We wanted to share an update on recent happenings, and let you know about an online Crisis Connections Steward Training this Sunday and office hours with your Union Rep next week.
RCL & 988 Changes
Late last week management announced that the Regional Crisis Line (RCL) will be fully sunset in July 2027 in response to recommendations from the Washington State Health Care Authority and Washington State Department of Health. You can view the joint statement regarding the decision to consolidate the lines from the Department of Health here: WA Health Care Authority – 988 & RCL Policy Statement.
Crisis Connections management is beginning the process of consolidation with night shift and will use what they learn from this transition to apply to the swing and day shift operations when they shift over to 988. Management plans to have all RCL night staff transitioned to 988 by October 26, 2026.
The RCL’s work is not going away. While all calls will be routed through 988, the expertise and experience of the RCL will remain vital in responding to our callers. Current 988 staff will be trained on taking RCL calls, and RCL staff will be trained on taking 988 calls. Management attests they are very similar; however, 988 has a Vibrant requirement to safety assess that is absent in the RCL.
Management says they anticipate this will reduce call volumes overall, but we’re concerned that, with understaffing and high call volumes already, this will not be the case.
We are also deeply concerned about the announced requirement for remote work. While some prefer remote work, many of us value coming into the office and interacting with our colleagues – that’s part of what makes our very challenging work sustainable. Beyond that, we’re concerned that not everyone has a suitable remote work environment.
Many of us are wondering, what can we do in the face of this change? Because we’re a Union, any change in working conditions is subject to negotiations. Our contract includes a section on management rights, which includes the ability to consolidate programs. We will not be able to negotiate the decision to consolidate the lines, but we can negotiate over the impact this change has on our working conditions (like work from home).
As we prepare to negotiate, please submit your nominations for a Bargaining Team. We will need people who are on the RCL that are directly impacted to speak directly with management about our perspective. Submit nominations to hogarth@opieu8.org.
Upcoming Union Meetings
- Crisis Connections Steward Training
- Sunday, September 20 from 10:30 am – 12 pm
- Online via Zoom (join here)
- Union Rep Office Hours
- Tuesday, Sept 22, from 3:30 – 5:30 pm
- Tuesday, Sept 29, from 1 – 3 pm
- Hybrid: Belltown Office and online via Zoom (join here)
Message sent to OPEIU Local 8 members at Crisis Connections on Sept. 17, 2026