A New York group of about 70,000 CDPAP caregivers has filed for a union election with the NLRB to be represented by 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, potentially bringing nearly 190,000 caregivers statewide into the union if successful.

If the union vote passes, it would mark the largest union representation in U.S. history for a single bargaining unit by uniting CDPAP caregivers with the 450,000 other health care workers already in 1199 SEIU.

CDPAP caregivers enable family members and others with disabilities to receive at-home care funded by Medicaid, with caregivers often directing their own work arrangements.

CDPAP caregivers are largely women and family members whose labor has historically been undervalued, fueling advocacy for recognition, pay, and benefits through collective bargaining.

The organizing drive comes amid a broader caregiving crisis as the aging population grows and the demand for home care increases, with projections of nearly 850,000 more home care workers needed by 2035.

1199 SEIU highlights its reach and track record in advocating for Medicaid funding and wage increases, noting a $3 per hour wage increase won in New York in 2022 for home care workers.

A 1199 SEIU survey of over 31,000 CDPAP workers found financial strain (about 64% barely getting by) and wage concerns (62% say pay is insufficient), with 66% prioritizing higher pay in a potential contract.

1199 SEIU President Yvonne Armstrong stressed that essential caregiving work funds families yet caregivers struggle financially, calling for wages, benefits, and economic security through union representation.

Historical context notes parallels with past large unionizations in U.S. history, such as GM and Ford autoworkers in the 1940s and the 1999 Los Angeles County home care worker election (74,000), framing this mobilization as a potential watershed.