In-house staff of SEIU 1199 reach bargaining table

This week, the in-house staff of SEIU 1199 held their first bargaining session with management. They’ve faced many hurdles to get to this point, but 1199 IHSU were united and excited to finally begin bargaining.

In June, 1199SEIU-UHWE In House Staff – from New York to Massachusetts to Florida – voted overwhelmingly by 82.3% to join the Washington-Baltimore News Guild (TNG-CWA Local 32035), securing collective bargaining rights for roughly 260 employees at America’s largest healthcare union representing over 450,000 members across the East Coast.

“This contract is about gaining the basic workplace rights for ourselves, the employees of 1199SEIU, that we advocate for on behalf of our members — and all workers,” Diego Grossman of the in-house staff union said. “For too long, there has been a climate of fear and retaliation inside our workplace.”

In their effort to win a union of their own and get to the bargaining table, employees overcame an aggressive union-busting campaign. Their demands include “just cause” protections against unfair discipline or termination, pay equity, expanded childcare benefits and a contractually binding grievance procedure. 

You can keep up with the union as bargaining continues by following them on X (formerly Twitter) and by visiting their website at 1199inhousestaffunion.com.