Council Supports Boston Medical Center Resident Physicians

The Council is supporting more than 700 resident physicians at Boston Medical Center in their efforts to secure a fair union contract. During this week’s Council meeting, the Council adopted a resolution supporting resident physicians represented by the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR) as they negotiate with Boston Medical Center for fair wages, affordable healthcare, safe working conditions, adequate time off, and respect and dignity in the workplace.

The Committee of Interns and Residents represents more than 700 unionized resident physicians at Boston Medical Center and is dedicated to improving residency training and the broader health care system across the country. The resolution notes that resident physicians are an essential part of the health care workforce and play a critical role in providing patient care, advancing public health, and supporting the well-being of families and communities throughout Boston and beyond.

Boston Medical Center is the largest safety-net hospital in New England, with more than half of its patient population coming from underserved or low-income backgrounds. The resolution highlights the hospital’s history of serving the Boston community and the role of its resident physicians in providing care.

BMC resident physicians face significant financial pressures due to the Boston area’s high cost of living and student loan debt, and they are the lowest-paid unionized resident physicians in the greater Boston area. The resolution states that fair and competitive compensation can help resident physicians perform their jobs, prevent burnout, and continue providing high-quality patient care.