Orleans Community Health CEO pleased with labor accord with employees

MEDINA – The leader of Orleans Community Health said a 3-year labor contract with employees will help ensure OCH will continue to offer healthcare services for years to come.

Marc Shurtz

The new three-year contract covers hospital and clinic workers at Medina Memorial Hospital, the Lake Plains Batavia Dialysis Clinic and the Albion Healthcare Center.

Marc Shurtz, the OCH chief executive officer, issued a statement this afternoon after the union announced the labor agreement.

“This is the outcome we all hoped to achieve and we’re pleased with the end result,” Shurtz said. “During this process, Orleans Community Health conducted extensive market research to make sure that our wages and benefits would help recruit and retain staff in this highly competitive market.

“As the largest employer in Orleans County employing over 300 individuals, we understand the importance of our economic impact to the surrounding communities,” he said. “This contact recognizes that our team is our most valuable asset and its ratification will help to ensure we are here to serve the community for years to come.”

The new three-year union contract provides for a $17 per hour minimum starting rate for new hires. Healthcare workers won general wage increases from 3% to 20% in the first year, and an additional 3% in the second year and 5% in the third year, stated 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

In addition to general wage increases, some positions will see an increase in base rate of pay to help retain and recruit more workers into those positions. Healthcare workers will also get an increase in preceptor pay, the union said in a news release.

“Workers also won increases in shift and weekend differentials, one additional day out of town bereavement, and MLK and Juneteenth as paid holidays starting in 2025,” 1199SEIU said. “Union members will also maintain their access to 1199SEIU Training & Upgrading Benefit Fund.”