Healthcare workers call for new labor <a href="https://healthylife7.com/merit-health-river-region-vfd-reach-patient-transportation-agreement/” title=”Merit Health River Region, VFD reach patient transportation agreement “>agreement prior to deadline
Sat, August 29, 2026 at 6:07 PM
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People eat food during a healthcare rally in Rochester, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2026. (Photo by Julia Coburn/WHAM)
Rochester, N.Y. — Unions representing hundreds of healthcare workers and service workers are calling for a new labor agreement ahead of the expiration of their contract next week
Talks between 1199 SEIU and the University of Rochester began last month
The group is trying to negotiate a new deal that would prioritize affordable health insurance, wage improvements, and worker retention and recruitment
MORE:Nursing home employees hit picket line over contract dispute with RRH
Retirement benefits and paid time off are also key points in the negotiations, as are protections for grad workers
“We make sure all students and patients in the communities have what they need to have a healthy, fulfilling life, and if the workers don’t have what they need, the whole institution can crumble,” said Dawn Marshall-Hosier, the executive vice president of the local 200 1199 SEIU
The contract covering more than 2,000 workers is set to expire next Saturday
There are currently two dates scheduled for negotiations between the two sides before then
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