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COLER-GOLDWATER DOCTORS WIN NEW 3-YEAR
CONTRACT WITH ROOSEVELT ISLAND
MEDICAL ASSOCIATES

  DOCTORS COUNCIL SECURES 12% INCREASE PLUS JOB PROTECTION GAINS

New York, NY: On Wednesday, August 13^th, by a unanimous vote, doctors at Coler-Goldwater Hospital on Roosevelt Island ratified a 3-year contract with Roosevelt Island Medical Associates (RIMA), providing them with a total 12% increase.  The first increase of 2% is retroactive to July 1, 2003, with three additional 2% increases effective on January 1, 2004, July 1, 2004 and January 1, 2005.  A 4% increase is effective July 1, 2005. 

The approximately 75 doctors at Coler-Goldwater are represented by Doctors Council.  This is the second Coler-Goldwater contract negotiated by Doctors Council.  It is the 4^th contract overall that has been negotiated by Doctors Council since January.

“Doctors Council is very pleased to announce the ratification of this contract, which significantly boosts the salaries of Coler-Goldwater doctors and provides them with additional job protections and a host of increased benefits,” said Barry Liebowitz, M.D., President of Doctors Council.  

The contract contains some important provisions aimed at retaining doctors at Coler-Goldwater and strengthening job security including a clause that prevents the hospital from subcontracting or privatizing services that are already provided by Coler-Goldwater doctors.

Other contract highlights include the following: 

• Doctors Council is now recognized as the sole and exclusive bargaining representative for the doctors employed by RIMA at any future facilities that RIMA chooses to operate, provided that majority status is established. 
  
• Newly established longevity differentials of $1,000 for doctors who have worked for 5 years and $1,500 for those who’ve worked10 years.  
   
• Board certification differentials increased from $3,000 to $4,000 for the 1^st board and for the first time, a $2,500 differential for certification in each additional specialty. 
   
• Continuing Medical Education reimbursement increases from $2,000 to $2,500 per year. 
   
• For the first time, RIMA will pay 50% of the insurance premiums for part time doctors.  These doctors will save approximately $4,500 per year as part of the newly negotiated medical benefit package. 
   
• Additionally, though for all doctors there is an increase in health insurance premiums from $48 to $60 per month for individuals and $120 to $150 per month for family coverage, there will be no increase in deductibles, co-pays or out of pocket expenses for the duration of the contract.  
   
• For the first time, all doctors working 17 ½ hours per week will receive a Doctors Council benefit package including a $1,250 contribution from RIMA to the benefit plan, dental, optical, free physical exam, legal services, psychological benefits, disability, mammography, podiatry, and a $300 tax free reimbursement per year for out-of-pocket expenses or prescription drug costs. 
   
• Establishment of a Patient Care Committee where doctors and management will meet once a month to discuss patient issues.

Doctors Council, an organization of doctors, by doctors, and for doctors, is the nation's oldest and largest union of attending physicians in the United States, with over 3,700 members in the New York Metropolitan Area.  On March 1, 1999 Doctors Council affiliated with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).  As part of the affiliation, Doctors Council partnered with two of SEIU’s locals, the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR) and the United Salaried Physicians and Dentists (USPD) to create the National Doctors Alliance.                                     

The National Doctors Alliance has a membership of over 16,000 members nationwide. and its major functions are to address issues of common concern for doctors, and to determine the best and most efficient course of action for organizing new members here and around the country.

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