1400 Service Workers Begin Contract Talks at University of Rochester and Strong Memorial Hospital

1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers
East
Upstate New York
Division                              

Service Employees International
Union
225 West Broad Street,  Suite
B
Rochester, New York 
14608
Telephone: (585)-244-0830
Fax:
(585)-244-0956
Website:
www.1199seiu.org


MEDIA
RELEASE
AUGUST 9,
2007
       

1400 SERVICE WORKERS BEGIN CONTRACT TALKS
AT UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER AND STRONG MEMORIAL
HOSPITAL

       
(Rochester) - Negotiations began yesterday over
union contract
terms covering over 1400
service workers at the University of
Rochester,
including its Strong Memorial
Hospital division.  UR campus service
workers
are members of SEIU Local 200United,
while UR health care workers belong to
1199
SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.  Both
union groups are
negotiating together with
UR officials.  Their current contracts
expire
September 29,
2007.

       
Key issues expected to be discussed include
wage rates, health
insurance, child care,
training and educational opportunities, and
the
rights of other UR workers to freely
form
unions.

       
"We are particularly concerned about the effect
of UR's employment
policies on the
surrounding community." said union
vice-president and
former UR employee Bruce
Popper.  "UR has tried to reduce the wages
paid to
newer employees.  Since most of
these workers live in the City of
Rochester,
any attempt to reduce their pay has a very
negative affect on
local
neighborhoods."

       
UR employees involved in the talks include
patient care
technicians, nursing unit
secretaries, surgical assistants,
environmental
and facilities maintenance
employees, dietary, transportation,
and
materials processing
staff.    


       
For further information, please contact Bruce
Popper at
(585)-244-0830 x316.