University of Maryland residents and fellows celebrate election win

After years of tireless organizing, the residents and fellows at the University of Maryland Medical Center have achieved a historic milestone. On June 12 and 13, the health professionals voted to form a union, giving birth to the University of Maryland Residents and Fellows Alliance, which will be affiliated with AFT Maryland.

Determined to advocate for their rights and the well-being of their patients, these medical professionals saw unionization as the most effective path forward. The organizing committee is elated by this victory and the promise it holds for both current and future residents and fellows.

“This is an emotional day for all of us,” said Dr. Ari Goldstein, a third-year family medicine resident. “We have spent countless hours over the last couple of years pouring our hearts into this effort on top of our already taxing duties as residents and fellows. To see this come to fruition is incredibly special because we know this will not only be a step forward for the current residents and fellows of the hospital but also for all those to come. Furthermore, we know this will also have ramifications beyond serving to advance our interests. We will continue to seek the advancement of patient care interests as we now have a true seat at the table. We look forward to quickly coming to a contract agreement with UMMC so there is no distraction from residents and fellows doing what we do best: being an irreplaceable cog in the machinery of this hospital.”

Dr. Lo Tamburro, a second-year pathology resident, echoed this enthusiasm. “I’m so proud of all the residents and fellows I get to work alongside every day for coming together and showing out to give us this success. We have our union! It’s our first big step towards having a seat at the table with UMMC. I’m excited to see what we continue to accomplish together as we move on to the bargaining table to enhance resident and fellow well-being and patient care.”

This marks the first unionization of residents and fellows in Maryland. UMRFA joins the ranks of unionized residency programs at prestigious institutions like UCLA Medical Center, the University of Michigan Health System, and Boston University Medical Center. AFT Maryland is thrilled to welcome UMRFA into its state federation, bringing extensive experience from supporting healthcare practitioners through AFT Healthcare-Maryland and the Baltimore County Federation of Public Health Nurses.

AFT Maryland President Kenya Campbell praised the achievement.  “This is an exciting result for UMRFA. The organizing committee has worked diligently over the past several years to organize their colleagues into a union that is best equipped to advocate for themselves and their patients. Our state federation is excited to work with these brilliant medical minds to deliver great outcomes for workers that will only result in a better UMMC, and most importantly better quality of care for the surrounding community that relies on residents and fellows to keep us healthy and safe.”

[Adrienne Coles, AFT Maryland press release]