CONTENTS
Embracing ethnic diversity is not only just, but it is also the key to maintaining our power.
19
10 4 Hispanic Heritage Month Two immigrant members describe their experiences. 5 The President’s Column Solidarity Matters
22
cover : A young 1199 family member enjoys the Dominican Day parade in Manhattan in August.
@1199seiu www.1199seiu.org 2
September-October 2023
1199 Magazine September-October 2023 Vol. 41 No.5 ISSN 2474-7009 Published by 1199SEIU, United Healthcare Workers East 498 Seventh Ave, New York, NY 10018 (212) 582-1890 www.1199seiu.org
Editorial: United We Stand
6 Around the Regions PCAs in MA on path to $25/hr; 1199ers in Upstate NY secure employment; Union help for Rite Aid members; Labor Day Upstate, NY; Memberled stress relief workshop; NYS Senior Action Council; 1199 home care member testifies in D.C; Brides March, NYC.
10 Celebrating Our Diverse Heritage Members build power while enjoying each other’s cultural expression. 14 Florida 1199ers on the Move Just as members and retirees gear up for the 2024 election in their tossup state, thousands are celebrating a landmark contract victory. 16 The Work We Do Celebrating our EVS and Food Service members.
19 Walking the Walk Union members travel to Washington, D.C. to pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King and continue the fight for racial equity in the United States. 20 It’s Payback Time 1199 home care members enjoy large payouts after Unionled legal action. 22 Our History 1199’s Historical Political Influence in the South.
As 1199ers, we all know that our strength at the bargaining table— where we routinely achieve some of the best healthcare contracts in the country —comes primarily from our unity. The bosses know this too, and they also know that one of the most effective methods of diminishing our power is by sowing divisions between us. Management will always be motivated to try to prevent us coming together in the large numbers we need to win. That’s why we must be steadfast when it comes to welcoming all members into our union family, regardless of their ethnic background or country of origin. From the earliest days of 1199, we have always cherished our diverse make up. In the 1930s, Jewish pharmacists, who were being denied hospital work because of religious discrimination, made common cause with service workers in NYC’s major hospitals – who themselves were facing racial discrimination. Fast forward almost a century and we still treasure the diversity in our Union, which also welcomes newcomers to the United States with open arms. So, when politicians like NYC Mayor Eric Adams make inflammatory comments about people seeking asylum, we are bound to cry foul. Many of our members are immigrants themselves and the 1199 jobs they find when they reach our shores often provide their first foothold on the path to enjoying the American dream (See 1199 Welcomes Immigrants, p. 4). To demonstrate our Union's commitment to diversity over the summer months, 1199ers of every ethnic background can be seen honoring each other’s cultural traditions during parade season (See Celebrating our Diverse Heritage, p. 10). It is not just immigrants who face discrimination in the United States, of course. The fight for racial equity is also deeply woven into the Union’s DNA. When it comes to commemorating significant milestones in the civil rights movement, 1199ers will always turn out. (See Walking the Walk, p. 19) And as the country gears up for
president
George Gresham secretary treasurer
Milly Silva senior executive vice presidents
Yvonne Armstrong Maria Castaneda Veronica TurnerBiggs executive vice presidents
Jacqueline Alleyne Lisa Brown Roger Cummerbatch Tim Foley Todd Hobler Patricia Marthone Brian Morse Joyce Neil Roxey Nelson Rona Shapiro Gregory Speller Daine Williams Nadine Williamson editor
Sarah Wilson art direction and design
Maiarelli Studio director of photography
Kim Wessels contributors
Leyla Adali Marlishia Aho April Ezzell JJ Johnson
Albert Tercero
the 2024 general election campaign, it is more important than ever for working people to unite around elected representatives with a proven track record on issues like affordable healthcare and housing, rather than being swayed by dishonest right-wing rhetoric around immigration.
From the earliest days of 1199, we have always cherished our diverse make up.
Just as this edition goes to press, the extremists in the Republican caucus of the House of Representatives had come dangerously close to forcing a Federal Government shutdown. While these elected officials represent just 1.8% of the country, they have been able to wield enormous power. We know that if we remain united and focused that we too can exercise our own power at the ballot box (See 1199’s Political Influence in the South, p. 22). There is never a good reason for division and discrimination along ethnic or racial lines. But there is almost always a clear motive – dividing working people in order to reduce our power.
1199 Magazine is published six times a year—January/ February, March/ April, May/June, July/ August, September/ October, November/ December—for $15.00 per year by 1199SEIU, United Healthcare Workers E. 498 Seventh Ave, New York, NY 10018 Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 1199 Magazine, 498 Seventh Ave, New York, NY 10018
1199 Magazine
3
