Questions and Answers

Who is 1199?

In Massachusetts, 1199SEIU represents nearly 35,000 members in hospitals, nursing homes, homecare and clinics, with nearly 7,000 in the Greater Boston area – including our Caritas co-workers at Good Samaritan, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center and Carney Hospital. Because the majority of healthcare funding comes from the government, 1199SEIU members are extremely active on Beacon Hill, making sure the interests of healthcare workers and our patients are heard.

1199SEIU is the largest and most effective healthcare union in America, with the strength of over 340,000 members.

We are a highly democratic union, and members make all the important decisions. Our mission is to achieve the highest job standards for healthcare workers and win affordable, quality healthcare for all.

Why should we unite in 1199SEIU?

We want to be able to bargain for the kinds of improvements that 1199 members have achieved elsewhere: better pay and benefits, job security, a voice on the job, respect and fair treatment.

How can unionizing improve patient care?

It will help us to advocate for the best quality of care. 1199SEIU members have worked with management at many hospitals to create patient protections, including the ability for us to discuss optimal staffing with management and expand training and education opportunities.

What happens next if we vote to join 1199SEIU?

We – Caritas employees -- decide our bargaining priorities and elect a bargaining committee of our most respected peers to negotiate a contract, with the help of 1199SEIU’s experienced staff.

A contract is a legally-binding document that spells out all the terms of employment, including wages, benefits, and a grievance procedure for solving problems as they arise.

Who decides what we propose in negotiations?

We do, the workers at Caritas, through a process of surveys and through the election of a bargaining committee from our own co-workers.

Do we pay dues when we vote to unionize?

No. After (underlines connote links- if emphasis is needed, it should be done with italics) we have bargained the best contract we believe we can, all employees will then vote to approve the contract and will not pay dues until that vote. Dues are 2% of gross straight time wages up to 40 hours a week, excluding differentials, overtime and benefits. There are no initiation fees for anyone who is employed on the date that the contract is ratified.

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