1199SEIU and SEIU Local 200 United members at Strong Hospital and the University of Rochester has just completed a strong week of action in support of their contract negotiations. On October 9, members overwhelmingly voted to authorize a picket for October 12.



On that day, more than 700 members and community supporters participated in a four-hour picket and march from the hospital to the President’s office. The next day, a community march from Rochester’s 19th Ward to a Healthcare Forum at the University of Rochester was joined by over 300 union members and friends.



The University of Rochester wants to drop 1199 and 200 members from healthcare coverage by 1199’s National Benefit Fund and put them into an inferior health plan that would cost those with a family nearly $3000 a year more than they currently pay. The University of Rochester is the region’s largest and wealthiest employer. It is the recipient of a huge amount of tax dollars – from Medicare, Federal research grants and, most recently, a $20 million dollar loan from the City for its $100 million dollar College Town Project. The university has also raised nearly a billion dollars in private donations.



Some of the local coverage.



» WHEC.com



» 12wham.com



» campustimes.org



» rochester.ynn.com