Workers at Bert Nash vote to form union, which will represent over 300 employees

photo by: Ashley Hocking/Journal-World File Photo

This file photo from January 2018 shows a bench and mural at the second-floor entrance, where administrative offices and services for children and families are housed, at Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, 200 Maine St.

Workers at the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center voted Tuesday night to form a union that will represent over 300 workers at the Lawrence nonprofit.

In the election, held by the National Labor Relations Board, 180 votes were cast, with 168 voting yes to form a union, according to Jason Ianacone, the business manager with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 304, the union that helped organize the workers at Bert Nash.

Bert Nash workers announced in October that they had formed Community Mental Health Workers United as part of the unionization effort, as the Journal-World reported. They cited concerns about increased caseloads and burnout among workers as part of the reason to organize, and they were seeking to negotiate with the administration on improved working conditions, including regular raises, manageable caseloads, workplace safety and other issues.

Ianacone said that a total of 320 workers would be in the bargaining unit, which will represent all workers “wall-to-wall” instead of having separate groups. He noted that during the election there were two separate groups: “professional” and “nonprofessional.” The professional group, which will generally include workers with more education or licensing requirements like child therapists, Ianacone said, had two questions in the election, including if they wanted to be part of one bargaining unit. The group overwhelmingly voted yes to be one group.

In an emailed statement, Jeff Burkhead, the communications manager for Bert Nash, said the nonprofit fully supported and respected their decision and appreciated the involvement of everyone in the election process. He said the organization saw the election as a proactive step toward ensuring the workplace “continues to be a supportive environment where every voice is heard and valued.”

“We look forward to continuing our mission to advance the health of the Douglas County community through comprehensive behavioral health services in partnership with our dedicated team members,” Burkhead said.