Every year, thousands of union members across the country quietly struggle with substance use, mental health challenges, and the stress of balancing demanding jobs with personal wellbeing. Behind the scenes, a dedicated network of Labor Assistance Professionals (LAPs) works to connect those members with the support they need — often before a crisis becomes a career-ending or life-threatening event.
This July, our team at HART Recovery Care is proud to be part of that conversation. We’re attending the 32nd Labor Assistance Professionals National Conference, taking place July 12–16, 2026, at the Sahara Las Vegas Hotel.
Why This Conference Matters
The LAP Conference brings together union assistance representatives, EAP coordinators, and treatment providers from across the country for several days of education, networking, and collaboration. Sessions cover everything from the latest developments in addiction and mental health treatment to the unique challenges union members face when seeking care — challenges that often differ significantly from those in the general population.
For union workers, the decision to seek help can be complicated by job security concerns, industry-specific stigma, and a lack of awareness about what confidential, union-friendly treatment options actually look like. Many members worry that reaching out for help could affect their standing on the job, their relationships with coworkers, or their long-term career prospects — even when strong protections exist. LAPs are often the first — and most trusted — point of contact when a member is struggling, precisely because they understand the culture and pressures of union work from the inside.
That trust is invaluable, but it also means LAPs carry a lot of responsibility. They need to know which treatment providers are equipped to handle the realities of their members’ lives — flexible scheduling around shift work, discretion in tightly knit workplaces, and a genuine understanding of why “just take time off” isn’t always a simple answer. Building strong relationships with these professionals means more union members can be connected to appropriate, effective care faster, and with fewer misunderstandings along the way.
Why We’re There
Our presence at LAP isn’t just about visibility — it’s about building the kind of relationships that translate into real support for real people. By connecting directly with Labor Assistance Professionals, our team can better understand the specific concerns union members bring to treatment, from confidentiality and return-to-work considerations to navigating benefits and time away from the job.
Conferences like this also give us a chance to listen. LAP representatives are on the front lines every day, and they have firsthand insight into what’s working, what’s missing, and where union members tend to fall through the cracks when trying to access care. Those conversations shape how we think about admissions, communication, and the kind of ongoing support we offer once someone completes treatment and returns to their job and community.
What This Means for Union Members and Their Families
If you’re a union member — or you support one as an EAP or LAP representative — know that organizations like ours are actively working to make treatment more accessible and better understood within the labor community. Conferences like this one help close the gap between “there’s help available” and “here’s exactly how to get it.”
Substance use and mental health struggles don’t pause for a work schedule, and neither should the path to getting help. The more union assistance professionals and treatment providers understand each other, the smoother that path becomes — fewer dead ends, fewer members falling through the cracks, and more people getting connected to care that actually fits their life and their job.
Our team is looking forward to a week of learning, connecting, and strengthening the relationships that help union members and their families get the support they deserve — when they need it, and without unnecessary barriers in the way.