Carol had an even deeper appreciation of her job than most workers. Getting it probably saved her life. "I came from a home background where I was an abused wife," she said. "At that time, battery of women wasn't recognized." Over the years, she had frequently called in law enforcement personnel. "They wouldn't help me. Or they would make me leave my house with my five kids. I would have to walk - at two or three in the morning - to my sister's house. You never knew what provoked him. One time I woke up in the hospital and I didn't know who I was."
"It took me 18 years to get out of it. He stopped abusing me and started on my children." At about that time, Carol found a state job. "I was making $114 a week - I never got a penny of support - and I decided I could pay the rent and support my children. You get strong from that sense of security."
Carol was lucky. She got out of her dangerous marriage, and now volunteers at shelters and is frequently called in to counsel co-workers who are in an abusive relationship. She now chairs her state's International Women's Advisory Committee. "I learned a lot about what a union should be," she says, "and what a union could do for people like me."
Domestic violence is a workplace issue. Did you know that their husbands or boyfriends physically abuse almost four million women in the United States? This can spill over into the workplace in higher absenteeism, greater need for medical benefits, and higher risk of on-the-job violence. No one deserves to be abused, and CWA is taking steps to help.
If you are living with domestic violence, the union has resources that can help. We can help you negotiate for flexible work schedules for counseling and court appearances, and for specially trained security if you feel at risk on the job. Talk to your union steward for confidential advice and details.
If you are currently being beaten or hurt in a relationship, there are resources available and people who want to help you. Call 1-800-799-SAFE for help and referrals to people nearby who can help keep you safe.
For more information about talking to women about domestic violence, or speaking out in the community and workplace, call 1-800-END-ABUSE.
Summary
Unions have a long tradition of standing up for human rights. Reaching out to members who are facing domestic violence at home continues this tradition. By bringing domestic violence issues to the bargaining table when negotiating for employee benefits, security services, non-discrimination in hiring and more, unions offer a great service to their members. Properly training union stewards to assist employees when domestic violence comes to the workplace is another way unions can help. There are special actions, however, that unions can take for their members. Educating and supporting all members can make life easier for all union members trying to escape from abuse.
Source: Domestic Violence: An AFSCME Guide for Union Action
