The Impact of Legal and Social Services on Union Members when Sponsored by Their Union

Abstract

This article discusses District Council 37's legal–social work benefit: its origins, philosophy, development, issues, and impact. We discuss the effect that a collaborative model (union, lawyers, and social workers) has on service delivery, service focus, service outcome, and social policy. The center of interest is the significance and power of the labor affiliation. We present case examples illustrating how these services have benefited the union membership. We also point out some of the challenges posed and some of the unique programs generated by this collaboration under labor auspices. Collectively, a creative synergy emerged. Finally, we review practice implications for this setting.

KEYWORDS:

• legal-social work collaboration
• municipal union
• pre-paid legal services
• program development

The authors would like to express their gratitude to Gail Sinai, an attorney and a Municipal Employees Legal Services Program Social Work Intern, for her generous and invaluable technical and bibliographic assistance; and to Louis Menashe for editorial assistance.

Notes

Source: Anderson, Barenberg, and Tramblay (2006).