Mental health care workers at the Brien Center in western Massachusetts voted overwhelmingly yesterday to unite together in SEIU Local 509. The local will now represent 350 workers throughout Berkshire County who provide outpatient services to 9,000 people with mental health challenges, including substance abuse and sexual abuse.

"Now we can have a stronger voice to guarantee that every client receives the best services possible," said Ginny Coppola, who works as a financial specialist. The 155-90 vote came one week after a group of workers met with MA Governor Deval Patrick to talk about client care, staff turnover, and management intimidation as workers sought to form a union.

"We now have the ability to advocate for necessary changes and collaborate with other community agencies to best serve our consumers and community," said Sarah Huntington, a child and adolescent clinician. Visit www.seiu509.org for more.