ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Professional and clinical workers at UR Medicine Home Care are picketing in Webster on Monday during a day-long strike.

The strike comes after the union representing the workers, 1199SEIU, has gone nine months without a contract agreement. The union has been negotiating with administration since May. The picket line began at 8 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. at the UR Medicine Home Care office.

“We have been in negotiations since last May for our first contact and management hasn’t given an inch,” said Tara Peterson, a physical therapist assistant. “We’re looking to have better more affordable health care and less productivity so we can spend more time with our patients.”

Earlier in February, home care workers voted in favor of allowing their union to issue a strike notice. Per state law, the union gave URMHC a ten-day notice before striking.

1199SEIU says there has been no agreement yet to reduce workers’ high patient caseloads and costly health insurance. According to the union, URMHC changed workers’ health insurance plans with less than a two-month notice. The plan costs over $14,000 per year with premiums and high deductibles, not including medications that could cost over $1,000 per month. The union also says URMHC has 26 job openings but asks workers to cover additional shifts to care for patients.

In a statement, URMHC said it has made a sincere effort to reach a contract and patient care will continue without disruption. Here is the full statement from Monday:

“Home Care leadership has been bargaining in good faith with SEIU 1199 since May 2024 in a sincere effort to make progress toward reaching an initial contract and has reached tentative agreements with the Union on many proposals. Despite our extensive efforts, the Union has notified us that they will hold a strike today, February 24, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Contingency plans are in place that will ensure that all UR Medicine Home Care operations and activities, including all patient care services, will continue without disruption.”

1199SEIU represents about 110 workers who provide for homebound patients in Monroe County and surrounding counties. Those workers include registered nurses, child life specialists, occupational therapists, dietitians, medical social workers, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists.