Among 1199SEIU’s members are tens of thousands of professional and technical workers.  These include Medical Technologists, Medical Laboratory Technicians, Radiology Techs, Ultrasound Techs, Nuclear Medicine Techs, Social Workers, Pharmacists, Respiratory Therapists, Dietitians, Physician Assistants, LPNs, EMTs and Paramedics, and many others.

Being united in a big, powerful Union has many advantages, such as an excellent benefit package and a great defined benefit pension plan. 

But there is more: 1199SEIU has leveraged its political strength to the benefit of particular professions.  Our most recent victory was to win licensure for laboratory technologists in New York in 2005.  Previously, we were instrumental in winning licensing for social workers, and before that for respiratory therapists.  We have been able to help win important legislation for Physician Assistants, and we are working for legislation to expand the scope of practice for both pharmacists and radiology technologists. 

The Union has recently created a Professional and Technical Department to help give workers in these classifications a voice on the job--on staffing, recognition for education and specialty certifications, cross-training, and a host of other issues. The 1199SEIU Training and Employment Fund has developed a first-rate continuing education program, offering seminars in respiratory, pharmacy, radiology, social work, and nutrition.