Doctor Trainees Solidify Union

Residents and interns at a private Boston hospital voted Tuesday to have their union membership recognized under federal law, a move that could set a precedent for about 90,000 other U.S. doctors-in-training.

A 177-1 vote for the Committee of Interns and Residents at Boston Medical Center marked the first time residents and interns at a private hospital cast ballots for federally protected union representation.

The hospital had recognized the interns and residents as union members, but they did not have the protection of federal labor law before Tuesday’s vote, which was made possible with a groundbreaking ruling from the National Labor Relations Board.

The board ruled last month that doctors-in-training who provide basic care at many of the nation’s private hospitals have the same rights as other workers to form unions, negotiate working conditions and go on strike.

“There are about 90,000 residents and interns in private hospitals around the country,” said Claudia Delmonaco, spokeswoman for the Committee of Interns and Residents. “So it opens up the possibility that they can form unions.”

The committee is affiliated with the Service Employees International Union and represents nearly 10,000 doctors-in-training at public hospitals in California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Washington.