CIR Bargaining Team Makes Initial Proposals on New Contract

On Wednesday, August 12th, over 30 CIR interns, residents, and fellows from Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and LAC+USC Medical Center came together to present their opening union contract proposals. Resident leaders presented articles on some pressing issues members face – from ensuring health coverage on day 1 of employment at a County facility, to maternity/paternity leave, to needlestick safety and procedure. CIR leaders put forth proposals on issues that residents identified as priorities in a May 2009 bargaining survey.

Increased efficiency throughout County hospitals was another theme of the proposals presented by CIR resident leaders. In recognition of the massive LA County, California, and federal budget deficits, CIR delegates drafted creative,cost-savings proposals. Dr. Brittney DeClerck, Dermatology (LAC+USC) presented a proposal to create an annual technology walk-through and report to assess the hospitals’ equipment and electronic systems. The proposal also included language on integrating all the LA County electronic medical records systems. This would improve efficiencies in patient care and expenditures on medical equipment purchases.

Another proposal on recycling, which has the potential to save the County hundreds of thousands of dollars in the long-run, was presented by Dr. Linda Sharp, Internal Medicine (HUCLA).Other articles on efficiency included one for OR turnover and another on multi-disciplinary rounds. CIR bargaining team members presented the proposals and provided data, research, and even personal testimony on the issues.