Union caregivers and service workers at the University of Rochester Medical Center are officially on strike.

The unions, which represent 1,800 employees, are striking for 17 hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday to protest what they're calling unfair labor practices by URMC.

The collective bargaining agreement expired on Oct. 31. The unions issued a 10-notice for a strike last month.

The unions say they remain at odds with URMC over a living wage for workers and a quality comprehensive benefits package to help recruit and retain more workers to care for patients, provide services for students and alleviate staffing concerns.

"They employ over 30,000 employees," said Tracey Harrison, vice president of 1199SEIU. "They have an obligation to treat their workers with dignity and respect, pay them that living wage. They have a motto that says Meliora - ever better. Help the workers be ever better."

Bedside caregivers and patient service workers at URMC’s Strong Memorial Hospital are represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. Service workers at URMC’s River Campus are represented by SEIU Local 200 United.

The two unions say they have been negotiating on behalf of their workers since August 2022. The two sides held their 31st negotiating session on Monday.

In a statement several weeks ago, URMC said in part:

"We are continuing with good-faith negotiations to achieve a multi-year contract renewal that is fair, competitive and equitable."