Medical Residents Demand Better Working Conditions and Higher Pay Through Unionization

Doctors and medical residents work long, irregular hours, often up to 80 hours a week. For many, their demanding schedules overlap with childbearing years, making childcare a major concern. Dr. Leah Rethy, an internal medicine resident at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, knows this firsthand. She was pregnant during her first year of residency and gave birth during her second year, working up until her 40th week to save time off. However, finding affordable childcare has been a major challenge for Rethy, as daycare costs half of her salary, and a nanny costs her entire salary.

Rethy is not alone. The issue of childcare is one of the main drivers of a recent push for unionization among medical residents. In February 2023, most residents at two major Penn Medicine hospitals decided to form a union, and the National Labor Relations Board will conduct their election in early May. They join a wave of other residents unionizing at programs around the country, most recently at Montefiore hospital in New York, George Washington University in Washington, DC, and Mass General Brigham in Boston.

Childcare is just one of many issues that medical residents cite for their decision to unionize. These issues include the loss of parking benefits, dirty call rooms with mice and cockroaches, and challenging working conditions that make it difficult for residents to maintain their own health and well-being. The union for medical residents, the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR), has seen an unprecedented increase in campaigns, from two in 2021 to eight in 2022.

Medical residents are aware that their training involves long hours and hard work. However, they want to be treated fairly for their efforts and to work in a safe and healthy environment. Medical residents cannot simply choose to leave their workplace as it is a required part of their training. As a result, they may be vulnerable to exploitation during this time in their career.

According to Dr. Madison Sharp, a third-year OB-GYN resident, the House staff governing council is limited in what it can accomplish. It is incredibly frustrating to advocate for residents and fellows and not be heard or have concerns brushed aside or dismissed. Residents believe that unionizing is the best way to demand better working conditions and higher pay, which would lead to better patient care. The bargaining power and strength in numbers that come from being a union member make a difference for residents.

In a statement, Penn Medicine says it values residents and is proud of the ways it has sought to improve resident life and wellness. The statement maintains that it provides benefits and increased salaries to offer competitive working conditions. Starting July 1, resident salaries will start at a little more than $69,000 a year, according to Penn Medicine. However, the residents argue that more needs to be done to address their concerns and that unionizing is the best way to achieve this.

Medical residents face numerous challenges, including long hours, dirty call rooms, and the high cost of childcare. These issues have led to a recent push for unionization among medical residents, with the number of campaigns spiking from two in 2021 to eight in 2022. Unionizing would give residents the bargaining power and strength in numbers they need to demand better working conditions, higher pay, and better patient care.

Related content:

• Over 200 Exotic Animals Seized After Videos Revealed Horrible Living Conditions at a “Sanctuary”
• This Chain of Childcare Centers Banned Glitter, Balloon, and Plastic Straws for the Best Possible Reason
• Coronavirus Exposes Lack of Animal Welfare Standards in Biomedical Research
• Dr. Oz Role in Animal Experiments That Killed Over 300 Dogs and Tortured Hundreds of Other Animals
• Compassion Fatigue is a Real Challenge for Workers in Animal Testing Labs

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!