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

Members at Baltimore’s Fayette Health and Rehabilitation Center in September won a strong contract, even as they faced COVID-19 challenges. 1199SEIU represents some 60 members at Fayette, including GNAs, EVS, Unit Clerks, Maintenance, Central Sterile Supply, and Rehab Aids.

1199SEIU members gathered Sept. 4 to mark National Homecare Day and recognize the contributions and challenges faced by homecare workers across the country. There are nearly a half million homecare workers in the U.S. 1199SEIU represents 60,000 in New York State and another 40,000 who work as Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) in Massachusetts.

As I write this, our country has suffered more than seven million Covid-19 cases and more than 200,000 deaths—far more than any other country. A University of Washington study estimates that, with winter impending and declining public vigilance, we may surpass 400,000 fatalities by the end of the year.

From stopping the spread of COVID-19 and securing healthcare coverage to ensuring safe workplaces and healthy communities, we have to choose the candidates who are most likely to work with us to get us what we need.

Did you vote? Doesn’t matter how – mail ballot, in person, early vote. Whichever. Just, have you voted? And, second, have you talked to your family and friends—specifically, three of them—about voting. If not, you should. Today. The fancy term is vote tripling, but really it just means that you’re making sure three people you know have voted or are going to vote.

Statement on FY21 State Budget

1199SEIU members are frontline healthcare workers, caring for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, private homes, and clinics. We are all essential workers! The November 3rd Presidential election is the most important of our lifetime, because we know that our jobs and livelihoods are on the line.

The school-based licensed mental health professionals of the Department of Behavioral Health School Mental Health Program stand in solidarity with the DC Nurses Association and Washington Teachers Union’s call to only reopen schools when it is safe.

On June 11, 2020, healthcare workers across Florida participated in actions outside of their workplaces to call for justice for George Floyd, organized by 1199SEIU Florida. As part of these actions, workers from St Mary' s·Medical Center knelt in silence for 8 minutes and 46 seconds and held signs with messages such as "Healthcare Workers for Justice," "Healthcare Workers for Peace," and "Justice for Floyd." One participant carried a sign that said "People Over Profits" and another carried a sign stating "PPE Now." Those messages were not directed at St. Mary's Medical Center or Tenet Healthcare.

FLORIDA - Today, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East (1199SEIU) filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Postmaster General and the United States Postal Service (USPS) over recently implemented policies to effectively disenfranchise tens of thousands of Florida voters.