URMHC VP of Human Resources Tells Workers: “Nothing in Life is Free” as Caregivers Plead for Affordable Health Coverage To Care For Their Families 

Upstate, NY – Professional and clinical homecare workers at University of Rochester Medicine Homecare (URMHC), an affiliate of the largest private sector employer in Upstate have overwhelmingly voted to strike. Caregivers in 7 upstate counties have been negotiating for their first union contract since May 2024 that includes reasonable patient caseloads and affordable health insurance coverage. Caregivers are represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare workers union in the country.

Workers will strike up to five days to protest the University’s regressive bargaining tactics. Tensions at the negotiating table hit a high when URMHC went back on its proposal over affordable health insurance, during the 8-hour negotiating session last week. URMHC was again unprepared to give a counter proposal and when they finally did during the afternoon, management backtracked on a previous offer and never agreeing to anything over health insurance or other outstanding economic items. 

Sarah Miller, Vice-President Human Resources at URMHC gave a lecture on health insurance coverage and told workers that: “nothing in life is free” as they pleaded for affordable coverage to care for their families. Miller later handed out the same document with inaccuracies on the union’s proposed health insurance coverage. 

Caregivers are set to return to bargaining on Wednesday, March 19 at 3:30 PM. 

“There is an extreme sense that URMHC’s current negotiating team is unable to make decisions to resolve this conflict,” said Tracey Harrison, 1199SEIU Vice-President for Rochester Corning. “It is imperative that the senior leadership of URMHC/UR and its Board of Directors engage in a meaningful way to reach a resolution of a contract which will only improve the overall level of care and to stabilize staffing.  Absent of any of these efforts, the future of URMHC is uncertain,” said Harrison. 

As an affiliate to the largest private employer in Upstate, URMHC is a non-profit organization^[1] yet has banked $33 million dollars in profits^[2]. The Board of Directors includes: Dallas Nelson, MD (Chair), Kate Ackerman, MD, Timothy Ashe, Taletha Best, Adam Cardina, Ann Marie Cook, Mark Cronin, James Dickinson II MD, Jason Feinberg, MD, Steven I Goldstein, MD, Barbara Gray, Ann Harrington, Diana Kurty, David Lipari, Mark Prunoske, Alan Resnick, Hazel Robertshaw, PHD, RN, Kathleen Whelehan, Walter Winiarczyk, and Jane Shukitis.^[3]

Professional and clinical homecare workers held a one-day strike last month to protest unfair labor practice at University of Rochester Medicine Homecare (URMHC), an affiliate of University of Rochester according to IRS tax documents. The 1-day unfair labor practice strike^[4] was held as efforts to reach a full-agreement continued to stall over key economic issues.  Caregivers believe that University of Rochester must bring top decision makers to the table to get a deal signed.

In a letter to employees, CEO Greg Hutton dismissed large participation in the strike, leaving workers feeling disrespected (see below). Hutton simply assigned more cases to other staff rather than hiring agency workers which is customary during any strike. 

In February, homecare workers held an informational picket^[5] outside of URMHC offices in Webster to bring their dispute with the employer to the public. 

Non-economic items and nearly half of the economic items have been tentatively agreed upon by both sides. There are still major outstanding economic issues on the table including: affordable health insurance coverage for workers, reasonable patient caseloads, wages, and more. URMHC currently has 27 job openings^[6] and has asked workers to cover additional shifts to care for patients. 

In other major Upstate healthcare systems, CEO’s sit at the bargaining table along with managers and supervisors to better understand needs of workers and to reach an agreement within 6 months.^[7] University of Rochester’s delay tactics on reasonable caseloads increase burnout of caregivers and creates an exit door for beleaguered providers. 

“The clinicians and professionals on the bargaining committee come to every negotiating session, putting compromises on the table, only to be met with no movement from the employer,” said Dave Simon, Physical Therapist. “We cannot negotiate a contract when one side is not willing to move. We do not want this to escalate further, but we are ready to strike if that is what it will take. Up to now our CEO Greg Hutton has not been present for negotiation sessions, and we feel that he should be here to help resolve this,” said Simon.  

In January, 1199SEIU filed an unfair labor practice against URMHC alleging they bargained in bad faith^[8] when they failed to return a counter proposal on outstanding economic issues with a Federal Mediator from Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) present at talks. 

University of Rochester Medicine Home Care (URMHC) workers provide professional home care services for pediatric and adult patients in Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates counties. Professional Home Care workers are Registered Nurses, Child Life Specialists, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants, Dietitians, Licensed Practical Nurses, Medical Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Pediatric Registered Nurses, Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants, and Speech Language Pathologists.

Professional and clinical home care workers from URMHC are the first and unique type of job category. Caregivers assist patients with the transition from the hospital back into their home and provide critical nursing care, physical, occupational, speech therapy, medical and social work services.^[9]

Frustration among homecare workers demanding affordable health insurance coverage within their first contract is growing. “The agency changed our health insurance to a plan that costs over $14,000 per year with premiums and high deductibles not including medications that could cost over $1,000 per month – all with less than 2-month notice,” said Tara Petersen, Physical Therapist Assistant. “As healthcare professionals, we thought we could always count on affordable, quality healthcare which makes it hard to recruit and retain workers,” said Petersen. 

Homecare workers say that current patient caseloads are unreasonable. But, University of Rochester Medicine Home Care prides itself on providing manageable^[10] caseloads to ensure quality care yet remains at odds with homecare workers who say otherwise. High caseloads and job demands result in workers leaving the home care agency.

“Our caseloads are heavy and many times we travel many miles to get from home to home,” said Cynthia Lorenzetti, Physical Therapy Assistant. “We all want to do best practice and give 100% at each visit. We want to bring quality care to the patients we serve but also need a better work life balance for all clinicians,” said Lorenzetti.

Earlier this year, during contract talks, about 30 professional and clinical homecare workers from URMHC marched to President and CEO Greg Hutton’s office^[11] to deliver their petition with hundreds of signatures and a list of 14 outstanding economic issues they want settled.  

In a letter from President & CEO of University of Rochester Medicine Homecare declined meeting with 1199SEIU leaders regarding contract talks, deferring questions to inexperienced leaders and a hired attorney. 1199SEIU filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge^[12] with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against URMHC alleging the affiliate of the largest private sector employer in Upstate is bargaining in bad faith^[13]. 

In late January, Professional homecare workers at University of Rochester Medicine Homecare launched a petitionand public website (StandWithURMC.Org) urging the Upstate community to call URMHC President & CEO Greg Hutton at 585-669-5100 in demand for a fair contract for workers in 7 Upstate counties and to sign a petition to leaders. Currently, more than 500 people have signed a public petition urging URMHC leaders and its Board of Directors to settle a fair contract. 

URMHC’s management team lacks healthcare experience and is unwilling to provide reasonable patient caseloads for workers after lengthy subcommittee meetings set up by the Federal Mediator. Both Sarah Miller, VP^[14] of Human Resources^[15] and Christine Garcia, Human Resource Manager previously worked at LiDestri Foods and other non-healthcare employers. 

Progress from University of Rochester management’s side continues to stall following a change in negotiators. Peter Jones^[16] of Bond, Schoeneck, and King is negotiating on behalf of the employer. A Federal Mediator from Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) has joined negotiations regularly. 

On background:

URMHC is accredited by the Joint Commission of Hospital Organizations (JCAHO), receiving certification in November 2023.^[17] JCAHO accreditations are awarded for focusing on patient safety and high quality of care which aligns with the demands of dedicated professional and clinical caregivers. 

According to 2022 IRS Tax Filings, several companies tied to URMHC earned millions in profits^[18], while URMHC has a $2.3 million dollar endowment and a $2.6 million dollar expansion fund. 

Leaders at URMHC are top earners with six figure salaries, while professional home care workers fight for affordable health insurance. Following a large turnover of homecare workers leaving URMHC, Interim President and CEO Jane Shukitis returned from retirement only to leave again.^[19] URMHC recently announced that Greg Hutton would take over as President & CEO.^[20]

About 110 professional and clinical home care workers from University of Rochester Medicine Home Care (URMHC) have been negotiating their first labor contract with the largest private sector employer in Upstate, New York since early May 2024. 

Homecare workers at the largest private sector employer in Upstate are fighting for reasonable patient caseloads to protect quality care and a comprehensive benefits package that includes competitive wages and affordable health insurance to recruit and retain staff.    

In September, more than two dozen professional home care workers marched through University of Rochester’s Strong Memorial Campus^[21] to call on University of Rochester CEO and President Kathy Parrinello to provide more dates for bargaining their first contract with longer hours for each session however, Parrinello was not on campus that day. Instead, workers delivered their message to Senior University of Rochester leaders including Vicky Hines, Chief Operating Officer for University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group.

Since the massive one-day strike held by bedside caregivers and service workers at University of Rochester Medical Center^[22] last year, more and more workers in Rochester are voting to join a union and secure a contract.   

Earlier this year, University of Rochester Graduate Students began forming a union to fight for living wages.^[23] Graduate workers will held a massive rally this week to demand that UR President Sarah Mangelsdorf make good on a promise to sign documents allowing their union election to move forward. Graduate students are threatening to strike.^[24] 

More and more professional healthcare workers are voting to join or form unions. In January, dental residents organized to join a labor union in Buffalo^[25]. 

Last May, more than 800 Resident Physicians at the University of Buffalo formed their union^[26] and held a 4-day strike in Buffalo^[27]. Residents recently settled their contract fight^[28] over low pay, healthcare, and retirement benefits.^[29] 

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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

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^[1] Ur Medicine Home Care Certified Services Inc - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica
^[2] Organization Search - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica
^[3] Board of Directors - About UR Medicine Home Care - University of Rochester Medical Center
^[4] UR Medicine Home Care workers go on strike
^[5] Home care workers at UR Medicine picket to demand contract resolution
^[6] UR Medicine Home Care Licensed Inc Jobs
^[7] Kaleida Health and unions vie for a new contract agreement | wgrz.com
^[8] Union files unfair labor practices against U of R Medicine 'for bargaining in bad faith' | | fltimes.com
^[9] History - About UR Medicine Home Care - University of Rochester Medical Center
^[10] Careers - UR Medicine Home Care - University of Rochester Medical Center
^[11] Caregivers March on Boss - https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18QXaSFQpS/
^[12] Contract negotiations turn contentious at URMHC
^[13] 1199 SEIU Files ULP Charge Against University Of Rochester Medicine Homecare For ‘Bargaining In Bad Faith,’ As 400 People Sign Public Petition ‘Demanding Its President/CEO Settle A Fair First Contract’ - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York
^[14] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw9p_q_APUU
^[15] Sarah Miller - UR Medicine Home Care | LinkedIn
^[16] Peter Jones, labor and employment law lawyer, Bond, Schoeneck & King, Syracuse, New York (bsk.com)
^[17] Find Accredited Organizations | The Joint Commission
^[18] Organization Search - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica
^[19] UR Medicine Home Care CEO retires | News | fltimes.com
^[20] (1) Facebook
^[21] Home care workers march to office of URMC president as negotiations continue - WHEC.com
^[22] Over 1,000 URMC workers return to work following 1-day strike - WHEC.com
^[23] University of Rochester grad students looking to unionize
^[24] UR graduate workers threaten to strike
^[25] Buffalo dental residents unite for better training, staffing, and pay | wgrz.com
^[26] Meet the doctors behind the UB resident physician union
^[27] UB resident physicians begin strike | News 4 Buffalo
^[28] UB resident physicians reach contract agreement with UMRS | News 4 Buffalo
^[29] More than 800 UB resident doctors could go on strike