Bedside hospital caregivers, service, and campus workers are prioritizing no discrimination language, benefits and wages to help recruit and retain staff

 

Rochester, NY – Yesterday, a large majority of union workers at University of Rochester voted in favor of giving their bargaining committee the authority to call for an informational picket.  The University of Rochester’s attempt to increase health insurance co-pays, offers of minimal wage increases and threats to weaken anti-discrimination language have left many workers worrying about their families.  A 10-day notice to hold an informational picket could be handed to the largest private sector employer any day now.  

 

Union leaders say they have no confidence that UR’s management team can reach a fair contract. After 21 sessions, union leaders believe that the University is unable to make decisions, often leaving workers waiting for a response for hours or not providing a response at all. Caregivers are set to return to bargaining Tuesday, 10/27 at 9:00 AM.    

 

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 since early August.  Contract talks are ongoing between 1199SEIU, SEIU Local 200United and the University of Rochester typically twice per week.   

 

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. 

 

A federal mediator from Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) was present during early negotiating sessions, however the unions have hired a well experienced private mediator.

Discussions over proposed changes in the no discrimination language in the contract and neutrality remain a divisive issue at the bargaining table. A large majority of union workers at the hospital and campus are minority and any changes to the existing no discrimination clause could have a direct impact on them. This language has been in their contract for more than 50 years.  

“We represent a diverse body of people. It took 50 years to cultivate this language to protect our members and they are trying to roll back the protections we fought so hard to win. It’s very discouraging,” said Robyn Wilcox-Davis, SEIU Local 200United Delegate and Cook I at University of Rochester Campus.  

 

As the affordability crisis and staffing challenges across the University of Rochester system  grows, more and more workers are experiencing devastating consequences over the lack of competitive wages and benefits to recruit and retain staff.  

 

“I’m appalled. I’ve worked here for 29 years and what they are offering long-time employees is a disgrace. It’s a slap in the face because we can’t live off of cents. Food is high. Gas is high. It’s not acceptable and we are worth more than they are offering,” said Kellie Miller, Patient Transportation and 1199SEIU Chairperson.  

 

“There are hundreds of vacancies as members and staff leave the University for higher wages.  This results in more work for the staff who remain, causing burnout,” said Dawn Marshall-Hosier, Executive Vice-President, SEIU Local 200United. 

 

Lack of competitive wages makes it very difficult to recruit staff to fill more than a thousand vacancies at the hospital and campus.  Both unions are working together to negotiate one agreement that will improve staffing, maintain quality health insurance and improve wages to help retain and recruit more staff 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.

 

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: 

Neutrality gives all employees at the University of Rochester the right to seek union representation to negotiate their benefits and wages including graduate workers who went on strike last year after the university failed to sign an agreement allowing a pathway to join a union. Neutrality would allow nurses, professionals, and other clinicians at the hospital the same privileges their counterparts in the Professional Homecare^[1] unit fought for last year.  

 

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.  

 

Union representation gives workers a better way to hold their employer accountable.  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^[3]. Union contract language helped to ensure workers could receive those earned benefits – highlighting the difference among unionized employees at the largest upstate employer. 

 

University of Rochester Graduate Students began forming a union to fight for living wages.^[4]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^[5]. 

 

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