FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: April Ezzell, 1199SEIU Communications | (716)449‐1620

Visual & Interview Opportunity

1199SEIU Files Unfair Labor Practice Charge Alleging Union Busting by Management, While Workers Issued Memo Referring To Them As “Less Than”

WHO: Healthcare Workers

WHAT: Informational Picket

WHEN: Wednesday, April 13, 2022 from 11am-2:30pm - Press Conference TBD

WHERE: Anthony L. Jordan Health Center at 82 Holland St, Rochester, NY 14605

WHY: More than 50 healthcare workers at Anthony L. Jordan Health Center will hold an informational picket on Wednesday, April 13 to demand better wages that will help to recruit and retain workers. Their 1-year union contract originally expired on December 31, 2021, but had been extended until March 30, 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare workers are represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

1199SEIU recently filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board alleging that management is intentionally deteriorating the union’s bargaining unit by not offering workers permanent positions with benefits, but rather hiring agency workers who are non-union instead.

Last week, caregivers received letters from management referring to union workers as “less than,” because some workers at the clinic are not in union positions.

“I’m thankful to be part of the union, because they help us to stand up for ourselves when management is unfair,” says Lisa Booker-Downer, Licensed Practical Nurse. “We worked through the pandemic to keep the clinic open and we were there to provide care to our patients. Our benefits are very important and we deserve a fair contract with better wages. I have to work two jobs just to maintain my household. If I only had one job, I couldn’t afford to stay at Anthony Jordan,” says Booker-Downer.

Workers say they deserve fair wages in their next union contract. “How can I support my family with a $0.30 cent raise and everything is going up,” says Maurice Myrick, Dental Assistant. Healthcare workers at Anthony Jordan work as Licensed Practical Nurses, Alcoholism Counselors, Medical Records Clerks, Building Service Workers, Interpreter/Clerk Nursing Assistants, Bilingual Outreach Workers, School Health Assistant/Bilingual, Receiving/Purchasing Clerks, WIC Office Assistant, Receptionist/Appointment Operator, Secretary, WIC Office Assistant/Site Coordinator, Medical Records Clerk, Referral Clerk, Dental Assistant, WIC Certification Aide, Accounts Receivable Clerk Billing Specialist, Financial Counselor/Biller, MIS Specialist, Computer Systems Technician, Medical Records Technician, Medical Records Correspondence Technician, Breastfeeding Coordinator, Counselor Teen Outreach, Counselor HIV/PPC, Dental Hygienist, and Case Manager HIV/PPC.

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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.