Leaders of SEIU 121RN, a union representing nurses and licensed medical professionals throughout Southern California, spoke out in the aftermath of a mass shooting which occurred at Northside Hospital in Atlanta on Wednesday. Healthcare workers across the country have faced an upsurge in incidents of workplace violence, some of them deadly. In June, 2022 SEIU 121RN nurses were among the injured when a patient attacked staff with a knife inside the emergency department at Encino Hospital Medical Center. That incident occurred just days after a gunman shot workers inside a Tulsa, Oklahoma medical facility.

Union members who work in hospital settings have repeatedly called for increased safety and security measures in hospitals—many of which remain “soft targets” for both random and targeted attacks. SEIU 121RN members have called on lawmakers and hospital administrators alike to enact measures that protect hospital staff—resulting in the 2014 Workplace Violence Prevention Standard, and more recently, a contractual guarantee to install metal detectors at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Burbank.

SEIU 121RN members widely see workplace violence in hospitals as a looming threat, and believe that more must be done to protect America’s healthcare workers.

“We were horrified to hear of yet another deadly assault taking place inside a hospital," said Rosanna Mendez, Executive Director of SEIU 121RN. "Details about shooting at Northside Hospital in Atlanta are still emerging, but our hearts are with the victims, their families, hospital staff, and others whose lives were impacted by this terrible incident. Still thoughts and prayers are not enough—we must have action. Common sense gun control laws and support for those facing mental health crises are part of the solution, but hospitals nationwide must ramp up physical security and enact strong policies to prevent workplace violence,” Mendez said.

“Healthcare workers have increasingly become targets of violent attacks—and employers must recognize that it is their responsibility to keep them safe," said Leo Perez, Registered Nurse and President of SEIU 121RN. "Management must listen to those who work on the hospital floor—they have a keen understanding of where and when threats might emerge. No one can be expected to provide quality patient care when they are fearful for their own physical safety,” Perez said.

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SEIU Local 121RN represents registered nurses and other healthcare professionals in California. This member-led organization is committed to supporting optimum working conditions that allow nurses to provide quality patient care and safety.