Residents, interns, and fellows – also known as the house staff in a hospital – are unionizing across the United States. Once the pandemic started, the rate of organizing increased threefold and is expected to accelerate in 2023.

House staff are primarily joining the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR), which is a local of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). The CIR/SEIU represents approximately 15 percent of house staff in the U.S. (over 24,000 residents, interns, and fellows) in more than 60 hospitals coast to coast.

IRI believes the wave of unionizing will grow stronger in 2023 as more employees who are not traditional union members are swept up by the enthusiasm of frontline and white-collar workers across industries joining large labor unions or forming independent unions. In addition, the National Labor Relations Board continues to make it easier to start or join a union and is expected to accelerate its pro-union agenda during the current administration’s term in office. Now is the time for all healthcare facilities to retain expert labor relations consultants to assess union vulnerability and develop and implement preventive strategies.

Have questions about how to proceed?
Contact IRI at (313) 965-0350 or online to request an executive briefing for top-level leadership. We will update you on the latest and help you formulate an action plan to meet the needs of your unique workplace.

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