Docs On Strike In NYC
On Monday, May 22, 2023, more than 150 resident doctors at Elmhurst Hospital Center in Queens, New York City, initiated a strike. It marks the first physician strike in a New York City hospital in over 30 years.
Protesting against their low pay and working conditions, these resident doctors assert they earn less than their peers in wealthier Manhattan hospitals. Despite working in a public hospital in Queens and providing care for underprivileged patients, their pay disparity remains stark.
Another point of their protest concerns the excessive hours imposed on them. The resident doctors often face obligatory 24-hour shifts, an approach they argue is hazardous to both patients and doctors.
The strike poses significant implications for Elmhurst Hospital Center. Already struggling with a staffing shortage, the strike could aggravate the crisis, possibly causing care delays and decreasing care quality.
Moreover, the strike bears symbolic significance, reflecting the escalating dissatisfaction among resident doctors about their work conditions. It demonstrates a rising activism trend among resident doctors, who show growing readiness to act for the betterment of their working conditions.
The duration of the ongoing strike remains uncertain, but the resident doctors stand firm in their resolve. They demand improved pay, better working conditions, and a more compassionate healthcare system.