(ROCHESTER, NEW YORK) – Union-represented Caregivers and Service Workers employed at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s (URMC) Strong Memorial Hospital and River Campus held an informational picket in front of the Emergency Room today (Monday, November 13th) as tensions escalate between management and its Unionized Workforce.

The Caregivers and Service Workers are currently fighting for a fair contract from the sixth largest employer in New York State.

They want fair living wage increases and a quality/comprehensive benefits package to help recruit and retain more Workers to help with staffing issues. 

Following multiple contract extensions, the agreement covering more than 1,800 Service Workers at URMC expired on October 31st.

Two Service Employee International Unions (SEIU) - 1199 SEIU and SEIU Local 200 United, have been negotiating on behalf of 1,800 Caregivers and Service Workers since late August.

Both sides held 24 day-long bargaining sessions only agreeing to non-economics. 

Union Members participated in the informational picket On Their Own Time, joining the line before or after work or during their lunch break. 

As such, Workers cannot be disciplined by URMC for participating in a protected job action.

Workers represented by SEIU Local 200 United at the University of Rochester include Building Services, Dining Services, Porters, Cooks, Stack Attendants - Library, Catering Service Assistants, Bus Drivers, Truck Drivers and Stockkeepers.  

Caregivers and service workers represented by 1199SEIU at Strong Memorial Hospital include Environmental Service Workers, Nursing Assistants, Cooks, Food Service Workers, Dietary Workers, Dental Assistants, Drivers, Patient Care Technicians, Materials Processing Specialists, Patient Unity Secretaries, Porters, Stockkeepers, Transport Assistants, Transportation Center Workers, Truck Drivers and Unit Support Assistants.

“Investing in workers and providing a living wage is critical to ensuring that we have enough staff to provide a high level of patient care and student services to our community,” said Tracey Harrison, 1199 SEIU Vice-President for Rochester Corning. “Staffing is a concern across the hospital and campus.  URMC must invest more in retaining and recruiting Workers.”

“I know we aren’t a minimum wage hospital, but it feels like the direction we are going in,” said Tina Hawkins, a Sterile Processing Technician at URMC’s Strong Memorial Hospital.    

“Many of us work extra shifts just to make ends meet,” said Dana Allison, a Patient Care Technician at URMC’s Strong Memorial Hospital. “We still don’t feel like we are treated equally and that’s why will picket.  We don’t feel appreciated and now is our time to raise our voices to demand the respect we deserve.”

SEIU had encouraged the URMC community to walk alongside Workers at the picket.

“We aren’t just fighting for Union Members, we are fighting for those who may want to join a Union in the future,” Harrison said.  “It’s about everyone who works at URMC because everyone deserves a voice in the workplace, a living wage and quality benefits that will help to improve staffing across the hospital system and campus.”

The labor dispute at URMC, Rochester’s largest employer is not the first in the area. 

It comes as Nurses employed at Rochester General Hospital recently ratified a 42-month agreement, averting a second Strike over wages and staffing.

Photo/Video Screenshot Courtesy Of 1199 SEIU's Facebook Page.