This January, the Laborers’ Health & Safety Fund of North America (LHSFNA) delivered its first health and safety workshop for LIUNA’s Business Managers’ Leadership Academy. This annual event gathers the organization’s newest Business Managers, as well as seasoned leaders seeking a refresher, at Headquarters for a chance to develop their skills. Throughout the Fund’s day-and-a-half-long workshop, staff provided deep dives into their work and how they support District Councils and Local Unions through specialized services and tools—all designed to help leaders protect their members while also taking care of themselves.
“On the front lines every day advocating for and working with their members, Business Managers play a crucial role in our Union,” said LIUNA General Secretary-Treasurer and LHSFNA Trustee Michael F. Sabitoni. “Seeing them engage so deeply with the Fund’s resources during this workshop proves that when we invest in our leaders, we are investing in the strength and future of every Laborer across North America.”
Recognizing that our workers face alarmingly high suicide and overdose rates, addressing mental health and member well-being was a natural cornerstone of the training. Health Promotion Director Jamie Becker led a candid discussion on mental health and how peer support initiatives like LEAN LIUNA can help Laborers and their families access the crucial support they need when in crisis.
The session was interactive and emotional at times, with many attendees opening up about how mental health and substance abuse have touched them and their membership.
“We must acknowledge that what goes on both at work and away from work can impact our health, safety and well-being,” said Becker. “No one goes through life without challenges, and no one can get through all of those challenges alone. As part of the LIUNA family, we have a responsibility to members and their families, and it’s as simple as giving a SH-T about our Brothers and Sisters.”
Throughout the session, it became clear that no Business Manager can face their members’ struggles and grievances without it affecting them over time. While one of the Fund’s primary focuses is promoting member well-being, staff also took this opportunity to remind participants that their well-being is crucial, too.
Acknowledging the unique challenges of being a Business Manager, Health Promotion Manager Emily Vollmer led a workshop on healthy leadership. Participants were encouraged to identify their stressors and then build the habits that make them easier to manage. Attendees left this session with a powerful reminder that being an effective leader, partner, parent and colleague depends on you taking care of yourself first. For further support with this tall order, representatives from the Blueprint for Balance team spoke about the Fund’s premier wellness initiative and how B4B can help leaders and members alike find balance in their lives.
The Fund’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) staff provided a deeper dive into the many facets of workplace safety during their presentations. Travis Parsons, Director of OSH at the LHSFNA, kicked off his Division’s module by exploring a leader’s role in cultivating a just safety culture. In alignment with the Fund’s joint labor-management mission, Parsons spoke about how a safe work environment benefits both workers and contractors, and why investing in it is paramount.
Safety and Health Specialist Ryan Papariello followed up with an informative training on how Business Managers can use tools like the hierarchy of controls to identify and mitigate jobsite hazards. Nate Schreiber, the Fund’s Industrial Hygienist, then led discussions on how to respond to members’ safety concerns and what to make of emerging safety technology and artificial intelligence in the construction industry.
In addition to technical training on occupational safety and health, attendees were able to brush up on their communications skills to ensure they’re effectively spreading the health and safety message to their members and their communities. They also learned more about their roles as stewards of a member’s health care benefits.
From refining their safety knowledge to learning about new services to bring back to the field, attendees reported feeling more equipped to take on their roles after the Fund’s workshop.
“Our goal is to make a Business Manager’s job easier by being their go-to partner for health and safety and we’re glad that came across,” said Lisa M. Sabitoni, LHSFNA Executive Director. “The Fund looks forward to participating in future training opportunities to continue empowering LIUNA leaders across North America.”
[Hannah Sabitoni]
