One of the many benefits of forming a labor union or joining an existing union is the union's commitment to protecting injured workers.
Labor unions commit to the following:
1). Making workplaces as safe as possible to reduce worker accidents and injury risks.
2). Protecting workers and ensuring they get medical help when an accident or injury does occur.
As the AFL-CIO workers' comp school is just around the corner, now is the perfect time to focus on union workplace health and safety benefits.
Research Shows Union Workplaces are Safer
A 2021 report by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute put forth several key data points that suggest unionized workplaces are safer than non-union workplaces. Quoting the report's highlights:[1]
- "Union worksites are 19% less likely to have an OSHA violation."
- "Union workplaces have 34% fewer violations per OSHA inspection than non-union worksites."
- "Unions represent 14% of construction industry employees, their employers account for only 5% of the industry's OSHA violations."
Fewer OSHA violations mean a workplace is taking the steps necessary to make that workplace safe.
Unions Offer Benefits to Injured Workers
Workers' compensation is critical to a worker's agreement with their employer. When workers are injured on the job or during their employment duties, they are entitled to compensation to help them pay their bills while recovering.
However, workers' compensation programs typically only pay a portion of a worker's wages to them while they are out of work with an injury, which means the worker may not be able to pay their bills and support their families. That's why unions offer supplemental benefits to workers injured on the job through programs and funds like the United Federation of Teachers Welfare Fund and the Social Service Employees Union Welfare Fund.[2]
NRS Injury Law Proudly Works Alongside Ohio's Labor Unions
As the largest workers' compensation legal firm in Ohio, NRS Injury Law proudly works alongside labor unions to ensure union members receive compensation when injured. Quoting NRS founding partner Jerry Schneiberg:
"With over 300 years of combined legal experience representing workers and personal injury cases, NRS Injury Law has built meaningful relationships by serving Ohio communities and providing much-needed counsel to union workers at Navistar and other institutions across Ohio. NRS has sponsored events and hosted presentations for AFL–CIO Workers' Comp schools and other activities in the area, allowing the group to facilitate needed connections with industrial and manufacturing workers in Ohio."
If you are a union worker who was injured on the job, call NRS Injury Law today at 855.468.4878 or fill out our convenient online contact form. Don't let the intimidating nature of workers' comp law in Ohio deter you from getting the compensation you're owed so you can give yourself time to heal.
Sources:
[1] ILEPI. "The Impact of Unions on Construction Worksite Health and Safety." Illinois Economic Policy Institute, 2021. illinoisepi.files.wordpress.com
[2] DOL. "The Connection Between Unions and Worker Safety." U.S. Department o Labor, 2022. blog.dol.gov
