Medina, NY) - Employee representatives at Orleans Community Health (OCH)’s Medina Memorial Hospital have called for the intervention of a Federal Mediator in their ongoing labor negotiations with the facility’s management.
Negotiations for a new contract agreement covering 300 staff of OCH began in November. To date, there have been 21 collective bargaining meetings. The old contract expired December 31, 2014 but its terms have been extended until the end of this month.
Frustrated with the pace of negotiations, employee members of the union’s negotiating committee have asked for the assistance of a Federal Mediator. Involvement of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is required under Federal labor law when labor negotiations affect the operations of a hospital. Although a Federal Mediator has been assigned to this negotiation, OCH management has thus far refused to cooperate with his involvement.
In 2012, a strike was narrowly averted in the “11th hour” with the help of a Federal Mediator.
Open issues in the current talks include wages, benefits, and recognition at future locations of the Medina based organization.
Employees covered by the union contract include: registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and medical technicians, service maintenance, and clerical employees They are represented by an employee committee, and are members of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. 1199 SEIU members work at many other health care institutions in Western New York including Eastern Niagara Hospital, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Mount St. Mary’s Hospital, Kaleida Health, and the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Orleans Community Health operates Medina Memorial Hospital, 200 Ohio Street, Medina, NY, and other community based health care services in the Orleans County area.
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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.
Negotiations for a new contract agreement covering 300 staff of OCH began in November. To date, there have been 21 collective bargaining meetings. The old contract expired December 31, 2014 but its terms have been extended until the end of this month.
Frustrated with the pace of negotiations, employee members of the union’s negotiating committee have asked for the assistance of a Federal Mediator. Involvement of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is required under Federal labor law when labor negotiations affect the operations of a hospital. Although a Federal Mediator has been assigned to this negotiation, OCH management has thus far refused to cooperate with his involvement.
In 2012, a strike was narrowly averted in the “11th hour” with the help of a Federal Mediator.
Open issues in the current talks include wages, benefits, and recognition at future locations of the Medina based organization.
Employees covered by the union contract include: registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and medical technicians, service maintenance, and clerical employees They are represented by an employee committee, and are members of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. 1199 SEIU members work at many other health care institutions in Western New York including Eastern Niagara Hospital, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Mount St. Mary’s Hospital, Kaleida Health, and the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Orleans Community Health operates Medina Memorial Hospital, 200 Ohio Street, Medina, NY, and other community based health care services in the Orleans County area.
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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.
