House Officers are Stronger Together
By coming together to form the House Officers Union (HOU, also known as AFCSME Local 4820), residents at OHSU have been able to negotiate for significant gains in our first contract. We have big plans for the future, and together, we can make OHSU an even better place to work.
| Topic | Before the Union | Protected in Our Contract |
| Vacation | Variable; as little as two weeks, depending on department | Four weeks for everyone |
| Housing stipend | None | $2,205 in academic year 2023-2024 |
| Relocation reimbursement | None | $1,000 |
| Raises | GME decision, based historically on the median point of the ACGME pay scale | Stable and predictable, at least 7% in academic year 2023-2024 |
| Equipment/education materials reimbursement | Various department amounts, ranging from $0 to $4,000 annually | $750 minimum in academic year 2024-2024, a $250 increase over the first year of the contract; no change to department amounts if higher |
| Health insurance | Same options as other OHSU employees, determined by Employee Benefits Council (EBC) | No change to current benefits; one voting seat on the EBC |
| Discipline and discharge | At-will employment, OHSU had full authority | Progressive discipline, no termination without just cause, transparent process for both academic and non-academic discipline |
| Workplace issues | Various committees | Addition of Labor-Management Committee, transparent grievance process with union representation and binding arbitration |
| Voice at work | House Officer Association made recommendations to management, with mixed results | Regular Labor-Management Committee meeting, legally binding collective bargaining process |
All of these improvments were made possible by House Officers standing together. You can help us continue to make OHSU a better place to practice medicine by joining our union today.