Organized Labor's Contribution to the Human Services: Lessons from the Past and Strategies for the Future

Abstract

This article examines labor's contribution to the human services, locating the discussion within a historical and contemporary context. Workforce trends affecting labor and the human services are analyzed, and strategies to strengthen labor and human services partnerships are presented. The article suggests that union priorities that address professional concerns, and speak to the interests of an older, female, and diverse workforce, are likely to be the most relevant for human service employees. The article concludes that labor unions and human services organizations share many common goals, yet partnerships are inherently tenuous, requiring ongoing negotiation and mediation to sustain them.

KEYWORDS:

• human services
• labor unions
• member assistance programs
• workforce trends