The
Labor Project for Working Families is a national advocacy and policy center
that provides technical assistance, resources and education to unions and union
members on issues such as child and elder care, flexible work schedules, family
leave and quality of life issues. They publish a quarterly labor-oriented
newsletter on work and family and have an extensive online database of
work-family collective bargaining language from a range of industries.
The online database of work-family contractual language is
comprehensive and free! Â Accessible by
first entering your personal statistics (e.g.: Name, e-mail address, name of
union which you represent) you could peruse the available language on such
topics as:
a) Â Â Â Â
Alternative
work schedules
b) Â Â Â Â
Bargaining
to expand FMLA benefits
c) Â Â Â Â Â
Child
care
d) Â Â Â Â
Elder
care
e) Â Â Â Â
Family
leave
The accompanying fact sheets, also found on the LPWF site,
provide insights into some of the bargaining tools being employed by some
unions throughout the country. By reviewing these periodically, a union manager
can bring new ideas to bargaining discussions with the membership.
How
is it useful to HR Professionals?
The LPWF database contains the industries best contract
language for work-life issues. Thus, it is a useful tool for any HR
professional that has dealings with labor-management relations. Union members
will also find it helpful in understanding the most recent updates in
bargaining issues.
How
do you use the Labor Project Work and Family database?
The contract language database is easily accessed through
the LPWF Internet site. After entering some simple personal data, a wealth of
contract language is available. However, the actual language is not available
on the Web site. Rather, the user must request the language from the Berkeley
group, whether by e-mail or telephone.
I requested a sample of telecommuting best contract
language through their database early one afternoon. That same afternoon, I
received an e-mail document with two full excerpts of recently negotiated
contracts containing language used to establish a telecommuting option within
the union. This language could be quickly implemented, after appropriate legal
counsel, into a union proposal.
Product
Selection Indicators
Applicability                         This
is a great source for all who deal with high-level labor-management
negotiations and for those wanting to stay abreast of trend-setting ideas.
Competitiveness                 The
source is free and it has one of the most comprehensive databases available on
such contract language.
Limitations                            The
language is limited by the ability of those who implement it. If unfamiliar
with "legalese" or with contract language in general, there will be limited use
of this information. However, the fact sheets provide good overviews in any case.
Price                                      Free!
Support                                 Staff
at the Labor Project are extremely friendly, and are willing to help with any
queries.
System Requirements       Internet
browser with connection to Internet
User Friendliness                This
is a great, well laid-out web site.
Overall
Evaluation
Overall, the site is a great source for all who must be
well versed in labor management contractual issues. The fact sheets provide
good overviews of recent concepts in labor negotiations. The best contract
language section enables users to request actual contract language from the
LPWF. The actual web site, as well as the service provided by LPWF in sending
the contract language, is excellent. Given that all of the services are free to
the user, the LPWF Internet site should be a bookmark for all students and
practitioners of labor relations.
About
the Company
The California Bay Area Labor Councils, AFL-CIO, founded
the Labor Project for Working Families in 1992. Since then, the Labor Project
has expanded its work to assist unions all over the nation in making workplaces
more family-friendly. Union contributions and private foundations fund the
Labor Project.
You can visit their web site at laborproject.berkeley.edu.