Helping Hands Center is working with the County Manager to establish a commission to address housing, education and economic issues on a broader scale. Last year, the Center for Women's Economic Alternatives had 729 workers come to their office for assistance, and 572 workers were assisted by phone or house visits. Over time, most groups have developed rosters of medical and legal personnel who are sympathetic to worker needs. In many cases the groups are training doctors and lawyers to understand and address worker health issues. They find their workers get better treatment and the doctors are more accountable to workers.
Prevention is another way of addressing the potential health threats that workers face.
Every group is involved in prevention at some level and most see this as an organizing tool. Most groups also involve workers as health promoters or peer trainers who help other workers understand their rights, information about chemical exposure, how to get a transfer or disability leave, or ways of obtaining workplace protections without reprisal. As the last example shows, it is the advocacy and organizing work that will effect long-term changes in the conditions that prompt the need for medical care. Half of the battle is documenting the problem and calling attention to it. The other half is garnering the support necessary to change the situation.