Stopping
violent attacks
By DEBORAH A. MILES
PEF has been taking an aggressive stand on stopping violence in the workplace,
especially at mental health facilities where patients routinely injure staff and
get away with it.
PEF Vice President Pat Baker, labor-management chair for the state Office of
Mental Health (OMH), spearheaded the effort because what she saw and heard from
members was “too appalling for words.”
“To help stop these vicious attacks, I’ve been working with council leaders at
the various facilities,” Baker said. “We’ve organized sticker campaigns and
tours for lawmakers. The goal is to visit each facility and find ways to end the
violent attacks.”
Hope for Bronx PC
The most recent visit was at the Bronx Psychiatric Center in May when Peter
Rivera, chair of the state Assembly Mental Health Committee, toured the
facility.
His visit was prompted by the center’s approximately 30 violent incidents per
month, and the highest number of staff accidents or injuries in the region.
“About 73 percent of the Bronx PC staff have experienced some kind of workplace
violence,” said Darlene Williams, PEF Division 213 council leader.
“The patients who are frequent assaulters are felons who come here straight from
prison,” Williams continued.
“Assembly Member Rivera’s visit is giving us some hope the violent attacks will
be addressed more seriously.”
Skull
split open
More than 100 PEF and Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members met
with Rivera and told him about a doctor who was beaten unconscious, a nurse
whose skull was split open, and another who lost an eye.
They talked about short staffing levels, and how vulnerable staff are to
attacks, especially in the hallways.
“More needs to be done to protect those who care for the mentally ill,” Williams
said.
Parents and family members who belong to the NYS Alliance for the Mentally Ill
also attended.
Baker, who invited Rivera to tour the facility, said, “Action needs to be taken
on a local and statewide level.
“We were glad to hear the assaulters may be treated as such in the future,”
Baker said, referring to Rivera’s promise to contact Bronx District Attorney
Robert T. Johnson and Bronx Police Commander Thomas Purtell.
Rivera said he was uncomfortable knowing the clients accused of committing the
assaults were still at the facility or were never charged. He also indicated he
would ask Johnson and Purtell to meet with members there.
“Jailing patients who attack our doctors and nurses is one answer to preventing
the violence. The other is to ensure proper staffing at each facility, so people
don’t have to be alone with someone who has a history of violence,” Baker said.
“The Legislature needs to step-up to the plate and pass laws that ensure safe
staffing levels, as other states have done.
The Communicator
July/August 07
Features
Nurses'
power rally
works
PEF
nurse saves child
Contract team
gives GOER list
Saving
School for the Blind
DOCS conference productive
Departments
President's
Message
Legislative
Action
You
Said It: Letters To The Editor
Health
and Safety
Retirees
In Action
Getting
To Know PEF
Member
Mobilization
Health
Notes
Member
Highlights
Membership
Benefits &Travel
Union
Matters
Convention
delegate list
Bronx
PC: Stopping violent attacks
Scacalossi
winners
Unions,
DMV renew Quality license
Executive
Board news
PEF runs in Corporate
Challenge
Other Links
Professional
Directory
Members'
Classified
Communicator
Feedback
Prefer
The Online Edition?
How
To Advertise with PEF
The Communicator
Staff
Website
questions ?
Communicator
Webmaster