Union at BHR closer to strike

The union representing more than 200 mental health workers at Behavioral Health Resources in three counties has voted to authorize a strike for Oct. 11.

Members of the State Employees International Union/Healthcare 1199 Northwest who work at mental health centers in Thurston, Mason and Grays Harbor counties said the issue is distribution of some $1.1 million the Legislature approved last session to help reduce turnover by raising salaries.

Reducing turnover means clients will get better service from experienced health workers, the union has said.

The $1.1 million was BHR's share of $24 million allocated statewide for community mental health services, the union said.

"The Legislature made an important bipartisan effort to stabilize our workforce, in order to improve client care," said Micki Dextre, an adult case manager at BHR. "None of us understands why BHR won't simply comply with the legislation and fix the problem of staff turnover."

BHR official

But Judi Hoefling, BHR's community relations director, said the agency was still in contract talks with the union, with a negotiation session set for Thursday. "Why are we at strike?" Hoefling asked Monday. "We're still bargaining,"

Hoefling said at the last bargain session BHR offered a 3.90 percent base wage increase in each of the next two years, in addition to step increases for bargaining unit employees who have not topped out on the wage scale. BHR has also taken a controversial bonus program off the table, she said.

"When you are dealing with the most vulnerable population, children and adults with mental health needs, I'm flabbergasted that people would strike without completing the bargaining process," Hoefling said.

According to a press release Monday, the union has asked for 4 percent raises in both 2007 and 2008 but "BHR management has refused to pass through the funding to the workers."

"We understand the intent of the Legislature," Hoefling said. "Every dime of it will go to employees."

The strike announcement came as Thurston County Commissioner Diane Oberquell said Monday she wanted clarification on the language the Legislature used in granting the $24 million for state mental health workers. Oberquell said she was concerned that agencies such as BHR might opt for giving bonuses instead of fixed raises. In August, more than 100 BHR workers picketed the agency's Olympia office to protest bonus programs, saying they needed guaranteed raises in order to provide the job security to reduce turnover.

Mark Freedman, Thurston Mason Regional Support Network administrator, said Monday lawmakers did not specify that the money go to either raises or bonuses.

"They just said 'compensation,' " Freedman said. "It's kind of vague."

Freedman made his remarks as Thurston County commissioners approved distribution of more than $4 million in mental health services programs countywide during their weekly public meeting.

Federal grant money for mental health is sent to the state Department of Social and Human Services, which funnels the money to regional support networks. The regional support networks then distribute the money to various agencies, such as BHR.

Keri Brenner covers Thurston County and Tumwater for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5435 or kbrenner@theolympian.com.