Oregon AFSCME Local 1264 Votes No Confidence in ODHS Director
Oregon Behavioral Health Workers Cast a Strong Vote of No Confidence
In a decisive move, members of Local 1264 of the Oregon AFSCME have expressed a significant lack of confidence in the leadership of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Director Fariborz Pakseresht. The vote, conducted over the Thanksgiving holiday week, revealed that 96% of the involved members are in favor of this no-confidence stance.
Representing over 600 employees in the Stabilization and Crisis Unit (SACU) of the ODHS, Local 1264 members have voiced their concerns regarding Pakseresht's management. They assert that his leadership has failed to support both SACU's staff and the vulnerable individuals they are dedicated to assisting.
The vote follows ODHS's recent announcement to close two SACU residential care facilities, with the possibility of further closures on the horizon. SACU workers are tasked with providing crucial support to individuals with severe mental and behavioral health issues, focusing on services that ensure dignity, respect, and essential care.
Christina Sydenstricker Brown, president of Local 1264 and veteran SACU worker, highlighted the depth of the issue, stating, “SACU has suffered from mismanagement that jeopardizes the safety of the individuals we serve. Our (clients) are some of the most vulnerable members of our community. They deserve stability, not reckless closures that threaten their well-being.”
Concerns about management and operational issues are not new among Local 1264 members. For two years, they have been raising alarms about pressing challenges impacting both staff and clients. Despite these warnings, they claim Pakseresht has been unresponsive in addressing financial and operational instabilities. Although SACU Director Sierra Rawson was removed in September, workers argue that fundamental problems remain unsolved.
The overwhelming support for the no-confidence vote underscores the workers' urgency and frustration. Members of Local 1264 are urging state authorities to hold ODHS accountable and to take immediate action to secure SACU's ability to continue providing essential services.
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