Resident physicians reach ‘historic’ tentative contract

Resident physicians at Montefiore Medical Center have reached a tentative contract agreement that includes 18 percent raises and a housing stipend, their union, SEIU’s Committee of Interns and Residents, announced this week.

The tentative deal, which is retroactive to July 1, 2024 and expires on June 30, 2027, would cover 1,200 resident physicians and fellows. The agreement includes a 9 percent raise retroactive to July 1, 2024, a 5 percent raise and a final 4 percent increase. If the pact is ratified, the residents, who currently earn $73,584, would see their salaries increase to $87,586 by July 2026. 

The deal, which the union called “historic,” would also provide an annual $2,500 child care allowance, meal stipends and a $3,000 housing stipend. The workers said that the raises and improved benefits would help them be able to better care for their Bronx patients, who often have poor health outcomes.

“We are thrilled to announce a hard-earned victory after nearly two years of organizing and fighting for the resources we deserve. This contract provides Montefiore housestaff with benefits and protections that will improve our sense of security and our quality of life so that we can be at our best for the people of the Bronx,” Dr. Clara Bertozzi-Villa, a fellow in maternal fetal medicine, said in a statement. “I have been so inspired by my colleagues and everyone who stood with us throughout this fight.”

In recent months, Montefiore residents ramped up their fight for a fair contract, holding several rallies outside the Bronx hospital. Many of the residents spoke of being underpaid relative to the long hours they work, which often exceed 80 hours a week.

During the rallies, the workers also urged the hospital to establish a fair disciplinary process for residents, a step that hospital administrators had previously refused to take, according to the union.

The tentative contract includes a just-cause provision that protects residents from being terminated arbitrarily, and establishes a grievance and arbitration process.

“These protections were actually one of the last items on the table — for months, Montefiore leadership refused to agree to third-party arbitration, a basic protection that every single other union worker in the hospital already has,” a spokesperson told The Chief.

Dr. John McCarthy, a second-year Montefiore resident in pediatrics, noted that “This contract was always about more than just us — it was about ensuring we can provide the best possible care for our patients.” 

“But our work isn’t over,” he added. “With this contract secured, we’re looking forward to working productively with hospital leadership in labor-management meetings to address ongoing healthcare disparities in our community and the urgent issues affecting our patients and our profession every day.”

Montefiore housestaff voted to join CIR in February 2023, and contract negotiations began more than a year and a half ago. Members will vote on whether to ratify the tentative agreement through Wednesday.

Resident physicians are one of the groups driving a surge in organizing during and after the pandemic, alongside other young, college-educated employees such as journalists and graduate workers, a report by CUNY’s School of Labor and Urban Studies found.

“We are more united than ever,” Dr. Bertozzi-Villa said. “It’s time to celebrate this contract and get to work on what's next.”