Resident Physicians Secure Groundbreaking Tentative Agreement, Win Pay Increases of 24-28%
Philadelphia – After a year of negotiations, resident physicians and fellows at the University of Pennsylvania Health System have made history by securing a groundbreaking tentative agreement on their first contract, becoming the first doctors in Pennsylvania to ever win a union contract. Represented by the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR/SEIU), they say this agreement—which includes a 24-28% pay increase, expanded parental leave, strong out-of-title work protections, and crucial safety measures like appropriate PPE and rideshare reimbursements after long shifts—will profoundly impact their lives and their ability to provide exceptional care.
Working over 80 hours a week at the center of patient care in Penn hospitals, these residents set out to secure a contract that provides the compensation and working conditions they need to perform their jobs without sacrificing their mental, physical, or financial well-being. Despite working for one of the wealthiest university systems in the country, many of them struggle to make ends meet.
“We chose medicine because journeying through health and illness with our patients is both an honor and a privilege. Yet, there were many moments when my colleagues and I felt dehumanized by an unrelenting system that often overlooks our humanity, and demoralized by oppressive structures that prevent us from providing the best care,” said Dr. Spenser Chen, a Penn resident in medicine and pediatrics. “With the new contract in place, the progress we’ve made in improving our working conditions will translate into better healing environments for our patients. As we continue to bear witness to our patients’ experiences at the bedside, I look forward to ongoing advocacy for our patients and communities through collective bargaining.”
The deal comes just a month after CIR physicians’ lunchtime action for a fair contract was abruptly shut down by hospital security, who formed a line to prevent the workers from sharing burritos, while other security personnel surveilled and photographed the union activity.
“I felt a wave of relief when Penn’s representatives finally came to the table with a reasonable offer,” said Dr. Ianto Xi, a radiology resident at Pennsylvania Hospital. “I can relax now, knowing that I can take care of my family while working to take care of my patients.”
The bargaining team is presenting the proposal to the full membership, and says a ratification vote will happen between September 24-30.
Growing by more than 16,000 physicians since 2019, CIR/SEIU is rapidly expanding as healthcare workers reject the exploitative status quo in medicine, including the 1,400 Penn physicians who joined the union in May 2023.
The Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR) is the largest house staff union in the United States. A local of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), representing over 34,000 resident physicians and fellows. Our members are dedicated to improving residency training and education, advancing patient care, and expanding healthcare access for our communities.
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