Negotiations between UB physicians, medical resident services remain at impasse

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Negotiations between over 800 University at Buffalo resident physicians and University Medical Resident Services remain at an impasse on Wednesday after the union representing the physicians rejected the latest offer, the union said.

The union that represents the medical residents is the Union of American Physicians and Dentists.

The latest offer from UMRS, submitted to the union on Monday, called for sliding scale raises between 6.6% and 10.85% from 2024-2025, 5.48% to 10% from 2025-2026 and 3.5% to 9% from 2026-2027.

It is in response to the union's offer dated Aug. 19, which called for 8% to 10% from 2024-2025, 6.5% from 2025-2026 and then 4% to 6.6% from 2026-2027.

The union said in a statement to WIVB News 4 on Wednesday that the offer does not address retirement benefits, hazard pay, training stipends and more.

The union also upped its intended strike length to four days beginning on Sept. 3 after they previously said it would last two days. The striking will be across hospitals across the area with picketing focused at Buffalo General Hospital. For contractual reasons, residents at the Buffalo VA Medical Center will not strike there while on duty.

"This is a narrow, regressive offer from UMRS and the hospitals that doesn't even address the lack of retirement benefits, hazard pay, training stipends, or our terrible healthcare policy," UAPD lead negotiator Robert Boreanaz said. "It falls way short."

The physicians are seeking higher wages, affordable healthcare for themselves and “dignity and respect” in the workplace. Union officials claim that some physicians sometimes work up to 80 hours per week, which breaks down to minimum wage. UB resident physicians work at several hospitals across the area, including ECMC, Buffalo General, Buffalo VA Medical Center, Oishei Children’s Hospital and more.

The union also claims that they are the lowest-paid resident physicians in the state, including ones in Rochester and Albany.

UMRS said Tuesday that the offer is "virtually the same as was proposed by the union" and that if ratified, it would have taken effect for the first full pay period following the ratification.