Who is CIR?

At GW, WE are CIR – it is our union and we will make decisions about how it is run. 

The Committee of Interns and Residents is the largest resident union in the country, representing over 24,000 interns, residents, and fellows. Founded by residents in 1957, members fight for improved working conditions and better patient care + advocate for important issues across the nation.

How much are dues and when will I start paying?

1.6% - this was decided by a vote of CIR residents and fellow members. Dues cover stuff like contract negotiation expenses, union reps, office + support services, & legal services, to name a few!

No one pays dues until the union membership has voted to ratify a contract. CIR members have never ratified a contract with benefits that do not outweigh the cost of dues.

What are the benefits of a union? What will we bargain for in our first contract?

As a union, we’ll have the federally protected right to bargain over our terms and conditions of employment, including things like pay, benefits, leave time, and workplace policies. This will all be protected by a legally enforceable contract.

This is our union and what we bargain for will be up to us! To determine what issues matter most to GW housestaff, we’ll distribute comprehensive surveys and polls, and hold union meetings.

I’m afraid of retaliation. Can they take away our benefits and perks?

It is illegal for an employer to retaliate against their employees for unionizing, and that includes taking away benefits.

Without a union, GW can change our working conditions at any time. But with a union, we’ll have the power to make positive changes in our jobs + protect and advance our interests.

What have other CIR residents won?

Check out an entire page devoted to this!

Some examples: 

• UC Davis bargained for a $6,500/annual housing stipend and UCLA won a $12,000/annual housing stipend; both  subject to yearly % increases

• NYC Health + Hospitals bargained for a $3,500/year childcare reimbursement. 

• BMC won $88,000 for a housestaff-run diversity committee. BMC and CHA residents also get paid extra for being called in off “backup.”

All CIR contracts are viewable at cirseiu.org/benefits. Click through to find other CIR wins!

I’m worried the new contract won’t be tailored to our department-specific needs. Will the new contract be one-size-fits-all?

This is not a “one-size-fits-all” agreement, but a “no department left behind” one. CIR contracts simply ensure that all housestaff receive the same base level of benefits, not prevent additional ones. 

Many CIR chapters have bargained for department-specific benefits like full-time reading room assistants in radiology at UCSF and $1200 reimbursement for ortho loupes at Valley Consortium, the list goes on!

Will I be forced to go on strike? How will we get things done without striking?

Striking is rare, and you will never be forced to go on strike. No CIR chapter can go on strike without the approval of the chapter’s members. 

We have other tactics that we would use before deciding to escalate to a strike vote: button-ups, unity breaks, demonstrations, political pressure, etc.

How can a union improve patient care?

A key part of many CIR contracts is dedicated patient care funds for needs identified by housestaff. There's no doubt that we care about our patients and that we will be reflected in our union.

CIR residents across the country have secured improvements in patient care, such as patient care funds and access to interpreters. Ex. NYC H+H residents won $1 million for new equipment and training.

I'm an international graduate and don't want to jeopardize my position. What are my rights?

CIR/SEIU has numerous foreign medical graduates as members, including many who are here pursuant to an H1-B visa or J-1 visa.

It is illegal for any employer to retaliate against visa holders for union activity, and GW is aware of this. Supporting a union is legal and will not jeopardize your visa.

We conducted a town hall on April 13th with CIR's legal services, including their immigration lawyers, to provide answers to any questions that our members had. If you were unable to attend, please don't hesitate to reach out to us, and we will make sure that your questions are addressed.

I’m afraid of creating an adversarial relationship with my program leadership. Will voting “yes” impact my career?

A union should not get in the way of preexisting relationships with specific faculty. Instead, 1.) it protects our interests and rights in case the attitudes or personnel of leadership changes and 2.) allows us to seek changes that program leadership is unable to achieve on our own

Since each program is different, how does a union deal with that in negotiations?

By listening to our members! Before we begin bargaining, we’ll form a bargaining team made up of housestaff from every department so all needs and concerns are heard and advocated for across the board.

It’s important to remember that what we negotiate in our contract is not a ‘ceiling’, but a floor. There is nothing inherent to a union contract that would limit department-specific resources and stipends from being granted. Holding back those benefits would be purely at the discretion of the department and the GME

Does joining a union interfere with my education in any way (e.g. duty hours restrictions leading to missing cases)?

Nope! Members set the priorities at all CIR bargaining tables and if the members do not have the desire to press on certain issues that implicate education, they will not be moved.

For example, we would not mandate a ‘universal approach’ to electives and team structures as this is not how clinical care is conducted.

We have a GME office, housestaff council, and chief residents who already represent our interests. Why rock the boat with a union?

A union is our collective voice with the sole purpose of advocating for improvements with the people in power above our program directors. GME can be a great ally, but its responsibility is to the institution. A significant number of our organizing members are part of the housestaff council, and they firmly believe that establishing a union will provide the necessary support to the council to ensure it has a substantial influence on decision-making processes.

When residents have a unified voice, it can actually empower GME and the chiefs to better advocate for changes otherwise unseen by hospital administrators. 

I'm happy with my program. Why should I join?

There are many reasons to support a union even if you're happy in your program. Concern for fellow residents is a motivator for some.

Even if satisfied, keep in mind that benefits can always be taken away (due to transitions in leadership or other reasons) without the protection of a union contract.