The University of Maryland Resident and Fellow Alliance (UMRFA) unanimously voted to ratify its first-ever union contract with the University of Maryland Medical Center.
The union’s first-ever collective bargaining agreement (CBA) includes a 20% salary increase over the next three years, an additional week of vacation time and major improvements to quality of life.
“This is a historic achievement that reflects the strength, solidarity, and perseverance of our resident and fellow physicians. We all came to train at UMMC to grow as physicians and to serve the Baltimore community with the highest level of care and compassion,” said UMRFA Bargaining Chair Dr. Lo Tamburro in a statement.
UMRFA, which represents over 900 resident and fellow physicians at UMMC, announced on Instagram Thursday evening that 100% of the voters said “yes” to the new contract. The agreement comes after almost a year of negotiating with the hospital, and 14 months after creating the union.
The CBA, which runs through July 30, 2028, includes the following:
- 20% pay increase over the next three years (8% in 2025, 6% in 2026 and 2027)
- A newly formed Labor-Management Committee for physicians to relay “specific or systemic concerns” of hospital staff to UMMC
- Four weeks of vacation time (increase from the previous three weeks)
- Creation of UMMC rideshare program for physicians to use after long and tiring shifts
- $650/year parking stipend
- $200/year meal stipend
- $1,500 in educational funds and exam reimbursement for higher education programs (up from previous $500)
The full list of benefits can be found on UMRFA’s website.
“From day one, we have been fighting for a contract that allows us to stay focused on our patients and not on things like how we’ll afford to live in the city we work in, protect our rights as trainees, get home after a long shift, or manage mounting student loan debt,” said Dr. Tamburro.
UMRFA is an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers-Maryland. AFT is part of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. The union is also representing some Maryland community colleges in their fight for union contracts.
“Residents and fellows at UMMC are the backbone of Baltimore’s healthcare system, and this first-ever contract is a monumental leap forward in improving their working conditions and quality of life, so they can continue to deliver critical care to all Marylanders,” said AFT Maryland President Kenya Campbell in a statement.
The union sent a petition to UMMC CEO Dr. Bert O’Malley in May demanding the hospital come to the negotiation table for better working conditions. Baltimore City councilmembers Jermaine Jones and Zach Blanchard also sent letters to Dr. O’Malley in support of a contract.
The two sides reached a tentative agreement on July 17 and officially ratified the contract Thursday. UMRFA will hold a contract celebration on Friday at Pratt Street Ale House from 6-8 p.m.
“This win is not just ours, it’s a step forward for the entire UMMC community and for the future of healthcare in our city,” Dr. Tamburro said.
