Dozens of social workers from the University of California, San Francisco rallied at the UCSF Mission Bay campus on Thursday, demanding management add more safety measures for employees after a colleague was fatally stabbed last year while at work.
“What do we want? Safety!” protesters chanted. “When do we want it? Now!”
Thursday’s rally comes three months after UCSF social worker Alberto Rangel died when Wilfredo Tortolero Arriechi, a patient, allegedly stabbed Rangel at the HIV/AIDS clinic in Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.
“I was there that day,” said social worker Alejandro Alvarez told the crowd at the rally. “I was the one who pulled the attacker off my colleague. I made the decision in that moment knowing I could lose my life and I was nearly killed.”
Tortolero Arriechi allegedly went to the hospital with a concealed knife to speak to a doctor. He appeared calm and spoke to a social worker before being advised to leave. The suspect and Rangel then walked to an elevator together, where Tortolero Arriechi allegedly stabbed Rangel numerous times, according to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.
The stabbing sparked fears among UCSF staff and social workers, who called for UCSF to implement greater safety measures for staff, establish minimum staffing levels, reduce caseloads for social workers, and provide counseling and additional paid sick leave for workers affected by the tragedy.
“We’re calling for meaningful workplace safety precautions, protections, clear accountability structures, thoughtful and transparent investment and a seat at the table for frontline workers,” Alvarez said. “No more delays, no more silence, no more preventable harm.”
Supervisors Shamann Walton, Connie Chan and Matt Dorsey attended at the rally to show their support.
“We are demanding UC to hear us right now,” Chan said. “It shouldn’t take one of our workers’ deaths to raise the awareness for safe working environments.”
Social workers said they have previously tried to raise alarms over a lack of safety measures and worker protections at UCSF.
University Professional and Technical Employees-Communications Workers of America Local 9119, the union representing the social workers at UCSF, conducted a survey after Rangel’s death with 120 UCSF workers.
According to the survey results, 90% of respondents said they had previously experienced some type of verbal, sexual or physical assault while on the job, and that 81% reported feeling unsafe at work at least once a month.
Alvarez said he now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and that UCSF’s response to workers in the aftermath has not eased his worries.
“This was not just a tragedy,” Alvarez said. “It raises serious questions about how we listen, how we respond, and how we protect the very people holding the system together.”
The union said that UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood and university leadership have declined to meet to hear the concerns of the workers.
“UCSF does not take our concerns seriously,” said Matias Campos, a union bargaining team member, in a speech. “They have refused to meet with us to talk about these issues.”
It shouldn’t take one of our workers’ deaths to raise the awareness for safe working environments.
Supervisor Connie chan
But UCSF says it has met with the union and that the addition of increased safety measures and improved emergency procedures with patients are ongoing.
“Since December, UCSF leaders have been partnering with the San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH), as well as hospital, city, and union leaders, to review safety and security measures, patient-handling protocols, and workplace safety practices,” UCSF said in a statement. “Together, we met with unions, staff, faculty, and learners at ZSFG to listen carefully to their concerns.”
UCSF also said it provided counseling, options for leave, and compensation benefits for employees who were directly impacted by the stabbing.
Inside Mission Hall at UCSF, where the chancellor’s office is located, union members and social workers tried to meet with Hawgood to deliver a letter detailing their demands.
The crowd clapped and chanted “Where is Hawgood?” as police officers blocked off elevator access to Hawgood’s office.
Janell Hampton, a labor and employee consultant with UCSF, met with the union instead in the lobby since Hawgood was not available.
“I want to let you know that there’s no one in the office to receive your documents right now,” Hampton told the bargaining team. “I’m not in charge of the chancellor’s schedule, but your presence here has definitely been noted.”
The crowd erupted in disappointment and began yelling “Shame!”
“I was there when my colleague was killed in front of us,” social worker Julia Pascoe told Hampton. “These are the list of demands from our union. We also have been trying to have a meeting for three months.”
Hampton took the letter and tried to assure the union members that it would be received. The crowd’s booing echoed throughout the lobby as Hampton left with the letter.
Union members shouted “We’ll be back!” as they left the building.