James McKnight sent ABC7 News a message saying he wanted to speak out about his current working conditions at UCSF as a Patient Care Assistant. In late June, McKnight protested in front of his own hospital, UCSF on Parnassus, along with other workers across the state demanding no layoffs.
[Ads /]
UC San Diego and UC Riverside recently sent out layoff notices to about 200 hospitality and dining staff, as well as 16 patient care assistants like McKnight. While there have been no layoffs at UCSF of front line workers, McKnight claims that his workload has increased post-COVID19, and he is now worried about the security of his own job, in the months ahead.
RELATED: Coronavirus: Nurses protest outside of UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital over PPE
"I'm running down the hall in a drenched, sweaty t-shirt and my patients see it. I'm trying to do the best I can, but it's not the standard of care, it's not the best that we can do," said McKnight.
"In my own unit, I'm now doing the work of two PCAs. I'm a nursing assistant, that means when a patient hits a call light and they need to go to the bathroom or they need a bath or they're sick and they need to be taken care of, I show up and get a patient through that experience, but right now, they have me taking care of 16 patients, instead of eight."
We went to UCSF with McKnight 's claims. UCSF declined an on-camera interview, but sent us this statement:
"UCSF takes staffing in our hospitals seriously and ensures that the needs of our patients are met amongst the many clinical and non-clinical staff who care for them based on those needs."
[Ads /]
RELATED: 25,000 University of California workers striking to protest job outsourcing
"All of our most skilled nurses are saying that we need more PCAs, we need support, but we're getting nothing from management," said McKnight. "We have staff that doesn't even have time to use the bathroom, you're asking us to do the work of three people with only two people."
McKnight and other employees in the UC system have been sounding the alarm over the last few weeks about layoffs.
Todd Stenhouse, a spokesperson for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union Local 3299 Union says many in his membership, including McKnight are worried for their jobs. The union represents 24,000 UC system employees.
"Let's leave it all on the field UC, let's tap our reserves, and keep these people employed to make sure these facilities are properly staffed," said Stenhouse.
UCSF has not laid off front line workers, but on July 1, CEO Mark Laret sent out a letter telling staff that revenue loss due to the pandemic means learning to work more efficiently.
[Ads /]
It's a letter that worries McKnight and prompted him to speak out now, while he still has a job.
RELATED: UCSF researchers look to turn COVID-19's weapons against itself
"If the public thinks that when you come to UCSF, if you want a nurse to answer the call light when you hit the button, then you better call up Mark Laret and you better say no job layoffs," said McKnight, "All of our most skilled nurses are saying that we need more PCAs, we need support. But we're getting nothing from management."
If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- COVID-19 Help: Comprehensive list of resources, information
- From salons to dinner parties:Experts rate the risk of 12 activities
- California reopening: Here's what's open, closed in the Bay Area
- Watch list: Counties where COVID-19 is getting worse
- When will the San Francisco Bay Area reopen? Track progress on 6 key metrics to reopening here
- Life after COVID-19: Here's what restaurants, gyms will look like
- Here's everything allowed to open in CA (and what we're still waiting on)
- What is a COVID-19 genetic, antigen and antibody test?
- What will it take to get a COVID-19 vaccine and how will it be made?
- What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?
- Here's how shelter in place, stay athome orders can slow spread of COVID-19
- Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area
- Experts compare face shield vs. face mask effectiveness
- List: Where can I get tested for COVID-19 in the Bay Area?
- COVID-19Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during novel coronavirus pandemic
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic
- WATCH: ABC7 Listens 'From Anger To Action: A Bay Area Conversation'
- Symptoms, prevention, and how to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak in the US