UR/Strong Memorial Fails to Pay Wage Increases under Union Contract

NLRB finds that University of Rochester failed to properly pay wage increases under contract

EMPLOYEES PICKET STRONG HOSPITAL AND UR
SERVICE WORKERS PROTEST UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES

(Rochester)--Employees of the University of Rochester and its
Strong Hospital division set up informational picket lines on
Saturday, May 17, to protest unfair labor practices involving the
implementation of last year's contract agreement. At issue is the UR's
failure to give raises to approximately 200 of the 1200 union employees who
are members of SEIU Locals 1199 and 200United.

Members of both union locals approved new contracts last October by
huge margins. The new agreements ended months of difficult contract
negotiations with a compromise that both sides supported and signed. After
a two month delay, however, when UR implemented raises and retroactive
payments required by the new agreements, it excluded nearly 200 employees
who were entitled to the increases.

Union members attempted to meet UR management and settle the
dispute without success. The unions then filed for arbitration. They also
filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). After
investigation, the NLRB sustained the charges and issued formal complaints
against UR and Strong for unfair labor practices. The NLRB complaint finds
that the agreements were binding and charges that UR failed to properly pay
the required wage increases.

A recent attempt by UR to block the arbitration in federal court
was denied.

"We entered into these agreements in good faith." said Brenda
Sherman, a 16 year employee of Strong Hospital who was among the employees
denied a raise . "The agreement is clear. The Labor Board agreed. I
don't know why Strong is doing this. I just can't trust them anymore."

For further information, please contact Jim Crampton at
716-913-5798 (cellphone).