Statement in Support of Palestine

As a union of physicians deeply committed to social justice and the well-being of all communities, we extend our resolute support to the Palestinian people in their decades-long struggle for liberation and justice. The ongoing acts of ethnic cleansing and genocide perpetrated by the Israeli government demand not only our collective condemnation but also prompt, decisive action.

The careless disregard for civilians shown by the indiscriminate bombing of civilian-occupied spaces is unconscionable, besides being in violation of international law. In addition, the deliberate weaponization of deprivation, encompassing water, energy, food, fuel, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid, against the people of Gaza constitutes genocidal actions that grossly violate the most fundamental standards of human decency. The forced displacement of communities, particularly vulnerable populations such as children, the sick, elderly, pregnant individuals, and disabled individuals, stands as a stark affront to the core principles of social justice.

Furthermore, we vehemently condemn all forms of violence and discrimination, be it anti-Palestinian, anti-Islamic, anti-Arab, or antisemitic. It is imperative to disentangle Jewish identity from the actions of the Israeli state and Zionism, preventing the harmful conflation that perpetuates violence and hatred.

As healthcare workers who advocate for those in need of care and healing, and as a union with a long history of fighting for justice and human rights for all people, we call for immediate and decisive actions to address the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. We urge our members to demand the following:

• Call for a full and immediate ceasefire to halt the escalating loss of life and prevent further suffering.

• Prioritize and facilitate the immediate and consistent delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza to alleviate the dire conditions faced by its inhabitants.

• Advocate for the immediate restoration of essential services such as food, water, electricity, and internet to all of Gaza.

• Act diligently and aggressively to foster diplomatic and negotiated solutions, working towards lasting justice, security, safety, and peace for Palestinians, Israelis, and all people in the region.

In solidarity with those enduring these injustices, we stand committed to using our collective voice to advocate for a world where health, justice, and peace prevail for everyone.

-House Staff Association Council

Call your US senators and representative:

Senate

Dick Durbin: (202) 224-2152

• Illinois senator who is also currently the minority whip.

Tammy Duckworth: (202) 224-2854

House

Danny Davis: (202) 225-5006

• (if you live in the district around the hospital, otherwise search here)

New CBA Highlights

Dear Housestaff,

This notice is to inform you of the upcoming vote on the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) contract with Cook County, where we hope to ratify the agreement. The vote will take place on January 10th, 2022. Your house staff council has worked tirelessly over the past year and a half to negotiate our working conditions with our employer and to represent our house staff’s shared interests. Attached is a copy of the changes to the CBA that you will be voting on.

Below is an abbreviated list of improvements, for your convenience:

• Bonus pay in the pre-tax amount of $2000 this academic year and $1000 next AY.

• Pandemic pay in the pre-tax amount of $1000.

• General wage increases retroactive to 6/1/21 as outlined in the CBA, with 1.5% across the board upon ratification of the contract. The total increase over 4 years will be 8.5%.

• Increase in moonlighting pay (pre-tax) from $57.22/hr to $93.75/hr.

• Change to meal stipend: Every paycheck will include a taxable stipend for food, in the amount of $211.54 (pre-tax) per paycheck. This will be put in place instead of the meal card.

• Paid time off for bereavement (total of 3 days, may be 5 days depending on location)

• Paid time off for 12 national holidays and 2 floating holidays, as well as an increase in the window of time to use banked holidays (total of 120 days, whereas the prior contract limited the window to the end of that academic year).

• Total of $1500 reimbursement that can be used towards educational expenses and conferences. Timing of reimbursement to be generally within 30 days.

For this new CBA to be approved, 51% of registered members who participate must vote yes. Only registered members can participate in the vote and the last day to register will be one week prior to the vote. Please stay tuned for notice of a House Staff Association event that will take place 12/20 at 12pm, where there will be an opportunity to learn more about the HSA and to discuss the CBA prior to the vote. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of having a powerful representative body for house staff has become increasingly evident. We are grateful for our union’s time-tested presence and for your commitment to our shared workplace.

Sincerely,

House Staff Association Council