(MEDINA, NEW YORK) - 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Healthcare Workers East have filed two Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Charges against Orleans Community Health alleging management violated Labor Laws by bargaining in bad faith and engaging in direct dealing with Workers. 

1199 SEIU and Orleans Community Health management have been negotiating a new contract since mid-December (2023).  The three-year deal that covers 200 Workers at Orleans Community Health’s three sites expired on December 31st (2023).  

A Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS) Mediator has been present during contract talks. 

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

The rural 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East-represented Hospital and Clinic Workers employed at Orleans Community Health’s Medina Memorial Hospital, Lake Plains Batavia Dialysis Clinic and Albion Healthcare Center voted to authorize an informational picket last week if no agreement can be reached soon.

The Caregivers at the three 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 do their jobs and to provide the highest quality care that patients in the rural community rely on, Union Officials said. 

“I have been a Certified Nurse Assistant for twenty-three years and I’ve worked at Medina Memorial Hospital for seven,” said Jessica Skowneski.  “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.”

To Continue Reading This Labor News Report, Go To: 1199SEIU Files Two Unfair Labor Practice Charges Against Orleans Community Health