A Fair Contract is Essential

Despite more than a year of negotiations, by December we had yet to reach an acceptable agreement. On December 3, the union announced plans to strike, with 98.7 percent of union members voting in support. This decision was not made lightly. Historically, labor unionization among health care workers is uncommon,⁵ including among resident physicians,⁶ and the prospect of striking even more so.

One of the first documented strikes among house staff officers took place in 1974 at Howard University here in Washington, D.C., and resulted in increased salaries, improved facilities, and better benefits.⁷ After decades without a resident physician strike, one took place last year at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, N.Y., where residents went on a multi-day strike and secured higher salaries, meal stipends, and transportation benefits.⁸ Striking is a last resort, but we were ready to follow in these footsteps, knowing that securing a fair contract is essential for our health and well-being and the quality of care we provide to our patients.

Strike Avoided

Fortunately, less than 12 hours before the strike was scheduled to begin, our union came to an agreement with GW. Thanks to the tireless advocacy of our residents, fellows, and CIR/SEIU representatives, we reached consensus on many critical issues. Our new contract includes significant salary increases, annual stipends for mental health, a ratification bonus, and other measures that address core concerns.

This victory is about more than just numbers. A fair contract is not just about wages or benefits—it is about creating a foundation where physicians can thrive, patients can receive the best care, and the future of medical training is sustainable. By standing together, we demonstrated that meaningful change is possible, and we hope our efforts set a precedent for residents and fellows across the country who face similar challenges. Our advocacy seeks to build a system that ensures doctors are supported and equipped to deliver the care our patients deserve.

Dr. Chung is a PGY-4 resident in emergency medicine at George Washington University in Washington, DC. She is interested in a wide variety of topics related to health equity and population health.  

References

1. Portnoy J. A young GWU doctor’s last words serve as a warning for healthcare providers. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/10/03/will-west-doctor-gwu-suicide-note-mental-health/. Published October 5, 2024. Accessed December 7, 2024.
2. Oakman T, Smith-Ramakrishnan V. Physician burnout will burn all of us. The Century Foundation. https://tcf.org/content/report/physician-burnout-will-burn-all-of-us/. Published October 25, 2023. Accessed December 9, 2024.
3. Adelman LC. Is it time to unionize? ACEP Now. https://www.acepnow.com/article/is-it-time-to-unionize/. Published April 15, 2024. Accessed 9 December 2024.
4. Beresford L. The ER docs strike back. ACEP Now. https://www.acepnow.com/article/the-er-docs-strike-back/. Published August 28, 2024. Accessed December 7, 2024.
5. Ahmed AM, Kadakia K, Ahmed A, et al. Trends in labor unionization among US health care workers, 2009-2021. JAMA. 2022;328(24):2404-2411.
6. Ahmed A, Li X. Labor unionization among physicians in training. JAMA. 2023;330(19):1905-1906.
7. Thompson SL, Salmon JW. Strikes by physicians: a historical perspective toward an ethical evaluation. Int J Health Serv. 2006;36(2):331-354.
8. Brosnan E. Elmhurst doctors’ strike ends as hospital, union reach deal. Spectrum News NY1. https://ny1.com/nyc/queens/health/2023/05/24/elmhurst-doctors–strike-ends-as-hospital–union-reach-deal-. Published May 24, 2023. Accessed December 7, 2024.