Learning Objectives: Explain how unions operate so as to understand how to approach them about tobacco control issues, Through lessons learned, they will be able to recognize pitfalls and opportunities for working with organized labor.
Abstract: Overview: Blue collar workers smoke and chew tobacco at higher rates than the general population and yet, only in the past few years has the tobacco control community focused on outreach to this population. While "blue collar workers" are a diffused population, many can be reached through their labor unions. However, for many in the tobacco control movement, labor unions are an unknown entity, difficult to approach. This workshop will provide an overview of labor unions, and two case studies of tobacco control projects conducted with unions, looking at the opportunities, the pitfalls and the lessons learned.
Labor 101 for tobacco control advocates provides an overview of guiding principles of the US labor movement, labor union structures, and how tobacco control advocates can begin to create partnerships with unions.
Case study of labor-management negotiated worksite smoking guidelines: This presentation focuses on the development and implementation of smoking cessation policies in New York state-operated worksites. This case illustrates some areas of tension between and within unions and between unions and their management counterpart in developing policies that both protect workers' rights to fair labor practices and also protect non-smokers' rights to be protected from exposure to second-hand smoke.
Case study of the BUILT project: This presentation focuses on one of the nation’s first comprehensive tobacco education projects directed at members of organized labor. BUILT seeks to reach construction union leadership and members through their apprenticeship programs, their Health and Welfare providers, and through union leadership and peer education.
Back to Working With Organized Labor: Valuable Opportunities and Lessons Learned
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Back to The 2002 National Conference on Tobacco or Health