(ROCHESTER, NEW YORK) – Following multiple contract extensions, the Collective Bargaining Agreement covering more than 1,800 Service Workers employed at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) has expired.

The contract expiration comes after several months of negotiations, including 23 day-long bargaining sessions involving 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Healthcare Workers East and 200 United SEIU and the University of Rochester Medical Center. 

Contract talks between the two Unions and management began late August of 2022.

The two Unions and management remain at odds over living wage increases and quality benefits to recruit and retain more Workers to provide care and services to the Hospital and University.

“It’s heartbreaking that we were unable to reach a fair agreement with URMC,” said Tina Hawkins, a Sterile Processing Technician at URMC’s Strong Memorial Hospital.  “I know we aren’t a minimum wage Hospital, but it feels like the direction we are going in.  Our Committee is extremely disappointed because we hoped that URMC would have at least offered a fair agreement that we could take back to our Members, but it feels like they failed us at the bargaining table.”

Assembly Member Demond Meeks, a supporter of the Hospital Workers, said: “As the Assembly Member representing many of the Workers of the University of Rochester at Strong Memorial Hospital and the campus, I believe it is imperative that the University of Rochester Medical Center, 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and 200 United SEIU work collaboratively to settle a fair contract that recognizes the hard work and sacrifice of the many Essential Workers.  These Front-Line Workers deserve improved wages and benefits that reflect the value of their hard work, putting the welfare of others before themselves every day.  Just as the Workers (at the University of Rochester) leave home to care for the families of this community, they deserve to be able to provide for their own loved ones as well.  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said: “Whenever you are engaged in work that serves humanity and is for the building of humanity, it has dignity, and it has worth.” 

Both Unions have been working together to negotiate one agreement that includes fair wage increases that respect the high level of service and support provided throughout the hospital and campus. 

Better wages and a quality and comprehensive benefit package will also help to retain and recruit more Workers and alleviate staffing problems across URMC, SEIU Officials said.

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 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.

To Continue Reading This Labor News Report, Go To: Union Contract Covering 1800 Caregivers & Service Workers At New York's Sixth Largest Employer, URMC Will Expire Monday 10/30 If No Agreement Is Reached (1199seiu.org)