United Healthcare Workers East (1199SEIU), founded in 1932 as the Local 1199, is a local union of the Service Employees International Union, representing more than 300,000 members. Members work in homecare, hospital and nursing home industries, as well as pharmacies, freestanding clinics, and other healthcare settings. The mission of the union is to improve and expand quality patient care, to protect and improve the lives of members and their families, and to work in solidarity with working people in SEIU's communities and around the world. In 1998, they affiliated to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Since 1998, 15 healthcare local unions throughout New York State, New Jersey, the District of Columbia, Florida, Maryland and Massachusetts have merged with 1199SEIU.
