Since 1946, the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and United Way of America have enjoyed a cooperative relationship through which they and local United Ways have provided services to members of organized labor, their families and their communities.

United Ways and organized labor organizations work together to:

• Provide a Union Counselor Program which helps labor leaders, secretaries, shop stewards and other interested members learn about the available health and human care services in their areas.
• Assist in recruiting and organizing volunteers for the annual National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) in their one-day, nationwide food drive.

• Recruit, train and help place members of organized labor in volunteer activities of health and human-care organizations.
• Solicit annual letters of endorsement from AFL-CIO-affiliated unions and state federations to be distributed to United Ways and the entire AFL-CIO Community Services liaison network, supporting the United Way campaign.
• Assist in the organization of the annual Workers Memorial Ceremony -- a public ceremony that brings attention to workplace safety and health practices by honoring individuals who have died in the workplace.

For more information about Spokane County United Way’s Labor Liaison Program, contact Rick Colon at 509-838-6581, or by e-mail at rickc@unitedwayspokane.org.