Answers to Basic Questions

What is a union?
Who is 1199?
What have 1199 members gained?
How do we form a union?
Do we have the right to form a union?
What is a "contract"?
Why is management usually opposed to unions?
What are dues?
Will forming a union force me to go on strike?
Who is “The Union”?
Will forming a union prevent me from speaking directly to my supervisor?
What are “Political Action Contributions”, or “PAC”?

What is a union?
A union is simply a group of workers who join together to speak with one voice. Forming a union puts workers on an equal footing with management and gives workers a say in the decisions that affect them. As a union, healthcare workers negotiate a “contract” with their employer, which is a legally binding document that guarantees job improvements in writing. Workers who are part of a union can also use their strength to have a voice in the broader governmental decisions that affect our jobs, our families and our communities. Without a union, workers are alone with no collective voice in the workplace and all decisions are ultimately in the hands of management.

Who is 1199?
1199SEIU is the largest, fastest-growing and most effective healthcare union in America. We represent over 300,000 members throughout New York State, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our members work in every job classification and in every facet of the healthcare industry, including hospitals, nursing homes, homecare and clinics. 1199 members are driven by a mission to achieve affordable, quality healthcare for all, and the strongest voice for the workers that provide that care.

What have 1199 members gained?
Members of 1199SEIU have been able to achieve the highest job standards in America for healthcare workers, including better wages, affordable health benefits, retirement security, no-cost education opportunities, more paid time off and job security. 1199 members also have a strong voice on the job so we can advocate for better staffing and patient care. And because healthcare funding is largely controlled by government, we have built an effective voice in the legislative and regulatory arenas. We have been able to protect healthcare funding, expand access to affordable healthcare and advance our professions.

How do we form a union?
The first step is to form a committee that takes responsibility for informing co-workers and building union support. The next step is to sign cards showing that workers want to form a union and ask that an election be held. If a majority of workers vote for 1199, then workers start negotiations with management for better pay and other improvements.

Do we have the right to form a union?
Yes, the right to form a union is protected by federal law. Workers can talk about forming a union and exchange information anywhere and anytime, as long as it does not interrupt patient care. It is illegal for management to treat workers differently for supporting a union, interrogate workers about their union support, or threaten them in any way. The only way workers will win better pay, benefits and respect is by having the courage to stand up for each other, our patients and our families.

What is a contract?
A contract is a legally binding document which guarantees job improvements in writing. Without a union, workers have no contract, and management determines everything about your job, including your wages, benefits, disciplinary procedure and working conditions. When workers join 1199, they sit down with management and, with the help of union experts, negotiate a contract that includes raises, better benefits, job protections and other improvements. All workers then vote on whether or not to accept the contract. A contract is usually negotiated every 3 to 4 years, allowing workers to keep building on their gains. Hey, every single healthcare CEO has a contract, and they would never work without one. Shouldn't we, the people who actually care for patients every day, have the same security?

Why is management usually opposed to unions?
Without a union, management has all the power and is able to make every decision on their own, without input from workers. With a union, workers have a united voice and are able to participate in the decisions that affect wages, benefits and working conditions. When workers are part of a union, management has to share power and decision-making, and this can often be hard for management to accept. In order to stop workers from forming a union, management will often try to intimidate, divide and confuse workers. Management usually hires high-priced consultants that spread misinformation and try to divert workers’ attention from the job improvements that need to be made. Workers have learned that if they stay united and do not let management’s scare tactics distract them, then they will be successful in forming their union and winning job improvements.

What are dues?
Dues are the resources that workers pool together so we can solve problems in the workplace and have the most effective and united voice. Dues pay for legal experts that work with us to negotiate our contracts, organizers that help us solve problems on the job, and campaigns to support workers who want to join our union. In 1199, dues are 2% of our base wages with a $75 per month cap. When workers join 1199, they do not start paying dues until they have won a first contract, which includes all the improvements to their jobs.

Will forming a union force me to go on strike?
No, strikes are a tool of last resort that workers use to make their voice heard, and are only decided by a democratic vote. The vast majority of union contracts are settled without strikes, because there are many other ways that workers can make management agree to improvements in their jobs.

Who is “The Union”?
The union is you- healthcare workers who join together in their workplace for a voice. All important decisions in 1199 are made by members, such as voting on contracts and electing union leaders. 1199 is one of the most democratic unions in America, and the active involvement of members is supported and encouraged in all areas of our union.

Will forming a union prevent me from speaking directly to management or my supervisor?
No, in fact forming a union improves the lines of communication between workers and management. When workers have a union, there is a formal process in place so that workers can collectively raise their concerns and make sure they are addressed. But this formal process does not prevent individual workers from speaking directly to their supervisors as well. Workers often find that after forming their union, communications and relations with management are better than ever before.

What are “Political Action Contributions”, or “PAC”
Political Action Contributions are voluntary contributions that members make in order to build our voice in government, and advocate for the interests of patients and working families. Because healthcare is highly regulated, and the majority of healthcare funding comes from the government, 1199 members have built the most effective legislative action program in the country. We have defended healthcare funding, elected pro-worker officials, expanded access to healthcare for the uninsured, and passed patient protections.

For more information, speak to an organizer