Why do residents organize and join unions?
As doctors, we love our programs and care deeply about our patients’ health and well-being. For decades, interns, residents and fellows all across the country have organized in order to negotiate for better housestaff salaries and working conditions as well as to enhance the quality of patient care. Those of us who have joined the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR) have found that forming a union is the best way to have an effective voice at work and develop solutions to issues and problems at our hospitals. By joining CIR, the largest housestaff union in the country, we can negotiate directly with the hospital administration and make lasting improvements for ourselves and our patients. Every hospital’s problems are different, and every contract is negotiated locally by your peers to address your specific concerns.
