California – Union-Led Coalition Protects Hospital Patients, Workers
Dr. Stuart Bussey (center), president of the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD, AFSCME Local 206), speaks at a rally demanding safety for staff and patients at Napa State Hospital.
An AFSCME-led coalition successfully fought last year for a landmark law making it easier to protect mental health workers across the state, and it continues this year to push for even more safety reforms.
The ‘Safety Now!’ coalition was formed in the wake of the 2010 murder of a Napa State Hospital psychiatric worker by a patient, and other violent attacks. It is comprised of the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD, AFSCME Local 206), AFSCME Local 2620, the California Association of Psychiatric Technicians (CAPT), the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1000.
“The safety of our staff and of our patients is our number one concern,” says recreational therapist Zach Hatton, a member of Local 2620, which represents approximately 4,700 state health and social service workers, including chaplains, pharmacists, psychologists, rehabilitation counselors, rehabilitation therapists and social workers. “The outbreak of violence at Napa State Hospital affects employees and patients, and is the direct result of insufficient resources and questionable leadership.”
UAPD doctors at the hospital met regularly with other union leaders to address safety problems, but the state Department of Mental Health did not make the needed reforms – even after the murder. So the coalition turned up the heat, holding rallies, lobbying lawmakers and demanding improvements to protect workers.
‘Safety Now!’ succeeded, persuading lawmakers to pass a law that streamlines the process of giving stabilizing medications to mentally ill patients who refuse them. But other reforms – such as higher staffing levels that increase patient and staff safety – are still needed.
“The Department of Mental Health is threatening to make $100 million in cuts, and one of their proposals is lowering the ratio of treatment staff to patients,” said Dr. Laura Dardashti, a UAPD member who works as a psychiatrist at Metropolitan State Hospital. “We’ve been struggling for safety improvements for years and are already facing significant rates of daily violence. We will fight to make sure DMH’s budget cuts don’t put us and our patients at greater risk.”
