We are residents and fellows from diverse specialties across BWH, MEEI, MGH, Newton-Wellesley, Salem Hospital, and SRH who have come together to organize a housestaff union.

We are building collective power to advocate for a just, safe, and equitable MGB for all housestaff, workers, and patients. We invite all housestaff to continue to shape this vision. Are you ready to join us and fight for safer patient care and more humane working conditions?

Our union was officially recognized by the NLRB after the conclusion of a secret ballot election with 1215 YES to 412 NO votes.

Our Goals

Solidarity with our patients

  • A collective voice to advocate for patient safety and equitable patient care, such as funding for QI initiatives, safe staffing ratios, patient care funds, and improved access to interpreter services.

Adequate compensation and benefits

  • Compensation commensurate with the cost of living in Boston, including housing and moving stipends and retirement matching

  • Financial support or subsidized childcare for housestaff with children

  • Access to resources that support housestaff wellbeing, such as on-site exercise equipment and 24 hour/day healthy food via meal cards or food delivery.

Safe and healthy working and learning conditions

  • Universal coverage of necessary workplace equipment (e.g. surgical loupes, lead radiation protection)

  • Support for education and career development, such as funding to pay for Step 3, board prep resources, support for attending academic conferences, and protected time for fellowship and job interviews

  • Protected time for personal health needs, with fair compensation for colleagues who provide coverage

  • Accommodations for housestaff with disabilities and illnesses, including pregnant and parenting housestaff

Solidarity with our colleagues

  • A living wage, adequate benefits, and humane working conditions for all MGB employees.

Do you have questions about unions?

Of course you do! This is probably your first union, unless you were lucky to have a union during a prior residency, fellowship, or other job!

We have lots of answers.

MGB Housestaff Union Platform

Want to download the platform as a PDF for printing? Click the button! Or, get in touch with us to get plenty of print materials and CIR swag.