Elmhurst Hospital Residents Poised To Strike, Seek Pay Parity

QUEENS — Mount Sinai resident physicians at Elmhurst Hospital are set to strike Monday if their employer fails to agree to demands over wages, setting the stage for what could be the first physicians' strike in over 30 years.

More than 160 doctors employed by the Icahn School of Medicine in Elmhurst will strike starting May 22 at 7 a.m. as the unionized resident physicians continue to bargain with Mount Sinai over pay parity and better bargaining practices.

The union met with Mount Sinai officials Thursday night, but "residents and Mount Sinai were unable to come to an agreement," the Committee of Interns and Residents said.

“It feels so unjust that we, as largely immigrant doctors serving this working class immigrant community in Queens, have to beg to get what we need to pay our rent, and from a corporation like Mount Sinai that touts its commitment to New York communities,” said Dr. Tanathun Kajornsakchai.

Unionized physicians make up to $7,000 less annually than non-union residents working at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, according to the union.

The strike will move forward just days after resident physicians at Jamaica and Flushing Hospitals reached a tentative agreement with MediSys Health Network several hours before doctors were set to begin a strike.

The operator agreed to raise salaries, implement extra shift pay, include up to six weeks of family and medical leave, and carry out hazard pay.

The last strike, held by 600 nonmedical workers at Jamaica Hospital, took place in 1990.