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STRONGER TOGETHER . . . . PATIENTS, COMMUNITY AND DOCTORS COUNCIL WORK TO
              PROTECT PATIENT CARE IN BROOKLYN

Physician Layoffs Averted at Woodhull Hospital and Cumberland D&TC
as Doctors Ratify New 3-Year Union Contract

In August 2004, patient care in the Brooklyn, New York community was threatened when up to 20 doctors were to be laid off on Friday, August 13th.  The doctors worked at HHC's Woodhull Hospital and the Cumberland D&TC.  Doctors Council SEIU, the union that represents the doctors, reached out to the patients, the community and the elected officials.  Proving that we are "Stronger Together", all the layoffs were avoided.

 Contract Action Works:
 "Putting the 'U' in Your Union…Actions + Words = Contracts and Success"

The doctors brought the issue of patient care directly to the patients and community. Standing in front of the hospital, in just over a week, more than 1,500 signatures were collected on petitions sent to hospital administration and politicians demanding that there be more doctors, not less to protect and ensure quality and safe patient care.  "Staffing is the Issue" was a central message, as the number of doctors effects the delivery of patient care, as well as the availability of procedures and services and the amount of time it takes to get an appointment.

In bargaining, over 115 doctors attended a negotiation session where for almost 2 hours, Doctors Council Representatives from each department explained the realities of working in a hospital and the importance of staffing.  Recruitment and retention was also an important issue, as the salary, benefits and job protection of a doctor is important in recruiting new doctors as well as keeping experienced ones.  At a bargaining session in August, patients and members from the community were scheduled to join the doctors in addressing hospital administration.  Prior to this, at the request of administration, a marathon bargaining session led to a successful new contract. 

 A no-layoff clause was achieved protecting doctors' jobs.  Guaranteed pay raises for each of the 3 years were won, including up to an additional 10% in productivity bonuses each year.  Recruitment and retention monies increased departmental minimum salaries, for example in the department of Medicine, by up to 15% immediately.  Other improvements included additional overtime pay, more longevity bonuses rewarding for years of service, and increased CME (Continuing Medical Education) reimbursement.  A Patient Care Committee to address patient care issues was solidified. 

The patients of the hospital and the community won, as with the no-layoff clause staffing of doctors will be protected.  When our union, Doctors Council, and the patients and communities work together, we are stronger together and patient care is protected.