Rowan Univeristy resident physicians gathered Wednesday morning and voice outrage saying the university has strip them of their dignity by refusing to settle a fair contract with the residents' union after two years. Watch video
STRATFORD -- It's been six years since resident physicians at Rowan University's School of Osteopathic Medicine got a salary increase -- something they believe is long overdue.
Resident physicians from the school gathered outside the campus in Stratford Wednesday morning in rain to voice outrage at the university. They said the university has stripped them of their dignity by refusing to settle contract negotiations with their union after two years.
The 250 physicians-in-training continue to "work tirelessly, up to 80 hours a week, working under an expired contract," according to a statement issued by the bargaining committee for the residents.
The university's has offered only "hard-headed and cold-hearted demands for concessions," according to a statement.
With some dressed in white lab coats and others in green medical scrubs, residents held signs reading statements like: "Contract Now" and "Resident physician saving lives for $12.25 an hour."
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"To do all of this, we sacrifice our own well-being and time with our own family members," said 34-year-old Chief Surgical Resident Kay Yoon-Flannery, at a podium on campus grounds.
"We miss our children's first day of school, their birthdays, our best friend's wedding, our grandmother's funerals, and other important milestones," said Yoon-Flannery, who is in her ninth year at the RowanSOM. "We always put our patients first. And we deserve dignity and a fair contract now."
Rowan spokesman Joe Cardona wouldn't discuss specifics of the negotiations. He said the university pledged from the beginning to not talk about them publicly.
Cardona said "there has been plenty of talk" and "back and forth discussion" between the union and university.
State Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester County) said by phone Wednesday late afternoon that he hopes both sides can come together a resolve the matter soon.
"It's been a long time since they have (had an increase) and I really hope these parties can get into a room and resolve this," Sweeney said.
The Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU Healthcare is representing the residents in negotiations.
Rowan is being represented by the New Jersey Office of Employee Relations.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
