UB Resident Physicians Prepare for Strike Amid Stalled Negotiations

After a year of intense negotiations with the University at Buffalo and the Catholic Health System, more than 800 resident physicians are gearing up for a two-day strike in September. Frustrated by a lack of progress, the physicians, who have been tirelessly advocating for better wages and working conditions, have decided to take a stand.

The strike, scheduled for September 3rd and 4th, was announced earlier this week at a press conference where the resident physicians voiced their concerns. Their demands include fair pay, affordable healthcare, and a workplace that treats them with the dignity and respect they deserve. Many of these young doctors, who sometimes work up to 80 hours a week, argue that their current pay is barely above minimum wage when broken down by hours worked.

The union representing the physicians has highlighted numerous issues they face daily, including unfair labor practices, bullying, unsanitary working conditions, unsafe parking lots, lack of lunch breaks, rescinded salary offers, and the absence of retirement plans. These conditions have pushed the resident physicians, who work in various hospitals across the Buffalo area, to the brink.

Among the hospitals where these physicians provide care are ECMC, Buffalo General, Buffalo VA Medical Center, and Oishei Children’s Hospital. The medical residents and fellows involved are part of UB-sponsored training programs and are employed by University Medical Resident Services (UMRS), which has been identified by the National Labor Relations Board as the responsible negotiating entity.

"Last week, UMRS presented the medical residents with a proposal that included pay increases and improved working conditions," the organization stated. "We are awaiting an official response from the residents' union and remain hopeful that we can reach an agreement soon."

The University at Buffalo, while not directly involved in the negotiations, expressed its hope for a resolution. "Medical residents play a crucial role in delivering outstanding healthcare in our local hospitals," UB said in a statement. "We are committed to ensuring that our residents receive the exceptional education, training, and experience they need to become skilled physicians."

Despite these assurances, the resident physicians remain determined to strike if an agreement is not reached soon. "They’ll say we’re jeopardizing patient care, that we have a moral obligation to return to work," said Dr. Steven Moran, a second-year resident. "But they’re playing on our empathy for our patients."

The union contends that these residents are the lowest-paid in the state, lagging behind their counterparts in Rochester and Albany.

"I don’t want to strike, and neither do my colleagues," said Dr. Amy Beattie. "But at this point, we don’t know what else to do."

The resident physicians remain hopeful that a fair agreement can be reached, allowing them to continue providing essential medical care to Western New Yorkers while attracting more physicians to the area. "We’re fighting, and I want you to watch what happens," said first-year pediatrician Dr. Joanne Adams. "Wait for us to make things better."

The letters UB for the University of BuffaloPhoto byWKBW