CAHOOTS and HOOTS workers have successfully reached an agreement with White Bird Clinic to ratify their unionization after two years of organizing and one year of bargaining.
White Bird Clinic accepted the terms on April 24, making this the first union within the organization. CAHOOTS and HOOTS, based in Eugene, Oregon, are known for their work providing mental health crisis intervention and transportation to stabilization units. They work alongside organizations such as the Department of Human Services.
Key Contract Points
- Raises starting base wage from $18/hr to $22/hr, with some workers earning over $34/hr.
- Pay will depend on expertise and tenure with White Bird Clinic.
The agreement was finalized two weeks after a rally at Kesey Square, which drew over 100 people, including healthcare workers and White Bird employees. The unionization process started in August 2022, and by September, CAHOOTS and HOOTS were officially represented by the Teamsters union. The unionization was supported by over 1,000 signatures collected in a petition.
White Bird Clinic Leadership
Jeremy Gates, Executive Director of White Bird Clinic, described the unionization as a positive step for the organization, expressing pride in the outcome. While CAHOOTS and HOOTS have reached an agreement, other units within White Bird Clinic, such as Front Rooms and the Navigation Empowerment Services Team, are still in the bargaining process.
