"We do it because we love it." Mental health and addiction workers strike for better wages and benefits
The DayApr 25, 2022
Apr. 26—NEW
Sound provides services to people with mental health and substance abuse disorders.
"It's going really good. The workers are in high spirits," said
The union represents 73 workers at Sound, and they've been operating without a contract since 2019. The parties haven't sat down for negotiations in two weeks, and the latest offer on the table from Sound includes a
Residential employees at Sound make
"We do it because we love it," said
Fontes-May said the union is trying to achieve a pathway to
Sound Community Services CEO
"What's the point of giving us
He said the union is requesting a
Sound's offer comes from a 4% increase in funding this year from the state
Sound is calling on the state to approve an 8% increase in DMHAS funding, which is included in the budget that came out of the legislature's Appropriations Committee.
"If we're really going after the state, why are you not out here with us?" Jenkins said, directing the question to DeMaio.
DeMaio responded to The Day, saying, "because I can be more effective in another way" — by talking to legislators about getting more funding. "It's hard to want to go out there and be with them when they're saying the most grotesque things about me."
DeMaio emailed staff Monday morning and attached the union's last offer. He opened his email with, "For those of you that had to enter the parking lot this morning as picketing is taking place, I apologize that you had to endure that."
He told The Day that he planned for no union workers to show up but some did, including all the clinicians, and that managers and non-union employees — who all have experience in the field — have taken shifts. Fontes-May said membership is holding at about 80% on strike and "are prepared to do whatever it takes to get a fair contract with wages and benefits that start to respect their work."
"We don't really want to be out here, because that is hurting our clients. We're out here because we do need a livable wage," Jenkins said. He and others talked about the importance of continuity of care, which is hindered by high turnover.
Police called on strikers
Mayor
"Nobody's ever enforced that noise ordinance against the religious people that are down at
Passero said walking the picket line "was a real eye-opener for me" and that it's "unacceptable" that workers have been without a contract for four years.
"The fact that their wages are so low for the type of work that they do and how important their services are to our community seems unacceptable," the mayor said. He called Sound "a very important partner in the city" and said he will engage with both Sound and the union to advocate for better funding.
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