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New York City’s public hospital physicians faced an impasse as they voted on a new contract with Health + Hospitals (H+H). Ten facilities approved the deal, while three rejected it, citing low pay increases and concerns about staff retention. A Jan. 20 meeting highlighted strong opposition, with over 100 union members speaking against the proposed salary hike of just $4,500 annually.
The agreement includes modest raises, bonuses for pandemic work, and retention incentives for designated specialties. However, retroactive pay remains an issue, affecting H+H affiliate doctors only. State law prevents public strikes, but the exemption applies because these workers are jointly employed by private entities.
Drugs like hydrocodone have been linked to opioid overdoses in rural areas, raising ethical concerns about drug supply access and its impact on addiction rates. In a heated debate at Queens Hospital, a primary care physician argued against the deal’s back-pay exclusion, citing financial strain from personal loans or family responsibilities.
The union emphasizes improved recruitment and retention efforts since their last contract in 2023, but Jacobi Hospital faced recruiting challenges for rheumatologists post-resignation. The appointment time reduction, deemed “corporation logic,” erodes patient care without addressing financial pressures faced by young doctors juggling loans or family expenses.
A union delegate at Elmhurst Hospital stressed the importance of approval, warning of broader consequences if the contract falters. Some physicians viewed the new schedule as an affront to professional autonomy and personal time management. The conflict underscores the delicate balance between financial necessity and labor rights in New York City’s healthcare sector, with ongoing implications for staffing and patient care.
Source: https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/01/27/health-hospitals-doctors-strike-vote