In Defense of Our Union: No One is Above the Constitution
Upholding Our Oath
Every elected officer of 1199SEIU takes an oath:
“I will respect and abide by all of the provisions of our Constitution and will fully comply with all Union decisions… I will protect and support my fellow members and defend our Union’s name, its honor, and its integrity.”
That oath is not just words—it is a commitment to govern responsibly, act with integrity, and ensure that our Union remains strong, democratic, and accountable to its members.
To Our 1199SEIU Family,
After months of President Gresham refusing to meet with the Executive Officers, the majority of elected officers and staff—85% of us—took decisive action to uphold our oath, enforce our Constitution, and ensure that the work of the Union moves forward.
As elected officers, we have a duty to uphold the Constitution of our Union and serve the interests of our members. That duty requires us to come together, make decisions, and take action on the urgent challenges facing working people today.
Yesterday, in spite of President Gresham’s resistance, we ensured that the Executive Council convened for a critical discussion.
To reinforce our responsibility to our members and the Constitution, we put forth three key resolutions:
To ensure the Executive Committee fulfills its duty and governs as required by the Constitution.
To prevent Union resources from being misused for any campaign.
To uphold a code of conduct that reflects the power and dignity of our membership.
Unfortunately, President Gresham and his slate of candidates have shown they are not interested in governing the Union fairly. During yesterday’s meeting, he openly asserted that he would not comply with the votes of the Executive Council—the highest-ranking body of our organization.
Our Commitment to OUR Union
This is not just an internal dispute—this is about the very foundation of our Union.
We understand that this is a difficult and tense moment. But we firmly believe that we must uphold our duty as officers and ensure the Union is governed properly and conduct a fair and transparent election.
Ignoring the Constitution is an attack on the democratic principles that 1199SEIU was built on. President Gresham’s actions suggest that he believes he is above the very rules that govern our Union. As leaders we know that no one—no matter their title—should be above the rules that protect and empower our members.
Regardless of how President Gresham or his slate of candidates behave, the Members First Unity Slate remains committed to leading with honesty, following the rules, and ensuring that the Union continues to function for the benefit of all members.
Our Future is at Stake
Unchecked power is dangerous. It threatens democracy within our Union and weakens the collective voice of our members. No one—not even the President—has the right to ignore the rules and silence the voices of the members who built this organization.
President Gresham’s refusal to meet with leadership has severely compromised our ability to defend our members, make timely decisions, and fulfill our responsibilities as elected officers. Despite these challenges, we continue to mobilize—pushing back against Medicaid cuts, standing up for our families, and protecting the rights of healthcare workers. However, without proper governance, we are not using the full strength of our membership to fight for what we deserve.
This is exactly why we must elect leadership that builds power with members—not leadership that protects the power of one man.
This April, we have a choice. We can accept a future where decisions are made to serve the interests of a few, or we can demand leadership that strengthens our movement and fights for justice for all working people.
We will not back down. We will continue to fight for transparency, accountability, and the principles that have made 1199SEIU a powerful force for working people.
In Solidarity,
Yvonne Armstrong & Veronica Turner-Biggs
On behalf of the entire Members First Unity Slate