If elected, what’s your plan for strengthening our Union?

Every region is important to our Union, and our strategy should reflect that. In order for us to win better contracts, secure and defend the healthcare institutions we serve, and provide the best care possible, we must:

• Fight for ALL members to have access to affordable healthcare, retirement benefits and a living wage - that includes non-league nursing homes, home care, and in the regions.  

• Listen. We will double down on building strong chapters and create new ways for members to have a voice in our Union.

• Protect and advance the lives of our families. Build the political power necessary to increase access to affordable housing, public transportation, and healthy communities.  

• Restore transparency and accountability. Decisions will be made collaboratively, with input from members, staff, and officers.  

• Invest in technology.  We are losing a minimum of tens of thousands of dollars in dues each year because we are using outdated systems. Updating the tools we use is necessary and overdue.
  

How did we get here? Why is a better direction needed for our Union?

For too long, decisions have been made by President Gresham without consulting members, staff, or the Executive Officers. The absence of a real shared decision-making process has silenced fresh ideas, alternative viewpoints, and new voices. This has led to divisiveness, and limited our power.

President Gresham, earlier this year, told us and the members that he would not run again because he had faith in his leadership recommendations to move our Union forward. We asked George if he wanted to be president emeritus and focus on national work, which is what he said he wanted to do. We asked Milly to be president, but they refused.

To help us move forward, a majority of elected officers put forth a unity slate—the same slate President Gresham proposed only two years ago.  The initial unity proposal was rejected; George said he would “accept nothing other than being President of 1199.”

This isn’t how a strong, member-driven union should operate. We made the choice to run the Members First Unity slate because we believe you deserve leadership that listens, shares power, and puts the members first.

How will this build our political power?

Strong relationships with lawmakers are critical to defending and advancing our rights as workers. We’ve worked alongside allies in government to secure funding, fight for fair labor laws, and protect the NLRB. These relationships will be even more important as we face a political environment that’s increasingly hostile to unions.

We understand that protecting this union requires collaboration—not just within our membership but with external allies. We’re ready to leverage these relationships to ensure that 1199 remains a strong, respected force in the labor movement.