Health workers protest UCSF, demand accountability for December stabbing

"We know staff feel unsafe. The mayor has been responsive. The city and Public Health has been responsive. But not our own employer. UCSF is not taking our concerns seriously and what we want is for them to meet with us."

"It's very challenging to be working with this population. You have patients who are psychotic. She recalled a time she once used a garbage can to shield herself from a violent patient, eventually escaping to a safe room at the clinic where she hid until police arrived."

"Rangel's fellow social workers cited a recent union survey that found that 90 percent of UPTE social workers reported having experienced physical, sexual, or verbal threats, assaults, or intimidation."

More than 100 social workers at UCSF Medical Center protested the institution's response to Alberto Rangel's fatal stabbing at San Francisco General Hospital. The union UPTE-CWA 9119 organized the rally, representing approximately 23,000 UC workers. A union survey revealed that 90 percent of UPTE social workers reported experiencing physical, sexual, or verbal threats, assaults, or intimidation. Social workers emphasized feeling unsafe in their roles, particularly when working with patients experiencing mental health crises or substance use disorders. While city officials and Public Health responded to concerns, protesters felt UCSF failed to adequately address workplace safety. The demonstration included a march to the chancellor's office, where protesters demanded a meeting to discuss their safety concerns.

Read at Mission Local