5-day strikes in the fight for a fair contract. Caregivers are part of a joint campaign of more than 1,200 nursing home workers at 12 for-profit facilities across Western New York who held oneday strikes mid-July. Nursing Home workers are represented by 1199SEIU, United Healthcare Workers East.

Who: 1199SEIU members at Columbia Memorial Hospital, Labor and Community Leaders, Elected Leaders Expected: Congressman-elect Pat Ryan, US Senator Gillibrand (representative), Senator Michelle Hinchey, Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson, Hudson Common Council President, Tom Depietro, Columbia County Supervisors Linda Mussmann and Michael Chameides

Veteran organizer, advocate and activist will lead 1199’s political program, representing over 70,000 caregivers in Massachusetts