The National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month Web site recently premiered a Webcast exploring the labor movement’s role in supporting recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction.  The Webcast targets union members, employers, employee assistance professionals and others interested in worker health and wellness issues.    

Historically, organized labor has worked to improve the lives of workers by championing better workplace conditions.  But most experts agree that much work is left to be done when it comes to addressing alcohol and drug addiction issues as they relate to occupational health and wellbeing.  Titled “Helping the Labor Movement Embrace Recovery,” this Webcast addresses how labor organizations can help their ranks fully address these issues, especially those in industries most at risk for alcohol and drug abuse. 

Expert panelists addressing these issues include Frank Migliaccio, Executive Director, International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers; Jamie Becker, Behavioral Health Care Coordinator, Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund of North America; Robert Lindsey, President, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.; and Ann Price, Co-Chair, United Airlines, The Association of Flight Attendants, Employee Assistance Program.

Key discussion issues include the impact of substance use on worker productivity, strategies unions can utilize to assist their members to get help for substance use disorders and how labor unions can work with legislators to support treatment and recovery in their communities.  Past activities on the part of unions to promote treatment and recovery also are discussed.

This Webcast is one in a series of such programs sponsored by Recovery Month throughout the year and is available through the Recovery Month Web site's archive.  

For additional information about how unions and union employers can work together to ensure their workplaces are drug free and supportive of those in recovery, visit DOL’s Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace Web site.  Working Partners leads DOL’s Drug-Free Workplace Alliance, a partnership that works to improve safety and health in the construction industry through substance abuse prevention and intervention.