University of Chicago Resident Doctors Win First-Ever Union Contract After Year-Long Negotiations
In a historic victory for resident physicians and fellows at the University of Chicago Medical Center, nearly 1,000 medical residents have secured their first-ever collective bargaining agreement with the health system following nearly a year of negotiations. The five-year contract represents a major milestone in the growing movement to unionize residents nationwide, who face grueling working conditions, burnout, and unsustainable compensation packages.
The newly signed contract boasts significant wins for the approximately 1,000 U of C resident doctors and fellows, including a substantial 17% wage increase over the life of the agreement, an annual stipend of $9,000, reimbursement for rideshares after long shifts, and critical due process protections. These gains aim to address the severe burnout that many residents have faced in recent years, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and increased corporatization of healthcare.
As part of a broader movement, this U of C victory follows similar successes at Northwestern McGaw Medical Center, where nearly 1,300 residents secured their first-ever union contract in September, and University of Illinois Chicago, which ratified its agreement in February 2023. These gains reflect a growing recognition among medical residents that collective action can lead to meaningful improvements in working conditions, compensation, and overall well-being.
The Committee of Interns and Residents, the union representing over 40,000 resident physicians and fellows nationwide, has seen its membership nearly double over the last four years as residents have increasingly turned to unionization. The U of C contract victory marks a significant step forward for this movement, which aims to secure more humane and sustainable working conditions for medical residents.
The University of Chicago Medical Center's support for physician trainees will continue under the terms of the new agreement, with the system acknowledging its responsibility to meet the educational and patient care needs of its residents. The tentative contract's details are subject to ratification by union members in early November, marking an important moment for this group of medical professionals.
In a statement, Jasmine Chaparro, a second-year resident in family medicine, emphasized her colleagues' desire to prioritize their well-being amidst the pressures of their demanding profession: "My colleagues and I chose medicine because guiding our patients through health and illness is both an honor and a privilege, but we'd had enough of sacrificing our own well-being."
In a historic victory for resident physicians and fellows at the University of Chicago Medical Center, nearly 1,000 medical residents have secured their first-ever collective bargaining agreement with the health system following nearly a year of negotiations. The five-year contract represents a major milestone in the growing movement to unionize residents nationwide, who face grueling working conditions, burnout, and unsustainable compensation packages.
The newly signed contract boasts significant wins for the approximately 1,000 U of C resident doctors and fellows, including a substantial 17% wage increase over the life of the agreement, an annual stipend of $9,000, reimbursement for rideshares after long shifts, and critical due process protections. These gains aim to address the severe burnout that many residents have faced in recent years, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and increased corporatization of healthcare.
As part of a broader movement, this U of C victory follows similar successes at Northwestern McGaw Medical Center, where nearly 1,300 residents secured their first-ever union contract in September, and University of Illinois Chicago, which ratified its agreement in February 2023. These gains reflect a growing recognition among medical residents that collective action can lead to meaningful improvements in working conditions, compensation, and overall well-being.
The Committee of Interns and Residents, the union representing over 40,000 resident physicians and fellows nationwide, has seen its membership nearly double over the last four years as residents have increasingly turned to unionization. The U of C contract victory marks a significant step forward for this movement, which aims to secure more humane and sustainable working conditions for medical residents.
The University of Chicago Medical Center's support for physician trainees will continue under the terms of the new agreement, with the system acknowledging its responsibility to meet the educational and patient care needs of its residents. The tentative contract's details are subject to ratification by union members in early November, marking an important moment for this group of medical professionals.
In a statement, Jasmine Chaparro, a second-year resident in family medicine, emphasized her colleagues' desire to prioritize their well-being amidst the pressures of their demanding profession: "My colleagues and I chose medicine because guiding our patients through health and illness is both an honor and a privilege, but we'd had enough of sacrificing our own well-being."
it's been a long time coming, but these docs deserve it - burnout's no joke, especially with covid still hanging over us. 17% wage hike and $9k stipend? yeah, that's a game changer. i'm curious to see how this sets the tone for other residencies nationwide... seems like we're finally seeing some momentum in this movement 
they've been fighting for so long and it's amazing to see their hard work pay off with a 17% wage increase and better benefits! 
the burnout is real, but now they have a say in how their working conditions are addressed. it's all about prioritizing their well-being too, just like Jasmine said: "guide our patients through health and illness"... but also take care of ourselves 
[ ASCII art of a arrow moving up ]
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." 
! 17% wage increase and $9k stipend? yeah, they're gonna be set 
seriously though, burnout's real and it's awesome these docs are fighting back 
. this is the kind of momentum we need in healthcare 
.
. It's about time we start prioritizing their well-being too 
. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to look into how I can support my own kiddo's future career goals... maybe it's time to start exploring union options for teachers? 
. 17% wage increase? That's huge! And the stipend is a nice touch too 
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. It's about time medical residents were treated with more respect & care in the workplace 
i mean, who wouldn't wanna prioritize their mental health after years of med school? but like, how do they plan to make this stick for everyone? not just U of C docs 
i mean, who wouldn't want to unionize & fight for better work-life balance? i've been following this whole committee of interns and residents thing & it's honestly super inspiring to see all these docs coming together to demand change. 
. Burnout is no joke, especially with COVID-19 still hanging around... this is a major win for the docs. I mean, it's about time we started valuing people over profit in healthcare 
. The Committee of Interns and Residents is really on fire, almost doubling their membership in 4 years... that's some serious momentum 
burnout is no joke and this new agreement is like a breath of fresh air 
17% wage increase? that's wild 
and the fact that they're getting reimbursed for rideshares after shifts is just, like, basic human decency 
can't wait to see what this means for the rest of the med community 
, i mean those docs have been burnin out left & right over the past few years. 17% wage increase is a big win, but lets be real its still not exactly a life changer... but hey at least they got some reimbursement for rideshares and all that jazz 
. Burnout is real, and it's not just about the hours, but also the lack of resources and support. These docs have been fighting for their rights for so long, and finally, they're seeing some progress 
!