University of Massachusetts resident physicians, interns and fellows employed by Worcester-based UMass Chan Medical School have ratified a new union contract, according to a Nov. 11 news release from their union shared with Becker’s.
Ninety-eight percent of voting union members cast ballots in favor of the deal between Nov. 4 and Nov. 10, according to the release. The agreement covers about 700 unionized physicians represented by Service Employees International Union’s Committee of Interns and Residents.
According to CIR-SEIU, the deal includes a 9.5% compensation increase over three years; $5,000 annually for mental health services per person, per household; an increase in the educational allowance to $1,500 per resident or fellow, per year, (up from $1,000 in the previous contract); and a one-time licensure exam reimbursement. It also fully reinstates union members’ health benefits fund, including copay reimbursement.
The union said UMass leaders will now have the final decision to approve the contract prior to implementation. This is the second labor deal since residents joined CIR-SEIU in 2021.
“A fair contract for UMass housestaff means better care for central Massachusetts patients,” Dipavo Banerjee, DO, UMass addiction psychiatry fellow and member of the bargaining team, said in the release. “As cuts to vital health services, including Medicaid, hurt our Worcester community, investing in front-line caregivers is essential for protecting top-quality patient care.”
Becker’s has reached out to UMass and will update this story if a comment is received.
