Approximately 830 UB resident physicians, represented by the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD), intend to go on a two-day long strike next month if “negotiations fail to improve” with their employer, University Medical Resident Services P.C. (UMRS) according to a press statement released on Aug. 13.
93% of UB physicians authorized the strike, alleging that throughout the year-long negotiations, UMRS has been “bargaining in bad faith, “discriminating against residents for their union participation” and “unilaterally degrading healthcare benefits.”
Residents are also frustrated with the lack of direct communication from UMRS’ financial backers which include Kaleida Health, Buffalo General Hospital and UB’s Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (JMSBS). The press statement claims that the financial entities have contacted UMRS, but “have refused to meet with the residents to address concerns.”
Dr. Steven Moran, a UB second-year anesthesiology resident, said that the residents have “seen nothing but resistance, delays and failure to bargain meaningfully.”
“We’re the only doctors available at the hospitals around here, hospitals like ECMC, the VA and here at Buffalo General,” Moran said at Thursday’s press conference. “We look after your loved ones when they are at their weakest. We stretch ourselves thin to do what’s best for our patients. Despite all this, not once have we asked to work less or do less.”
Since the group’s unionization in May 2023, UB medical residents and fellows have begun negotiations with UMRS for the group’s first labor contract to improve working conditions and increase salaries. UB resident physicians currently earn between $60,400 and $68,359, which UAPD members argue is lower than salaries in similar cost-of-living cities, including Rochester and Albany.
A UB statement released in Feb. 2023 states that the resident physicians’ salaries “do not reflect the vastly different benefit packages offered at the different upstate institutions” and “unlike other institutions, health benefits are paid in full by UB.” According to first year pediatrics resident Dr. Joanne Adams, UB only currently offers “cost-insurance” that is “high-deductible” which they cannot afford.
“My wife and I need to pay $3200 in order to qualify for the kind of insurance most people have,” Adams said. “And we just don’t have the salary to do that.”
In a statement to The Spectrum, university spokesperson John Della Contrada said that the university and the hospitals are not legally allowed to be a direct part of negotiations according to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
“While not directly involved in these negotiations, UB has been supportive of all parties to the extent possible,” Della Contrada said, “As the negotiations have progressed, UB has provided UMRS’ legal team with feedback indicating our support for increasing residents’ salaries and improving their working conditions.”
In a statement to The Spectrum, the UMRS said that the company has offered the union a “proposal in good faith that would increase residents’ pay and improve working conditions.”
“UMRS is awaiting an official response from the medical residents’ union to the proposal, and are hopeful we can reach an agreement soon,” the statement reads.
UAPD and UMRS are expected to meet on Sept. 1 for further negotiations.
Mylien Lai is the senior news editor and can be reached at mylien.lai@ubspectrum.com
Mylien Lai is the senior news editor at The Spectrum. Outside of getting lost in Buffalo, she enjoys practicing the piano and being a bean plant mom. She can be found at @my_my_my_myliennnn on Instagram.
Photo: Ryan Hagen | UB Athletics
