After  more than four years with no raises, resident physicians at New York Downtown Hospital last week ratified a contract that guarantees them rent protection, bonuses and raises, among other gains. 

The 64 internal medicine and obstetrics/gynecology residents at New York Downtown affiliated with the 13,000-member strong Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR/SEIU Heatlhcare) in April 2009, in hopes of gaining more clout at the bargaining table. They were motivated by uncompetitive salaries, a punitive policy on sick days and a sense that they had no voice at work. 

“All the residents felt it was a strong contract with a lot of protection for us current residents and also incoming residents to provide for them,” said Dr. Peter Wong, a member of the negotiating committee.

The new contract provides bonuses for all current residents, additional bonuses in January 2011 and 2013, and 2% salary increases  in 2011 and 2012. The hospital also agreed to major rent protection for the residents’ low-cost housing next to the hospital. Additional gains include covering transportation costs for away rotations, providing meals, reimbursement of board review courses and exams, and a grievance procedure to enable CIR to enforce the contract.