Today, the Center for Union Facts launched a new report shedding light on allegations of racial discrimination and sexual harassment at 1199 SEIU – one of the largest local unions in the country that represents workers up and down the East Coast. The report is the latest in an ongoing national campaign to educate workers and the public on the SEIU’s questionable track record of poor leadership and potentially toxic work environments.  

The report outlines recent lawsuits filed against 1199 SEIU and 1199 SEIU National Benefit Fund. Key allegations include: 

Mincey v. 1199 SEIU National Benefit Fund

• Former employee claims to have been fired/retaliated against by a racist supervisor for reporting her behavior to human resources.
• The former employee alleged that Black employees were referred to as “black clowns and n*****s,” “misfit nappy heads,” and “animals” that need to be “put down.”
• 1199 SEIU National Benefit Fund stated the Plaintiff had no evidence to back up his claims.

Luciano v. 1199 SEIU

• Former employee alleged that she suffered a serial pattern of sexual harassment by her supervisor at the union.
• The former employee alleged that after denying her supervisor’s advances, she was fired, and the union did nothing in response to her sexual harassment claims.
• Defendant responded by arguing the alleged conduct was welcomed by the plaintiff and the case was settled soon after.

The SEIU proudly claims on its website, “All workers are valued and all people respected—no matter where we come from or what color we are.” Judging by these lawsuits, the union’s actions might tell a different story.