Around the Regions
“It makes me feel validated, appreciated, hopeful, and excited to see how the working atmosphere changes with some stressors removed, or lessened at least”. –Tracy Smith, Home Health Aide
Christine Matthews, an 1199er from South Shore University Hospital, gives blood.
UPSTATE NEW YORK
Home Health Aides in Buffalo Win Historic Agreement In the first of its kind, home health aides win historic 3-year agreement with Schofield Residence near Buffalo. Home Health Aides will win union protections, increased wages, health insurance, paid time off, paid family leave, pay for in-service, layoff and recall language, dignity respect language and more. Home care workers will also receive shift dif-
NEW YORK
Long Island Community Blood Drive 8
November - December 2023
ferential and weekend differential as well as a paid uniform allowance each year. This victory sets a precedent for newly organized home care workers who are joining 1199SEIU to win job protections and support for the work they do to keep their clients living and thriving in their own homes. “The new contract at Schofield solidifies scheduled pay increases and PTO (for full and part time
employees) among others. This will allow me to stay part time and be able to better provide for my family while making sure I'm available when they need me without losing pay. It makes me feel validated, appreciated, hopeful, and excited to see how the working atmosphere changes with some stressors removed, or lessened at least,” said Tracy Smith, Home Health Aide.
Every two seconds of every day, someone needs blood. It cannot be manufactured outside the body and has a limited shelf life, so the supply must be constantly replenished. With the goal of saving lives in mind, 1199ers came together in Bay Shore Long Island on November 21 for the 1199SEIU Community Blood Drive in honor of the former 1199SEIU President, Leon Davis whose birthday fell on the same day.
The Work We Do: NYPQ The country marked National Radiologic Technology Week November 5-11, and what better way to celebrate these crucial caregivers than to welcome them into the Union family. The 1199 Magazine caught up with a few of our newest technical members at NewYork Presbyterian Queens (NYPQ), who recently signed their first contract, bringing them the gold standard wages and benefits associated with institutions belonging to the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes.
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1. “When I looked at the health benefits we get through joining 1199, it was a no brainer,” said 1199 Radiation Therapist Richard Grant. He joined the first contract bargaining committee once the vote was taken to join 1199. “The Union makes the workplace less intimidating,” says Grant, who also operates specialized radiation equipment for cancer patients and has worked at NYPQ for two decades. "It is good to know there are people to lobby on your behalf and advocate to protect your rights. I think 1199 helps workers to perform at a higher level because we can speak our minds about best practices without worrying about retaliation. I would like to become a Delegate. I have now seen how the Union operates to make sure that workers get what they deserve, and I want to be a part of that.” 1199 Magazine
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