AFT’s Weingarten Calls Reintroduction of the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act a Lifeline

WASHINGTON—AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement on the reintroduction of the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, which requires the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to develop enforceable safety standards for frontline healthcare and social service workers, who are five times more likely to be assaulted at work than the rest of the labor force:

“Workplace violence in the healthcare industry was rampant before COVID, with the pandemic only exacerbating the safety issues facing frontline workers. That’s why our union launched  the Code Red campaign to address workplace violence, secure safe patient limits and other crucial protections to improve the quality of care our patients receive; and it’s why this bill addressing workplace violence is so crucial. 

“Our nurses, health techs, social service workers and other health professionals deserve much better than their current reality. They take care of us when we need them—and devote their careers to looking after the aging, the sick and the injured—yet, they’re still begging for basic workplace rights from their employers. I thank Rep. Joe Courtney and Sen. Tammy Baldwin for introducing this vital bill and urge its quick passage.” sarah