(DORCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS) - Nearly 300 Health Care and Homecare Workers employed at Upham’s Corner Health Center have voted Unionized with 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the fastest growing Health Care Workers Union in Massachusetts.

Through a Mail Ballot Election, Workers voted to join a growing movement of Health Care Workers organizing to protect good jobs and address the industry-wide issues of inadequate staffing, low wages and burnout. 

“For me it was moving that we achieved a decisive victory for the Working Class,” said Jose Morales, a Health Aid at Upham’s Corner Health Center. “With this process that we have achieved with La Unión 1199SEIU, we can negotiate a decent contract, where our voices are heard without any type of coercion.”  

The Workers who voted to join 1199SEIU include Home Health Aide, Medical Assistants, Patient Service Representatives, Maintenance, Dental Assistants and more. 

“This vote highlights how workers deeply connected to the communities they serve are organizing to shape the future of care in Massachusetts,” 1199 SEIU Executive Vice President Tim Foley said. “Upham's Corner caregivers will now have a voice and a seat at the table to address burnout, short staffing, and inadequate wages - which have pushed so many out of the health care field.” 

Upham’s Corner Workers began organizing last year, filing for their Union Election in October 2023.

This Unionization victory is just the latest with Health Care Workers uniting in 1199 SEIU.

In October 2023, nearly 450 Workers employed at Fenway Health joined the Union and Workers employed at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts approved their first contract in September (2023).  

Representing nearly 80,000 Health Care Workers throughout the State of Massachusetts and more than 450,000 Workers up and down the East Coast, 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing Health Care Union in the United States.

The Union’s mission is to achieve affordable, high quality health care for all.

1199 SEIU is part of the 2.1 million-Member Service Employees International Union. 

To Directly Access This Organizing Labor News Story, Go To: Healthcare Workers at Upham’s Corner Health Center Vote to Join 1199SEIU :: 1199SEIU