May 2026 Newsletter – Issue 187

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Union Information

• Michael Jeter (President)
• Vanessa Jones (Vice President)
• Marshall Jackson (Editor)
• Phone: (202) 483-6221
• Website: www.seiu722.org

Membership Meeting

Going forward our Membership Meetings will now be held from 11 am – 1pm the third (3rd) Saturday of every month. We rotate monthly between the Children’s auditorium and the WHC auditorium

Grievance Committee

Grievance Committee Meets on the first and last Wednesday of every month starting at 6pm

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From the Desk of the President

Dear Union Members,

As we continue moving forward together, we want to take a moment to sincerely thank each of you for the dedication, compassion, and professionalism you bring to work every single day. The care and service you provide not only strengthen our workplaces but also reinforce the unity and purpose of our union family. Your commitment during both challenging and rewarding times continues to make a lasting difference for patients, coworkers, and the communities we proudly serve.

We also want to provide an important update following recent conversations with HR leadership at MedStar Health. At this time, MedStar is not operating under a hiring freeze or spending freeze. Rather, the organization is taking a thoughtful and strategic approach to budgeting and financial planning to ensure long-term stability and continued operational success. We understand that uncertainty can create concern, and we hope this clarification provides reassurance and transparency for our members.

In encouraging news, at Medstar several market adjustments were implemented throughout the month of May. These adjustments reflect ongoing efforts to remain competitive within the healthcare industry and demonstrate continued recognition of the value employees bring to the organization every day. While there is always more work ahead, this progress represents a positive step toward supporting and retaining a strong workforce.

As advocates for not only workplace rights but also personal well-being, we encourage all members of SEIU Local 722 to remain mindful of their health and safety. We encourage you to speak with your healthcare provider regarding the recommended vaccines.

President’s Report

Staying proactive about preventive healthcare helps protect both individuals and the patients we serve. Additionally, we encourage everyone to remain informed regarding Hantavirus awareness and prevention practices. Education and vigilance remain essential in maintaining safe and healthy environments both inside and outside the workplace.

Finally, please note an important scheduling update regarding our monthly union meetings. Going forward, union meetings will now be held from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We encourage all members to attend, stay informed, share their voices, and continue building the strength of our collective efforts.

Thank you again for your unwavering commitment, resilience, and solidarity. Together, we continue to advocate for fairness, support one another through every challenge, and build a stronger future for all union members. Your voice matters, your work matters, and our unity continues to make a difference.

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Union College Benefit

Introducing an Education Benefit For SEIU 722 members & families

SEIU 722 is proud to announce a new member benefit: the SEIU College Benefit powered by Edvance. Members and their family has access to discounted tuition at a network of accredited, fully online colleges and universities.

This benefit was built for people with busy lives. Every program is 100% online and flexible, so you can study around your shifts, your family, and everything else on your plate.

Whether you’re ready to move into healthcare administration, an RN looking to complete your BSN, or an environmental services or dietary worker who wants a degree that leads to a higher-paying role, there’s a program designed for where you are and where you want to go. Your spouse, children, and dependents are eligible too.

Getting started costs nothing – there’s no commitment required to explore your options. When you reach out, you’ll be recommended a school & program based on your goal and a dedicated Student Success Coordinator will work with you 1:1 to answer your questions, explore your options, and help you through the admissions process.

SEIU 722 made this benefit available because your education and family’s future matters to us. Edvance is the team that delivers it.

• 200+ Accredited Programs
• Up to 40% off tuition
• Benefit stacks with eligible financial aid, employer assistance & scholarships

See what’s possible. It’s free to explore.

unioncollegebenefit.online/seiu/

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Mental Health Is A Workplace Issue

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but for many working people, mental health isn’t something that shows up once a year—it’s part of daily life on the job. Whether it’s the stress of rising costs, understaffed workplaces, long hours, or the pressure of balancing work and family responsibilities, union members are carrying a lot. And while we’ve made real progress in talking more openly about mental health, there’s still a gap between awareness and action—especially in the workplace. Taking care of your mental health is not just a personal issue, it’s also workplace issue. And that means it’s a union issue, too.

The Reality Workers Are Facing

Across industries, workers are being asked to do more with less. Chronic understaffing, mandatory overtime, and increased workloads don’t just lead to burnout—they create real mental and emotional strain. Add in job insecurity or unclear expectations, and it’s a recipe for anxiety, exhaustion, and disengagement.

Breaking the Silence

For too long, mental health has been treated as something to keep quiet about—especially at work. There’s a lingering fear that speaking up could be seen as weakness or could impact job security. That culture is starting to shift—but not fast enough. When we talk openly about mental health, we make it easier for others to do the same. When we push for policies that support workers, we move from conversation to real change.

What Support Should Look Like

Awareness is important—but it’s not enough. Workers need real, tangible support. That includes:

• Access to affordable, quality mental health care through employer-provided benefits
• Reasonable workloads and adequate staffing to prevent burnout before it starts
• Paid leave policies that allow workers to take time when they need it—without penalty
• Safe workplaces, both physically and psychologically
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that are accessible, confidential, and actually useful

These aren’t luxuries. They’re basic workplace standards.

Sometimes support doesn’t come from a policy—it comes from a conversation. Checking in on a coworker. Noticing when someone’s struggling. Making it clear they’re not alone.

Moving Forward

Mental Health Awareness Month is a reminder—but it should also be a call to action. We need to keep pushing for workplaces that recognize the full reality of workers’ lives. That means treating mental health with the same urgency and respect as physical health. It means building systems that support people—not just productivity. Because at the end of the day, a strong union isn’t just about wages and contracts. It’s about dignity, respect, and making sure every member has what they need to thrive—on and off the job.

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Celebrating Nurses Week

Nurses’ Week begins May 6 and runs through May 12, 2026. During this important week, we proudly honor the strength, skill, and unwavering commitment of our nursing professionals. This year’s theme, “The Power of Nurses,” speaks not only to the clinical expertise nurses bring to their work, but also to the compassion, advocacy, and resilience they demonstrate every single day.

In hospitals, clinics, schools, and throughout our communities, nurses are essential to protecting the safety, well-being, and dignity of those they serve. They are caregivers, educators, and trusted advocates—often the steady presence patients and families rely on in their most vulnerable moments. Their contributions are indispensable, yet too often taken for granted.

For many SEIU members, this recognition is deeply personal. We have felt their impact firsthand. We work alongside nurses, we have been cared for by them, and our families and friends have experienced their care and advocacy. This week, we celebrate their vital role and express our sincere gratitude for the extraordinary difference they make every day.

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SEIU Local 722 Scholarship

SEIU Local 722 scholarship applications are made available to members on May 1st who are in good standings (current dues payer for 1 year prior to application deadline).

Completed applications with all supportive documents must be received in the union office no later than July 1st. There will be no exceptions.

The Alton Akinsegun Scholarship will be awarded to union members in good standing: current dues payer for 1 year prior to application deadline; who meets the criteria set forth in this application.

The Marchel Smiley Scholarship will be awarded to children under the age of 23 who has a legal guardian (proof may be required) that is a member of SEIU Local 722 in good standing (current dues payer for 1 year prior to application deadline). The child must meet the criteria set forth in the application.

Please see a Union Rep, Call the union office, or visit the union website to get your application: www.seiu722.org

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SEIU Local 722 Bus Trip

We are going back to Atlantic City

August 15th, 2026

Cost: $20 deposit for each person attending (Children included)

SEIU members and children deposits will be refunded

NO REFUND FOR NON-SEIU MEMBERS AND CHILDREN

Departure Time: 6:00 am

Return Time: 9:00 pm

Bus Pick-up & Drop-off: 1st street next to WHC parking lot

There will be opportunity for you to enjoy the beach, casinos, & shopping at your own expense. So bring your beach gear, money, and positive energy to have a good time !!!

Pay attention to departure time. There will be NO REFUND for anybody who misses the bus

Ticket Sales

Children’s
Engineering Conference Room

• Jun 12th, 1pm – 6pm
• June 26th, 1pm – 6pm
• Jul 10th, 1pm – 6pm
• Jul 24th, 1pm – 6pm

WHC
Ground Floor Room G-008 (SEIU Office)

• Jun 5th, 6am – 6pm
• Jun 19th, 6am – 6pm
• Jul 3rd, 6am – 6pm
• Jul 17th, 6am – 6pm

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SEIU Local 722

1673 Columbia Rd. N.W #100
Washington, D.C. 20009

Click here to download a PDF version of the May 2026 Newsletter