1199ers are rising up! Together, we will strengthen our chapters and turfs, elect healthcare champions and win on our issues agenda. Take a look at what we've been up to!
Nashoba Valley Medical Center tech unit ratifies first contract
Congratulations to the 80 members of the technical bargaining unit at Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, MA for ratifying their first contract on October 11! Highlights from the contract include a total of 5% wage increase over 14 months, equity adjustments for much of the bargaining unit, inclusion in the Steward master agreement that will give workers rights and protections, huge cost savings on health insurance, and access to the Training Fund by the end of the agreement in October 2019.
Advocating with the Healthcare Education Project in DC
Last month, we joined the Healthcare Education Project in our nation’s capital. We met with our members of Congress and advocated for continued protection of Medicaid and extension of critical funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program and our community providers. Our Massachusetts Congressional Delegation has been leading the fight to protect affordable healthcare, and we are proud to stand with them. This fight is far from over, but together with our allies in Congress and across our communities, we will remain vigilant to protect quality, affordable healthcare for our families, our patients and our consumers.
Tentative Agreement Reached with Town of Nantucket at Our Island Home
The Bargaining Committee at Our Island Home in Nantucket is pleased to announced that we have reached a tentative agreement with the Town of Nantucket, providing for a new 3 year contract. Highlights include protecting current health insurance plans for current employees, bringing back the uniform allowance for those required to wear them, more control over personal days, and very modest wage increases. The committee resisted and pushed back on multiple attempts to change the health insurance plan for incumbent employees and was able to move management off their original proposal for increases to health insurance premiums and absolutely no wage increases. Congrats to the team for staying strong, and good luck on your contract vote!
Boston Medical Center RNs Weekend Incentive Program
We are thrilled to announce a new Weekend Incentive (WIN) Program! This program is designed to enhance weekend RN coverage and to decrease the number of work schedules that require every other weekend commitments. The program will begin with the Med/Surg units — including the Observation unit — and the Critical Care units at this time. The Med/Surg Float Pool and the Critical Care Float Pool are also eligible for the program.
Contract Ratified at Tobey Hospital
Due to an overwhelming contract ratification vote in September, 1199ers at Tobey Hospital in Wareham, MA now have a contract that runs through December 31, 2019! Highlights include step raises and a guarantee of no freeze through the end of the contract. The bargaining committee took the opportunity to win a guarantee of wage growth over the next two years that no other Southcoast worker has! Congrats to all on this win.
Cape Cod Healthcare Negotiations Update
For the past four months, our sisters and brothers in the Cape Cod Healthcare System have been at as many as eight different bargaining tables to negotiate four new contracts. Our contracts have been extended through the end of November, and we continue to stay united as we work together to push back against management’s attempts at significant takeaways. At the same time, we continue to meet in impact bargaining to save jobs threatened by the outsourcing of lab work to Quest Diagnostics. We have had some success in outlining services that should not be lost to our community, resulting in a reduction of some layoffs. Stay tuned for more updates!
Learn More about Potential Benefits through the 1199SEIU Training and Upgrading Fund!
Are you interested in going to college, continuing your education or improving your professional skills? Did you know that you might be eligible to pursue these educational opportunities through the 1199SEIU Training and Upgrading Fund? The Fund is a negotiated benefit between multiple healthcare employers and our union covering 44,000 employees. Through this unique collaboration, the Fund provides career and educational advising, adult education, skills enhancement programs, tuition vouchers/ reimbursement and professional development opportunities to thousands of healthcare employees working at facilities that participate in the Fund. For more information or to find out if your employer participates in the Fund, call (877) 409-8283 or click here to send us an email!
Our path forward is centered on organizing and mobilizing on an unprecedented scale to resist the attacks on our movement, fight for our vision for a just society and transform 1199SEIU into a thriving, highly interconnected 21st century union. Here’s what we’re up to:
Strong chapters and turfs begin with us. Attend an upcoming membership meeting or meet and greet event, or attend our Statewide Delegate & Activist Assembly on November 15! You can also join one of our SEIU caucuses, including the Haitian Caucus, the African American Caucus, SEIU Latino Caucus and Purple Gold. Learn more at www.1199massengage.org!
As healthcare workers, we know the importance of electing champions who will stand up for issues important to us, our families and our communities. That is why our union has endorsed dedicated leaders whose commitment to our shared values make them the best choices for our community. Click here to see our full slate of endorsed candidates, and join healthcare workers across Massachusetts by voting on November 7!
On Saturday, September 16, 1199ers (and our families!) kicked off the Fall 2017 Election Season by collecting signatures to get Paid Family & Medical Leave and a $15 Minimum Wage on the 2018 ballot! We will be collecting signatures throughout October and November in Quincy, Brockton, Lawrence, Worcester, Springfield and Hyannis. Click here to learn more and sign up to volunteer!
Now, it’s time to come together to join up, rise up and win! For more information and to get more involved, contact your delegate or Administrative Organizer.
Let’s unite to continue improving quality care!
For more than a decade, 1199ers have been on the front lines of the national and local fights for quality, affordable healthcare. Now, the Massachusetts Senate will consider legislation as part of the next phase of healthcare reform in the Commonwealth. As frontline healthcare workers, our experiences and professional skills are essential to these reform efforts.
We must join together once again to build our power and ensure our voices are at the center of this important healthcare debate. Contact your State Senator today to advocate for the inclusion of our 1199SEIU priorities in the Senate’s healthcare bill:
"This year's Boston Business Journal Power 50 list — our seventh — is focused on men and women who are not only leading and breaking new ground, but also doing that work as an example to others, unafraid to make headlines..."
Did you know?
Delegates are 1199’s primary representatives in the workplace and elected by their coworkers. They help other members by providing information and assistance on grievances, contract questions, and other issues. They also organize members around political activities, promote union programs, and make sure that union members have stable, productive relationships with management. Would you like to learn more or find out who your delegate is? Contact your administrative organizer!
Political Captains are activists who want to engage in our political and legislative advocacy. Calls with Political Captains happen once a month so we can stay informed about the latest updates on key legislation and budget priorities and upcoming meetings and events. To learn more about becoming a Political Captain, contact the Political Action Department at 1-877-409-1199.
Upcoming Events
To RSVP to any of these events, contact your administrative organizer.
Delegate & Activist Assemblies
October 25 @ 5:00PM: New Bedford (560 Pleasant St.) October 28 @ 9:30AM: Lynn (location TBA) November 15: Statewide Delegate & Activist Assembly at Union Hall in Quincy, MA (108 Myrtle St., 02171)
AFRAM Halloween Party
The members of the SEIU AFRAM African American Caucus will hold a special family-friendly Halloween party for children to celebrate the scariest holiday of the year!
Saturday, October 28 from 5pm - 9pm: 1199SEIU Union Hall (108 Myrtle St. Quincy, MA 02171)
First Friday Social
Join us to network and socialize with fellow 1199SEIU members!
Friday, November 3 from 6pm - 10pm: 1199SEIU Union Hall (108 Myrtle St. Quincy, MA 02171)
