Health Workers Protest UCSF, Demand Accountability for December Stabbing

Medical staff rally at Mission Bay campus, cite survey showing 90% experience abuse

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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More than 100 medical workers gathered at UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco to protest what they feel is an inadequate response from the university following the fatal stabbing of social worker Alberto Rangel at San Francisco General Hospital in December. The rally, organized by the union UPTE-CWA 9119, cited a recent survey showing 90% of UPTE social workers have experienced physical, sexual, or verbal threats, assaults, or intimidation on the job.

Why it matters

The protest highlights ongoing concerns about workplace safety and support for healthcare workers, especially those who serve vulnerable populations like HIV/AIDS patients. The death of Rangel and the experiences of his colleagues raise questions about UCSF's handling of staff safety and trauma in the aftermath of such incidents.

The details

The rally was held nearly three months after Rangel's fatal stabbing at San Francisco General Hospital's Ward 86, where he worked as a social worker. Protesters demanded that UCSF leadership, including the chancellor, meet with them to address their concerns about staff safety and the university's response. Social worker Alex Alvarez, the first responder who was present during Rangel's attack, said he has been unable to work since December due to PTSD and injuries, and that UCSF has not adequately supported him.

  • The rally was held on March 6, 2026, nearly three months after Rangel's fatal stabbing on December 4, 2025.
  • The union survey cited found that 90% of UPTE social workers reported experiencing physical, sexual, or verbal threats, assaults, or intimidation.

The players

UPTE-CWA 9119

The union of professional and technical employees at the University of California, representing about 23,000 workers.

Alberto Rangel

A social worker at San Francisco General Hospital's Ward 86, the HIV/AIDS clinic, who was fatally stabbed in December 2025.

Matias Campos

The executive vice president of UPTE-CWA 9119.

Joi Jackson

A social worker and former colleague of Rangel at Ward 86.

Alex Alvarez

The social worker and first-responder who was present during Rangel's stabbing in December 2025.

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What they’re saying

“We know staff feel unsafe. The mayor has been responsive. The city and Public Health has been responsive. But not our own employer.”

— Matias Campos, Executive Vice President, UPTE-CWA 9119 (Mission Local)

“It's very challenging to be working with this population. You have patients who are psychotic. I once used a garbage can to shield myself from a violent patient, eventually escaping to a safe room at the clinic where I hid until police arrived.”

— Joi Jackson, Social Worker (Mission Local)

“This whole thing is so, so frustrating. It's crazy to me that they're staffing this many police – we're not going to react in an aggressive or obstructive way.”

— Alex Alvarez, Social Worker and First-Responder (Mission Local)

What’s next

The protesters demanded that the UCSF chancellor meet with them to address their concerns, but were told he was not currently in his office. Instead, they delivered a letter outlining their demands.

The takeaway

This protest highlights the ongoing challenges healthcare workers face in terms of workplace safety and support, especially for those serving vulnerable populations. The death of Alberto Rangel and the experiences of his colleagues point to a need for UCSF to better address staff trauma and improve safety protocols to protect medical professionals on the job.