Overview

Housestaff unionization efforts in GME training programs are rapidly increasing with approximately 20% of active residents in the United States now being represented by a union. The largest housestaff union, the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR), reported an increase in resident members to 37,000 from just 18,000 in 2020. The previously slow pace of housestaff unionization accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic where increased work demands emphasized long-standing housestaff concerns over work hours, burnout, compensation, and benefits. Few resources exist for program leadership on the process of unionization, leaving many programs to “learn on the fly” after their housestaff petition the National Labor Relations Board. The latest APDIM Program Director survey highlighted this uncertainty with only 8% of program directors feeling very or extremely knowledgeable about the unionization process. Program leadership occupy a unique position as advocates for their housestaff. They are often positioned separately from hospital and GME leadership who may take varied stances on the unionization effort, which can lead to uncertainty over program leadership role in this process and potential confusion on engagement with housestaff, union representatives, and hospital leadership. This workshop will provide first-hand experience from several residency programs whose housestaff are in various stages of unionization. Participants will gain insight into the unique impact of the unionization process on residency program operations. The presenters will share practices for navigating difficult conversations between hospital leadership and housestaff, describe limits on program changes during contract negotiations, and highlight opportunities for program growth and innovation post-unionization.

Speakers

Amber Bird, MD
Chavon Onumah, MD, MPH
Adam Mikolajczyk, MD
Zachary Jacobs, MD

Content Track

Administration

Audience

GME

Program Type

University-Based, Community-Based

Additional Information

Year Published: 2025 - APDIM Fall Meeting 2025