(ROCHESTER, NEW YORK) - Workers at University of Rochester Medicine Home Care (URMHC) have followed a national and rising trend after voting in favor of Going Union.

About 115 Professional Home Care Workers from the URMHC Unit voted to join 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Healthcare Workers East, the largest Health Care Workers Union. 

The newly organized Professional Home Care Workers at URHMC work as Registered Nurses, Child Life Specialists, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants, Dietitians, Licensed Practical Nurses, Medical Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Pediatric Registered Nurses, Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants, Speech Language Pathologists and Speech Therapists. 

The URMHC Workers provide professional home care services for patients in Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates counties. 

Professional Home Care Workers from URMHC are the first and unique type of job category to vote for Unionization, 1199 SEIU Officials said.  

The Workers assist patients with the transition from the hospital back to their home and provide nursing care, physical, occupational, speech therapy, medical and social work services.

Cindy Lorenzetti, a Physical Therapy Assistant for more than 30 years, said: “Our work in home care is very fulfilling but can also be challenging.  We work directly with patients and their families on personalized plans to meet their needs and goals.  I’m proud to be involved with my Co-Workers at URMHC in forming our Union with 1199 SEIU.  We will now have the power to make changes for the betterment of our patients and for all dedicated professionals working in the home care field.”

Professional Home Care Workers are set to begin negotiations on their first contract with the largest private employer in Upstate New York, University of Rochester. 

Since a massive one-day Strike that was held by Bedside Caregivers and Service Workers at University of Rochester Medical Center last year, more and more Workers in Rochester are making the move to join a Union.   

Last year, some 1,600 Home Health Aides, Personal Care Attendants and Consumer Directed Personal Attendants across New York State - who are employed by Community Care Companions, Incorporated, voted to join 1199 SEIU.

More than 600 of those Home Care Workers Live in Upstate New York, with 400 from the Rochester area.

Home Care Workers are currently negotiating a first contract with their employer.   

Earlier this year, University of Rochester Graduate Students began forming a Union to fight for living wages with the largest private sector employer in Upstate New York. 

1199 SEIU is the largest and fastest-growing Health Care Union in the U.S., 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. and Florida.

To Read This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: University of Rochester Medicine Home Care Workers Vote To Join 1199SEIU, Largest Healthcare Workers Union

Photo Provided By 1199 SEIU.