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DOCTORS COUNCIL BARGAINS OVER 10% WAGE
INCREASES IN NEW CONTRACT FOR CITY DOCTORS

Doctors Council - New York City\ HHC\ Mayoral
2002 - 2005 Contract

After a long bargaining process, in December 2004 Doctors Council was able to bargain
successfully for over 10% wage increases for our members/doctors employed by the City of New York.  This contract covers doctors working at the Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) and the Mayoral Agencies, including the Department of Health (DOH) and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME).

Doctor Barry Liebowitz, President of Doctors Council, is pictured to the right, shaking hands with Richard Yates, of the Office of Labor Relations (OLR) of the City of New York as the agreement was reached.


The new contract covers approximately 1,250 doctors and is a 3-year deal running from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2005.  There is a $1,000 lump sum payment for full-time doctors pro-rated for part-time doctors.  A 3% salary increase is retroactive to July 1, 2003, and another 1% compounded salary increase is retroactive to July 1, 2004.  On February 1, 2005, HHC full-time and part-time doctors will receive another compounded 5.7964% salary increase and Mayoral Agency full-time and part-time doctors will receive another compounded 6.2097% salary increase.  The February 2005 increases are the result of the doctors agreeing to work an extra half-hour each work day.  The compounded effect of these increases for HHC and Mayoral Agency doctors results in over 10% wage increases.
 
 "We reached a very good contract that rewards our members for the hard work they do every day.  The contract meets the recruitment needs of the hospitals and facilities in the New York City public health system by raising the salary rates to hire new doctors as well as addressing the need to retain doctors who have serviced the public and our patients by raising our salaries to be more competitive," said Barry Liebowitz, M.D., President of Doctors Council, pictured to the left addressing Doctors Council members at the ratification meeting.
 
In mid-2003, 72% of the Doctors Council members responding to a Bargaining Survey stated they would be willing to work an extra-half hour each workday to secure a greater wage increase on the understanding that most if not all were working the extra time already and were not being compensated for it.  The House of Delegates of Doctors Council also decided not to agree to another 1% wage increase for July 1, 2004, because this would have resulted in new hire salaries being lowered by 15%, and a reduction in many benefits, including vacation accrual, sick time, holidays and terminal leave.  This was a strong showing of solidarity with future union members and doctors yet to be hired.  The goal was not to hurt recruitment of doctors, which could impact upon staffing and patient care, as well as to not create a two-tier system of pay and benefits.

The contract was ratified in early December 2004 and is in effect.  It is important that members read and understand the provisions, especially as they apply to different job classifications.  If you have any questions about the new contract, please call our office at (212) 532-7690 and ask to speak with your Contract Administrator.  Pictured to the right are Doctors Council members at the ratification meeting.

We have been informed by HHC that the $1,000 lump sum and the 3% pay raise retroactive to July 1, 2003 will be paid and implemented by January 28, 2005.  The HHC hourly/sessional doctors will receive this by February 4, 2005.  We have been informed that the Mayoral Agencies, including the Department of Health and OCME, will pay the $1,000 lump sum by December 31, 2004, and the 3% pay raise retroactive to July 1, 2003 will be paid and implemented by January 14, 2005.  For both HHC and the Mayoral Agencies, the compounded 1% pay raise retroactive to July 1, 2004, with the retroactive money paid and the increase will be implemented as soon as the City of New York and our union have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding or completed an integrated contract.  We will endeavor to ensure that this occurs as soon as possible.  The February 1, 2005 further compounded pay increase, for eligible classifications of employees, will be 5.7964% for HHC members and 6.2097% for Mayoral members.

The Doctors Council contract with the City of New York was also announced at a press conference at City Hall with Mayor Michael Bloomberg.  Pictured to the right is Doctor Barry Liebowitz to the right of Mayor Bloomberg addressing the press.

The excellent gains in our new contract, especially the over 10% compounded pay increases (for most eligible classifications of members), are due to the hard work of our Bargaining Committee and House of Delegates.  We encourage you to be informed and involved and to attend meetings, especially membership meetings.  It is important to be aware of what our rights and benefits are and to enforce them.