Bronx, NY –  Resident physicians at St. Barnabas Hospital will launch a community outreach campaign today to inform the public about their fight to have a voice in the workplace.  

In January, 87 percent of the 280 residents signed a petition to be recognized as a chapter of the Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU Healthcare, a well-established union representing 13,000 residents across the country. Undeterred by the administration drawing out the process through the National Labor Relations Board, the residents are determined to keep fighting, in the interest of providing better patient care and improving working conditions.  

In a postcard mailed to thousands of Bronx residents, the residents explain what motivated them to form a union and ask for the community’s support. Many community members may not be aware of the crucial role residents play in the operation of the hospital as frontline care-providers who often work up to 80 hours a week in the Emergency Room, clinics and hospital wards.   

Over the past few weeks, residents have met with local elected officials and community leaders to enlist their support.   As The Daily News reported in March, despite the overwhelming majority of residents who favor the union, the hospital has opted to challenge the residents’ right to form a union at the National Labor Relations Board.  Physicians have publicly questioned why the hospital is wasting money on a Manhattan law firm for the labor proceedings when the institution is struggling financially.   The mailing directs Bronx community members to a new website, www.cirbarnabas.org, which features a forum for people to express their support for their resident physicians.      

Dr. Nailah Thompson, CIR Executive Vice President, is available for interviews by phone today and tomorrow. Contact CIR at 212-356-8100 x126  or tfoley@cirseiu.org to set up interviews.