A JOURNAL OF 1199SEIUJanuary/February 2010

OUR HEALTHCARESYSTEM IS ONLIFE SUPPORT

One quarter million residents of Manhattan’slower west side and 4,000 employees, includinglaundry worker Paula Phillips, would sufferif St. Vincent’s Hospital closes. Pages 6 to 9.

Contents

p.12p.11Our Life And Times,January/February2010,Vol. 28,No.1 Published by 1199SEIU,United HealthcareWorkers East310West 43rd St.New York, NY 10036Telephone (212) 582-1890www.1199seiu.org

PRESIDENT:George GreshamSECRETARY TREASURER:Maria Castaneda

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTS:Norma AmsterdamYvonne ArmstrongAngela DoyleMike FadelAida GarciaGeorge KennedySteve KramerPatrick LindsayJoyce NeilJohn ReidBruce RichardMike RifkinNeva ShillingfordMilly SilvaEstela Vazquez

EDITOR:J.J. JohnsonSTAFF WRITER:Patricia KenneyPHOTOGRAPHER:Jim TynanPHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT:Belinda GallegosART DIRECTION & DESIGN:Maiarelli StudioCOVER PHOTO:Jim Tynan

Our Life And Times ispublished 6 times a year by1199SEIU, 310West 43rd St.,New York, NY 10036.Subscriptions $15 per year.Periodicals postage paid atNew York, NY and additionalmailing offices.ISSN 1080-3089.USPS 000-392.Postmaster: Send addresschanges to Our Life AndTimes, 310West 43rd St.,New York, NY 10036.

3 LOOSENING THE STRANGLEHOLDWe are the change we are seeking.

4 PRESIDENT’S COLUMN It’s time to restore the social contract.

5 ORGANIZING IN TOUGH TIMES Massachusetts members show the way.

6 WE’RE HOLDING LINE AT ST. VINCENT’S HOSPITAL Time to put people over profits.

8 THE WORK WE DO Saving St. Vincent’s.

10 N.J. MEMBERS FACE BUDGET CRUNCH Members are ready to fight.

11 MD-D.C. REGION LAUNCHES ORGANIZING DRIVE Members are the heart of Baltimore.

12 WE ARE ALL HAITIANS 1199SEIU donates $1 million to Haiti Relief.

14 MEMBERS MAKE USE OF EDUCATION SAFETY NET Assistance helps thousands to remain in industry.

15 TAX PROGRAM PUTS MONEY IN MEMBERS’ POCKETS Assistance is available.

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LPN Lori Galoni

p.14

3 January/February • Our Life And Times

During the early daysof Pres. BarackObama’s tenure,supporters fre-quently quoted thelate Pres. FranklinD. Roosevelt, who

during his first administrationreportedly told a meeting ofsupporters: “I agree with you. I wantto do it. Now make me do it.”

As we begin the second yearof the Obama era, those words areinstructive. Labor and its alliesworked tirelessly in 2008 to endRepublican rule and to wrest controlof our economy from the strangleholdof the rich and powerful. We’ve onlyjust begun.

By electing Barack Obama and aDemocratic majority, we gained a seatat the political table. From there we’reable to help heal the wounds of ournation and pull our economy out ofthe ditch by putting people to work,providing health care to all andrebalancing the scale between capitaland labor by removing the restrictionsto organizing workplaces andnegotiating contracts.

The election victories mean thatworking people now have far moreleverage than we did under precedingadministrations. And had John McCainbeen elected to the nation’s highestoffice, our current situation mostassuredly would have been far worse.

On the plus side, our status hasbeen enhanced around the world.

The administration has replaced pro-business watchdogs with advocates inposts that oversee the environment,health, labor, women, children andcivil rights. The president’s stimuluspackage has created or savedthousands of jobs.

But we are far from out ofthe woods. We have not left Iraq,and we’re escalating the war inAfghanistan. The drive for universalhealth care has stalled in Congress.The official jobless rate has reacheddouble digits, and the unofficial rate isnearly twice as high. Mortgagedefaults continue to rise.

So in his Jan. 27 State of theUnion address, Pres. Obama declared,“Jobs must be our number one focusin 2010.” In his address, he also lashedout at Congressional Republicans forblocking initiatives and at Democratsfor lacking the courage to fight back.

The president scolded theinvestment banks for theirobscene bonuses afterbeing bailed out by thetaxpayers. But he also

criticized himself and his admin-istration for missteps during the pastyear. Although the president criticizedthe big banks, he did not explain howhis administration would curb theirpower. Nor did he declare howhe would aid states and localitiesstraining under the weight of recordbudget deficits.

Thus, the task of 1199ers, labor

and its allies remains the same: Toorganize in our workplaces andcommunities to ensure that all ourelected officials place the interestof working people over those of therich and powerful. The threatenedclosing of Manhattan’s St. Vincent’sHospital is symptomatic of ournation’s misplaced priorities.

This issue highlights how we’vebegun that process, despite the bleakeconomic climate. We made amazinggains in 2009 and continue on thatpath today. For example, in 2009 theMassachusetts region organized andwon a contract at Caritas Christi, thelargest community-based hospitalchain in the state. Other importantvictories were won in all our regions.

And while 1199ers battlefor patients and theircommunities, they alsohave opened theirhearts to the peopleof Haiti. Immediately

after the quake, the Union donated$1 million to UNICEF (UnitedNations Children’s Fund).

As is their custom, 1199ers areable to provide exceptional care forpatients, while working tirelessly onsocial and political initiatives andcontributing time and money toheal a sister nation. The venuesmay be different but the strugglesare the same.

1199ers put the well-being of themany over the profits of the few.

EDITORIAL

Loosening the StrangleholdWemust step up our challenge to corporate power.

1199ersput thewell-beingof themanyover theprofits of the few.

5 January/February • Our Life And Times

The Massachusetts region of1199SEIU ended the firstdecade of this century withunprecedented gains inorganizing, contracts andpolitical action.

Last year the regionorganized more than 2,000workers in Caritas Christi, thelargest community-basedhospital system in the state.Another 400 workers at UnionHospital in Lynn voted to join1199SEIU.

Also joining the 1199SEIUfamily were 100 nursing homeworkers at Tower Hill in Cantonand in Lowell, 100 at Fairhavenand 25 at Glenwood.

Following organizingvictories, 1199SEIU Massa-chusetts began contractcampaigns. In December,members reached a ground-breaking four-year contractagreement at Caritas for workersat St. Elizabeth’s Medical Centerin Brighton, Carney Hospital inDorchester, Norwood Hospital inNorwood and Good SamaritanMedical Center in Brockton.

The Caritas pact, which wasapproved by a 9 to 1 margin,includes wage increases of 3%percent in January 2010 and4% in October 2010, as well as2% raises in 2011 and 2012,plus more if hospital reim-bursement rates increase. Thecontract also includes entry intothe 1199SEIU Training andUpgrading Fund.

“It’s just great to come intowork now,” says St. Elizabeth’spatient care assistant SoniaMarshall. While members arehappy about the wage andbenefits gains, they wereequally happy with thechanged status the contractsrepresent.

“I know I have a lot tocontribute toward the qualitycare we provide our patients,”says Norwood CNA Mary Nuahn.“Winning this contract isn’t justabout wages and benefits.It’s about dignity and respectfor all of us.”

Equally impressive was thecontract victory won at NorthAdams Regional Hospital in theface of management attemptsto wrest unprecedentedconcessions from 174 members.The agreement, whichmembers ratified unanimously,maintained all the keyprovisions of the previouscontract.

“By keeping caregivers atthe bedside and maintaining

continuity of care, thisagreement helps protect thebond between patients andhealthcare workers,” says NorthAdams LPN Debbie Little.

In December, personalcare attendants throughoutMassachusetts votedoverwhelmingly to support thefirst ever PCA paid time-offprovision. Some 23,000 areaffected. When the PCAs votedto join 1199SEIU in November2007 it was the largest unionelection victory in the history ofthe state.

None of the region’s victoriescame over night. For years1199SEIU Massachusettsmethodically built its politicalpower and community support.The PCA victories came afterintensive political and legislativecampaigns that won the supportof community organizations, thereligious community, electedofficials, caregivers andconsumers.

It was in 2007 that1199SEIU Massachusetts kickedoff its free and fair unionelections campaign. In January2009, the leadership of CaritasChristi signed a pact with1199SEIU to allow free andfair elections in its facilities.

The region also haspartnered with the Boston AreaTrades Council to launch the

website EyeOnBI.org, part ofan effort to return Beth IsraelDeaconess hospital in Bostonto its founding principles andensure that the administration isputting the interests of patients,workers and communitymembers first.

Since 2007, the hospital haschanged some of its mostegregious practices in responseto the web campaign, includingdropping its late-nightemergency room fees andrevising its charity carereporting to more actually reflectits charity care.

1199SEIU Massachusettsalso has helped to preventcrippling state healthcarebudget cuts and to elect pro-worker candidates such asBoston Mayor Thomas M.Menino and a progressiveSpringfield City Council.

The region’s delegates metin Dorchester in November toreview their 2009 accomplish-ments and chart a course for2010. Mike O’Brien, a respiratorytherapist and delegate at NorthAdams Regional Hospital,summed up the mood at themeeting, saying, “There’s a spiritthat has been generated in theroom by people being here andseeing our accomplishments.”

Further online coverage atwww.1199SEIU.org/mass.

Massachusetts members win unprecedented gains.

“It’s just great to comeinto work now. Whilemembers are happyabout the wage andbenefits gains, theywere equally happy withthe changed status thecontracts represent.”

Organizing in Tough Times

ORGANIZING

THE BEST EVER

Iretired 12 years ago afterabout 41 years as an 1199member. I regularly readthe magazine, but never inmy more than half-century

with the Union have I ever readanything as inspiring as thelast issue.

The pictures and descriptionsof the pioneers brought backmany good memories. I knew somany of the leaders who wereprofiled. I was a registered Re-publican, but I also was a devotedmember for many, many years.And I retained my membershipafter I became a psychiatrist.

The issue of the magazine re-minded me how most newspapersand publications today fail to tellus the truth. Your magazine wasnothing but the truth. I’m so im-pressed with it that I’m going tohave my husband laminate eachpage, so that I can preserve andread it in the years ahead.

You should be proud of thework you do.

TULA BEAUCHAMPQueens, N.Y.

I WAS THERE

Ijust finished reading yourDecember 2009 issue, “50Who Carried the 1199Torch.” It brought backmany memories of my

early years as a pharmacy studentand as an 1199 member as earlyas 1956.

There were many memorabletimes in my student years andlater in my years as a licensedpharmacist in 1959 working in aWhelan store in Brooklyn on

Court St.I was a Union

pharmacist andspent many dayswalking the picketlines in the hot sum-mer heat and thefreezing winter days.Then as historywould have it, I be-came a partner inthe conversion of thestore to Drug GuildPharmacy.

It was then thatI got to know yourdelegate GeorgeGoodman (who youleft out of the 50).I maintained mymembership in theUnion for manyyears, but later, own-ers were not allowedto be Union mem-bers. When the rulewas subsequentlychanged, I renewed

my membership.I spent many a night at

meetings in NYC with PhilKamenkowitz, Eddie Ayash,Moe Foner, Bill Taylor, GeorgeGoodman and, of course, theinimitable Leon Davis. Thosewere tough years for us, butwe all gave it our best and wepersevered.

I just thought you might wantto hear from an old-timer whowas there when we made ithappen. Whey they called,we showed up on the lines.

BERNARD WOHLSTETTERJackson, N.J.

GREAT TEACHING TOOL

Iam a retired member fromNew York DowntownHospital. When I receivedthe last issue of Our LifeAnd Times, I was im-

pressed to see that you acknowl-edged the pioneers of our Union.

The articles reminded meabout the old times, but, moreimportant, they can teachyounger members about the his-tory of our Union. Too much ofour history is lost, and youngermembers have no idea about howwe were able to achieve all thatwe have.

Although I’m retired, I liketo read about our Union and tobe reminded that all I had donein the past has been acknowl-edged and that others are seeingthe fruits of our labor.

I wish that you would writesomething in each issue of themagazine about our history sothat our new members will betterunderstand what we have to doto keep our Union vibrant andpowerful.

SUSHEELA DESAIBronx, N.Y.

4January/February • Our Life And Times

This issue of Our Life And Times focuses largely on ourupcoming battles in our state legislatures to protect healthcare fundingfrom short-sighted budget cuts that harm patient care and devastate(or even close) distressed hospitals, nursing homes and other providers.

It seems like, for us 1199ers, this is a never ending struggle, and itjust gets harder each year as state budgets operate increasingly at adeficit. Virtually every state in the country is operating at a loss, withCalifornia, our biggest state, working with a $30 billion-plus deficit.It would do us well to ask why our states are in so much trouble.Let us look at the big picture.

For more than 200 years, democracies have governed based onthe theory of a “social contract”—meaning that government gets itslegitimacy based on the consent of the governed. Inherent in thisis the idea of fair taxation—that we pay taxes in return for services,e.g. schools, health care, highways, transit systems, police and firedepartments, and such.

For the past 30 years, the social contract has been under ferociousattack by the corporations, the ultra-rich and the right wing. Nobodyenjoys paying taxes but, exploiting this popular sentiment, these forcesand their allies in the mass media have created an anti-tax atmospherethat has at times nearly ground government to a halt.

Of course what they mean when they say “no new taxes” isno taxes at all for the corporate rich. And through legal maneuversof the tax system, some of our largest corporations in fact pay notaxes, while working families continue to pay disproportionatelyto our income.

Unfortunately, this campaign has paid huge dividends to thewealthy. Over a trillion dollars in tax cuts were given to the wealthiestpeople in the country by George W. Bush and the Congress. Stilluntold trillions more were given to the banks the past two yearsto bail them out of the economic crisis they created.

Add to this the fact that over one half of our federal budgetdiscretionary spending goes to the military to pay for current wars, toprepare for future wars, and for past wars. This year, we will pay morethan a trillion dollars in military spending—more money thanthe rest of the world’s countries combined.

This has resulted in huge cuts in federal dollars to our states.(Most states, to continue operating, then try to pass along the cuts toour counties and localities, which are then forced to raise propertytaxes to make up for the shortfall.)

So New York State, for example, is now operating at a $6 to 8billion deficit. The governor, as is his custom (and was the custom ofhis predecessors), wants to balance the budget on the backs of ourmost vulnerable—healthcare patients and schoolchildren. And we in1199SEIU gear up once again to do battle to protect our patients,our industry, our jobs and our families.

In the long run, of course, the only solutions to this ongoing crisisare to reverse our federal priorities from military spending to meetinghuman needs; to re-implement a progressive tax structure (the wealthytoday pay less than half the taxes they did under Richard M. Nixon),and to win universal health care.

As this issue of Our Life And Times goes to press, we are stillanalyzing the proposed budgets in our states to decide our strategiesfor protecting health care. But we have a possible starting place. Whilemillions of working families are losing their jobs, their health care, theirpensions and even their homes, the banking and investment industriesare handing out bonuses totaling tens of billions of dollars. Thoseindustries are located primarily in New York. Back in the 1950s,legendary criminal Willie Sutton was asked why he robbed banks.“Because that’s where the money is,” he said. And that’s where themoney is still today.

THEPRESIDENT’SCOLUMN

Letters

It’s Time to Restorethe Social ContractWemust insist governments reorder their priorities.

George Gresham

Mary Nuahn, a CNA at NorwoodHospital in Norwood, Mass.

AARON DONOVAN PHOTO

OUR UNION

IOUR LINE IN THE SAND IS DRAWN AT

ST. VINCENT’SCoalition says it’s time to fight for people not banks.

It’s time to put people ahead of the bottom line. This was the message of a Jan. 28emergency town hall meeting to save St. Vincent’s Hospital held at Greenwich Village’sOur Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church.

Speaker after speaker—patients, staffers, management and elected officials—warnedthat if New York State’s Department of Health is willing to close the 160-year-oldbedrock of the Lower Manhattan and West Side community, no institution is safe.

n recent years, Saint Vincent’s CatholicMedical Center (SVCMC), the hospital’sparent organization, has been facing severefinancial hardships. It filed for chapter 11-bankruptcy protection in February 2007,but it is still operating at a steep deficit.Two SVCMC hospitals in Queens—MaryImmaculate and St. John’s—closed last year,leaving St. Vincent’s as the last remainingCatholic hospital in New York City.

In a January statement, the New YorkState Department of Health (DOH), whichoversees hospitals in the state, reported thatSt. Vincent’s has not remained competitive.The statement also indicated that St.Vincent’s management had determined thatSt. Vincent’s is no longer viable as a stand-alone community hospital and that it neededto seek a corporate partner.

It was this report and rumors of apossible sale and downsizing of St. Vincent’sthat precipitated the Jan. 28 rally. “I’ve neverseen such a quick and forceful reaction fromthe community and our elected officials,”said 1199SEIU Political and LegislativeDirector Kevin Finnegan.

The urgency and resolve was reflectedin the spirit of the rally and impassionedspeeches. New York City Council SpeakerChristine Quinn reflected the attitude of theseveral hundred participants crowded intothe church auditorium when she declared tofever ish applause: “If AIG was too big to fail,then St. Vincent’s is certainly too importantto fail.”

Sister Dorothy Metz, president of theSisters of Charity, the order that founded the

hospital in 1849, noted that the hospital’semphasis is on patient-focused healthcare,with a special mission to provide care for thepoor and disenfranchised.

She outlined some of the history of thestoried institution: It has treated survivors ofthe U.S. Civil War and of the passenger shipTitanic. Its ambulance was the first to reachsurvivors of the Triangle Shirtwaist FactoryFire in 1911. It was the first hospital to treatAIDS patients in the early 1980s.

St. Vincent’s also treated the survivorsof the 1993 World Trade Centerterrorist bombing as well as survivors

of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.“It is important for St. Vincent’s to be here

in the event of another terrorist attack,” de -clared Manhattan Borough Pres. Scott Stringerat the rally. “But it’s just as important for St.Vincent’s to be here to treat heart attacks.

Speakers noted that St. Vincent’s is thelast remaining hospital with a level 1 traumacenter and emergency room from midtownsouth to the tip of the borough. If St.Vincent’s shuts its doors, Roosevelt Hospital,about two-and-a-half miles north of St.Vincent’s, would be the nearest emergencyroom. In crowded Manhattan, traveling sucha distance often is the difference between lifeand death.

Newly elected City Comptroller JohnLiu told the rally that closing St. Vincent’sdoesn’t make sense even from an economicstandpoint. “We’ve lost 16 emergency roomsin the city since 2002. That has cost us livesas well as revenue. He cautioned that the

state DOH must take into account the lossof jobs, businesses and tax revenue in itscalculations.

The most compelling argumentscame from the patients whodescribed St. Vincent’s as alifeline and part of the fabricof the community whose loss

would leave a gaping hole in their neighbor -hoods and their lives.

Two members of the Committee ofInterns and Residents—Dr. Jay Mathur andDr. Angela Ferguson—stirred the audiencewith descriptions of the role of St. Vincent’sin the West Side community. Dr. Mathurhanded the microphone to two of his

patients. One young woman declared, “I’monly 21 but St. Vincent’s has already savedmy life several times.”

“St. Vincent’s turns no one away and nowit is being targeted because of its patientpopulation,” said 1199er Eric Wilson, chiefof surgical perfusion at St. Vincent’s. To callsof “Amen,” Wilson closed by quoting theBible: “Remember, what you do to the leastof them, you do unto me.”

“We cannot let St. Vincent’s be penalizedfor doing what is right and compassionate,”said Rep. Jerrold Nadler.

The rally attendees declared that theywould not let it happen. Ward clerk CliftonJames has worked at St. Vincent’s for 15years. His mother retired after working 32

years at the hospital. “We are all one herefighting together—1199, CIR, NYSNA(New York State Nurses Association) andmanagement.”

Bill de Blasio, newly elected NYC publicadvocate, told the rally that it’s time toquestion our elected officials and the role ofgovernment. “This is not what New York isabout. There should be no higher prioritythan saving lives. If not, we are losing ourvery souls.”

On Feb. 3, Governor Paterson appointeda task force, including representatives of1199SEIU, to suggest a plan to keep thehospital open. The task force was givenfour weeks to complete its task.

For updates, log on to www.1199SEIU.org.

“Is there anyhigherpriority thansaving lives?”Left, hundreds of workers,community members andother supporters joined aJan. 28 rally in Manhattanto save St. Vincent’s.Below, St. Vincent’s stafferswere among the first to treatvictims of the 9/11 terroristattacks.

6January/February • Our Life And Times 7 January/February • Our Life And Times

8January/February • Our Life And Times 9 January/February • Our Life And Times

t. Vincent’s Hospital has servedthe neighborhoods of lower

Manhattan for more than 160 years.Its workers have treated survivors of

the Titanic and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.It was at the forefront of treatment of the AIDS epi -demic and is the only Level 1 trauma center in lowerManhattan. St. Vincent’s has always treated the poorand indigent. Now the hospital is drowning in redink generated by spiraling healthcare costs andmismanagement. St. Vincent’s is threatened withclosure, and emergency and acute care for tens ofthousands of New York City residents is in jeopardy.

S THE WORK WE DOSt. Vincent’s Hospital Manhattan Saddened members say closingthe historic institution wouldendanger lives as well aslivelihoods.

1. “It’s unfortunate for our patients,” sayspharmacist Serena Fallon. “We have such astrong history of excellent patient care. We’reworking like the walking wounded and we justwant to do what’s best for our patients.”

2. Food service worker Margarette Beckford,left, works with a team preparing lunches inSt. Vincent’s kitchen. Beckford has been atSt. Vincent’s for 20 years. “It’s terrible what’shappening,” she says.

3. “It’s so sad for something like this to behappening. I want to retire from here,” saysfood service worker Myrtle Weekes. “I don’twant to go somewhere else to look for a job,especially at the age of 61.”

4. Chikkeeta Grant has been a dietary workerfor 16 years. “I’m feeling very lost,” says Grant.“I wasn’t expecting to happen what happened.People wonder where they’re going to go andhow they’ll pay their bills.”

5. Cook Richard Garner came to St. Vincent’swhen Mary Immaculate Hospital in Queens

closed last year. “It’s not a good feeling to gofrom one extreme situation to another extremesituation,” says Garner. “But I’m trying to dowhat I need to do to survive. I have a family. It’sa lot of responsibility, but I know we’ll make it.”

6. Sandra Paulino has been a CNA at St.Vincent’s for 36 years. “It’s overwhelming,” saysPaulino of St. Vincent’s possible closure. “ButI’m just praying and keeping the faith.”

7. “It’s like I was born and raised in this place,”says Marilyn Holmes, who has worked in St.Vincent’s laundry for 31 years. “If they closethis place, too many people will be taken fromus, especially with the ER, trauma unit andpreemie unit gone. They need to keep thesedoors open.”

8. Pharmacy tech Diana Newball has been atSt. Vincent’s for 28 years. “When I came hereour work was what the Sisters of Charity did,”she says. “We took homeless people off thestreet, washed them and gave them a hot meal.Now they put this hospital into the hands ofothers, and it’s not being taken care of correctly.”

THE WORK WE DO

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10January/February • Our Life And Times 11 January/February • Our Life And Times

A year after the historicelection of President BarackObama, 1199SEIU membersfrom the Maryland/DC regionare using the energy generatedand lessons learned from theirelection work to help realize thepromises of the Obamacampaign. That energy is fuelingthe Heart of Baltimore campaign,which is uniting healthcareworkers across Baltimore forquality care, quality jobs and fairunion elections.

Health care is the largestindustry in Baltimore, accountsfor one in five jobs, and powersthe local economy. Baltimore’shealthcare workers are short -changed, however, in comparisonto caregivers in other East Coastcities. Their counterparts inWashington, New York andPhiladelphia all make more onaverage—30 percent more inNew York.

Keeping healthcare workers’wages low depresses the standardof living for the entire com -munity, so 1199 members arecoming together to make achange. The campaign stressesthat when all Baltimore health -care workers have a voice, it willnot only raise job standards butalso help foster an economicrecovery for the city overall andexpand the middle class.

Delegate Blanche Santana,51, remembers a more difficulttime for union activism. In 1984,Santana, now an administrativeassociate at Baltimore’s SinaiHospital, helped organize theCommunity Resource Center forthe Developmentally Disabled inthe Bronx where she was a directcare counselor. The effort to join1199 took a year and was difficultfor workers at the facility. “Weused to have to have secretmeetings in people’s houses, butit’s more open now,” she says.

Santana attended the Heartof Baltimore kick-off conferencein the fall of 2009 and has alreadyparticipated in a canvass ofhealth care workers’ homes. She islooking forward to upcomingwork, including a rally and morecanvasses, saying “We’re reach ingout to the people and getting theirminds right” about unions andhealthcare workers. “My mes sageto people is please sup port theHeart of Baltimore. I let themknow that they have free choiceand how a union will help them.”

One of her son’s friendsworks at a non-union hospital inBaltimore and he surprised herby pointing her picture out on apiece of 1199 literature. “He’s 18and has no knowledge aboutunions, so I was telling him aboutall the positive things we can do.

He has a better opportunity nowthan I did when I was organizingmy workplace in the Bronx.”

Synkeithia Holly, a nutritionassociate at Georgetown Uni -versity Hospital in Washington,D.C., also participated in lastfall’s conference. She sees theenthusiasm members have for theorganizing campaign stemmingfrom the region’s Obamacampaign activism. “A lot of1199 members came out andvoted and worked in thepresidential elections because weknew our voice would be heard.We worked so hard on thatcampaign and saw results, so Ithink 1199 workers feel like wecan make a change for Baltimorehealthcare workers now.”

Holly volunteered for every“Weekend Warrior” mobilizationto Virginia and on Election Dayin Pennsylvania “because Ibelieved that we needed change.”The 2008 election was the 27-year-old’s first presidentialcampaign experience. “I gotinvolved because I thought,‘when I get old, what am I goingto tell my kids that I did?’ I cantell them that I did that.”

Santana was also a WeekendWarrior, helping Democrats winVirginia for the first time since1964. Though she hasn’t seen allthe change she wanted after thepresident’s election, Santana says,“He can’t clean it up overnight.”

She is encouraged by theprogress on issues like healthcarereform, saying, “I think healthcare reform is like other 1199campaigns. If we work hardenough, we can win.”

Santana looks forward tomaking change with the Heart ofBaltimore campaign, saying,“Our Union will grow and havemore strength and unity. We aregoing be awesome in Baltimore.”

For more information log onto www.theheartofbaltimore.org.

“A lot of 1199 memberscame out and voted andworked in the presidentialelections because we knewour voice would be heard.”

“If we work hard enough, we can win.”Workers launch “Heart of Baltimore” campaign

Blanche Santana, a delegate atBaltimore’s Sinai Hospital, at the 1199SEIUchildren’s holiday party last December.

Synkeithia Holly, nutrition associate atGeorgetown University Hospitalin Washington, D.C.

ORGANIZING

N.J. Members Face Anti-union Administration

New Jersey 1199SEIUmembers are bracingthem selves for a lessunion-friendly environ -ment with the election ofRepublican Chris Christieas governor, but it is

a reality that members are preparedto overcome.

“The fact is, we were going to have a hellof a fight in Trenton, regardless of who waselected Governor,” says Roz Waddell, a CNAfrom Voorhees nursing home, referring towhat will be an uphill budget battle this year.

New Jersey faces a $2 billion deficit andmore than a handful of legislators on bothsides of the aisle have used the word “broke”to describe the State's finances. This bleakfiscal outlook will add more pressure onlegislators to cut Medicaid, which is theprimary funder of 1199 nursing homes in N.J.

“We are 1199 and we will continue tofight for funding that our residents need anddeserve and the workers rely on to survive,”added Waddell.

Within the larger context ofstate budget woes, our NewJersey region will also beclosely monitoring theState’s initiative to overhaul

its nursing home rate setting and move to amore complete case mix system. The overhaulwould create a more streamlined systemwhere homes would be reimbursed at higherrates for caring for sicker residents.

With the harsher political realities inTrenton, the region will be directing itspolitical capacity to build more locally in2010. Strategies will include a new emphasison expanding and deepening links tocommunity-based organizations as well asbuilding political committees in highmembership density counties.

Gov. Christie moved to weakenlabor’s influence when on hisfirst day in office he signed anexecutive order adding unionsto the list of groups that arebarred from receiving state

contracts of more than $17,500 if they haddonated more than $300 to a campaign forgovernor or county political committee in theprevious 18 months.

1199SEIU and other unions have stronglyprotested the ruling, noting that a unioncollective bargaining agreement is fardifferent from a corporate contract.

Also moving into 2010, the union iscontinuing its very public campaign againstN.J. OMNI nursing home boss AveryEisenreich in a fight for a fair contract for 400workers at Castle Hill, Harborview, Palisadesand Bristol Manor nursing homes.

Since late last year, the Union has beenrunning a comprehensive communicationscampaign -- including TV, radio and busshelter advertisements -- to educate thepublic about Eisenreich’s enormous profitsand about care issues related to shortsupplies and poor treatment of workers.

Governor will push to cut Medicaid budget.

—Roz WaddellCNA, Voorhees NH, N.J.

“We are 1199 and we willcontinue to fight forfunding that ourresidents need anddeserve and the workersrely on to survive.”

Members from New Jersey’s Omni NHat recent contract negotiations.1199SEIU is continuing its public fightfor a fair contract for Omni workers.

POLITICS

12January/February • Our Life And Times 13 January/February • Our Life And Times

The Jan. 12 earthquake that leveledmuch of Haiti, took the lives of atleast 150,000 of its residents andleft at least 2,000,000 homelessreverberated around the world.

The 7.0 magnitude quake devastated thecapital city of Port-au-Prince and destroyed thepresidential palace, parliament, and many otherimportant social and cultural structures alongwith countless homes and businesses.

The large-scale destruction has made itimpossible to identify all the victims. In earlyFebruary, bodies were still being unearthed.

The sorrow and pain caused by the deathsand destruction are especially devastating to thetens of thousands of 1199ers of Haitian descentwho lost loved ones in the disaster. And whilemembers took time to mourn their losses, theywasted no time in organizing assistance forsurvivors and relatives affected by the losses.

“This tragedy has hit 1199SEIU very close tohome,” said 1199SEIU Pres. George Greshamone day after the quake. “Our union has tens ofthousands of members who are of Haitiandescent in New York and Boston.”

In Boston, Mayor Thomas Menino and theBoston Public Health Dept. designated the1199SEIU Boston office as the official supportand referral center where members of theBoston Haitian committee could come forassistance. Boston is home to the third largest

Haitian community in the U.S.As of this writing, the leadership of

1199SEIU continued to attempt to identifymembers, retirees and relatives who perished inthe quake. One is Marie Anacreon, a CNA atNew York’s Port Chester NH who was visitingrelatives in Port-au-Prince when the quake struck.Services were held for Anacreon and her mother,who also died in the quake, on Jan. 30 in N.Y.

Several 1199SEIU members who lost lovedones in the earthquake attended a Jan. 25press conference at the Union’s Manhattanheadquarters to announce 1199SEIU reliefefforts.

Bernadette Poulard, a North Shore LIJnursing home CNA, lost a 27-year-old cousin.

“I lost my father, my brother and his threechildren,” said Suzette Jean-Volny, a homeattendant at Brooklyn’s Independent Living.“I lost my mother when I was two, so I wasraised by my father. It’s hard for me to talkabout it,” she said through tears.

With Jean-Volny was anotherIndependent Living homeattendant, Noamie Armand.“I lost an uncle, a cousin, the

cousin’s wife and their four children,” Armandsaid. “I have other relatives I have not been ableto reach or get news about, so I don’t know ifthey survived.”

Armand had a cast on her hand becauseshe was so distraught after learning aboutthe quake that she fell and broke her hand.Armand and Jean-Volny said that their sorrowwas eased by learning that 1199SEIU wascontributing $1 million to the U.S. Fund forUNICEF for relief efforts.

The Jan. 25 press conference was called toannounce the donation, which was unanimouslyagreed upon Jan. 15 at the Union’s ExecutiveCouncil meeting. A slew of elected officialsand dignitaries attended the press conferenceto lend support.

“Once again, 1199SEIU has providedleadership by stepping up to the plate,” declaredKen Raske, president of the Greater New YorkHospital Association.

“Thank you, 1199. How many times haveI been in this room to support a good cause,”said N.Y. Gov. David Paterson. “And there isno situation more in need of our service thanthis one.”

Gov. Patterson traced Haiti’s twocenturies of exploitation after itbecame the first independent nationin Latin America and the firstindependent black-led republic.

“The Haitian people will prevail because offriends like you,” he said.

“Few gifts have touched our hearts the wayyours has,” said Caryl Stern, president of the U.S.Fund for UNICEF. “You can be sure that we willnot go away when the cameras leave Haiti. Theseare not Haiti’s children we are helping. These areour children.”

In addition to contributing thousands ofdollars, 1199ers have come forward to help bydoing whatever is needed. Hundreds havevolunteered to perform relief work in Haiti. TwoMt. Sinai Hospital OR techs – Augie Inneh andDuckens Louis – joined the Manhattan hospital’ssurgical team in Haiti that for one week inJanuary treated survivors by setting up anoperating room in a tent.

“We are doing this not just to help withHaiti’s emergency needs, but to help with thenation’s long-term goal of building a new Haiti,”said 1199SEIU Sec. Treas. Maria Castaneda atthe Jan. 25 press conference.

Other speakers called for turning the tragedyinto a new beginning. Several made the pointthat by helping Haiti we help ourselves and thatwe’re all Haitians now.

To assist in Haiti relief efforts log on towecareforhaiti.org or call 877-875-6561.

We Are All Haitians1199ers open hearts and wallets.

“The Haitian peoplewill prevail becauseof friends like you.”—New York Gov. David Patterson

OUR MEMBERS

The. U.S. Fund forUNICEF is the New York-based non-profitnon-governmentalorganization (NGO) thatsupports the UnitedNations Children's Fund(UNICEF). Founded in1947, it is the oldest ofthe 36 UNICEF NationalCommittees that supportUNICEF worldwidethrough fundraising,advocacy and education.

UNICEF has savedmore children's lives thanany other humanitarianorganization in the world.Working in over 150countries, UNICEFprovides children withhealth care, clean water,nutrition, education,emergency relief, andmore. The U.S. Fund forUNICEF supportsUNICEF’s work in theUnited States.

UNICEF is at theforefront of efforts toreduce child mortalityworldwide. There hasbeen substantial progress-- the annual number ofunder-five deathsdropped from 13 millionin 1990 to 8.8 million in2008. But still, 24,000children die each dayfrom preventable causes.UNICEF’s mission is to dowhatever it takes to makethat number zero bygiving children theessentials for a safe andhealthy childhood.

An Able Partner

On Jan. 25 1199SEIU Pres.George Gresham (far right) andSec. Treas. Maria Castaneda(far left) presented UNICEFwith union’s $1 millioncontribution towardsHaiti relief efforts.

Suzette Jean-Volny (top), a homeattendant at Brooklyn, N.Y.’s IndependentLiving Agency, lost her father, her brotherand her brother’s three children in theHaitian earthquake. Noamie Armand(bottom), also an Independent Livinghome attendant, lost an uncle, a cousinand five other relatives.

A volunteer surgical team fromManhattan’s Mt. Sinai Medical Center,shown working in Port Au Prince,included two 1199SEIU OR techs.They were among the hundreds1199 volunteers.

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14January/February • Our Life And Times 15 January/February • Our Life And Times

AROUND OUR UNION

Thousands of 1199SEIU members are takingadvantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC),a refundable income tax credit for low-incomeworking families. In 2009 alone, 9,440 1199ersreceived nearly $35 million in refunds.

For almost a decade 1199SEIU has partneredwith employers, community groups and coalitionpartners to encourage members to apply for therefund as well as help them prepare their taxes.

“Before the EITC I usually went to H&R Blockand they charged me almost $500,” says SimoneManual, a CNA at Loretto in Syracuse, N.Y.

Manual had her taxes done at the EITC programsite in 1199SEIU’s Syracuse offices in January. Shewas using the program for the second time and saysthe program helped her get money back she didn’teven know she was entitled to.

“My refund helped me catch up on my bills,” saysManual. I’m a single mother. Last year I got almost$7,000 back.”

Danielle Gates, a patient financial servicesrepresentative at Kaleida Health in Buffalo, N.Y., hasbeen getting tax preparation assistance through theprogram for the last three years.

“At H& R Block they want to charge you all thismoney to do your taxes,” says Gates. “I was able tosave a lot of money with the help of the Union. I wasalso entitled to a lot of refund money as a student thatI didn’t even know about. It’s really important,especially in this economy. I don’t qualify for financialaid and even though I get money from the trainingfund, these refunds help a lot. Plus, this service showsmembers that the Union really has our back.”

Members are eligible for the EITC if their incomein 2009 was $43,279 ($48,279 married filing jointly)with three or more dependent children; $40,295($45,295 married filing jointly) with two dependentchildren; $35,463 ($40,463 married filing jointly) withone dependent child; or $13,440 ($18,440 marriedfiling jointly) with no dependent children.

EITC Program puts moneyback in members’ pockets. “It’s really important,especially in this economy.”

Simone Manual, a CNA atSyracuse’s Loretto nursingfacility, with daughterJanaija Powell, waiting tosee tax preparer at the Union’soffice in Syracuse in January.

“It’s Just Betterto Know Moreand HaveMore Skills.”

Thousands of working peopleare pursuing educationalopportunities as a way tokeep their families movingup the ladder during theeconomic downturn.1199SEIU is giving may of

them a hand through the nation’s largestworker training program, the 1199SEIUEmployment, Training and Job SecurityProgram (ETJSP).

Last year, supported by the ETJSP’sTraining and Upgrading Fund (TUF), LoriGaloni finished the LPN program at Syracuse’sCentral Tech and started working at Syracuse’sLoretto nursing facility where she’d been aCNA for five years. Galoni went to school parttime for 18 months. Now she’s earning betterpay and planning to become an RN.

“It was a challenge with my kids and myhusband,” says Galoni. “But they were therewhen I needed them. It was hard finding timeto study, but if they knew I had something todo, they were helpful. It was hard going back toschool after so many years. But it was worth it.”

Last year her husband was laid off from hisauto body repair job. Galoni says they weren’thit as hard as they could have been because ofher pay increase.

“We had been used to my CNA salary, butbecause we’re on my LPN salary noweverything sort of evened out,” says Galoni.

In a speech last year before the HispanicChamber of Commerce, Pres. Obama saideducation and advanced training are anecessity in the 21st century for workers of

every age. Sotetia Fidelia, 41, a CNA at NewYork Hospital Flushing in Queens, N.Y., agreeswith him. She’s prepped for and taken the GEDwith help from the TUF and will be applying toa nursing program at a local college.

“Going to college is something totally newfor me,” says Fidelia, a mother of twodaughters, ages 10 and 2. “I’d like to go fulltime. I’d rather go back to school now and getan education and a better job than be working

and worrying about overtime. You can’t alwaysget overtime. Plus I know that when I’m donewith school I’ll have a better job. And I’ll beable to help people. That’s just great.”

Community colleges across the U.S. arereporting an uptick in enrollments even as theirbudgets are squeezed. The same is true formany of 1199SEIU’s training programs.

“We did see an increase in some of ourprograms,” says Deborah King, executivedirector the ETJSP. “And particularly in someof the regions where the Training andUpgrading Fund is new.”

Greater Baltimore Medical Centercentral sterile tech Michael Neelyis studying at Baltimore CityCommunity College to becomea surgical technologist. The

program, which Neely attends with help fromthe TUF, consists of classroom study and on-the-job training.

“With all these economic changes it’s justbetter to know more and have more skills,” hesays. “As a central sterile tech, there aren’t toomany places for me to move, so I decided totake up the challenge and go to the next level.”

At the end of his two-year program Neelywill have an associate’s degree, a newprofession and a higher salary.

“In these times you can’t just go out andget a high paying job, especially with only ahigh school diploma,” says Neely. “And I knowthat nothing in this life is promised, but it givesme a good feeling when there is a challenge.”

Lydia Ninemeyer works for Loretto’s homehealth agency PACE CNY. She’s also recentlycompleted the 18-month LPN training coursethrough the TUF. She’s now preparing to takethe certification exam.

“It was more than I thought. It was quite aworkload,” says Ninemeyer. “But it was worthit. If you have education you have somethingbehind you.”

For more information, and todetermine your eligibility, log on towww.1199seiubenefits.org.

With education, members buckthe economic trend.

Communitycolleges across theU.S. are reportingan uptick inenrollments evenas their budgetsare squeezed.The same is truefor many of1199SEIU’straining programs.

With help from the 1199 Training Fund, Lori Galoni(left) advanced from CNA to LPN at Syracuse’sLoretto nursing facility. Below, Lydia Ninemeyer, ahome health worker with Loretto’s PACE CNY, alsoparticipated in an LPN training program.

OUR MEMBERS

Throughout the regions, 1199SEIU has sites staffed with trained prepares to helpmembers file their taxes for free. In New York City, the National Benefit Fund (NBF)oversees the program. Assistance is available at tax preparation events, which are beingheld on various dates through April 10 at the NBF’s Manhattan headquarters at 330 W.42nd St. and at the 1199SEIU Healthcare Training Center at 2501 Grand Concourse inthe Bronx. For more information about dates and locations, log on to www.1199nbf.org,email Member.ServicesEmail@1199Funds.org or call (646) 473-9200. In the regions,1199SEIU oversees the program. Following is the list of program sites. Members can callthe phone numbers provided for more information or to make an appointment.

BALTIMORE (410) 332-1199611 North Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD 21201The program ends on March 18, 2010BUFFALO (716) 982-0540 and ask for Carla at ext. 210,Carolyn at ext. 222 or Kim at ext. 219.Union office 974 Kenmore Ave., Buffalo, NY 14216The program ends on April 15, 2010.GOUVERNEUR (North Country) (315) 287-9013 ext. 1195 East Main Street, 2nd Floor, Suite 4, Gouverneur, NY13642, End Date: April 15, 2010MASSACHUSETTS (877) 409-1199 Boston Office - 150 Mt Vernon Street, 2nd Fl.,Boston, MA 02125Springfield Office - 20 Maple Street, Springfield MA Hyannis Office - 29 Bassett Lane Hyannis, MAThe program ends on April 15, 2010ROCHESTER (585) 244-0830Union Office - 225 West Broad Street,Rochester, NY 14608Strong Memorial Hospital - By Appointment Only –601 Elmwood Ave., Main Cafeteria, Rochester, NYThe program ends on April 15, 2010.SYRACUSE (315) 424-1743 ext. 111 The program ends on April 15, 2010

HERE’S WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU:

• Photo ID. Bring a second government-issued photo ID if you want to open a bank account.

• Social Security Cards (must bring the original, a copyor a copy of last year’s tax return) or IndividualTaxpayer Identification Number (ITIN); and datesof birth for yourself and all family members youare claiming. You must bring your children’s socialsecurity cards.

• W-2s for all jobs held in 2009 and any other tax-related documents.

• Form 1099-G if you received unemployment insurance in 2009.

• Form 1099-INT if you received interest from a bank account in 2009.

• Documentation of expenses and ID or Social Security number of childcare agency or provider if you are claiming childcare expenses.

• A sample check, if you want the IRS to direct deposit your refund.

• Prior year’s tax returns if you have them.• If married and filing jointly, both spouses must be present.

Notice of right to limit obligation to union to payment of fees equal to initiation fee and monthly dues and to object and limit obligation to union to payment of representation fee

Membership in 1199SEIU is very special. Not onlyare there material benefits which flow frommembership, but as a member of 1199SEIU youcan participate with your co-workers in makingvital decisions that affect you and your families'lives: what wage increases, health insuranceand pension benefits will be in your collectivebargaining agreement, whether or not you willstrike, whom you entrust with the leadership ofyour Union. These are decisions that only unionmembers can make. The gains we have won—enjoyed by you and your co-workers—are thedirect result of the unity and strength of1199SEIU’s members. It is because of our largeand powerful membership that we receive thehighest wages and health and pension benefits,and the best job security, of all health careworkers. Union membership also carries with itthe responsibility to help finance the union'sprograms through monthly dues, to ensure thestrength and vitality of the Union, whichtranslates into your wage and benefit levels.

If your collective bargaining agreement hasa union security clause you are obligated as acondition of employment to become a member

of the union within 30 days of your date of hireand to remain a member, or to pay fees to theunion equal to the standard initiation fee andmonthly dues. Federal law requires 1199SEIU tonotify the membership that an individualcovered by a collective bargaining agreementcan choose not to be a member of 1199SEIU, andstill receive the terms of the collectivebargaining agreement (but not the benefits ofunion membership). If you choose not to be amember, and thus to forgo the benefits of unionmembership, under the collective bargainingagreement your obligation is limited to thepayment of fees equal to the initiation fee andmonthly dues.

In addition, under federal law you have theright to object to providing financial support tounion activities not germane to collectivebargaining, in which case you will be required topay a representation fee equal to initiation feesand dues reduced proportional to thepercentage of the Union's total expendituresthat are not germane to collective bargaining.Based upon the most recent accounting, therepresentation fee is currently 61.54% of union

dues (which generally equals 1.23% of anaverage 1199er’s gross pay exclusive ofovertime), meaning that for the average workerthe difference between monthly union dues andthe monthly representation fee is currently onlyabout $4.00 a week. However, by choosing thisoption you forgo the benefits of Unionmembership including, but not limited to, theright to vote for your Officers and Delegates, theright to vote on Constitutional amendments andthe right to participate in contract ratificationvotes.

If you submit an objection, you will beprovided with information reflecting the baseson which the representation fee was calculatedand the procedure for challenging thesecalculations before a neutral arbitrator. If youchoose not to be a member of 1199SEIU, andthus to limit your obligation to the payment offees equal to the initiation fee and monthlydues, or if you wish to object to providingfinancial support to union activities notgermane to collective bargaining, and thus tolimit your obligation to the payment of arepresentation fee as described above, you

must inform the union in writing by sendingnotice of your decision to the Secretary-Treasurer, 1199SEIU United Healthcare WorkersEast, 310 West 43rd Street, New York, New York10036. Please include your name, address,social security number, name of employer andwork location. If you object to providingfinancial support to union activities notgermane to collective bargaining, make surethat the notice you send to the Secretary-Treasurer includes the word "object," and thatyou mail your notice no later than 30 days fromthe date you received this notice.

Remember, the more Union members, thegreater is the strength of 1199SEIU, whichultimately means better contracts with higherwages and better benefits for you and yourfamily. All of 1199SEIU’s expenditures benefithealth care workers, including those directlyrelated to collective bargaining, like the cost ofarbitrations and negotiations, as well as itslegislative expenditures, such as thosesupporting health care reform, the EmployeeFree Choice Act and the extension of the Familyand Medical Leave Act for all workers.

Moving Up the LadderLydia Ninemeyer, a home healthworker with Loretto’s PACE CNY inSyracuse, N.Y., puts her client CarmelaArbaszewski, who is 86 and hasAlzheimer’s Disease, to bed. Ninemeyerrecently participated in an LPN trainingprogram through the 1199SEIU TrainingFund. She’s one of thousands of workersheeding the call to pursue educationalopportunities in the economic downturn.See story on p.14.

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