Rochester, NY – Union hospital workers represented by 1199SEIU, United Healthcare Workers East are celebrating a huge victory this month. Over a year ago, workers noticed that the Scheduling Incentive Program (SIP) contracted benefit was not included in their paychecks, despite having earned those monies.  Dozens of hospital workers immediately notified 1199SEIU who quickly filed a grievance and arbitration on their behalf.

 

Workers filed a class grievance against the employer which 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 over scheduling incentive program payments.  

 

“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,” said Shariff Hill, Cook I.  

 

“We have won a long hard fight for what our members are owed to them for working very long hours and days keeping the hospital running efficiently,” said Natalie Johnson, Patient Unit Secretary. 

 

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 4 hours after their regular shift, workers were supposed to be paid a flat rate of $32 dollars.  If workers went 8 hours over, then they were owed $64 dollars.

 

More than 1,100 union hospital workers will receive a one-time SIP settlement payment ranging from $32 to $16,483 dollars. 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 pandemic.

 

Workers represented by 1199SEIU 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. 

 

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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