The Rochester Union of Nurses and Allied Professionals was formed by RNs at Rochester General Hospital when we decided it was time to unite and advocate for our patients and each other. We won our union election in July of 2022 and elected a bargaining committee of over 100 RNs who worked together to draft and advocate for a contract to improve retention, recruitment, and working conditions. After a historic two-day strike in August of 2023, we ratified our first union contract that, among other things, protects our pension, created transparent wage scales and annual increases, capped health insurance contributions, and established a $100,000 financial penalty for understaffing at RGH. 

Since then, our ranks have increased! We started with about 880 staff RNs and now number almost 1100. The RN contract expires in April of 2027 and we’re looking forward to going back to the bargaining table to build on the foundation we established and continue the fight for a fair and safe hospital. 

In addition to RNs, RUNAP now includes RGH Midwives and Technical Workers, two groups who recently won their union elections. We’ll soon be welcoming Urgent Care Specialists and Phlebotomists from across the Rochester Regional Health System – both groups filed for union elections in early 2026. Each unit will negotiate a separate contract that addresses specific issues while we continue to build community and collaboration across job titles, departments, and locations. 

We believe in patients over profits and will continue to use our collective voice to fight for a just workplace and a safe hospital. We’re stronger together!