By DARCY WELLSThe New York State District Attorneys Association (NYSDAA) met for its winter conference in New York City in January and the gathering provided an unprecedented opportunity for PEF.
For the first time, PEF leaders were included on the conference agenda to present PEF’s “Stop Workplace Violence” campaign.
“We reached out to the association late last year and requested time to address the group,” said PEF President Ken Brynien.
“We have been working for years trying to establish relationships with local district attorneys and this gathering provided a captive audience for us.”
Brynien opened the presentation by pointing out workplace violence is often treated in the legal community much like domestic violence was 30 years ago.
“Domestic violence was typically swept under the rug as a problem to deal with at home,” Brynien said.
“Thankfully, that changed over the years. Victims of workplace violence are met with those same barriers today.
“What we need is district attorneys willing to work with assault victims, public employers and labor leaders to prosecute criminal assault cases in state facilities,” he said.
“We
were well received and are confident that a strong working relationship is
underway.”In fact, strong working relationships have already been established as a result of efforts by PEF Vice President Pat Baker, labor-management chair for the state Office of Mental Health (OMH),
“This was part of our workplace violence campaign which I initiated out of OMH,” Baker said.
Baker brought Assembly Member Peter Rivera on board and arranged membership meetings with Albany County District Attorney David Soares and Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson.
They heard first-hand the workplace violence experiences of direct-care staff at the Capital District Psychiatric Center (CDPC) and the Bronx Psychiatric Center.
“This is just a beginning, but these initial meetings have already had a profound impact,” Baker said.
As a result, Soares and Johnson both assigned liaisons from their offices to work with PEF and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) leaders when prosecuting criminal assault cases.
“We are also working with management at both facilities to stop the cycle of violence and it’s having a positive impact, not only on workplace violence, but on overtime as well,” Baker said.
“A violent patient requires additional staff. By stopping violence, we also address the need for overtime.”
PEF Health and Safety Director Jonathan Rosen, who also spoke at the NYSDAA meeting, used the relationship with the DA in Albany County as an example.
“I explained how the progress being made in Albany County sets the stage for what could be happening at state facilities all across New York,” Rosen said.
Rosen brought pictures of members who have been injured on the job to demonstrate the reality of workplace violence.
“It was evident they understood the importance of their role. We left with an indication the DAs would hold regional meetings to follow up on our initiative.
“I am optimistic we can change the culture for law enforcement to begin to prosecute appropriate cases,” Rosen said.
“There is a pattern throughout mental health facilities,” Brynien added.
“A small number of patients are committing the majority of the assaults.
“Addressing those patients in particular will help break the pattern. With the help of local prosecutors, we are starting to see that happen.” he said.
