Rochester, NY – Two unions representing approximately 2,000 workers at Strong Memorial Hospital and University of Rochester’s River Campus are set begin negotiating a new labor deal with their employer this week. Contract talks between 1199SEIU, SEIU Local 200United and the University of Rochester begin Thursday at 9 AM. 

 

Patient caregivers and service workers employed at Strong Memorial Hospital are represented by 1199SEIU, United Healthcare Workers East and service workers at the University of Rochester are represented by 200United SEIU. 

 

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 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. 

 

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 Campus include Building Services, Dining Services, Porters, Cooks, Stack Attendants – Library, Catering Service Assistants, Bus Drivers, Truck Drivers, and Stockkeepers.   

 

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.

 

There are currently 9 dates scheduled for negotiations between the two unions and University of Rochester before the current 3-year labor deal covering more than 2,000 workers expires Saturday, September 5. A federal mediator from Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is assigned to be present at bargaining talks. 

 

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]. 

^[1] 1199 SEIU-Represented Hospital Workers Employed At Strong Memorial Hospital In Rochester ‘Win Arbitration’ Over Scheduling Incentive Program Payments - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York

^[2] UR Home Care workers reach tentative agreement with employer on first union contract | WXXI News

^[3] University of Rochester grad students looking to unionize

^[4] University of Rochester unions plan to strike in December | WXXI News