Tools for Organizing Working Families

Workers are juggling many issues outside the workplace, but which ones have the most impact on their ability to get to work on time and stay focused? Few workers are ever asked by anyone – even family members and their union – how does your work life and home life collide?

To build a successful agenda the union must know and understand the challenges workers face. As a union organizer, you always start where the workers are.

By uncovering work/family conflicts, organizers can tap a reservoir of frustration – and organizing energy. Opening up these urgent and emotional issues during organizing campaigns motivates and empowers workers to come together in the struggle for a better work and family life and take on other challenges.

Here is an example of a Survey PDF that lists questions to include on future surveys for collective bargaining. This survey was jointly produced by the Labor Project for Working Families and the AFL-CIO.

Core message? This isn’t about special treatment. It’s about dignity and rights.

© 2007 Labor Project for Working Families