(WEBSTER, NEW YORK) – Unionized Professional and Clinical Homecare Workers employed at University of Rochester Medicine Homecare (URMHC) held a one-day Unfair Labor Practice Strike on Monday (February 24th).

The Workers, who cover seven Upstate Counties, have been negotiating for a first Union contract since May 2024 that includes reasonable patient caseloads and affordable health insurance coverage. 

In March (2024), more than 100 URMHC Workers voted to be represented by 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Healthcare Workers East, the largest Health Care Workers Union in the country.

But despite several months and numerous negotiating sessions - which have apparently stalled over key economic issues, the group remains without a contract and feels undervalued, Union Officials have said.

Caregivers believe URMHC must bring top decision makers to the table to get a deal signed.

The Homecare Workers had previously held an informational picket outside of URMHC offices in Webster to bring their dispute with their employer to the public. 

There are still major outstanding economic issues on the table, according to 1199 SEIU, including affordable health insurance coverage, reasonable patient caseloads, wages and more. 

URMHC currently has 26 job openings and has asked its Unionized Staff to cover additional shifts to care for patients, 1199 SEIU said. 

Non-economic items and nearly half of the economic items have been tentatively agreed to by both sides, 1199 SEIU said - however, URMHC often fails to make any movement on remaining economic issues or regresses, leaving its dedicated Homecare Professionals frustrated.   

Physical Therapist Dave Simon said: “The Clinicians and Professionals on the Bargaining Committee come to every negotiating session, putting compromises on the table, only to be met with no movement from the employer. We cannot negotiate a contract when one side is not willing to move. Up to now our CEO, Greg Hutton, has not been present for negotiation sessions and we feel that he should be here to help resolve this.”

In January, 1199 SEIU filed an ULP against URMHC, alleging it bargained in bad faith when it failed to return a counter proposal on outstanding economic issues with a Federal Mediator from Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) present at the talks. 

URMHC Professional Home Care Workers are employed 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 and Speech Language Pathologists.

The Caregivers assist patients with the transition from the hospital back into their home and provide critical nursing care, physical, occupational, speech therapy, medical and social work services in Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates Counties.

To Continue Reading This Labor News Report, Go To: University of Rochester Medicine Homecare Banks Millions In Profits While Professional & Clinical Homecare Workers Serving 7 Upstate Counties Strike In Protest of Unfair Labor Practices, High Patient Case Loads, and Costly Health Insurance Monday 2/24

Photo Courtesy Of 1199 SEIU.