Spotlight on Your Funds

November 2023

Benefit Funds Amplify Member Voices in New Video Series 

The 1199SEIU Benefit Funds recently debuted their weekly Member Voices video series to showcase members who are balancing caring for their residents with staying healthy themselves. Each one- to two-minute episode features a member sharing why they began their health journey, along with inspiration and advice for fellow members to get and stay healthy. One story features Sanjour Spencer, a Certified Nursing Assistant at Crown Heights Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, who is taking care of her heart in order to live a long and healthy life with her family. Using weekly emails and social media posts, the Benefit Funds are encouraging members to share their health journey stories and take part in future episodes of Member Voices.

40-Hour-per-Month Work Waiver for Retirees Ending January 1

The waiver allowing 1199SEIU retirees to return to work during the pandemic for more than 40 hours a month while continuing to receive their pension will end, effective January 1, 2024. The Benefit and Pension Funds are advising retirees who wish to continue working for an 1199SEIU contributing employer more than 40 hours a month that their pension and retiree health benefits will be suspended until they reduce their hours. As a reminder, employers are required to include 1199SEIU pensioners who remain on active duty in their monthly payroll reports. Retirees who have questions regarding the end of the waiver may call the Retiree Services Center at (646) 473-8666 or, outside of New York City, (800) 892-2557.

Training and Employment Funds Hold Recognition Ceremony

On Thursday, October 5, more than 500 1199SEIU members who graduated from Training and Employment Funds (TEF) programs between 2020 and 2023 gathered at the New York Hilton Midtown hotel for the first recognition ceremony in more than four years. The evening was a celebration of the members’ hard work and achievements, as well as a demonstration of the value of labor and management working together to support healthcare workers to learn new skills, advance in their careers and provide quality care. 

Three graduates of TEF programs spoke at the event. Shiuly Ali, an Access Services Representative at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Monroe College School of Nursing. Bertha Motta, a Home Health Aide at Sunnyside Community Services and Personal-Touch Home Care, earned her Associate Degree in Psychology from LaGuardia Community College. Rebecca Rose, a Unit Clerk at Northwell Health Staten Island University Hospital, completed her high school equivalency through TEF's National External Diploma Program and is now attending college with the help of TEF’s Health Careers College Core Curriculum program. For more information about TEF’s programs, visit the TEF website.

Child Care Corporation Hosts Anne Shore Sleep-Away Camp Fair

On Saturday, November 11, the 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation (CCC) will hold its Anne Shore Sleep-Away Camp Fair for summer 2024 at the Funds’ Manhattan headquarters. 1199SEIU members can speak with representatives from participating camp providers to gain a better understanding of the unique experiences each camp offers and have their questions answered, and all attending children will receive a special gift. Members can sign up for the fair now through November 9. To be eligible for their children to attend camp, members must currently work for a contributing employer and have family coverage with a contributing employer for at least one consecutive year. Members can apply for camp online through MyAccount until January 31, 2024.

The Anne Shore Sleep-Away Camp Program allows eligible children between ages 9 and 15 to attend one- to four-week summer sleep-away camps. There are currently 22 contracted camp providers in Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont, and all are accredited by the American Camp Association. For more information, email [email protected]. 

The Institute for Continuing Education Presents Upcoming Programs

The 1199SEIU Greater New York Education Fund strengthens the healthcare delivery system by offering 1199SEIU members training and education programs designed to help improve patient outcomes and provide quality care. Please share these opportunities with members at your facility.

The schedule is also available on the program calendar.

Medical Coding

Thursday, November 16

5:30 pm to 9:00 pm 

This three-hour seminar for medical coders will focus on bridging the gap between clinical validation and coding changes in 2023 and 2024.

For more information, visit the Institute for Continuing Education’s web page, call (212) 894-4390 or email [email protected].

Meet Our Featured Member

Tykar Williams from Mount Sinai

Why did Tykar Williams begin his health journey? Read For Your Benefit online to find out!

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1199SEIU Funds News is a monthly email produced by the 1199SEIU Funds. Copyright 2023.

For further information, contact the Communications Office at [email protected].