WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — George Washington University (GWU) Hospital officials announced Monday they reached a tentative deal with resident physicians, just hours ahead of a strike that was set to begin on Tuesday.
GWU issued the following statement Monday evening:
Earlier this evening, the residents union negotiators and the university reached a tentative agreement on a contract. The mutually agreed upon tentative agreement includes a range of new enhancements that address the union’s concerns, including compensation and support for mental health. The university is grateful for the continued dedication of clinical staff in providing patients with the highest quality of care.
Shannon McClendon, George Washington University
Hundreds of doctors voted to authorize a strike earlier this month, calling for better pay and mental health benefits. By then, negotiations between the university and resident physicians/fellows had been going on for more than a year.
“It does feel like we are going in circles, and we constantly keep bringing things to the table …basic things that we need, like adequate pay, mental health coverage,” Dr. Neha Gupta, resident physician in emergency medicine told DC News Now back on Dec. 3.
The Committee of Interns and Residents/Service Employees International Union (CIR/SEIU), the union representing the group, began negotiating with GWU in the fall of 2023. Since then, GWU has tracked bargaining sessions and updates on an online site.
