photo by: Ashley Hocking/Journal-World

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.

Employees at the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center have voted to unionize with representation through Teamsters Local 696.

Bert Nash’s union election was held last week, with 165 of the organization’s 252 eligible voters casting ballots – a turnout of nearly 66%. According to election results filed with the National Labor Relations Board, 113 employees voted in favor of the representation from Teamsters Local 696, while 52 voted against it.

Employees have told the Journal-World that their reasons to unionize included concerns about increased caseloads and burnout among Bert Nash staff. Staff members have said they are seeking to negotiate with the administration on improved working conditions, including regular raises, manageable caseloads, workplace safety and other issues.

“I’m incredibly proud of my colleagues and the members of the organizing committee for coming together in the name of quality care, safe staffing and to better serve our clients,” Jordan Claeys, a crisis therapist at the Treatment & Recovery Center, told the Journal-World via text.

Bert Nash has been experiencing financial challenges over the last year, and even had a change of leadership after former CEO Patrick Schmitz resigned June 2025. Howard Callihan, a case manager for the Projects Assisting in the Transition from Homelessness program, said those systemic pressures have left many workers feeling that their own well-being is treated as an afterthought.

“People come to this work out of a passion for the work, their colleagues and their clients,” Callihan said. ” … What has seemingly been the case is that the care model and the financial solvency of the organization are priorities one and two. The well-being and the ability of the staff to do the work that we need to do and sustain ourselves ends up being the last priority.”

Moving forward, Teamsters Local 696 will be negotiating on behalf of the union members.

“I truly believe being Teamsters is going to help us have a seat at the table, to help Bert Nash strive for excellence, and most importantly, to empower us to provide the best possible care for our community and our clients,” Amy Munsterman, a licensed practical nurse at the Bert Nash Center, said in a press release from Teamsters Local 696.

Claeys said he would like to see specific language in an employee contract that protects workers “from taking on another position’s job responsibilities.”

As the Journal-World reported, Bert Nash workers previously voted to unionize with representation from IBEW Local 304 in 2024, however, they were unable to secure a contract, according to the press release.

Following the election, on Friday, Kirsten Watkins, CEO of Bert Nash, told the Journal-World via email that the entire leadership team “fully respect this result and will move forward to engage in the process towards a Collective Bargaining Agreement.”

“Bert Nash leadership will continue to do everything possible to support our staff, support the longevity of this special agency, and continue providing high-quality behavioral health services to the Douglas County community,” Watkins said via email.

Callihan said he’s glad employees will finally have a seat at the table and hopes to continue building a strong foundation for the organization.

“We want to build a great organization,” Callihan said. “We want to be providing the kind of client care that the community needs.”