New England’s Health Care Workers Union

SEIU Healthcare 1199NE is New England’s largest health care workers union. We represent 32,000+ nurses, direct care workers, certified nursing assistants, cooks, case managers, therapists, physicians, maintenance workers, and home care workers across Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Our members show up every day to heal and care for New England — in hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers, group homes, and people’s own homes. Through collective action, we fight for the wages, benefits, and working conditions our members deserve, and for the policies that protect the patients and communities we serve.

1199NE is a proud affiliate of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), one of the largest and most powerful unions in North America.

If you are a member, the best way to learn more about 1199 is to get involved at your workplace.

District 1199 was established in 1932 by drugstore workers in New York City. From its earliest days the union stood for more than wages — members quickly mobilized to end drugstores’ discrimination against hiring Black pharmacists, accomplishing that goal within seven weeks of organizing.

In 1968, the New England branch was established, bringing 1199’s organizing model and democratic values to Connecticut and Rhode Island. Over the decades, 1199NE members have built one of the most powerful health care worker unions in the region.

Through collective bargaining, our members have secured:

• Wage increases and fair pay
• Healthcare coverage for members and families
• Negotiated union contracts with real protections
• Worker participation in decisions affecting patient care
• Democratic governance with member-elected leadership
• On-the-job support and dispute resolution
• Community advocacy and political power

Today, our 32,000+ members include nurses, direct care workers, CNAs, cooks, case managers, therapists, physicians, maintenance staff, and home care workers — the full spectrum of people who make health care possible in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Reach us at either of our regional offices. For member questions, organizing inquiries, or media requests, we’re here to help.

If you are looking for 1199 in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland/DC, or Florida, please click here. If you are looking for 1199 in Pennsylvania, please click here.