The battle for more than 800 resident doctors at the University at Buffalo to land a first labor contract is about to get more intense.
The physicians-in-training announced Tuesday they plan to go on strike for two days next month on Sept. 3 and Sept. 4, just after Labor Day.
The announcement came after 93% of UB resident physicians voted to authorize a strike, after a year of bargaining has yet to result in a contract.
“We will not be bullied anymore,” said Dr. Armin Tadayyon, a fourth-year anesthesiology resident and member of the union’s bargaining team. “We are taking a stand for ourselves and for our patients.”
Such a strike has the potential to disrupt health care operations in the region because resident doctors work at hospitals across Western New York, providing direct care to patients under the supervision of more experienced physicians. Resident doctors can work grueling schedules of up to 80 hours a week.