OPSEU, ONA renew calls for action on workplace violence by CAMH
 

October 21, 2008

TORONTO – OPSEU and the Ontario Nurses’ Association are calling upon the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health to take immediate action to stem the rising number of violent attacks on health care workers at the mental health hospital.

At a press conference held Oct 21 in front of CAMH, the two unions expressed frustration with the lack of action by the hospital to protect workers at risk. 23 violent incidents have taken place at the hospital in the last month alone.

Nancy Pridham, OPSEU Board member and bargaining unit president at CAMH, said the unions have been at the table with CAMH since 2004 to establish procedures around violence in the workplace.

“We need a violence prevention program now,” she said.

The call comes following another incident at CAMH in which a nurse was grabbed and dragged into a washroom by a patient who sexually assaulted her. The RN involved had no panic button or cell phone to call for help – the nurse was spared serious injury only when another patient heard her screams and managed to startle the attacker, allowing the nurse to escape and seek help.

Less than a year ago, three RNs at CAMH were injured in an incident also involving a violent attack by a patient.

“CAMH is moving much too slowly in addressing this serious situation and our health care providers are paying the price,” said ONA President Linda Haslam Stroud.

The Ministry of Labour has written orders to address workplace violence at CAMH, but little meaningful improvement has taken place.

“Too often the employer feels no pressure from the Ministry to comply with orders handed down,” says OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

The union welcomes the Ministry of Labour’s invitation to OPSEU, ONA and other groups to participate in a consultation process on workplace violence.

The government has promised that new legislation is coming.

OPSEU is asking for tougher enforcement, tighter definitions and expanded legal rights for workers, including recognition that the threat of violence is legitimate ground for a work refusal.