In a decisive move towards better labor conditions, University of Chicago Medicine's medical residents and fellows have cast their ballots in favor of forming a union. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, an overwhelming 98% of the group, which includes over a thousand individuals, voted for representation by the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR/SEIU), signaling a significant shift in the medical labor landscape in Chicago.
Following similar actions by colleagues at the University of Illinois Chicago in 2021 and Northwestern Medicine earlier this year, UChicago's residents are the latest to join the trend of healthcare professionals pushing for improved working conditions. In a statement obtained by Chicago Business, Dr. Aisha Amuda, a prominent figure in the movement, outlined the need for advocacy, “While we love our jobs and caring for our patients, we do not have an endless supply of stamina and capacity. We are human beings who must have our basic needs met.”
Unionization efforts have been motivated by concerns over long work hours often exceeding 80 hours a week, financial stressors, and a desire to foster a sustainable environment that also prioritizes patient care. The residents' move to unionize also aligns with a national trend. Over the past years, more than 15,000 residents have joined CIR-SEIU according to the union. This growing collective voice appears to be reshaping the conversation around work conditions in one of the nation’s most vital sectors.
The impact of a stronger collective bargaining position may put pressure on UChicago Medicine, as it grapples with the financial implications of negotiating with an organized workforce. A spokeswoman for the hospital, commenting on the unionization, expressed respect for the decision and an intent to engage in collective bargaining, “The University of Chicago Medical Center respects the National Labor Relations Board’s secret ballot process along with the results of the vote by our residents and fellows," she stated. "We will, in near future, begin the collective bargaining process with CIR-SEIU Healthcare in order to craft a fair and equitable contract that supports the needs of our trainees, our patients and our institution.”
In the current climate, where medical professionals across the country are increasingly vocal about their rights, UChicago Medicine's decision could have a ripple effect, encouraging others to seek similar changes. Already, the movement has seen Stanford Health Care in the Bay Area and Mass General Brigham in Boston moving in the same direction, pointing to a larger shift that extends well beyond the city limits of Chicago.
