Sequoia Mental Health Services Workers Vote To Form Union With AFSCME

The 103 workers at Sequoia Mental Health Services, an Aloha-based non-profit that provides residential and outpatient mental health and substance use treatment services, won union representation with Oregon AFSCME on Monday, June 1st, after a contentious battle with their employer.

Workers cited unilateral changes made without staff input, unmanageable productivity standards, safety concerns, a disappointing amount of work to improve equity, and lack of employer transparency, as motivation for unionizing.

“Community mental health is both rewarding and exhausting work. Despite its challenges, we continue to show up for the people who need it most” said Sarah Knapton, a Clinical Care Coordinator.  

“Joining a union is important to me because it can provide those of us on the front lines a better opportunity to share a voice in decisions that affect both us as employees and the clients we serve, including safety agency policy and work-life balance, to continue to show up for clients” added Knapton.

AFSCME filed for an election on April 17th, after which Sequoia management began a heavy misinformation anti-union campaign aimed at discouraging workers from supporting union representation.

“Having to fight misinformation from the organization was overwhelming at times. I didn't understand why an organization focused on helping others would spend so much time trying to be divisive and not allowing us, the workers, to help ourselves. Overcoming that adversity and having this victory for us as the workers, helps us better deliver services for our clients” said Kai-Ave Douvia, a Community Integration Specialist.

Next, workers will begin bargaining a first contract. Sequoia workers covered by the union will include case managers, therapists, residential counselors, coordinators, recovery mentors, and medical professionals. Sequoia workers will be part of AFSCME Local 1790, Oregon’s largest behavioral health and social services union, representing workers at Cascadia, Outside In, Janus Youth, New Avenues for Youth, Lines for Life, JOIN, and Fora Health.

“Sequoia Mental Health really is a special place to work and receive care, with amazing staff and I’m excited to see it truly thrive when everyone has a seat at the table” said Callie Radford, a Clinical Care Coordinator.