For over 80 years, the United Way and Organized Labor have been working together to better our communities we live and work in. The AFL/CIO Labor Liaison helps keep the partnership going between labor and the United Way. This partnership started back in the depression days where there were massive economic shifts that occurred in our nation. These economic shifts removed a ladder of opportunity and replaced it with a deepening well of dependence where workers and their families must rely on the goodwill of others to survive. Dedicated leadership and creative approaches were needed to bring forth a new labor vision within our communities.

The mission of the AFL/CIO is to improve the lives of working families, to bring economic justice to the workplace, and social justice to our nation. Through a relationship between United Way and our local AFL/CIO we developed new and existing relationships between and among workers, unions and community organizations. This program recognizes that strong ties form the basis for building strong working communities and a strong labor movement. This building of stronger communities takes place when workers and working communities make a personal investment of their time and talents as well as other financial resources to the effort.

A communty’s primary responsibility is its’ people. It must be prepared to meet those social needs that individuals or families cannot meet, or meet adequately, with their own resources. Unions and the United Way work together to support our community today and strengthen them for tomorrow. Programs and services are put in place to help meet the highest needs. We can bring a better understanding of the United Way through educating on the process that the United Way uses to distribute their funding throughout the community. In return, better understanding will help achieve greater support.

The partnership between United Way of Labor is designed to build a strong vibrant community that supports workers and their families and provides dignity and respect on the job as well as in the community. This partnership will continue to grow through the AFL/CIO Community Services Program.