(MEDINA, NEW YORK) – More than 200 Hospital Workers in Western New York could hit the picket line in the not too distant future as Union Caregivers employed at Orleans Community Health’s Medina Memorial Hospital, Lake Plains Batavia Dialysis Clinic and Albion Healthcare Center voted to authorize an informational picket if no agreement can be reached soon.

The rural Hospital Workers are represented by 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Healthcare Workers East, the largest Health Care Workers Union in the country. 

Caregivers employed at three Orleans Community Health sites in Medina, Albion, and Batavia have been fighting for living wages and quality comprehensive benefits to help retain and recruit more Workers to care for patients. 

Services at Orleans Community Health’s Medina Memorial Hospital have expanded and the increase in patients leaves Workers without enough Staff to provide the quality care patients in the rural community rely upon, Union Officials said. 

In addition, downsizing and service line closures in nearby counties have contributed to staffing issues at the hospital and clinics. 

“I have been a Certified Nurse Assistant for twenty-three years and I’ve worked at Medina Memorial Hospital for seven years,” Jessica Skowneski said.  “It’s a struggle and with inflation, it’s getting worse.  Fighting for a living wage means that I can afford to eat by the end of the week.” 

In 2021, during the COVID Pandemic, some top leaders at Orleans Community Health earned large salary increases - ranging from 15-75%.

The three-year Union contract covering Workers at Orleans Community Health’s three sites expired on December 31st, 2023. 

1199 SEIU and management have been negotiating since mid-December (2023).  

A Federal Mediator from Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services has been present during contract talks. 

Both sides are set to return to the bargaining table on Friday, January 19th.  

If the Worker-led Bargaining Committee is unable to reach a fair agreement with their employer for everyone, the Union can issue a 10-day notice to hold an informational picket outside the hospital and/or clinics. 

Workers are allowed to participate in informational picketing either before or after work or during their lunch or break.

An informational picket is a protected job action under the National Labor Relations Board and Workers cannot be retaliated against for participating.  

1199 SEIU represents Professional, Technical and Service jobs at all three sites – including: Registered Nurses; Dietetic Technicians; Occupational Therapy Assistants; Physical Therapy Assistants; Radiology Technologists; Nuclear Medicine Technologists; Respiratory Therapists; MRI Techs; Surgical Techs; Certified Nurse Assistants; Unit Secretaries; Ambulatory Unit Aides; Activities Aides; Pharmacy Technicians; Aide Porters, Cooks; Cafeteria Aides; Maintenance Workers; Environmental Service Workers; Couriers, Patient Care Technicians; Processor Phlebotomist; and Clinical Technicians. 

1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East - whose mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all, is the largest and fastest-growing Health Care Union in America, representing more than 400,000 Nurses and Caregivers throughout the States of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Florida, and in Washington, D.C.

To Directly Access This Labor News Report, Go To: Union Healthcare Workers at Orleans Community Health Sites in Medina, Batavia, and Albion Vote To Authorize Informational Picket (1199seiu.org)