Resident physicians and fellows at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, represented by the Committee of Interns and Residents, have ratified their first union contract, according to a July 1 union news release shared with Becker’s.
The three-year contract covers more than 800 unionized physicians and follows nearly a year of negotiations. A total of 99.8% of voting members cast ballots in favor of the deal. The agreement is still pending approval by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center before it takes effect.
CIR leaders said the agreement includes an overall compensation increase of 13%, including retroactive pay for residents employed before May 31; a $10,000 annual stipend; reimbursement for required exams and licenses; pay for leave and moonlighting shifts; salary credits for research years; 12 weeks of parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child; a $15,000 annual budget for a Resident Wellbeing Committee; and a contractual grievance process that includes binding arbitration.
“This fair contract is about more than improved working conditions — it is about strengthening patient care and demonstrating what is possible when physicians stand together,” Kevin Makhoul, MD, a third-year psychiatry resident and member of the bargaining team, said in the release.
In a statement shared with Becker’s, a Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center spokesperson said the agreement reflects “a collaborative bargaining process and our shared commitment to providing exceptional training experience, delivering outstanding patient care, and maintaining one of the nation’s premier graduate medical educational programs.” The spokesperson added that resident physicians are “an essential part of the BIDMC care team,” and the hospital looks forward to continuing to support them and the patients they serve.
The contract runs through June 30, 2029.
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