July 13-17, UAB's Clear Hosts 2003 Southern School for Union Women

The effects of domestic violence often spill over into the workplace, affecting attendance and job performance. Labor unions play a vital role in prevention and assistance to women workers dealing with domestic violence, said Tracy Chang, Ph.D., professor in University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Center for Labor Education and Research (CLEAR).

July 11, 2003

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The effects of domestic violence often spill over into the workplace, affecting attendance and job performance. Labor unions play a vital role in prevention and assistance to women workers dealing with domestic violence, said Tracy Chang, Ph.D., professor in University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Center for Labor Education and Research (CLEAR).

“Two important things unions do are negotiating contracts with formalized procedures that help women escape violent situations and providing social support to help them cope,” Chang said.

Domestic violence is one topic to be covered at the 2003 Southern School For Union Women, July 13-17, at Alta Vista Hotel in Birmingham. Other topics include Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Workplace and Building Solidarity Across Boarders with participants from Mexico and Honduras. More than 80 women from labor unions and several industries from across the Southeast will participate. CLEAR is hosting the event.

Speakers include representatives from UAB, Florida International University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Missouri at Kansas City, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, United Electrical, Radio and Machinery Workers of America and union representatives from Mexico and Honduras.

“This is an excellent opportunity for women in industry and in the unions to receive university quality education on a variety of subjects and build networks across the South and internationally.” Chang said. “Attendees have the opportunity to interact closely with their instructors and learn from each other’s experience.”

At the welcoming dinner on Sunday, Marsha Folsom, executive director of the Alabama Democratic Party, will deliver the keynote address. Folsom also is wife of former Gov. Jim Folsom Jr. and is active in Democratic politics in Alabama. She was the Democratic nominee for Congress from the 4th Congressional District in 2000.

Since 1975, the AFL-CIO and the United Association for Labor Education (UALE) have co-sponsored regional summer schools for union women across the country. The schools provide educational and networking opportunities for union women and contribute to the development of women leaders in the labor movement.