Two unions at one of the largest health care entities in New York state are on strike.

It falls in line with what has become a year marked by strikes in the health care industry and elsewhere.

What You Need To Know

  • According to the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations' labor action tracker, there have been 115 strikes involving workers in the health care and social assistance sector since January 2021

  • This includes 39 strikes in 2022, an increase from 33 in 2021

  • As of Dec. 4, 43 strikes  occurred in the health care and social assistance sector this year

“I’m not sure if you are aware, all over the country, this is the year of the union," announced long-time University of Rochester employee, cook helper, Robyn Wilcox-Davis. "This is a big strong union."

She's right on target. 2023 is a year packed with labor actions across the country, with strikes involving workers from large health care systems.

Employees have walked out over the issues of pay, staffing and recruitment.

Wilcox-Davis is part of the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers Union on strike outside the University of Rochester Medical Center for 17 hours on Wednesday.

“People are tired of being pushed down, overlooked and underpaid," Wilcox-Davis said. "The reason I say it’s the year of the union, we’ve been there through COVID, we’ve been there to support this institution when they were down and now that we’re asking for what’s fair because technically during COVID we gave them a break. But we can’t afford any more breaks."

In fact, the number of labor actions this year has some taking a closer look at the apparent trend.

The Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations' labor action tracker shows 115 strikes involving workers in the health care and social assistance sector since January 2021. This includes 39 strikes in 2022, an increase from 33 in 2021. As of Dec. 4, 43 strikes have occurred in the health care and social assistance sector this year. Most of these strikes have occurred in hospitals, but those in nursing homes and other healthcare facilities are also included in the data.

“For us, it’s across health care in general, upstate, downstate, Boston, across the board," said 1199SEIU vice president and lead negotiator, Tracey Harrison. "I think you have individuals who are not afraid. They’ve gone through such a very trying time. I think that COVID has really highlighted a lot of the inefficiencies and the issues within health care and folks are just tired, they’re overworked, they’re burnt out and they know that they deserve better."

Experts agree that now more than ever, employees are feeling more emboldened to step out. It helps them see success with strikes elsewhere.

"It’s an inspiration to keep going [and] keep pushing," Wilcox-Davis said. "And everywhere in our community we’re getting the support we need. So we hope the hospital and the university does what’s right."

The University of Rochester says contingency plans are in place to ensure that all operations and activities, including patient care at the Medical Center, will take place without disruption and that it’s always willing and prepared to meet at the bargaining table to continue to negotiate a fair and equitable contract.

Those analyzing the data say it’s difficult to predict what will happen next but it’s likely that the recent uptick in health care strikes will continue.