A unit of 202 registered nurses at Unity Center for Behavioral Health voted overwhelmingly to join Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) in ballots counted June 19. The tally was 128 in favor and 25 opposed.

Unity Center is Portland’s only 24-hour psychiatric emergency facility. It’s operated by Legacy Health Systems as a joint venture with several other health networks.

ONA supporters say they want a union in part to create a safer environment for patients and staff. Since it opened in 2017, Unity Center has faced multiple investigations over violations of safety rules.