"They're seeing here in Auburn something they didn't expect which is the community coming together and saying our workers have value and we have to stand up for that," he said.

Balter emphasized the need for people who, like her, have public platforms to show support for workers' rights.

Regarding the stalemate between the hospital and AFSCME members, Balter believes what the workers are asking for is "not in any way outrageous."

"The frustration to me is that it feels like every little thing, every little piece of workers' rights, of justice, is a fight and it just shouldn't be," she said. "There should be some modicum of fairness that underlies everything we do."

Matthew Chadderdon, a spokesman for Auburn Community Hospital, said Thursday the facility "has a long history of collaboration with the unions representing its employees." With more than 1,100 employees, Auburn Community Hospital is the largest employer in Cayuga County.

In past interviews, Chadderdon revealed that a federal mediator is involved in negotiations and the hospital is "bargaining in good faith." In a statement Thursday, he said the hospital believes progress is being made in negotiations.