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Labor Union

1199SEIU Florida

Website:

https://1199seiu.org/florida
Parent Organization:

 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East

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1199SEIU Florida is the Florida division of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the nation’s largest health-care union and a division of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). The union represents employees in sectors like nursing homes and home-care. The affiliate engages in collective bargaining, political lobbying, direct advocacy campaigns, and electoral intervention to advance policy stances, including support for universal taxpayer-funded healthcare, which calls for “affordable, high-quality healthcare for all.” Additionally, it lobbies on other pro-union stances. The affiliate also supported the pro-abortion Amendment 4, which failed to be adopted by Florida voters in 2024.1  2

Background

1199SEIU Florida is the Florida division of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest health-care union in the country. Founded in 1932, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East (UHE; sometimes styled SEIU Local 1199 or just 1199) is a large local union of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) representing employees of hospitals throughout the northeast United States. The union wields significant influence in New York City politics; however, the group has chapters throughout the eastern United States, including Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, and Washington, D.C. 1199SEIU describes itself as the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in the nation. 3 4

Across the larger 1199SEIU federation covering multiple states, internal tensions emerged under former leader George Gresham. Politico reported on accusations of lavish spending in 2025, leading to a U.S. House committee probe.  In a February 2025 election, challengers Yvonne Armstrong and Veronica Turner‑Biggs defeated Gresham, promising more transparency and fiscal accountability. 5

Activity

SEIU 1199 Florida supports a variety of left-of-center public policy stances at the state and federal levels. In May 2025, nursing home staff from Florida traveled to Washington, D.C. as part of a nationwide initiative to lobby federal lawmakers branded as “Hands off our healthcare” and opposing proposed Medicaid cuts. The union also actively supports legislation setting minimum staffing levels and worker safety standards in long-term care facilities, aligning with broader union priorities. 6 1

The group also makes endorsements of candidates in Florida elections, endorsing almost exclusively democrats. In 2022, the group endorsed former U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-FL) for Governor and then-U.S. Rep. Val Demings (D-FL) for U.S. Senate. 7

In 2024, 1199SEIU Florida publicly backed Florida Amendment 4, a constitutional proposal to enshrine abortion rights before fetal viability. In a Nov 1, 2024 op-ed, Virginia Kondas, representing the union, urged a “Yes” vote and opposed Florida’s six-week abortion ban. She wrote, “I’m joined in this support almost unanimously by my fellow medical professionals, my 1199SEIU union family which is the largest union of healthcare workers in the state, as well as clear majority of Floridians in general.” 8

Leadership

Yvonne Armstrong became president of the broader 1199SEIU union in June 2025 following an internal election between herself and previous president George Gresham. Leading a “Members First Unity,” Armstrong won against Gresham in a 69% to 31%. Armstrong previously served as the senior executive director of the union’s Downstate Long-Term Care division. In addition, Veronica Turner-Biggs, whom was previously the senior executive director of the union’s Downstate Health Systems division, was elected on the ticket as the 1199SEIU’s Secretary Treasurer. 9 10

References

  1. “Issues.” 1199 SEIU. Accessed July 20, 2025. https://www.1199seiu.org/issues
  2. “Florida.” 1199 SEIU. Accessed July 20, 2025. https://www.1199seiu.org/florida
  3. “About.” 1199 SEIU. Accessed July 20, 2025. https://www.1199seiu.org/about
  4. DiSalvo, Daniel, and Stephen D. Eide. “The Union That Rules New York.” The Daily Beast. August 08, 2015. Accessed July 20, 2025. https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-union-that-rules-new-york
  5. Kaufman, Maya. “Nation’s largest health care union embroiled in internal fight as Trump takes office.” Politico. January 17, 2025.  https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/17/largest-health-care-union-internal-fight-trump-presidency-00198786
  6. “Nursing Home Workers Tell D.C. Lawmakers: “Hands Off Our Healthcare.” 1199 SEIU. Accessed July 20, 2025. https://www.1199seiu.org/florida/nursing-home-workers-tell-dc-lawmakers-hands-our-healthcare
  7. “Charlie Crist, Val Demings and Aramis Ayala are among 60+ candidates endorsed by 1199SEIU Healthcare Workers and Other SEIU Florida Essential Workers.” 1199 SEIU. Accessed July 20, 2025. https://www.1199seiu.org/media-center/charlie-crist-val-demings-and-aramis-ayala-are-among-60-candidates-endorsed-1199seiu-healthcare-workers-and-other-seiu-florida-e
  8. “Nurses, Doctors, Caregivers Are Voting Yes On Amendment 4.” 1199 SEIU. Accessed July 20, 2025.  https://www.1199seiu.org/florida/nurses-doctors-caregivers-are-voting-yes-amendment-4
  9. Kaufman, Maya. “Health care union president ousted in upset election.” PoliticoPro, May 4, 2025. https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025/05/health-care-union-president-ousted-in-upset-election-00325361
  10. Markosian, Zane. “Yvonne Armstrong Beats Incumbent President of 1199SEIU Healthcare Workers East.” Association for Union Democracy, Accessed June 2, 2025. https://uniondemocracy.org/2025/05/05/yvonne-armstrong-beats-incumbent-president-of-1199seiu-healthcare-workers-east/
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