Bedside hospital caregivers, service, and campus workers continue bargaining for new labor deal as affordability crisis grows and more workers demand union rights, representation, and quality benefits at Upstate’s largest employer

WHO: Unionized bedside caregivers, hospital and campus workers, 1199SEIU Childcare Fund, 1199SEIU Training & Benefit Fund, 1199SEIU Healthcare Education Project, and more.

 

WHAT: Contract Campaign Kickoff Event 

 

WHEN: Saturday, August 29 from 10AM-2PM

 

WHERE: 259 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14607 (back parking lot) with media availability at between 12 Noon – 1 PM. 

 

WHY?: Two unions representing approximately 2,000 workers at Strong Memorial Hospital and University of Rochester’s River Campus have been negotiating for their next contract for nearly a month now.  Contract talks between 1199SEIU, SEIU Local 200United and the University of Rochester began earlier this month. Workers and University of Rochester management are currently negotiating two days per week as the contract is set to expire next Saturday.   

 

Bedside hospital patient caregivers and service workers employed at Strong Memorial Hospital are represented by 1199SEIU and service workers at the University of Rochester are represented by SEIU Local 200United.  

 

As the affordability crisis and staffing challenges across the University of Rochester systemgrow, more and more workers are experiencing devastating consequences over the lack of quality benefits and stagnant wages to care for their families.  Both unions are working together to negotiate one agreement that will prioritize affordable health insurance and wage improvements to help retain and recruit more workers to provide bedside care and services throughout the University’s system.  Retirement benefits and paid time off will also be key in contract talks for any new labor deal. All this as University of Rochester grad workers continue to fight for union recognition and rights.   

 

On Saturday, hospital and campus workers from both unions will gather to get an update on contract talks as they gear up to take action with their employer and learn more about their negotiated benefits that workers are fighting to protect amid the affordability crisis. Union members will also have a chance to register early for the 1199SEIU Childcare Fund benefit, meet local childcare providers to learn more about programs and services for their children ages birth through college.  

 

The contract covering more than 2,000 workers at the largest private sector employer in upstate is set to expire next Saturday and there are currently 2 dates scheduled for negotiations between the two sides before then. A federal mediator from Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is present during negotiating sessions. 

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

Workers represented by SEIU Local 200United at the University of Rochester Campusinclude Building Services, Dining Services, Porters, Cooks, Stack Attendants – Library, Catering Service Assistants, Bus Drivers, Truck Drivers, and Stockkeepers.   

 

On Background: 

 

Last year, more than 1,100 of the hospital workers represented by 1199SEIU won a yearslong arbitration over a contracted Scheduling Incentive Program (SIP) not included in their paychecks, despite having earned those monies^[1]. Union contract language helped to ensure workers could receive those earned benefits – highlighting the difference among unionized employees at the largest upstate employer. 

 

More professional and clinical workers at University of Rochester are joining unions to secure a voice on the job, along with guaranteed benefits and wages.  1199SEIU also represents more than 110 professionals and clinicians at University of Rochester’s Medicine Homecare whose 3-year contract^[2] expires next summer.   

 

Last year, University of Rochester Graduate Students began forming a union to fight for living wages.^[3] Graduate workers held a massive rally, later going on strike to demand that University of Rochester President Sarah Mangelsdorf make good on a promise to sign documents allowing their union election to move forward.

 

In 2023, thousands of University of Rochester hospital and campus workers held an historic one-day strike when they walked off the job during brutal winter weather^[4]. 

 

 

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