Greetings!
This Black History Month, we’re uplifting the theme of Black joy. Throughout all of our struggles, we have not only persevered, but have done it with joy. Our culture is emblematic of that -- in our poetry, song, dance, and traditions, we have always maintained joyful community. This is our enduring legacy – that we always build community with one another, and that in difficult times, our joy will help us find our way back to community.
In this newsletter, you’ll find plenty to be joyful about and reasons to continue building our union community.
In Solidarity,
Lisa Brown
Executive Vice President
1199SEIU Maryland/DC
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Members Featured in the Washington Post
Members LaToya Francis, Darrie Neeley, and Rhonda David shared their stories in the Washington Post, describing what it’s been like to work in short-staffed nursing homes throughout the pandemic. LaToya told the reporter, “When I can’t even spend time sitting with someone in hospice who is near dying because I know there are 14 other people waiting for me, I don’t feel like a hero. How can I?” Click here to read the story and check out the pictures of LaToya and her beautiful family. Then, read the “Community Affairs” section to see how you can help pass these laws in Maryland and DC to raise wages, forgive loans, get paid leave, and more.
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Hopkins Members Are Ready to Bargain
The Hopkins Bargaining Committee is trained, and ready to go. The committee trained with Vice President Raymont Dorsey and Education Coordinator Adeyemi Bandele and are now a knowledgeable, fierce, and unbreakable team. They’ll be focusing on getting everyone improved and well-deserved benefits and raises in the next contract. Stay tuned for updates and ways to get involved!
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Baltimore Hospitals Organizers:
Alida McBride - (443) 635-9332
Lisa Epps - (443) 562-9885
Maurice Brown - (410) 207-2182
Carrie Hiers - (443) 562-9884
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Major Contract Winning Streak
Members in nursing homes across Maryland have been on a winning streak!
Members at Arcola won a 6% raise over 3 years and 20 vacation days for members with 20 or more years of service. At Bethesda, members are getting a whopping 14% raise over the life of the contract, $0.75 preceptor pay, and minimum wages of $15.25. GNAs at Keswick now earn an average of $21.50/hour. Last but not least, members at South River won a 4% first year, and 3% second and third year raises, higher minimum wages including $27 for LPNs, and a $1.25 weekend differential. Congratulations for flexing those union muscles!
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Long Term Care Organizers:
Cathy Ferrell - (443) 469-7757
James Crosby - (202) 440-1203
Nichelle McGirt - (202) 262-2289
Tredonna Geter-Kum - (443) 721-6190
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Black History Month Message from Vice President Taren Peterson
Black History Month is a soulful celebration of our ancestors and heritage. It’s a rich display of excellence that exhibits our motivation to always strive for the greatness that lies beyond our current circumstances, a sense of community, the charge to produce better paths for our successors, and the continuous reminder that without Black history, there would be no history.
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Bowie Surgical Center Closes February 15
The Bowie Surgical Center will be closing February 15, bringing a chapter of PG County history to a close. Retired RN and member Debbie Wilkes said that the center has “Always been an integral part of our system,” and that when it first opened, “it was one of the few surgery centers in the country.” Over the years, there had been multiple unsuccessful attempts to sell the center, and during those uncertain times, Debbie said she was proud of the strong contract language that protected caregivers’ jobs, wages, and benefits, in case of sale. Debbie explained that the center has been an “alternative to going into the main hospital, and has been important for families and patients, and keeping patients in the hospital system for continuing care.” For more information on the closing, please contact your Delegate or organizer.
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Southern Maryland Organizers:
Gail Kingman - (301) 525-5541
LaShaun Faulkner - (410) 458-4266
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We ❤️ Lucille Tillman, CNA for over 40 years!
This Valentine’s Day, we’re giving a warm shoutout to Lucille Tillman, a healthcare hero who has been loving her care work for over 40 years!
Ms. Tillman first became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) when she was 16 and living with her father, who worked at a hospital. Through her father’s work, she was able to participate in a youth training program and become a CNA. She says since the beginning, “I loved the work. I enjoyed it because you get to help people. Doing for people who need the extra help and extra caring became a passion of mine.”
Ms. Tillman is native to Washington, DC and has been providing care at BridgePoint for 26 years, since before it was called BridgePoint. When she started, the hospital and nursing home was called Hadley. “I’ve seen 3 transitions - Hadley, SHW, and now Bridgepoint. I call it Hadley,” she said, “because, to be honest, it’s a landmark for a lot of people in Southeast, and I grew up Southeast. People won’t know what you mean when you say BridgePoint, but if you say Hadley, they know.”
Ms. Tillman has seen a lot of changes at what’s now called BridgePoint. “The changes always have some kind of downsize,” she said. “Hadley used to be a hospital, with an emergency room, lab, x-ray – there was so much that was in that building. As transitions go on, things get taken away, and things started closing down.” That was when Ms. Tillman joined with her coworkers to form their union with 1199SEIU. She has been a dedicated member ever since, along with several of her coworkers, who she said, “are so dedicated and have been there more than 25 years. We’ve seen people come and go, and we’re still here caring for our patients.”
Ms. Tillman said that to be a caregiver for the long run, “You have to have something you really like in it. For me, it’s helping people. I always try to give back as much as I can. You also have to have compassion.” Thank you for sharing your story and for all you do, Ms. Tillman! We love our compassionate caregivers! ❤
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DC - CBO Organizers:
Angel De La Rosa Peña - (301) 377-6474
Lisa Wallace - (202) 320-4628
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The 2022 Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly began on January 12th. We are already hard at work advancing our policy agenda and ensuring that our priorities are progressing through the legislative process. As we continue to advocate for our legislation, elected officials need to hear from YOU about your experiences in the workplace. There are many opportunities to participate in session virtually -- by testifying during a hearing, submitting written testimony and/or calling/emailing your elected officials.
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Maryland Health Justice Lobby Day
Monday, February 14th |Time: 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Click here to RSVP and receive the Zoom link
We are partnering with other organizations to improve staffing, make healthcare more affordable, and improve the quality of patient care. Join us to tell Maryland lawmakers why they need to pass health justice laws this session. We need all hands on deck because our numbers and the essential work we do are our super powers!
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Upcoming Virtual Trainings
Delegate Conversations, March 10th | 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Join with other Delegates to discuss issues that are important to you. In our last session, Delegates shared what it is like to carry out the role of Delegate during the pandemic. Delegates shared the challenge of working short-staffed and having to intervene between members. They also shared how “nerve wracking,” “overwhelming” and so “near burnout” the experience is. Please join us for our next session and share your Delegate experiences.
Note Taking for Delegates, Date TBD at 6pm: Learn simple-to-use methods to take good notes for your bargaining, Labor Management, or Delegate meetings.
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Free Citizenship Classes / Clases Gratis de Ciudadanía
Prepare for your citizenship interview online. Preparado para la entrevista de la ciudadnía.
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Friday / Viernes
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
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Saturday / Sábado
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
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Free COVID-19 Tests
Click here to order your 4 free rapid COVID-19 tests from the Biden Administration. They will be delivered right to your door.
Find free rapid and PCR tests here in DC and here in Maryland.
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Online African American History Challenge
Which African American woman was a spy for the Union Army? Why did Henry Highland Garnett encourage a worldwide boycott of cotton?
This Black History Month, take this multiple choice challenge, which helps you sharpen your knowledge of African American History. Level I is the easiest and has 7 questions, while levels II & III have 10 questions each and are a bit more challenging. Good luck!
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Labor activist and abolitionist Frederick Douglass was born in February of 1818 near Easton, MD. Douglass was born into slavery, taught himself how to read and write, and bravely escaped when he was 20 years old. As a free man, Douglass became a leading abolitionist and also labor union leader. Because of segregation in many labor unions, Black workers formed the Colored National Labor Union in 1869 and elected Douglass as their president in 1872. Many people who are fighting for DC to become a state want the “DC” to stand for Douglass Commonwealth, to honor this powerful organizer, activist, speaker, and writer. Read more about Frederick Douglass here.
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