Open Letter to President Gresham

January 23, 2025

To President George Gresham

We, the undersigned, represent an overwhelming majority of current Vice Presidents. We are writing to urge you to step down and make way for new leadership at the top of the union. While we seek to honor your legacy, we believe the time has come for a new era at the union, one driven by a fresh vision and a different kind of leadership.

Over the past month, we have become increasingly disturbed by the rhetoric coming from your campaign. We are not, as you’ve claimed, “enemies of the union”. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our concern is not that you are “too old” for the role, but that the union is ready to move forward with bold new leadership. We want to help craft that vision for the future.

In the past three years, we have seen business as usual at the union: outdated systems that have led to significant losses in union dues; a lack of transparency, marked by the repeated use of external consultants without explanation, and a prolonged hiring freeze; and perhaps most importantly, a failure to articulate a clear vision for the future.

At the start of your current term, you committed that this would be your last, and that you would step aside to allow Milly Silva to assume the role of President and Veronica Turner to take on the role of Secretary-Treasurer. You have since, without explanation, reneged on that commitment. We believe the idea that you are the only one capable of leading the union is contrary to the core union value of collaboration and shared leadership. No one person is the union—our work must be about "we," not "me."

When we arrived at the Officers’ retreat last February, we expected an opportunity to come together and work on solutions to the union’s ongoing challenges. Instead, we had to fight to prioritize that work. You were either absent or disengaged in the process, and since then, you have shown no commitment to supporting the efforts that were initiated at that retreat.

President Gresham, it is time for a dignified transition of power. While you were notably absent the day that Mary Kay Henry stepped down and April Verrett was voted President of SEIU at the SEIU convention in May, that moment was marked by dignity, grace, and class.

In line with your transition request, we held the President slot open on our slate for Milly until she made it clear that she was not interested. Our request for you to transition to the role of President Emeritus—to further the social justice work of our union on the national stage, a role you previously expressed interest in—is still on the table. This role is urgently needed in our country right now.

You have often said that, as a healthcare union with a large percentage of members and leaders who are women, and as a social justice organization, it is time for 1199 to have a woman president. We hope you understand the seriousness of our commitment to this cause. We are all risking our jobs to see this through.

We also have serious concerns about who would lead the union if you prevail. Do you truly believe that having 80% new vice presidents is the best outcome for the union, just so you can remain in the role of president? The dedication, institutional knowledge, and experience you are willing to lose by not stepping aside cannot be overstated.

Sincerely,

Allan Sherman, Vice President at Large Dequasia Canales, Vice President, Florida Anthony Peterson, Vice President at Large Margarette Nerette, Vice President, Florida David Greenberg, Vice President at Large Stephanie Shaw, Vice President, Florida Lystra Sawney, Vice President at Large Keith Joseph, Vice President, Home Care Division Sheron Whitter, Vice President at Large Katia Guillaume, Vice President, Home Care Division Tyrék Lee, Vice President at Large Vladimir Fortunny, Vice President, Home Care Division Kareem Cooper, Vice President, CBO-Pharmacy Angela Lane, Vice President, Hudson Valley/Capital Region Maureen Tomlinson, Vice President, Hudson Valley/Capital Region Lorrainie Brown Zanders, Vice President, Nursing Home Division Cari Rivera, Vice President, Massachusetts Nicholas Franklyn, Vice President, Nursing Home Division Filaine Deronnette, Vice President, Massachusetts Patricia Smith, Vice President, Nursing Home Division Lena Rodriguez, Vice President, Massachusetts Patricia Wilson, Vice President, Nursing Home Division Marie Elder, Vice President, Massachusetts Shaywaal Amin, Vice President, Nursing Home Division Marlon Washington, Vice President, Massachusetts Veloria Vincent, Vice President, Nursing Home Division Rebecca Gutman, Vice President, Massachusetts Dreana Bellamy, Vice President, Northwell Carrietta Hiers, Vice President, Maryland/DC Leigh Howard, Vice President, Northwell Donta Marshall, Vice President, Maryland/DC Robert Morris, Vice President, Northwell Raymont Dorsey, Vice President, Maryland/DC Michael Ashby, Vice President, Presbyterian Taren Peterson, Vice President, Maryland/DC Ray Wilson, Vice President, Presbyterian Brenda Spry, Vice President, Montefiore Benson Mathew, Vice President, RN Division Sui Ling Xu, Vice President, Montefiore Isabel Rogriguez, Vice President, RN Division Julio Vives, Vice President, Nursing Home Division Grace Bogdanove, Vice President, Upstate NY James Scordato, Vice President, Upstate NY Mary Wilsie, Vice President, Upstate NY Kevin Lockhart, Vice President, Upstate NY Tracey Harrison, Vice President, Upstate NY