Nearly 1,300 physicians at Northwestern Medicine are seeking voluntary recognition of their union
In a move to address concerns over inadequate staffing and support systems, resident physicians and fellows at Northwestern Medicine have announced their intention to unionize. With nearly 1,300 physicians filing with the National Labor Relations Board, the group is seeking voluntary recognition from Northwestern Medicine to join the Committee of Interns and Residents, a local of Service Employees International Union. This unionization effort reflects a growing trend among medical residents across the country who are advocating for improved working conditions and patient care.
A Call for Improved Working Conditions
The decision to unionize stems from the challenges faced by resident physicians and fellows at Northwestern Medicine. Inadequate staffing and support systems have forced them to make personal sacrifices in order to provide high-quality care to their patients. By forming a union, these physicians hope to gain the power and support needed to address these issues and actively improve their workplace and the care they provide.
Northwestern Medicine: A Major Hospital System
Northwestern Medicine is one of the largest hospital systems in Illinois, with its flagship hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, boasting the highest net patient revenue in the state. This makes the unionization efforts of the resident physicians and fellows particularly significant, as it has the potential to impact a large number of healthcare professionals and patients within the system.
A National Movement
The unionization efforts at Northwestern Medicine are part of a larger trend among medical residents across the country. The demanding nature of their work, often requiring them to put in over 80 hours per week, has prompted residents at various institutions to seek better working conditions and representation. In 2021 alone, residents at Penn Medicine hospitals in Pennsylvania, George Washington University in Washington, DC, and Mass General Brigham in Boston have all successfully formed unions.
Unionization Efforts in the Chicago Area
The unionization efforts at Northwestern Medicine follow similar actions taken by resident physicians and fellows at the University of Illinois in the Chicago area. In 2021, they also joined the Committee of Interns and Residents and reached a tentative agreement with hospital administrators in February. These successes serve as inspiration and motivation for the resident physicians and fellows at Northwestern Medicine as they pursue their own unionization goals.
Conclusion: The decision of resident physicians and fellows at Northwestern Medicine to unionize highlights the ongoing challenges faced by healthcare professionals across the country. By advocating for improved working conditions and patient care, these physicians are taking a stand to ensure their own well-being and the quality of care provided to patients. As unionization efforts continue to gain momentum in the medical field, it remains to be seen how these collective actions will shape the future of healthcare and the well-being of those who dedicate their lives to serving others.
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