One year and 54 bargaining sessions later, UR Medicine Home Care workers have their first union contract — pending ratification.
The 1199 SEIU members reached a tentative agreement late Tuesday afternoon with the University of Rochester Medicine Home Care. The caregivers providing in-home services across a seven-county region, including Monroe County, voted to unionize in early 2024.
Union officials said the three-year contract addresses the workers' demand for reasonable patient caseloads, affordable health insurance and higher wages.
“I’m very proud of this group right here,” said Tracey Harrison, 1199SEIU vice president. “They stayed committed. They stayed united through the fight and were successful.”
Home care workers are expected to vote Friday on whether to approve the contract.
After the vote, details of the agreement will be made public.
Harrison said with negotiations both parties don’t always get 100% of what they want, but the members are satisfied.
“It's better than what they had, by far,” Harrison said. “And it allows us to be able to start new and build from there.”
UR Home Care has yet to comment.
