Resident doctors at Montefiore Medical Center, one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City, have successfully won union representation with a supermajority of 82 percent, voting in favor of joining the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR/SEIU), the union announced on Feb. 23. The move will re-establish a union presence at Montefiore more than four decades after their original union, one of the first nationwide, was removed, union officials said. The union’s re-establishment is the result of recent organizing efforts by residents and fellows, as reported.

 

Resident-led organizing efforts began early in the pandemic, when, according to union representatives, housestaff were forced to fill in gaps in patient care with no additional support. Now, union officials said Montefiore residents and fellows, who serve as primary care providers for a largely working class community of color, look forward to advocating for improved working conditions and quality patient care through their union.

 

Dr. Sejal Shah, a second-year resident in Internal Medicine at Montefiore, said of the news, “This organizing effort is a huge first step toward community-conscious healthcare that meets the needs of patients and doctors alike,” and added, “We are one of the Bronx’s only safety net hospitals; it is crucial that we are able to advocate effectively to maintain quality care and working standards.”

 

As the ongoing physician and nursing shortage continues to impact hospitals nationwide, residents and fellows at the hospital now hope to address these critical issues by working with hospital management at the bargaining table. Dr. Isuree Katugampala, a third year pediatrics resident, said, “After being one of the last programs in the Bronx without union representation, winning a seat at the table and joining our unionized peers is long overdue.”

 

Meanwhile, reacting to news of the re-unionization, a representative from Montefiore Medical System said, “Montefiore respects our interns, residents, and fellows’ right to join a union. Now that the election process is complete, we will enter the bargaining process in good faith.”

 

Katugampala added that the residents and fellows were proud to build on what was described as the incredible legacy of their predecessors, and to progress further toward “a compassionate, equitable model of care.”

 

Montefiore resident physicians’ union campaign, described as historic by its supporters, has garnered wide support from healthcare workers, communities groups and elected officials, including Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81) and State Senator Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 31), both of whom represent the Northwest Bronx.

 

“Congratulations to the residents and fellows at Montefiore for their successful unionization effort,” said Dinowitz. “This is a victory not only for these vital healthcare workers, but also for our friends, family, and neighbors who rely on Montefiore for their medical care needs. Kudos to CIR-SEIU and all those who helped organize this effort, and I look forward to an earnest and responsible bargaining conversation between Montefiore and this new union.”

 

“Our nurses operate with care and love and compassion, but love doesn’t pay the bills. So we’re here today to tell @NYCHealthSystem that you gotta give a fair contract!” -Assemblymember @KennyBurgosNY pic.twitter.com/iEWBJQ3eul

— NYSNA (@nynurses) March 2, 2023

 

Meanwhile, Rivera said he was absolutely thrilled to see Montefiore’s resident physicians receive the recognition he said they deserved. “This victory is not just theirs, but a win for everyone who lives and seeks care in this borough,” the senator added. “The Bronx is a union town, and I am honored to welcome new members to our union family. I look forward to supporting them as they bargain for the fair contract they deserve,” he said.

 

The Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR) is the largest housestaff union in the United States, a local of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), representing over 24,000 resident physicians and fellows, according to union representatives. They say its members are dedicated to improving residency training and education, advancing patient care, and expanding healthcare access for our communities.

 

In addition to joining their peers at other unionized residency programs throughout the city, the physicians will join their hospital’s well-established union community. This includes nurses represented by the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and hospital employees represented by SEIU 1199.

 

On Thursday, March 9, the NYSNA pushed ahead with urging NYC Health System to provide what was described by Assembly Member Kenny Burgos (A.D. 85), who represents southern parts of The Bronx, as as “fair contract” to its public service nurses.

 

As reported, a recent nurses strike in January against Montefiore and Mount Sinai ended after 3 days when a deal was struck between the nurses’ union and the two large hospital networks.

 

In other Montefiore news, as reported, Montefiore Einstein announced on Thursday, March 2, that an anonymous donor is making a $100 million contribution to Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Representatives from Montefiore-Einstein say the gift, one of the largest in Einstein’s history, will support biomedical research that includes basic, clinical, and translational research programs serving our nation and the world. They added that it will also provide direct financial support to students, ensuring greater access to what was described as “the vibrant and innovative learning environment that Einstein provides.”

 

Immigrants no longer have to live in NYC for six months to be eligible for #NYCCare! 🎉 It’s now easier than ever to enroll! Learn more about our health care access program that guarantees care for all New Yorkers: https://t.co/SnJUCgEpDo pic.twitter.com/jVGdCRgTKv

— NYC Health + Hospitals (@NYCHealthSystem) March 2, 2023

Reacting to the news, Philip Ozuah, MD, PhD, president and CEO of Montefiore Medicine, the umbrella organization covering Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System, said the gift was historic and transformational and will enable the organization to expand its research capabilities in unprecedented ways. “It will provide an opportunity for our students and faculty to excel in the pursuit of innovation while continuing to deliver on our commitment to health equity,” he said.

 

Ozuah added, “We are extremely proud to receive this support as it comes from someone whose life has been dedicated to transforming the lives of others.  I am humbled by the donor’s friendship and by their extraordinary degree of trust and confidence in us.”