New Jersey Hospital February Roundup
Saint Michael’s Hospital Complaints Addressed
Recently, we met with GME and discussed several complaints:
On-call rooms and surrounding areas: Lack of cleanliness and supplies, old paint, not enough call rooms, and appliances that didn’t work. So far, the rooms have been painted and an additional on-call room is expected very soon. The other items are being worked on and should be resolved soon.
Parking: There is a severe lack of parking at St Michael’s. There are supposed to be designated spots for the residents, but they weren’t marked as such. So far the outlines of the spots have been painted and security is deterring others from parking in those spots. We are expecting signs to be installed soon.
Salary increases: The State implemented a process for the raises to be calculated, but that process is not yet complete. Soon the process will be completed and the retroactive raises given.
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Updates
VA Hospital salary increases: It has been established that the increases are retroactive to September 2008. If residents on VA payroll have not received the increases, they should inquire with their Chief Residents. If it isn’t resolved through the chiefs, residents should contact their delegates, reps, or Cliff Freid at cfreid@cirseiu.org. Also, if you have questions as to what the rates are, please contact Cliff.
Contract Surveys: Surveys were recently emailed to you and need to be returned by the end of February via email or hard copy to your delegates, reps or Cliff Freid. If you have not received the survey, your delegates and reps can get hard copies for you. The survey’s information will be compiled and used to put together the negotiating proposals and committee.
Current grievances: A class action grievance was filed for the hospital’s failure to pay additional on-call pay to medicine residents at UH per Article 8. As this case proceeds, you will be updated.
Housestaff Appreciation Day: A Housestaff Appreciation Day was held February 13 at the VA hospital in East Orange. It was a small but special event. The next event is scheduled for Robert Wood Johnson on March 30th from 11am – 2pm. This will be a much larger event and yes, will include lunch.