Panel Discussion

This session will highlight a range of health safety and professional issues of cocern to health care workers and their role in union organizing campaigns. These will include safe patient handling and a discussion of how musculoskeletal injuries in the workplace are being addressed by unions in contracts and organizing drives; a discussion of other key health and safety issues for health care workers, and a discussion of union efforts to secure a manageable balance between work and family life. The role of unions in closing the wage gap will also be addressed.

Session Objectives: 1. Describe and discuss a range of health and safety issues affecting health care workers the role of health and safety issues in health care worker union organizing campaigns 2. Describe and discuss the national safe patient handling legislation and the efforts of unions to make this law. 3. Discuss how musculoskeletal injuries are being addressed by unions in organizing drives. 4. Discuss a range of issues of particular concern to female health care workers and how they are being addressed by union contracts and organizing drives.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing