UC Irvine Residents Win Housing Stipend, Education Funds in First Contract Victory

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UCIMC interns, residents, and fellows voted overwhelmingly to ratify a first-ever CIR contract on Wednesday, May 11. This is a first CIR resident-physician contract within the UC-system. The contract is a milestone in raising standards for residents and fellows at UCIMC and residents are now in a better position to win even better contract conditions and enforce their current contract.

This is a historic moment for UCIMC residents who have been in negotiation sessions with the administration for two years, after enduring legal challenges to their right to form a union. This contract settlement proves that when residents unite, they are stronger together.

“This is a big step forward in helping residents have a better training experience at UCI,” said Cynthia Pike, Family Medicine resident and bargaining committee member. “Before the contract resident physicians lacked control. Negotiating a labor contract through CIR gives residents a voice that we previously didn’t have at our disposal. Throughout negotiations we were able to let the administration know about hardships residents encounter with housing, insufficient salary pay and lack of educational resources.”

UCIMC residents had the stamina to fight for what they believe in and came away with a strong three year contract that includes:

HOUSING
$2900 annual housing allowance (payable in September 2016) for current residents who live within 15 miles of UCIMC, the medical school, and affiliated sites. Future residents living within 10 miles will qualify. ***One-time housing allowance payment of $725 to graduating seniors (payable in June 2016) who live within 15 miles of UCIMC, the medical school, and affiliated sites.***MEALS
Minimum payment on the Freedom Card of $40 a month for meals purchased during that month or an annual payment onto the Freedom Card of $480 (payment method to be decided by each department). Those departments which currently receive more than this amount will have their current rates protected.PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
The University shall provide ACLS, BLS, PALS, NRP, ALSO (for OB department only) and ATLS initial certification training and recertification training at no cost to resident physicians if it is a required certification of the University.

PROFESSIONAL LICENSE & EXAM FEES
Reimbursement of fees including CA medical license fees and renewal, USMLE Step 3 or Complex 3 fees.
Academic Year 2016-2017 $750
Academic Year 2017-2018 $1000
Academic Year 2018-2019 $1000

EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENT
With appropriate documentation residents qualify for the following annual minimum amounts:
Academic Year 2016-2017 $750
Academic Year 2017-2018 $1000
Academic Year 2018-2019 $1000

SALARY
Effective July 1, 2016 there will be an increase in residents’ salary scale by 1.9%, matching the highest increases in the UC system. Future salary increases will either match the highest salaries at other UC residencies or the contract will reopen to bargain over salaries.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
QI/Patient Care: A new system to ensure that residents receive direct responses on their QI proposals from the administration to encourage resident-driven projects.
Parking: There is a cap on parking increases, up to $10 per year.
Scrubs/White coats: A process to ensure that scrubs and white coats will be provided and cleaned to meet the protocols laid out by the university.
Joint events: An annual housestaff appreciation day and one other co-sponsored event.

UCIMC residents mark the 53rd hospital to unionize with the Committee of Interns and Residents, and are the 13th California hospital to do so. Welcome to CIR, UCIMC residents!