ENROLLED ORIGINAL
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
25-150
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
November 21, 2023
To recognize, honor, and celebrate the National Union of Hospital and Health Care
Employees’ accomplishments on its 50th anniversary.
WHEREAS, the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees finds its
roots in 1932 with the Pharmacists Union of Greater New York. In 1933, the union had
its first strike, consisting of only one employee. As the union grew, so did the number of
workers with each strike;
WHEREAS, in 1936 the Pharmacists Union of Greater New York joined the
American Federation of Labor to become Local 1199. Local 1199 had a history of
fighting for civil rights, being called Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “favorite union” after
donating financial aid to the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1954, demonstrating the
union’s long history of fighting for workers from all backgrounds;
WHEREAS, in November of 1973, the National Organization was formally
established during its first Constitutional Convention and was renamed the Nation Union
of Hospital and Health Care Employees to organize for the express purpose of organizing
health care workers throughout the country;
WHEREAS, in October 1984, the National Union received a direct charter from
the AFL-CIO and became the only health care union with such a charter;
WHEREAS, in 1989 the National Union affiliated with members of the American
Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees to join the fastest growing union
in the United States, forming the iteration of the union that we know today;
WHEREAS, to date, the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees
has 11 districts throughout the country;
WHEREAS, the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees
represents hospital and health care workers across the United States, fighting for better
wages, working conditions and quality of life for health care workers in the union;
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 ENROLLED ORIGINAL
WHEREAS, on Wednesday, November 15th, 2023, the National Union of Hospital
and Health Care Employees will gather for its 24th NUHHCE Triennial Convention and to
celebrate its 50th anniversary, marking 5 decades of fighting for civil rights, workers’ rights
and improving the health care system for all Americans by ensuring health care staff are
properly treated and compensated;
WHEREAS, the DC Council recognizes that the National Union of Hospital and
Health Care Employees serves as the backbone of our health care system, representing
the dedicated professionals working tirelessly in the health care sector, and the paramount
importance of their contributions to the well-being of our communities; and
WHEREAS, the members of this esteemed union embody the values of
compassion, dedication, and excellence in the provision of health care services, ensuring
the welfare of patients and the broader public, and have been instrumental in addressing
health care disparities by promoting inclusivity and championing diversity in health care
organizations.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That
this resolution be cited as the “National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees
Recognition Resolution of 2023”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors the hard
work of everyone involved with the National Union of Hospital and Health Care
Employees, and the innumerable impacts that the union has had on the health care
system.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
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