(ROCHESTER, NEW YORK) – Union-represented Caregivers and Service Workers employed at University of Rochester Medical Center’s (URMC) Strong Memorial Hospital and River Campus have overwhelmingly voted to authorize their Bargaining Committee to issue their employer a 10-day notice for a Strike that could last up to two days. 

In a near unanimous vote, 99% of voting Members cast their votes in favor of a Strike.  As such, more than 1,800 Patient Caregivers and Service Workers employed at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) could take part in a potential Strike that could cost the largest Private Sector Employer in Upstate New York hundreds of thousands of dollars - per day, Union Officials said. 

Bedside Caregivers and Patient Service Workers employed at URMC’s Strong Memorial Hospital are represented by 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Healthcare Workers East. 

Service Workers at URMC’s River Campus are represented by SEIU Local 200 United.  

After their current contract expired on October 31st, Workers held a massive informational picket last week outside of Strong Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Room as a first step to notify the general public of their labor dispute. 

The two SEIU Unions have been negotiating on behalf of 1,800 Workers since late August.

Both sides have held 28 day-long bargaining sessions, but only agreeing to non-economics. 

Caregivers and Service Workers are fighting for a fair contract that includes fair living wage increases that would help lift some out of poverty and a quality comprehensive benefits package to help recruit and retain more Workers to help with staffing issues, SEIU Representatives said.  

As the largest Private Sector Employer in Upstate New York and the sixth largest in the State, URMC has a responsibility to pay workers a living wage, Union Members said. 

Julie Clough, a Courier for Clinical Labs, said: “The rents in the city are so high.  I went from paying ($800) per month to ($1,200) per month and it takes a full month’s worth of paychecks.  After rent is paid, I have only a little left to pay other bills and to eat.  Right now, I work full-time - but I live paycheck to paycheck, and I worry if I have enough food to eat.”

Meanwhile, staffing concerns are an issue at URMC’s Strong Memorial Hospital. 

As a Level One Trauma Center, proper staffing is key to quality care and timely services for patients, but without living wages and benefits, it is very difficult to recruit Staff to fill vacancies and to keep Workers there, Union Officials said.  

To Continue Reading This Labor News Report, Go To: https://www.1199seiu.org/media-center/near-unanimous-vote-patient-caregivers-and-service-workers-urmc-overwhelmingly-authorize-strike-demand-living-wages-improved-sta

Photo Courtesy Of 1199 SEIU Upstate’s Facebook Page.