Statement of AFT President Randi Weingarten on the Introduction of the Workplace Violence Prevention in Healthcare and Social Services Act

WASHINGTON—AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement on the introduction by Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) of the Workplace Violence Prevention in Healthcare and Social Services Act (H.R. 7141):

“With workplace violence on the rise and with healthcare and social services workers suffering 69 percent of reported workplace violence, nurses and healthcare technicians can no longer assume every workplace is safe. 

“That is why this bill is needed. No one should face violence, intimidation or fear for their safety while they’re on the job. As a union of healthcare professionals, educators and public employees, we welcome this legislation because it outlines protections and specific safety standards for the people who care for the sick, treat the injured and work in other front-line care jobs. 

“Millions of Americans in the healthcare profession go to work every day to care for the sick, the elderly and the mentally ill, yet they don’t feel safe or protected themselves from the preventable and often tragic assaults that occur in hospitals and other healthcare-related settings. With this bill, we can change that. 

“The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has not protected these vulnerable workers under the Trump administration. Thankfully, Rep. Joe Courtney has stepped in to make federal workplace-safety regulations a priority.”