University of Rochester’s attempt to remove no discrimination language, refusal to allow neutrality, and demands for caregivers to pay higher co-pays will send workers and supporters to the picket line outside the hospital next week

WHO:  University of Rochester hospital, campus workers, graduate students, elected officials, and supporters

 

WHAT: Informational Picket

 

WHEN: Monday, November 9, 2026 from 11AM-3PM
*Media availability – 12:15 PM – 12:45 only*

 

WHERE: 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642 
(near main entrance of Strong Memorial)

 

WHY?:  After months of bargaining, 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.  Workers say University of Rochester’s tactics make it hard to retain and recruit workers to fill vacancies, all while the largest private sector employer’s income and profits soar. Caregivers do not believe that leaders will settle a fair contract for workers and the informational picket could signal the beginning of more aggressive job actions.  

 

Discussions over proposed changes in the no discrimination language in the contract and neutrality remain a divisive issue at the bargaining table. The University of Rochester has now publicly removed statistics showing the ethnic and racial make up of their staff.^[1]  However, larger Universities retained their no discrimination language in their labor contracts.^[2]  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 and immediate impact on them. The contract language U Rochester is trying to remove protects workers from being discriminated against based on gender/gender identity, race, marital status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other typically protected categories that many employers adhere to.

 

“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.  

 

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.

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^[3] 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. 

 

While workers continue experiencing consequences of the affordability crisis, University of Rochester’s revenue and profits continue to grow.  U Rochester’s operating income grew by more than $94.1 million to $242.4 million^[4] and profits skyrocketed to $672 million this year alone. Top leaders at the University earn millions in total compensation including President and CEO Sarah Mangelsdorf who earned $1.8 million dollars in 2025, Kathleen Parrinello, RN, President/CEO of Strong Memorial Hospital who earned $1.4 million in 2025, and President of System Integration Strategy at UR Medicine Dr. Steven I Goldstein who earned $1.59 million in 2025.^[5]

 

“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.   

 

The informational picket is a legal and protected job action. Union workers may participate during their break/lunch or before/after work. Workers return to the bargaining table on Tuesday, November 10^th at 9 AM. 

 

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^[6] unit fought for last year.  

 

University of Rochester Graduate Students began forming a union to fight for living wages.^[7] 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^[8]. 

###

1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 400,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.

https://www.1199seiu.org

 SEIU Local 200United is a union of working people striving for dignity in their workplaces and a more just and humane society.  Our members work in in NY, VT, and PA in the public, private, and federal sectors.
https://www.seiu200united.org