Publications

What Unions Can Do

Union training

  • Be sure all members have information about where to refer other members for help.

  • Be sure to include information about domestic violence as part of steward/delegate training.

  • Be sure stewards know how to recognize the signs of domestic violence and are knowledgeable about the relevant policies and contract language.

For union stewards

  • Keep all information about the victim’s situation confidential.

  • Let victims know that the union will be supportive if domestic violence causes on-the-job problems.

  • Negotiate contract language that is supportive of women dealing with domestic violence, including leaves of absence, transfers, worksite security and paid time to attend court hearings as well as employer-paid legal assistance and other types of assistance programs for use by abused members.

  • Be sure that your Member Assistance Program and/or Employee Assistance Program includes services for members dealing with domestic violence.

  • Either independently or in cooperation with the employer, sponsor workshops about domestic violence.

  • Work with personnel or human resources departments to ensure that procedures are in place to protect members from domestic violence in the workplace.

  • Provide all members with information about their rights.

  • Negotiate for improved security at the workplace. Security can play a critical role in the safety of victims at work.

  • Conduct a drive to collect clothes, toys, furniture or money for a local domestic violence program or shelter.

  • Assist members in creating a Workplace Safety Plan and a Personal Safety Plan.

Safety plans

For union stewards

  • Review the workplace situation to ensure that a victim’s workplace is as safe as possible. This may require moving the victim’s workspace, particularly if she works in a reception area. In addition, consider issuing cellular phones to workers in isolated locations.

  • If a woman has a restraining order or is being stalked, encourage her to provide a recent photograph of the batterer to security. Such a photograph can help ensure that the batterer will not get into her workplace.

  • Other security steps include developing special training in domestic violence, providing escorts to parking lots or public transportation, installing extra lights in parking lots and establishing priority parking near the building for victims who fear an attack at work.

For victims

  • Review the safety of your child care arrangements. Give a picture of your batterer and a copy of your protective order to your day care provider and union steward.

  • Find out where you can go for help. Tell a union steward what is happening to you.

  • If domestic violence causes you to seek medical care, tell the doctor what happened and ask him or her to document it in your medical file. In addition, keep any evidence of abuse, such as photos of bruises and injuries or ripped clothing. This will be helpful should you decide to take legal action in the future.

  • If you are thinking of leaving, prepare a plan of action.

    1. Hide a spare set of keys, some money, extra clothes and important phone numbers (including those of friends, relatives, doctors and lawyers) in case of an emergency;

    2. Collect important papers for both you and your children, including:

      • checking, savings and credit card account numbers;

      • any protection order;

      • birth certificates;

      • marriage license;

      • house lease or deed;

      • Social Security numbers;

      • school and vaccination records;

      • medical insurance and prescription drug information;

      • a paycheck stub;

      • and evidence of your partner’s assets (such as a paycheck stub).
Such information will be essential should you seek alimony or child support.

  • Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE to learn about laws, shelters, and other resources.
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