Our History

25 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.