CIR Members in Modesto Win New Contract
July 2007
Negotiating committee members gather around as the new contract agreement is signed by representatives from CIR and the County. |
On May 3rd, the CIR negotiating team at Doctor's Medical Center in Modesto, CA met with the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency to start the process of contract negotiations. Historically, the Family Residency Program has been one of Modesto's gems. Not only do residents embark on three years of rigorous training, during which local patients receive high-quality healthcare, but residents also often stay past residency to work in the Modesto community long-term.
With that in mind, the bargaining goals of Modesto’s CIR members focused on enhancing the union contract so that the program can continue recruiting the high-caliber physicians who offer so much to the community. Recognizing the dual increases of both the burden of medical educational debt and the cost of living in Modesto, the negotiating committee decided its top priority would be securing increases in three key areas: salary for incoming interns, professional development funds, and bilingual pay. These goals were achieved when CIR members voted on June 13th to unanimously to ratify a three-year contract that includes a 10% salary increase with an additional 2% equity increase for interns, an increase in bilingual pay, and a $300 increase per PGY for professional development.
"Negotiating our contract was an interesting and educational experience,” said Dr. Christie Garb, a negotiating committee member. “Being part of CIR helped us obtain a significant increase in our incomes and other benefits. This will help us attract more competitive applicants and ultimately more capable doctors. As many graduates of our program stay in the area, a more competitive residency will definitely be a continuing benefit to our community."