A Holistic Approach to Workplace Health and Safety

Leslie is joined by Leeann Foster, International Vice President of the United Steelworkers (USW), North America’s largest industrial union. 
They’re 1.2 million members and retirees strong in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. 
They proudly represent men and women who work in nearly every industry there is.

The two will discuss the USW's holistic approach to workplace health and safety.

This includes their work identifying common trends in fatalities and life altering injuries, as well as laying out a sector specific plan for education and effective hazard identification, controls and communication.

The USW's work has been similarly successful in making manufacturing processes safer and helping workers avoid exposure to extreme heat or toxic substances like silica and beryllium.

The USW has also been making important strides on other fronts when it comes to health and safety. 
One important way is through helping workers who are facing the threat of intimate partner violence. 

Domestic violence increased significantly during the pandemic. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine said that domestic violence cases increased by 25 to 33 percent globally. 
The National Commission on COVID-19 and criminal justice shows an increase in the U.S. by a little over 8 percent, following the imposition of lockdown orders during 2020.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that about 20 percent of women and 14 percent of men across the United States have experienced “severe physical violence.” 

Workers experiencing domestic violence often need time to focus on getting safe and the security of knowing that they can return to work when they’ve been able to do so. 

That’s why the USW is now negotiating domestic violence protections and resources into their contracts across the union.  This includes two recent contracts with major employers in the paper sector: Domtar and Packaging Corp. of America, covering over 29 mills and 44 box plants and thousands of workers.

Union-negotiated domestic violence leave helps provide time off for court appearances, relocation, counseling and more without eating up vacation or sick days. Workers also won’t need a doctor for an excuse – counselors, domestic shelter employees and spiritual leaders can also speak to what is happening with the employee.
In some cases, workers can also request changes to working hours, transfer to alternate worksites or vacation pay advances.  They can also ask for help in safety planning, like identifying hiding places or an escape route.
Other sectors are also negotiating this important language.  

The USW has been having success with this issue in both the United States and Canada, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it is a true workplace health and safety issue.

The Department of Labor estimated that domestic violence victims lose nearly 8 million days of paid work per year.  It can also affect the health and safety of other workers if abuses show up in the workplace.  Some USW members even receive training in how to help advocate for their peers, help connect them with community resources, and intervene with management when needed.

Because the union believes that gender equality and the right to a safe workplace go hand in hand, the USW is also advocating for other holistic health and safety protections. 

These include: 
- PPE that fits all body shapes
- Resources to combat sexual and other harassment
- Comprehensive bathroom, showers and change-room policies 
- Pregnancy issues including new motherhood issues and breastfeeding 
- Opportunities to address stress,mental health and work-life balance 

Not everyone experiences work or their work environment the same way, but the USW believes that all are entitled to health and safety on the job. 

Leeann Foster has served the union for more than 25 years, working to negotiate strong contracts, advocate for sound trade policies, facilitate educational opportunities and fight for safer workplaces. She oversees more than 550 locals and more than 30 bargaining councils in the USW’s paper sector. She also leads the union’s Making and Converting Paper Safely program to build worker-focused health and safety initiatives in the paper sector, as well as overseeing the USW Women of Steel Leadership Development Program.

WEBSITE: www.USW.org

TWITTER and INSTAGRAM HANDLE: @steelworkers