(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153 Members employed at Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York - the only Buffalo-based Health Insurer with Union Members in its workforce, has overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract.

The agreement is in effect through May 22nd, 2028.

The new deal maintains many of the benefits of the current contact, which expired on May 22th (2025), and includes general wage and anniversary increases that exceed the prior contract, both the Union and management said in a prepared press release.

Highmark’s more than 400 Local 153-represented Employees serve in mostly customer service, operational and clerical roles.

The Union and the health plan, in its various forms, have a nearly 70-year relationship.
Lynn Brooks, who served as Chair of the OPEIU Bargaining Committee, said: “As Union Members, we take immense pride in the work we do and the contributions we make to our company and customers we serve. This agreement demonstrates our commitment to supporting and empowering our Union Members and their high-quality work at Highmark. We want local businesses and Unions to prefer Highmark, knowing our Members' voices are heard and their work is respected.”

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield President Jessica Cox said: “Our Union-represented employees are the heart of our organization and their contributions are essential to our mission of delivering remarkable health experiences to our Members. We’re proud to continue our long-standing legacy as Buffalo’s only Union Health Plan. This agreement allows us to move forward with a unified focus on ‘reinventing’ health care to work better for our Members and provider partners. I want to credit Lynn Brooks, the entire Bargaining Committee and members of our leadership team who worked collaboratively and respectfully to reach an agreement that helps us deliver a remarkable work environment for our Team Members, so they can deliver remarkable experiences to our Members.”

Highmark’s commitment to Organized Labor extends beyond its own workforce, as demonstrated by the recent appointment of Bill Jakobi, the former Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council/United Way Of Greater Niagara Labor Liaison, as Senior Labor Affairs Consultant.

Jakobi plays a vital role in supporting the needs of the dozens of Unions and municipalities Highmark insures throughout Western New York.

Around 40% of Highmark’s Western New York Members belong to groups with Unionized Workforces.

Through sponsorships and events every year, including the Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council’s annual Labor Day Parade and Picnic, the Niagara Labor Council’s Labor’s Night at the Races and its offered Labor Seminar/Webinars, Highmark supports the Labor Community beyond providing health coverage.

OPEIU Local 153 represents Workers throughout the States of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut who are employed in a range of fields, including social services, legal aid, higher education, health care, hotels, credit unions, and sports facilities.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York is a trade name of Highmark Western and Northeastern New York Incorporated, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Since 1936, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York has helped millions of people lead healthier lives.

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers a full range of insured, self-insured, and government programs and services covering businesses, families, and individuals, as well as dental and vision plans and stop-loss coverage.