Who is SEIU Healthcare 1199NW?
We are more than 24,000 nurses and healthcare workers across Washington State united for quality patient care and good careers in the healthcare facilities and agencies where we work.
We are a union — an independent organization created by employees to advocate for our common interests.
We believe that healthcare works best when healthcare employees have a strong voice in decision-making. We stand together to make sure that our pay and benefits allow every employee’s family to live a decent life.
SEIU Healthcare1199NW is our statewide union. We are also part of the 2.2 million-member Service Employees International Union.
SEIU is the largest, most united union of healthcare workers in the nation. Our union includes doctors, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, pharmacists, technicians, professionals, therapists, mental health workers, certified nursing aides, housekeeping and dietary staff, and other healthcare workers.
Our History
30 Years of Progress and Unity 
District 1199NW was founded in 1983 when a group of nurses at Group Health-Puget Sound decided to form a union in our area. They organized a union with 1199-Hospital and Health Care Employees Union, a union originally founded by pharmacists and drug clerks that went on to lead historic campaigns to improve pay and benefits for hospital employees and nurses.
We later voted to form a nationwide union of health care employees by becoming part of SEIU. We’re proud of our connection to 1199’s history — a legacy of progressive, democratic action for social justice and civil rights for every American.