Organized Labor's Contribution to the Human Services: Lessons from the Past and Strategies for the Future

Abstract

This article examines labor's contribution to the human services, locating the discussion within a historical and contemporary context. Workforce trends affecting labor and the human services are analyzed, and strategies to strengthen labor and human services partnerships are presented. The article suggests that union priorities that address professional concerns, and speak to the interests of an older, female, and diverse workforce, are likely to be the most relevant for human service employees. The article concludes that labor unions and human services organizations share many common goals, yet partnerships are inherently tenuous, requiring ongoing negotiation and mediation to sustain them.

Social Class Myopia: The Case of Psychology and Labor Unions

“…These include increased opportunities for companionship, unified action to achieve positive goals, social connectedness, a sense of community, trust, and ability to redress grievances (Mann, ; Pacek, ). Union membership provides the opportunity for control and power over some aspects of one's work life and family life, thus promoting self‐esteem and psychological well‐being and autonomy (Rosenberg, ). A sense of empowerment follows from the experience of having a clear group “voice” and from collective action (Isaac & Christiansen, ; Sharp, ).…”