Service + Solidarity Spotlight: USW Secures Domestic Violence Language in New Contracts

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Domestic and family violence and abuse, if not addressed with support and compassion, can have serious negative impacts on survivors’ health, safety and economic security. United Steelworkers (USW) paper sector activists and leaders recently won new policies to alleviate these risks in their latest contracts with two paper companies.

They recruited the help of USW District 1 Assistant to the Director Teresa Cassady. Their goal was to provide proactive support and training within their workplace contracts that strictly maintains confidentiality for those involved.

“This language is life-changing for members going through domestic violence in that they will know their job will be there if and when they need to go to a safe place or while they are going to court,” said Cassady, a domestic violence advocate and survivor. Click here to view her story on surviving domestic abuse.