Encountering violence is a shocking and unacceptable fact of life for the people who work in our health care system. 68 % of registered practical nurses and personal support workers said they had experienced at least one incident of physical violence in the hospital such as punching, hitting, or having things thrown at them, in the last year – and nearly 20 % said they’ve been physically assaulted 9 times or more in the last year. This, from a poll done by the Canadian Union of Public Employees through its hospital division. We spoke with the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions President Michael Hurley about this issue.