Highmark reaches new three-year agreement with WNY union team members

—Overwhelming majority of OPEIU, Local 153 membership voted to ratify new three-year contract that maintains labor agreement through May 22, 2028—

Buffalo, NY – Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, the only Buffalo-based health insurer with union members in its workforce, agreed on a new three-year contract with OPEIU, Local 153, AFL-CIO Representative.

The members of the company’s bargaining unit voted to ratify the agreement on Saturday, June, 14. The new contract, negotiated by members of the union’s leadership and company management, is effective through May 22, 2028.

“Our union-represented employees are the heart of our organization, and their contributions are essential to our mission of delivering remarkable health experiences to our members,” said Jessica Cox, president, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. “We’re proud to continue our long-standing legacy as Buffalo’s only union health plan. This agreement allows us to move forward with a unified focus on reinventing health care to work better for our members and provider partners.”

Highmark’s 400+ team members represented by OPEIU, Local 153 serve in mostly customer service, operational, and clerical roles. The union and the health plan, in its various forms, have a nearly 70-year relationship.

“As union members, we take immense pride in the work we do and the contributions we make to our company and customers we serve,” said Lynn Brooks, chair of the Bargaining Committee, OPEIU, Local 153. “This agreement demonstrates our commitment to supporting and empowering our union members and their high-quality work at Highmark. We want local businesses and unions to prefer Highmark, knowing our members' voices are heard and their work is respected.”

The new agreement maintains many of the benefits of the current agreement, which expired May 22, 2025, and includes general wage and anniversary increases that exceed the prior contract.

“I want to credit Lynn Brooks, the entire bargaining committee and members of our leadership team who worked collaboratively and respectfully to reach an agreement that helps us deliver a remarkable work environment for our team members, so they can deliver remarkable experiences to our members,” added Cox.

Highmark’s commitment to labor extends beyond its own workforce, as demonstrated by the recent appointment of Bill Jakobi, former Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council/United Way Of Greater Niagara Labor Liaison, as Senior Labor Affairs Consultant. Jakobi will play a vital role in supporting the needs of the dozens of unions and municipalities Highmark insures throughout Western New York.

Around 40 percent of Highmark’s Western New York members belong to groups with unionized workforces. Through sponsorships and events every year, including the Labor Day Parade and Picnic, Labor’s Night at the Races and Labor Seminar/Webinars, Highmark supports the Labor Community beyond providing health coverage.