Unions & Labor Movement in Community Health

The largest healthcare union in the western United States, representing roughly 120,000 healthcare workers across California (up from ~95,000 — 8,500+ joined since 2023) — including hospital workers, clinic staff, nursing home employees, and home health aides. SEIU-UHW has been a driving force behind California's $25/hour healthcare minimum wage (SB 525) and sponsors Proposition 44, the 90%-of-revenue clinic spending measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

Represents nearly 60,000 employees in local governments, non-profit agencies, healthcare programs, and schools throughout Northern California. SEIU 1021 has a strong presence at Bay Area community health centers, including La Clinica de la Raza and Asian Health Services, where members have won significant contract victories.

Represents nearly 53,000 public and non-profit workers on the Central Coast, in the Central Valley, and throughout Silicon Valley. SEIU 521 partners with community health centers like Gardner Health Services to advocate for clinic worker retention and state funding.

Represents over 95,000 workers in cities, counties, special districts, public health systems, and nonprofit organizations across Southern California. SEIU 721 is part of SEIU Community Clinic Workers United, the statewide campaign to improve conditions at FQHCs.

Represents over 12,000 workers in San Diego and Imperial counties, including county employees, clinics, and school district workers. Part of SEIU Community Clinic Workers United, the statewide effort to improve pay and conditions at community health centers.

Founded in 2009 by Sal Rosselli after a split from SEIU-UHW, NUHW reported 18,752 members in its FY2025 filing with the U.S. Department of Labor. NUHW's executive-board page lists Vanessa Coe as president as of October 14, 2026. Sophia Mendoza was sworn in as president in March 2024, after Rosselli chose not to run again. NUHW organizes at community health centers, hospitals, and clinics, with a particular focus on mental health professionals at Kaiser Permanente. NUHW's FQHC presence is growing — workers at Imperial Beach Community Clinic organized in January 2026.

The nation's largest union of registered nurses, with over 225,000 members including 100,000+ in California. CNA led the successful fight for California's landmark nurse-to-patient staffing ratio law (AB 394, 2004) — the first in the nation. While primarily active in hospitals, CNA represents RNs at some community health settings.

The largest healthcare union in the nation with over 450,000 members, primarily in New York and the East Coast. Founded in 1932 by Leon Davis as a pharmacists' union, 1199 became the pioneering force in hospital worker organizing. Its 1959 New York hospital strike and 1969 Charleston strike — supported by Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King — are landmark moments in both labor and civil rights history. While not active in California FQHCs, 1199's legacy is foundational to the healthcare labor movement nationwide.