Amid a picket, URMC home care providers demand a contract resolution

Webster, New York – During their first union contract negotiations with the University of Rochester Medicine Home Care (URMHC), dozens of home care workers went to the slushy sidewalks in the rain on Monday to demand leadership and accountability.

“We’ve been at this for almost a year, and this is going on way too long, way too long,” URMHC physical therapist Dave Simon stated.

More than 100 URMHC home care employees decided to form a union in March. The group feels underappreciated and has not received a contract despite months of negotiations.

Physical therapist assistant Tara Petersen said, “It’s really tough to sit across the table from management and essentially be told every time that you’re replaceable and not worth what you’re asking for.” Additionally, I’ve been a therapist for 28 years. Cindy has worked in home care for thirty-one years. That cannot be replaced. That cannot be replaced.

High patient caseloads and expensive health insurance coverage were cited by employees as sources of frustration.

“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 stated. “Meals with their families are being missed. Because they are using their computers, they are not putting their children to bed.

Although not everyone agrees with the statement, URMC acknowledged the group’s right to protest and reaffirmed its commitment to negotiating in good faith and coming to a fair deal.

“Please come to the table. Cindy Lorenzetti, a physical therapist assistant at URMHC, advised getting a contract. “Please come and demonstrate your respect for us and your desire to conclude this contract so that we can all resume caring for our patients. “Taking care of the patients in our communities is all we want to do,” Petersen stated.

Talks between URMHC administration and home care providers are set to resume on Monday, February 10. According to one of the picketers, a strike might be the next course of action if talks do not progress.