New union contract covering clinic-based healthcare workers includes more than 12% wage increases bringing workers closer to a living wage, quality comprehensive benefits package, union security, stronger anti-discrimination language, additional sick days and more.

Rochester, NY – More than 40 clinic-based healthcare workers at Anthony Jordan Health Center, Jordan Health at Community Place, and Jordan Health Link/WIC voted to ratify a 3-year labor contract with their employer today. Caregivers are represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare workers union in the country. 

A Federal Mediator from Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS) was present during contract talks in an effort to help both sides reach an agreement.

Clinic-Based Healthcare workers were fighting for living wages and quality benefits to help recruit and retain workers to care for patients in an underserved community of Rochester.  Their last labor agreement expired December 31, 2023, and workers were bargaining with management since mid-January. 

“With the amount of work that we do, we feel that this is a fair contract. We won higher wages and kept our quality benefits so we can get more people to work here,” said Twanna Baxley, Receptionist/Scheduler. 

“We are glad that we were able to settle the contract because we have always been union. We have always had good wages and good healthcare and have always been represented by the union.  In the next contract cycle, we will definitely fight to bring those wages closer to other health centers for all jobs here,” said Maurice Myrick, Dental Assistant.   

The new agreement covers workers at three clinic sites.  Anthony L Jordan acquired Woodward Health Center and Brown Square in 2011^[1]. Clinic workers at those sites are not yet union members.

The new 3-year labor contract includes union recognition, wage increases, increases to vacation days and sick days and fully paid healthcare benefits.  Workers won a 5% wage increase in the first year that is retroactive to date of expiration, 3.75% in the second year, and 3.5% in the third year totaling 12.25% across three years. Furthermore, clinic employees who have worked more than 30 years will get an additional 2.5% wage increase for years of service.  Caregivers also won increases in shift differential and will also have the option to use a vacation day to observe the Juneteenth holiday.

Clinic based workers also requested that FMCS offer a workshop on culture of respect for workers and management. 

Union members at Anthony Jordan Health Center, Jordan Health at Community Place, and Jordan Health Link/WIC work as Licensed Practical Nurses, Medical Record Clerk, Building Service Worker, Interpreter Clerk, Nursing Assistant, Bilingual Outreach Worker, School Health Assistant/Bilingual, Receiving/Purchasing Clerk, WlC Office Assistant, Receptionist/Appointment Operator Secretary, WlC Office Assistant, Site Coordinator, Medical Records/Referral Clerk, Dental Assistant, Interpreter/Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, WlC Certification Aide, Accounts Receivable Clerk, Billing Specialist, Financial Counselor/Biller, MIS Specialist, Computer System Technician, Medical Records, Correspondence Technician, Counselor Alcoholism, Jr., Breastfeeding Coordinator, Counselor Teen Outreach, Counselor HIV/PPC, Counselor Alcoholism, Dental Hygienist, Case Manager HIV/PPC, and Counselor Alcoholism, SR. 

The three-year contract runs through December 31, 2026.

____________________

^[1] Our History - Jordan Health