The Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD) and University Medical Resident Services P.C. (UMRS) are very pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached that addresses the salary, health care and professional development needs of UB medical residents and fellows.

The contract was ratified with an overwhelming 96% affirmative vote on Dec. 13 by UB medical residents and fellows, who are represented by UAPD. It is effective immediately and extends through June 2027.

The union contract is a first for UB’s medical trainees and provides salaries on par with peer New York State medical schools, as well as funding for their health insurance costs and professional development. Other contract highlights include:

• Salary increases ranging from 17.3% to 34.4% over the three-year contract (depending on program year).
• Caps on health care premiums.
• Establishment of a Labor/Management Committee and Stakeholder-HSO Working Group to improve communication between stakeholders and troubleshoot workplace issues.
• Establishment of resident and fellow peer representatives to provide contract education, contract enforcement and workplace support.
• Annual $2,000 per resident education and professional development fund.
• $500 contract signing bonus.
• Annual $40,000 emergency medical expense fund (for residents and fellows experiencing hardship due to out-of-pocket medical expenses).
• Robust union protection and grievance procedures.
• UAPD union dues of 0.9% — the lowest physician dues in the United States.
• $1,500 annual chief resident salary supplement.

“This is a game-changing first contract for Buffalo’s frontline providers,” says UAPD President Stuart Bussey. “We look forward to working with UMRS and the University at Buffalo’s Office of Graduate Medical Education to make residents’ workplace even stronger, as well as help recruit the nation’s finest medical trainees to Western New York.”

“UMRS is pleased that this agreement has been reached and ratified,” says UMRS legal counsel Lawrence Ross. “UMRS, its hospital partners and the UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences will continue to partner to provide residents and fellows with exceptional medical training and learning opportunities as all parties work together to improve health care in Western New York.”

Allison Brashear, vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School, says the agreement reflects the medical school’s commitment to providing a supportive, innovative and high-quality residency program in which to train the next generation of patient-centered physicians.

“With this agreement in place, the Jacobs School, UMRS and our hospital partners remain committed to providing outstanding training and educational opportunities for our current and future residents,” Brashear says. “We value their dedication to service and learning as they prepare for long and fruitful careers as physicians committed to improving lives in Western New York and beyond.

“Moving forward together, let us continue to uphold our shared mission to providing outstanding health care to our community.”

Joanne Adams, a first-year UB pediatrics resident says: “We are so grateful for the support we received from UB, colleagues, sister unions and patients. This is a monumental step in improving the health and wellness of residents and fellows, not just in Buffalo, but across the United States.”

Adds Steven Moran, a second-year UB resident in internal medicine: “With the contract finally completed, residents and fellows are eager to continue to deliver outstanding patient care to the Buffalo community.”