UMass Medical School calls unionization vote first step in process

Photo | Grant Welker UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester

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By Grant Welker

UMass Medical School called a unionization vote this week by physicians in training a first step in a process and called the residents and fellows valued members of its healthcare teams.

Roughly 600 residents and fellows, who have completed medical school and are in the final training phases as physicians, voted Tuesday to join a nationwide union, the Service Employees International Union's Committee of Interns and Residents. That vote starts a process that next includes a petition filed with the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations, according to the Worcester school.

UMass Medical School said in its first comments on the unionization vote Thursday its residents and fellows are valued members of its healthcare team and have demonstrated that repeatedly, including during the coronavirus pandemic. Their compensation and benefits package is competitive compared to peer institutions, the school said.

The residents and fellows work for UMass Memorial Health Care hospitals but are technically medical school employees, and they're looking to join other small unionized groups at the medical school such as the custodial staff. CIR says it represents more than 17,000 resident physicians and fellows including at Boston Medical Center and the Cambridge Health Alliance.

CIR said Tuesday labor organizing efforts began in 2019 amid concerns for residents having input on decisions on working conditions and patient safety and care.