It is a former local of 1199: The National Health Care Workers' Union.

The 1199 Union traces its origins to women of color employed at drug stores and volunteer hospitals in New York City, who worked for relatively low wages.

[3] Patrick Gaspard, a former executive vice president for politics and legislation at the union, was the political director for Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

[4] Gaspard was appointed White House Political Director during Obama's first term in office.

[5] In 2016, 1199SEIU's president George Gresham was credited by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for helping secure the passage of the $15 minimum wage in New York State.