House Committee Requests Investigation into Alleged Misuse of Funds by Healthcare Union President
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The chairman of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, Tim Walberg, has called for an investigation into the president of the largest healthcare union in the US, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, for alleged “improper financial practices”. This follows a recent report by POLITICO outlining “numerous troubling allegations regarding the expenditure of union funds”. George Gresham, the union president, denies these allegations and has initiated an independent audit.
US House Committee Seeks Investigation into Largest Healthcare Union’s Financial Practices
The House Committee on Education and Workforce, led by Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI), has called for a financial review of George Gresham, president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare union in North America. This move follows allegations of improper financial practices recently detailed by POLITICO.
Gresham has denied these allegations, stating they are based on a misunderstanding of their public financial reports. Gresham also assured of absolute governance integrity, with 1199SEIU planning an independent audit.
The SEIU Healthcare, which is the healthcare division of SEIU, is the largest union for healthcare workers, boasting 1.1 million members. It is recognized as the single largest source of unionized nursing home workers.
Walberg expressed concern over allegations that Gresham had misused union money for personal benefit. Walberg emphasized the committee’s commitment to enforcing federal laws that protect union members’ rights.
SEIU represents over 400,000 nurses and care workers across six US states. In January, SEIU joined the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, bringing the total membership to approximately 15 million. The union has also organized protests against nursing home closures, staffing shortages, caregiver wages, and more.
Most recently, SEIU represented workers from 27 long-term care facilities in Western New York. The 4,000 workers protested for better health insurance, improved staffing levels, and fair wages.
While six more protests are planned this week across Western New York, Walberg points out that SEIU collected around $208 million in member dues and agency fees last fiscal year. He warned that any misappropriation of these funds could potentially violate Section 501(a) of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act.
Walberg concluded by expressing deep concern over the allegations, which include lavish travel, nepotistic arrangements, unexplained payouts to political allies, and events that do not benefit common union members.
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