The Labor Project for Working Families has received a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to build an online database of work family collective bargaining clauses. This unique online database will provide in a searchable format union contract provisions on various work family issues including flexible work options, family leave, childcare, elder care, parent-teacher conferences, adoption, bereavement, etc.

The Labor Project for Working Families will partner with Microsearch Corporation (a technology consulting firm that specializes in web-based information access solutions for unions) to create a secure password protected online database that will enable storage, research and retrieval of model and negotiated contract language on work family issues from union collective bargaining agreements. The online database will not only feature contract language from various unions but also include resources on bargaining such as fact sheets, information on essential elements of good/effective contract clauses, and state policies that might impact bargaining. The database will be a valuable resource for unions that want to learn more about bargaining for work family issues.

The online database will be structured to give union negotiators the ability to choose from multiple levels of collective bargaining agreements as they move through different negotiation cycles. For example, a union negotiator who is negotiating on “flextime” for the first time will be able to search for all language indexed with a “beginner” tag. The search will pull up model or sample language suited to an initial negotiation process. Similarly, other union negotiators will be able to search language relevant to an intermediate or advanced negotiation process.

To be officially launched in 2009, the online database will also allow unions to submit model and negotiated contract provisions on work family issues. For more information about this project or to submit contract language, please contact Vibhuti Mehra at the Labor Project for Working Families: Email: vibhuti@working-families.org; Phone: (510) 643-6813.