Supervisors’ Resolution Pushes for Health Care Worker Safety
In a bid to address the ongoing safety concerns of health care workers, Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin co-sponsored legislation aimed at staffing up essential health care workers in the city. However, Peskin emphasized that expanding the workforce is not possible if the health care system is not safe. He stressed the importance of safety for health care workers, who deserve a safe working environment just like everyone else. Peskin highlighted the need for OSHA enforcement to track and report assaults within hospital networks for transparency and accountability.
One health care worker, Golomb, expressed her appreciation for the supervisors’ resolution, stating that they are simply asking for respect and dignity from Sutter Health. Golomb mentioned ongoing negotiations for a contract and Sutter Health’s refusal to include language about 24/7 security in the inpatient psych unit. Sutter Health has not yet responded to requests for comment. Golomb and her colleagues announced their plans to unionize in January and have been negotiating a first contract with CPMC.
The residents have been pushing for increased safety measures at the hospital, including round-the-clock security in the inpatient psych unit and intensive care unit. While Sutter Health has stated its commitment to a fair contract and safe work environments, they have already invested nearly $40 million in security improvements for the unit where Golomb was attacked. Measures include the installation of cameras, panic buttons, duress alarms, and security officers stationed during the day. The supervisors’ resolution serves as a reminder that safety should be prioritized above all else when it comes to protecting those who work on behalf of our community’s health and wellbeing.
