After months of negotiations, physicians and fellows at Bakersfield, Calif.-based Kern Medical Center reached an agreement with hospital management, according to an Aug. 7 news release shared with Becker's.
The physicians and fellows are represented by the Committee of Interns and Residents, and said the deal will "allow them to focus on providing the exceptional patient care the region depends on them for."
The new contract includes a 30% increase in pay for incoming residents during the duration of the contract. The contract also has expanded worker protections, including protection against retaliation and changes to on-call shifts. Meal stipend funds, bereavement leave and more flexible education funds were also included in the contract.
Kern Medical shared the following statement with Becker's: "Kern Medical is pleased to have reached an agreement with the Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU Local 1957 that also aligns with the upcoming new California minimum wage law SB 525."
CIRSEIU is the largest house staff union in the U.S., representing over 34,000 resident physicians and fellows.