In addition to SEIU/Local 1199’s childcare fund, profiled in “Juggling Work and Family,” there are many unions, which have bargained for family friendly benefits for their members. Some of those benefits include: child and elder care funds or facilities, family leave, and alternative work schedules. Usually their arrangements result in joint labor-management partnerships. By working together, unions and employers have come up with successful solutions that both increase productivity and profits as well as benefit working families.

Communications Workers of America (CWA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)

CWA and IBEW have been successful in winning funding for many child and elder care projects with their phone company employers throughout the country. Benefits vary at different sites but often include 12-month maternity leave with an option of returning to work on a reduced schedule, family care leave for health emergencies, childcare referral services, and a Dependent Care Assistance Program.

At BellSouth Telecommunications, CWA members enjoy flexible start and stop times as long as they are present during a core period of the day. Bell Atlantic offers employees on-site child care for children who are on school holiday.

Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers (HUCTW) and Harvard University

HUCTW was started in 1989 with 3700 workers, 83% of whom are women. Work family issues were a top priority from the start. Through a union/management bargaining committee, Harvard University agreed to set up a childcare fund that provides cash grants to employees based on need.

Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union (HERE), Local 2 and the San Francisco Multi-Employer Group

HERE was able to win family friendly benefits for their San Francisco members by showing the direct link between absenteeism and employee’s work-family juggling act. The Local 2/Hospitality Industry Child and Elder Care Fund was established in 1994; and operational in 1997. A joint labor/management committee oversees the fund. The fund provides subsidies to union members for childcare, youth programs (through age 18) and eldercare based on need. Since the fund started, absenteeism has decreased while efficiency has increased.

In addition to the Fund, union members have Paid Time Off (PTO), a combination of sick and personal leave that is separate from their vacation time. PTO can be used for caring for a sick family member. Also, union members can claim up to $150 per month for non-reimbursed expenses related to care for a spouse, parent, grandparent or domestic partner.

UAW and Ford Motor Company

UAW and Ford have led the way in providing vital services to working families. Such services include childcare, after-school programs, continuing education and access to volunteer networks.

As a result of 1999 contract negotiations, thirteen new 24-hour childcare facilities are being built for Ford UAW members in cities that have the highest concentration of UAW members. Before and after school programs for children and teens as well as education classes for adults will be provided in 19 cities.

In addition, Ford and UAW will link selected childcare providers to members. These providers will receive professional training and assistance in upgrading their childcare services. This not only benefits UAW members but the entire community. In addition, UAW members who take family and/or medical leave continue to receive their health benefits while they are on leave.

UAW and General Motors Corporation

A joint task force of union and management representatives developed a resource and referral program for workers with elder care concerns. By telephoning a toll free Elder Care Response Line, members can reach a qualified case manager 24 hours a day. A “Homework Hotline” is available for young people who have homework questions when their parents are at work.

Other examples of successful labor union/management partnerships can be found through the following links:

AFL-CIO Working Women's Department
Working to improve the lives of working women and their families and to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to the nation.
http://www.aflcio.org/women/index.htm

AFL-CIO Working Families
Contains information on national union activity as well as a comprehensive section on working families.
http://www.aflcio.org/front/wfa.htm

Economic Policy Institute
An important policy and research institute providing information and analysis on issues including work and family.
http://www.epinet.org/

Labor Project for Working Families
A report focusing on labor's achievements at the bargaining table and detailing successful efforts to expand childcare, elder care, parental leave, and flexible scheduling. Written by the Labor Project for Working Families and published by the Radcliffe Public Policy Institute.
http://ist-socrates.berkeley.edu/~iir/workfam/home.html

The Radcliffe Public Policy Institute (RPPI)
Works to engage women and men as equal partners in shaping policy on important national economic, social and political issues.
http://www.radcliffe.edu/pubpol/

Union Resource Network
Organized under the Communications Workers of America, the Union Resource Network (URN) is the most complete index of Union Websites on the Internet. URN provides union made websites, hosting, and solidarity services. Currently, approximately 10% of all union websites in the world are hosted on the URN server.
http://www.unions.org/

Work In America Institute
Studies joint labor/management initiatives around work and family issues and published "Holding a Job, Having a Life: Making Them Both Possible," a full report of the project’s findings, including case studies of leading-edge work-life initiatives.
http://www.workinamerica.org/

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