Detroit resident physicians file for union recognition

Adding to the ongoing surge of unionization activity in the last few years, a group of resident physicians in Detroit announced Friday that they have filed union authorization cards with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

This marks the first step of unionization for the health care workers, who work at Detroit Medical Center hospitals and are employed by the nonprofit Detroit Education & Research. 

“Resident physicians show up early, leave late and are the first point of contact for patient support. A union and collective bargaining will help ensure the administration is supporting residents the same way they support their patients,” said Shiv Misra, a second-year resident in the Med-Peds program.

“From cardiology and radiology to psychiatry, pathology, and urology, and everything in between, a resident is directly responsible for patient care wherever they are in the hospital. We look forward to hearing from the NLRB and [a] successful election.”

The group filing with the NLRB did so on Friday following an unsuccessful attempt for their union to be voluntarily recognized by the administration. Now, in the case of a successful election, the administration would be required to acknowledge and negotiate with the union.

The Alliance of Resident Physicians will be the new health care local representing the group, affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers Michigan (AFT), AFL-CIO.

Other successful health care organizing efforts in Michigan over the years have included United Physician Assistants of Michigan Medicine, AFT Local 5297 AFL-CIO and United Michigan Medicine Allied Professionals, AFT Local 6739 AFL-CIO.