Why Are Medical Residents Unionizing?
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Across the U.S., medical residents are joining unions in record numbers, pushing for better pay, benefits, and working conditions. At the University of Vermont Medical Center, union efforts led to a significant pay raise and improved benefits, including a wellness stipend and funds for board exams. These changes have eased financial burdens and improved resident work-life balance, yet challenges like insufficient healthcare and fair parental leave persist.
Residents at other institutions, such as Montefiore Medical Center and Stanford Health Care, are following suit, highlighting the need for better pay and working conditions. Unionizing gives them leverage to negotiate essential benefits like better healthcare coverage, mental health support, and adequate time off—issues that directly affect their well-being and patient care. As more residents advocate for change, they are paving the way for future physicians to enjoy better working conditions.
Why Residents Are Joining Unions in Droves (Medscape, Hochwald, 10/7).
