Social workers demand UCSF improves safety after worker fatally stabbed by patient

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — UCSF social workers marched to the chancellor’s office on Thursday, calling for stronger workplace safety measures three months after a colleague was stabbed to death at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

The workers said they have repeatedly sought a meeting with UCSF leadership but have not received a response. “I was there when my colleague was killed in front of us. These are the list of demands from our union. We have also been trying to have a meeting for three months. It has been three months and one day and no one has been contacting us back about our safety about the inequities that exist,” said Julia Pascoe, a UCSF social worker.

A representative for the chancellor told the group the demands would be placed on his desk.

Some social workers say they have not returned to their jobs since the killing of Alberto Rangel, who was fatally stabbed by a patient weeks after staff raised concerns. “I feel like this tragedy was preventable had different measures been taken,” said clinical social worker Tia Blackburn.

Union leaders said the incident reflects broader safety issues. “We just completed a survey of people that are working in these areas and the number one concern is workplace violence and sexual harassment on the job and we think the biggest way to address this is increase our staffing. Some of our social workers are seeing 500-600 clients assigned to them,” said Matias Campos, executive vice president of the UPTE 9119 union.

In a statement, UCSF said it has worked with the San Francisco Department of Public Health to “implement meaningful improvements to security, reinforce reporting and response protocols, and continue evaluating additional steps to further reduce risk across hospital and community settings.”

City leaders also urged action. “In many respects it’s about making sure everyone understands from every part of local government and the university that public safety has to come first,” said San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey.

Below is the full UCSF statement provided to the station.

“UCSF Statement Regarding Support for Employees at ZSFG

UCSF and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) continue to mourn the death of our colleague, Alberto Rangel, who was killed last December while working at Ward 86. Our deepest sympathies remain with his family, friends, and coworkers. His loss continues to be profoundly felt across our community.

Violence in health care settings is a serious and growing national problem. Although tragedies like this one are rare, even one is too many. Every person who works in our hospitals, clinics, and community settings deserves a safe workplace.

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. Together, we met with unions, staff, faculty, and learners at ZSFG to listen carefully to their concerns.

Informed by these discussions, UCSF leaders partnered with DPH to implement meaningful improvements to security, reinforce reporting and response protocols, and continue evaluating additional steps to further reduce risk across hospital and community settings. This is ongoing, and we remain committed to continuous assessment and improvement.

We also provided counseling services, leave options, and workers’ compensation benefits to employees directly impacted by this tragedy. We continue to offer employer-covered support services and tailored leave options for those who need additional time off.

Concerns about intimidation, harassment, assault, or retaliation are taken seriously. Retaliation for raising workplace safety concerns is not tolerated. At UCSF and ZSFG, all employees are required to complete training on workplace violence, harassment, and reporting procedures. When concerns about intimidation, harassment, or assault are escalated, we review them promptly and take appropriate action.

Regarding UPTE’s survey, we have not independently reviewed the underlying data or methodology. We are interested in learning more about the information generated. Regardless of the source, concerns about workplace safety warrant careful attention, and we remain focused on engaging directly with our employees and labor partners to address issues raised through the appropriate channels.

On the issue of compensation, The Regents of the University of California – not UCSF – conduct collective bargaining with unions, including UPTE, at the systemwide level. UC and UPTE recently reached a labor agreement that includes compensation terms. Any additional compensation proposals must be addressed through the systemwide bargaining process.

UCSF and DPH remain closely aligned in our commitment to strengthening workplace safety across all settings where our teams provide care. Alberto’s death was a profound loss, and we remain focused on strengthening workplace safety in ways that are thoughtful, collaborative, responsive, and enduring.”