(ROCHESTER, NEW YORK) – 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Workers East-represented Professional and Clinical Workers employed at the University of Rochester Medicine Homecare have voted to ratify their first three-year union contract, an agreement that comes after more than a year of negotiations.

The successful vote also canceled a planned five-day Strike.

The agreement includes more than 11.5% in general wage increases over the life of the contract with additional wage adjustments where discrepancies were identified in Workers' pay.

The employer significantly increased contributions to employer-provided health insurance for the Professional and Clinical Workers, 1199 SEIU added.

The Union Members held firm to demand improvements in productivity levels in order to protect quality care - and won.

Productivity levels are now set at 27 units per week, with the exception of Speech Language Pathologists (SLP).

In addition, Members also won significant pay increases for those mandated to work weekends, on call pay and premium pay for weekend volunteers or unscheduled workdays, plus two additional vacation days - with additional days based on years of service.

Other highlights include Juneteenth and Veteran’s Day as premium holidays.

Workers also secured standard mileage reimbursement rates for travel to patient’s homes.

Physical Therapy Assistant Cindy Lorenzetti said: “We were able to ratify our first 1199 SEIU contract with UR Medicine Homecare. We worked many hours to reach this point and we have come out ahead with Union protection for all Employees. We look forward to making URMHC a five-star rated agency. We will serve our communities with the best care provided by the best Clinicians.”

Physical Therapist Dave Simon said: “After more than a year of negotiations, it is very exciting to have our first Union contract. This is going to be very beneficial for not only our Health Care Staff, but also our employer. Most importantly it protects the quality of care for our patients. I feel confident saying that UR Medicine Homecare is now the ‘homecare agency of choice for both Professionals, Clinicians and patients in the region.”

For More On This Labor News Story, Go To: UR Medicine Homecare workers vote to approve three-year contract, avoiding strike - WHEC.com