Cleveland Behavioral Health Nurses Say ‘Union Yes’
In a decisive victory, 60 Metro Behavioral Health nurses in Cleveland have voted overwhelmingly to join the Ohio Nurses Association/AFT, sending a powerful message: Frontline caregivers are ready to unite for safer staffing, stronger workplace protections, and a real voice in decision-making.
This win comes at a pivotal moment. Healthcare workers across the nation are grappling with chronic understaffing, rising workplace violence and dwindling resources. For Metro Behavioral Health nurses, the need for change was undeniable.
“With nurses and health professionals facing understaffing and rampant violence, having a real voice in the workplace isn’t just important—it’s vital,” says Patricia Kane, registered nurse and organizing lead at Metro Behavioral Health. “A union means standing together, knowing you’re not alone, and having the power of collective support and advocacy behind you. We stood together and said ‘Union Yes’ because we know it’s better in a union. This is a win for all of us—and for every patient who depends on our care.”