Eyebrows were raised earlier today when Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo’s health care transition team was announced and including pretty much everyone under the sun – even industry bigs like GNYHA President Ken Raske and HANYS President Dan Sisto.

Everyone, that is, except a representative from SEIU 1199.

The speculation mill immediately kicked into high gear, with the obvious assumption being that Cuomo was trying to send not-so-subtle message to the health care workers union at a time when he is preparing to do budget battle with various special interests – particularly organized labor.

But, as it turns out, Cuomo did actually include 1199 President George Greshman on the committee. He wanted the union leader on his side all along, I’ve been told, and just forgot to include Gresham’s name on the list is all – a mere oversight, and certainly not something to be misinterpreted.

“We have been informed by the Governor-Elect’s office that 1199 SEIU is indeed on the Health Transition Committee,” said union spokeswoman Leah Gonzalez.

“George Gresham, president of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East has been appointed to the
Health committee and the union will be attending the committee’s first meeting scheduled for tomorrow.”

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