(ROCHESTER, NEW YORK) – Caregivers and Service Workers represented by 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Workers East and SEIU Local 200 United participated in a 17-hour Strike and protest of Unfair Labor Practices (ULPs) at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s (URMC) Strong Memorial Hospital & University of Rochester River Campus on Wednesday (December 13th).

The two SEIU Unions, which issued a 10-day notice for a Strike in November, has filed ULP Charges with the National Labor Relations Board claiming URMC failed to bargain in good faith when they did not return to the bargaining table with a counter proposal on wages.  

SEIU Representatives said the Strike cost URMC, the largest Private Sector employer in Upstate New York, “a great deal of money” as the Workers went unpaid as they continue their fight for a living wage and quality benefits.  The Caregivers and Service Workers are seeking wage increases that will uplift some out of poverty and a quality and comprehensive benefits package that will help URMC recruit and retain more Workers to help with staffing issues.  

“Working short causes a lot of tension because we can’t do our jobs providing the quality care we want to give,” said Arleata Robin White, a Patient Care Technician employed at Strong Memorial Hospital.

“It feels like they want us to work more for less money,” added Dana Allison, a Patient Care Technician who’s also employed at Strong Memorial Hospital.  “My job requires patience and understanding to provide care for the patients as they recover from surgery.  Many people come in and they are nervous about their procedure and I reassure them and their family, but sometimes if we are short that special attention can’t be given because we have so many other tasks to complete to keep surgeries flowing for the day.”

Following multiple extensions, the contract covering URMC Patient Caregivers and Service Workers expired on October 31st.

As tensions continued to escalate, Workers held a massive informational picket and rally on November 13th, prior to their strike authorization vote on November 21st. 

To date, the two SEIU Unions have been negotiating on behalf of 1,800 Workers since late August (2022).

Both sides returned to the bargaining table on Wednesday for their 31st session.  

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

Patient 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.

To Read This Labor News Report In Its Entirety, Go To: Union Caregivers & Service Workers Set to Strike URMC, Largest Private Sector Employer In Upstate Wednesday 12/13 From 6AM-11PM As Negotiations Resume This Morning (1199seiu.org)

SEIU File Photo Courtesy Of The Union’s Facebook Page.