Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

House of Representatives passes Stewart resolution congratulating resident physicians on unionization

 

STATE HOUSE — The House of Representatives Tuesday passed a resolution (2025-H 5207) introduced by Rep. Jennifer A. Stewart (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket) congratulating resident physicians and fellows with RIH-Brown University Health and Care New England Hospitals on their successful campaigns to organize unions.

“Not only is this an important victory for those who deliver high-quality health care to all Rhode Islanders, it’s an important step in solving the primary care physician shortage,” said Representative Stewart. “Doctors in residencies regularly work 80 hours a week for first-year pay. This, coupled with an average of $203,062 in education debt, is making it less and less attractive to be a doctor in Rhode Island. Unionization will help them negotiate pay that is more in line with their skills and demanding schedules.”

On Jan. 7, the doctors voted to join the Committee of Interns and Residents for the purpose of collective bargaining with Brown University Health. The Committee of Interns and Residents is the largest such union in the country, with more than 34,000 members. The following week, house staff for Kent Hospital, Women and Infants Hospital and Butler Hospital, representing some 230 doctors, voted to join the same union.                                                          

 

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