(ROCHESTER, NEW YORK) - Professional and Clinical Workers represented by 1199 Service Employees International Union (Union) Healthcare Workers East at the University of Rochester Medicine Home Care (URMHC) have reached a three-year Tentative Agreement with their employer, Union Officials announced. 

After more than a year of often contentious negotiations, Unionized Caregivers held their ground fighting to protect quality care for their patients across seven rural Upstate Counties.

Their planned five-day Strike was postponed pending ratification of the agreement. 

URMHC Workers - who provide professional home care services for pediatric and adult patients in Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates Counties, 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 Homecare Workers, who were negotiating their first Union contract since May 2024, were demanding reasonable patient caseloads and affordable health insurance coverage. 

“We are very pleased that we have come to an agreement with UR Medicine Homecare,” Physical Therapist Jan Vanderwall said. “It has been a long time coming and we are happy that it has finally come to a good conclusion for both Workers and our patients.”

URMHC Professional and Clinical Home Care Workers assist their 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.

If ratified by Union Members, details of the agreement will be made public, 1199 SEIU said. 

To Continue Reading This Labor News Report, Go To: Professional and Clinical Union Members Reach 3-Year Tentative Agreement with University of Rochester, Postponing Strike