[1] The organization was started by two main people; Leon Davis and Elliot Godoff, who were both members of the communist party and originally from Russia.

[3] The Taft-Hartley Act was in effect at this point in time which meant that unions were required to sign affidavits claiming that they were not harboring any communists.

Leon Davis and Elliot Godoff were very tough-minded people and are the reason for the militant and demanding style of strikes exhibited by the New England edition of the SEIU.

To improve healthcare benefits and wages for New York City hospital employees, the union organized a campaign to achieve collective bargaining rights.

A settlement was reached thanks to the help of Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York, which put giving healthcare workers collective bargaining rights into law.

The strike lasted 7 long weeks in the frigid winter months and gained the respect of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who joined the local chapter in its efforts after receiving financial aid for the Montgomery Bus Boycott.