Updated - High price of workplace violence to be subject of rally at Bronx PC

BRONX, NY (12/15/2010)(readMedia)-- Assembly Members Carl Heastie and Peter Rivera will join members and leaders of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) outside the Bronx Psychiatric Center at noon on Thursday, December 16 to draw attention to the high cost of workplace violence at the facility.

Workers' Compensation costs at the Bronx Psychiatric Center (BPC) totaled more than $1 million in fiscal year 2009-10. It's a cost the state cannot afford in terms of taxpayer dollars and injuries to employees. Victims of workplace violence will be available to be interviewed at the event. During the month of November - 21 employees were assaulted, six in one day. Injuries included everything from being kicked, punched and thrown across a room.

Staffing levels at the center are down significantly due to workplace injuries and now layoffs have added to the workforce reductions.

Workplace Violence Rally

Noon on Thursday, December 16, 2010

Main Gate, Bronx Psychiatric Center

1500 Waters Place Bronx, NY

PEF President Kenneth Brynien will be joining members along with Secretary-Treasurer Arlea Igoe and Vice Presidents Pat Baker, Joe Fox and Tom Comanzo.

PEF is the state's second-largest, state-employee union, representing 57,000 professional, scientific and technical employees.

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