Members of unions sometimes hesitate to get involved in their union due to family responsibilities before and after work. More often than not, these members are women or identify as female, because family care and unpaid care work is still predominantly done by women.
USW local unions can help remove barriers to union involvement by adopting local bylaws to cover the cost of child care or dependent care.
Below are some examples of bylaw language locals have adopted to pay for child care or family care costs to help union members attend meetings, events or courses.
You can suggest that your local union develop and pass a bylaw like this to encourage members with family care responsibilities to get more involved in union activities.
Remember to publicize your bylaws and programs to support member involvement.
In addition, if your USW local union is a contributor to the USW Family and Community Education Fund (FCEF), members can access the fund’s family care reimbursement plan.
USW Local 1998 bylaw
6.6(b): When an elected or appointed delegate is attending a convention, conference or course, the local will pay up to a maximum of $160.00 per child or dependent with special needs per day provided receipts are submitted confirming the expense. Costs that would normally occur had the delegate been at their workplace or care provided by a spouse or companion will not be reimbursed. Any request for dependent care other than those covered by this bylaw must be submitted in advance to the Executive Committee for their approval.
USW Local 2009 bylaws
Section 18 E
When an elected or appointed delegate is attending a convention, conference or directed to perform other duties of the Union, reasonable expenses as determined by the Financial Secretary will be reimbursed with appropriate receipts or confirmation of the expense, for Child Care costs. Such costs that would normally occur had the members been at their workplace or the child care were provided by the spouse or companion will not be reimbursed.
Any request for child care other than those covered by this section must be submitted in advance to the Local Union Executive Board for their approval.
USW Local 003 bylaws
5.05 (d) Elected or appointed delegates to conventions, conferences or educational seminars who require child care must use the child care facilities provided at the convention, conference or education seminar and the local will pay the cost of such facilities.
When an elected or appointed delegate is attending a convention, conference or educational seminar where no provisions for child care have been made by the organizers of the event then the local will pay up to a maximum of seventy-five ($75.00) dollars per child per day provided receipts are submitted confirming the expense. Child care costs that would normally occur had the member been at his or her place of employment or the childcare was provided by a spouse or companion will not be reimbursed.
Any requests for child care other than those covered by this bylaw must be submitted in advance to the Executive Committee for their approval.
USW 1-207 bylaw
5 When an elected or appointed delegate is attending a convention, conference or approved Union business, the Local Union will pay up to a maximum of fifty dollars ($50.00) per child per day, with appropriate receipts for Child Care costs. Such costs that would normally occur had the member been at his/her workplace or the child care were provided by a spouse, companion or the child’s other parent will not be reimbursed. Any requests for child care other than those covered by this section must be submitted in advance to the Local Union Executive Board for their approval.