Marilyn Ralat-Albernas, REGISTERED NURSE

Kendall Regional Medical Center, Miami, FL, 15 years of service

“Where would we be without our union? Not only am I proud of what we’ve accomplished in our worksites, but also how we positively affect the healthcare industry as a whole. That only happens when we stand as one.”

Zaida Ramos, HOMECARE WORKER

18 years of service

“As a single mother, I’m grateful every day for our union because it allows me to pay for what I need for my son. We have won many improvements like maternity leave and paid time off.

But we need even more of us to get active in our union. The more we join together, the more we can win!”

Rayon Henry, SURGICAL TECH

NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases,
Member for 33 years

“Recently, my fellow 1199 surgical techs and I pushed for our job titles to be certified. We traveled to the state capital together and lobbied. After a long struggle, we won! I’d like to encourage all 1199 members, particularly the younger generation, to get as active in our union as possible. A lot of what we enjoy today is because of our hard work in the past, and we could lose it if we don’t fight for it. Join us in standing together!”

Lisa Murphy, LAB SUPPORT TECH

Cape Cod Hospital, Hyannis, MA,
15 years of service

“We are under attack across the country and in our communities—healthcare, wages, women’s rights. In order to fight back, we have to build our union because our strength is in our numbers. We need more members to become more active— we are all in this fight together.”

Jeanie Oliver-Allen, AMBULATORY SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE

Boston Medical Center, 32 years of service

“Safety net hospitals like mine are on the front lines of caring for vulnerable and diverse communities. I’m worried about what will happen to my hospital and our patients if plans to cut Medicaid funding move forward. Our power is in our numbers. We are all one— one beat, one sound. We have to stay on that same beat and keep fighting together.”

Joyce Lemon, REGISTERED NURSE

NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases,
36 years of service

“I was motivated to join the nursing profession by my mother, who came up from the South to become a registered nurse. I encourage all 1199 nurses and other healthcare workers to get involved in our union to protect and advance our professions. Many of us don’t realize the threats we face: to our healthcare, to unions and to our future. We need to get more active so we can stand strong against these threats.”

Cheryl Roberts, CNA

Alaris Health at Hamilton Park, New Jersey, 25 years of service

“I put all of my love and energy into my work because I truly care about my nursing home’s residents. When I have 20 or more residents to care for during my shift, it’s really hard to make sure that they all get the personal attention they deserve, and that breaks my heart. We need more unity and power so we can be a strong voice for better staffing levels.”

David Heath, TRANSPORT ASSISTANT

Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NY

“With 1199SEIU we have been able to win quality health insurance coverage that gives us peace of mind at our jobs. It’s important to build the unity and power of our union so that we can not only protect our own healthcare but ensure that no one receives substandard care just because they have the wrong answer to the question ‘Do you have health insurance?’”

Bill Pigford, CLERICAL SPECIALIST

Prince George’s Hospital Center, Cheverly, MD, 17 years of service

“We are in one of the most important times ever as a union, as healthcare workers and as a country. If we allow ourselves to be in a weakened position we are vulnerable to attacks. I have lived through Jim Crow Segregation in Mississippi, the War in Vietnam and The March on Washington and I know that the stroke of a pen can still set us back 200 years. We have to be ready.”