Unions Provide and Promote Healthier and Safer Workplaces

Unions hold companies accountable because in locations where accountability doesn’t exist more accidents arise.

Are you aware that more than 4,800 workers are killed on the job every year? There are also more than 7 million work-related injuries and illnesses. Unions have always advocated for worker safety by investing in programs to educate workers about on-the-job hazards and working with employers to reduce worker injuries and the time lost due to injury.

Within union workplaces, the workers have a union representative to help with on the job injuries and even fatality investigations. This gives workers support when something does occur to them at work. Researchers has shown that unions create safer workplaces; because union workers feel safe from retaliation for simply reporting safety issues. Union members are also more likely to report not only injuries but near misses that need corrective action taken to prevent future issues. This increased reporting can lead to a reduction in work hazards. The union involvement in safety is very important to the workers it protects

While unions have a right to form health and safety committees without contract language, most contracts include it and other protections as a common practice. The forming of these committees demonstrates the unions commitment to creating a safe place to come to work everyday.

By covering necessary health and safety elements in contracts, unions put workers on firmer ground when it comes to demanding changes and improvements to working conditions.

In short, because of unions in the workplace there is a stronger culture around the protection of workers for both their health and safety.

If you would like to report a health or safety concern at your work location please fill out our report form using the link below.

https://aflcio.org/issues/workplace-health-and-safety