Unionized home care workers at URMHC in Webster, NY, picket for fair contract terms, highlighting concerns about demanding workloads and lack of respect from management.
Dozens of home care workers braved the slushy sidewalks and rainy weather on Monday, February 3, 2025, to picket outside the University of Rochester Medicine Home Care (URMHC) offices in Webster, New York. They are demanding accountability and leadership as they negotiate their first union contract with the company. 'We've been at this for almost a year, and this is going on way too long, way too long,' said Dave Simon, a physical therapist at URMHC.
In March 2024, over 100 URMHC home care workers voted to unionize. Despite several months and numerous negotiating sessions, the group remains without a contract and feels undervalued. 'It's very difficult to sit across the table from management and basically be told every time that you're replaceable and you're not worth what you're asking for,' said Tara Petersen, a physical therapist assistant. 'And I have 28 years of experience in therapy. Cindy has 31 years of experience in home care. You can't replace that. You can't replace that.' Workers are expressing frustration over heavy workloads and administrative burdens. 'We have clinicians who are going home after work and spending hours documenting because of the expectations that are laid upon us right now,' Simon said. 'They're missing meals with their families. They're not putting their kids to bed because they're spending time on their computer.' In a statement, URMC acknowledged the group's right to picket and stated its commitment to reaching a fair agreement while negotiating in good faith, a claim not everyone agrees with. 'Come to the damn table. Get a contract,' said Cindy Lorenzetti, a URMHC physical therapist assistant. 'Come and show that you respect us and you want this contract settled so we can all get back to taking care of our patients. That's all we want to do is take care of the patients in our communities,' Petersen said. URMHC management and home care workers are scheduled to resume talks next Monday, February 10th. One of the picketers indicated that if negotiations do not improve, a strike could be the next step
UNION STRIKE HOME HEALTH CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WORKER RIGHTS
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Labradors Lend Pawsitive Support to Health Care Workers Facing Mental Health CrisisHospitals are increasingly utilizing specially trained Labradors to aid health care workers grappling with a growing mental health crisis. These canine companions provide comfort and stress relief, fostering a more positive and supportive work environment.
Read more »
Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Workers on StrikeA mental health worker describes the reasons behind the strike at Kaiser Permanente, highlighting issues of understaffing, long wait times for patients, and the elimination of pensions for employees.
Read more »
Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Workers Strike Amid Contract DisputeKaiser Permanente mental health workers, represented by the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), have gone on strike, demanding a new contract with improved working conditions and benefits. Despite the strike, Kaiser Permanente assures patients that they can still access essential mental health care services.
Read more »
Despite Affordable Care Act Gains, Millions of Workers Still Lack Health InsuranceNewswire Editor is a Common Dreams staff position.
Read more »
Texas lawmakers eye sharing health care workers with other states to address provider shortagesAdvocates say interstate compacts, which allow professionals to use their work licenses in multiple states, can solve Texas’ workforce shortage. Skeptics fear Texas would send more workers than it would receive.
Read more »
Amid wildfire trauma, LA County dispatches mental health workers to evacueesCatastrophic wildfires are common in California, and mental health specialists have become a key part of local governments’ response to extreme weather events, which scientists say are becoming more intense and frequent due to climate change.
Read more »