(ROCHESTER, NEW YORK) – 1199 Service Employees International Union United Healthcare Workers East (SEIU)-represented Hospital Workers employed at Rochester’s Strong Memorial Hospital are celebrating a huge victory.

More than a year ago, Workers noticed the Scheduling Incentive Program (SIP) contracted benefit was not included in their paychecks, despite having earned those monies. 

Dozens of Hospital Workers immediately notified 1199 SEIU, which quickly filed a grievance and arbitration on their behalf.

After the class grievance against the employer was initially denied, the Union then sent the case to arbitration on behalf of the Workers, who recently won their case against the largest Private Sector Employer in Upstate New York over the SIP payments. 

Shariff Hill, who is employed as a Cook, said: “Thank you to all the Delegate Leaders who fought hard to make sure Workers receive what they were owed. When we stand together, nothing can stop the Workers united.” 

Added Natalie Johnson, a Patient Unit Secretary: “We have won a long hard fight for what our Members (were) owed to them for working very long hours and days keeping the hospital running efficiently.” 

Under the Union’s current contract language, if there was a 20% vacancy in any Department the employer agreed to a bonus in an effort to help recruit Staff to provide care and services for patients. 

For every four hours after their regular shift, Workers were supposed to be paid a flat rate of $32. If Workers went over eight hours, then they were owed $64 dollars.

More than 1,100 Union-represented Hospital Workers will receive a one-time SIP settlement payment ranging from $32 to $16,483.

Workers still have 24 days to submit paystubs and schedules to determine if they were missed during the first round of SIP payments.

Members who worked between November 2021 through October 2024 were part of the incentive program geared to fill vacancies during the multi-year COVID-19 Pandemic.

Workers represented by 1199 SEIU at Strong Memorial Hospital include Environmental Service Workers, Nursing Assistants, Cooks, Food Service Workers, Dietary Workers, Dental Assistants, Drivers, Patient Care Technicians, Materials Processing Specialists, Patient Unity Secretaries, Porters, Stockkeepers, Transport Assistants, Transportation Center Workers, Truck Drivers and Unit Support Assistants.

1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East - whose mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all, is the largest and fastest-growing Health Care Union in America and represents more than 400,000 Nurses and Caregivers in the States of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Florida, and in Washington, D.C.

Photo Provided By 1199 SEIU.