Updated: April 6, 2024, at 10:18 p.m.
More than 290 medical residents and fellows at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences signed a petition calling on University President Ellen Granberg to accelerate a collective bargaining agreement.
A supermajority of union members sent the petition to Granberg on Wednesday, which alleges “the management-side approach to negotiations has been purposefully delayed.” The petition calls on Granberg to immediately intervene to secure responses to the union’s proposals, which include equitable compensation and well-maintained facilities.
“We appreciate your time and consideration on these important issues and look forward to reaching a prompt consensus regarding them,” the petition states.
Residents and fellows voted overwhelmingly to form the union last April because some residents and fellows expressed a desire for higher salaries. Discussions to form the union began in 2018, but the pandemic rekindled the push to unionize by spotlighting the exploitation of workers within the medical field.
The petition states that well-maintained facilities are necessary “for a safe and efficient work environment” and to maintain quality care for patients.
“These priorities are crucial for advancing patient equity and fostering a culture of fairness and respect within our hospital community,” the petition reads.
University spokesperson Julia Metjian said the University has engaged in “good faith negotiations” with the union since September. She said University representatives have attended every scheduled negotiation meeting.
“The parties agreed to initially focus negotiations on non-economic topics and we have made steady progress in those areas,” Metjian said in an email Friday.
She said GW representatives look forward to responding to the economic proposals the union submitted last week.
“The University has been, and will continue to be, committed to consider all union proposals in good faith throughout this important process,” Metjian said.
This post was updated to include the following:
The Hatchet updated this post to include a statement from University spokesperson Julia Metjian.
