Violence at work is not part of the job

No one should go to work wondering whether they’ll be hurt before the end of the day.

Yet in our schools and workplaces, too many members face violent behaviour, crisis situations and risks that should never be treated as simply “part of the job.”

And when public services are under pressure — when resources shrink, positions go unfilled and the support needed isn’t there — it is too often members who end up on the front line.

An educational assistant shouldn’t be hurt because the resources a student needs aren’t there. An early childhood educator shouldn’t have to choose between her own safety and that of the children in her care. No member should have to accept violence just because they work in education or in a public service.

Protecting members must remain at the heart of our union work.

That means defending their right to a healthy and safe workplace. It means stepping in when prevention measures fall short. It means making sure incidents are reported, documented and followed up. And it means being there when a member is hurt, when they exercise their rights, or when they need their Federation to step in.

Laws, forms and procedures matter. But behind each of them is a member who must be protected.

At a time when the pressure on our public services only heightens the risks our members face, our collective role becomes even more important.

We must keep pressing for the resources needed to prevent violence before a member is hurt, while making sure no one is left alone when an incident happens.

Member safety is not negotiable. And violence will never be simply “part of the job.”

“Everyone has the right to come home the same way they left for work.”