Behavioral health staff at the South Central Family Health Center voted unanimously to join our union, according to ballots tallied Tues., June 24, by the National Labor Relations Board. The staffers — social workers, case managers, clinicians, and more — join co-workers in the health center’s medical unit who voted to join 721 in February.
Our new behavioral health members aim to win fair pay, better benefits, and improved working conditions. They say over the years they’ve faced short-staffing and overwhelming workloads, as well as poor management practices that have led to day-to-day dysfunction.
By joining our union, they seek to hold managers accountable, gain a voice on the job, and address issues that lead to low retention.
“We’re thrilled these workers joined our union family,” says David Green, executive director and president of SEIU 721. “They are doing vital work for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. They deserve respect and proper working conditions that allow them to do their best work and serve the health center’s vital mission.”