Oral

Compared to unorganized workers, unionized workers can benefit from additional legal remedies and institutional resources to achieve safer working conditions. Health and safety concerns have played an important role in successful organizing campaigns. This panel will focus on this unique interaction. Panelists will discuss experiences in organizing for safer working environments in a diverse set of workplace settings. Special focus will be placed on the role of organizing for women and workers of color.

Session Objectives: 1) Describe and discuss the intersection of public health issues and messaging efforts undertaken as part of union organizing campaigns. 2) Compare the occupational safety and health environment for workers with a collective bargaining agreement to the environment faced by workers without a collective bargaining agreement. 3) Analyze successful organizing campaigns where occupational safety and health were prominently featured and discuss lessons learned for future efforts.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)