United Way Labor Partnership Bob Cramer Director Community

United Way & Labor Partnership Bob Cramer, Director Community Services

The Past • The Michigan United Fund -now known as the Michigan Association of United Ways • Founded in 1947 through efforts by: • Walter Reuther, President of the International Union, UAW • August Scholle, First President of the Michigan State AFL-CIO • Henry Ford, President of Ford Motor Company

The Past • In 1951, the Community Services Labor department was formed • Two state labor staff were hired to: • Develop increased labor participation and expand the community services network • Develop community services committees in Central Labor Councils • Education community service representatives in linking their members to available health & human services • Assist with establishing local liaison positions in Michigan • Encourage labor union members to support the Community Chest and United Fund Campaigns in Michigan

The Past • A third labor staff was hired in 1952, and a fourth in 1954 • The labor staff was guided by the statements outlined in the original partnership Activities booklet: • The Union Member is first and foremost a citizen of their community • The Union Member has a responsibility to their community • Unions have a responsibility to the health and welfare of their members and their member’s families, beyond the place of employment • The community has a responsibility to its citizens • Unions have elected to finance, support and participate in existing community social service agencies rather than to establish direct social service of their own

That was then. This is now.

The Present • The Michigan Association of United Ways employees: • Director of Labor and Community Services, an AFL-CIO Community Services State Liaison • There are 17 AFL-CIO Community Services Labor Liaisons employed: • In 13 different communities across Michigan • By Local United Ways • by Sparrow Hospital, in a unique circumstance, as she is the only employer specific liaison, not employed by a labor agency • Previous Liaisons have been employed by the March of Dims and American Red Cross

The Present • Approximately 200 labor union members serve as AFL-CIO Community Services Labor Liaisons, not all employed by Local United Ways • May work for, or run, a Labor Agency – where a Local United Way may provide funds. • Labor Agencies are local non-profits run by labor union members • Some have specific focus, while others are more broad • Example: Tri-County Labor Agency

State and Local Labor Liaisons

The Local Labor Liaison • The position of a Local Labor Liaison is unique. The Liaison is programmatically responsible to the Central Labor Council, yet the Liaison is administratively responsible to the respective United Way. • They are responsible for implementing the AFL -CIO Community Services Core Program

The Core Program includes: • Assisting active and retired workers and their families in need of health or human services by; • Providing information and referral and case management to people seeking help, and promoting the 2 -1 -1 system. • Providing support to workers experiencing lay-off, strike, relocation or lock out. • Recruit, train and involve union members and other volunteers from community who have an interest in assisting others

The Core Program Includes • Supporting community activities of the AFLCIO, local unions and community based organizations through; • Union Community Action Network training and education classes • United Way Days of Caring • NALC Annual Food Drive • Disaster response • Non-partisan Voter registration and advocacy

The Core Program Includes: • Increasing labor support for the United Way by; • Recruiting and coordinating with local labor leadership • Assisting in the production and use of union-made campaign materials • Staffing union shop campaigns • Securing labor endorsements • Ensuring labor recognition

The Core Program Includes • Cultivating an AFL-CIO/United Way Partnership by; • Coordinating appointments of appropriate union representation on governing boards and committees of the United Way • Working with United Way agencies to secure union representation on their boards and committees • Facilitating regular communication between the chief labor officers and the United Way • Encouraging participation by labor and the United Way in each others functions • Promoting worker-friendly employee relations by the United Way and its agencies including neutrality in employee organizing campaigns

The Core Program Includes: • The Liaison is still held accountable by and to the local United Way as an employee and must fulfill administrative responsibilities that include: • Developing in conjunction with local labor leadership and the United Way, a joint annual work plan • Participating in Joint performance reviews and provide periodic reports • To attend CLC, CAP and State AFL-CIO board meetings as requested and, • To attend other AFL-CIO and United Way meetings, functions and conferences

Liaisons accomplish this through partnerships they develop over the years with individuals, other unions and their members, constituency groups and other activists.

The State Labor Program • Co-sponsored by MAUW and the Michigan State AFL-CIO coordinates three annual education events: • Local Labor Liaison Training • Community Services school • Fall Seminar

The State Labor Program • Responds to special requests • • • Plan closing seminars Unemployment seminars United Way or Labor speaking engagements Campaign Assistance Information & Referral Special projects: NALC Annual Food Drive, Workers Memorial Day and Labor Day events • Working with state legislature • The State Liaison acts in the capacity of a local liaison in those locations where no local liaison is present.

The State Program • Developed the state-wide “Labor Leads” registry, which recognizes union member donors that have made leadership pledges to their respective United Ways in excess of $250. • Recognition levels range from: • • $250 - $499 $500 - $749 $750 - $999 $1, 000+ • The initial booklet in 1999, listed 3, 177 union leadership givers. The last “official” count listed 2, 031 union mebers and/or labor organizations whose combined contribution exceeded $1. 2 Million.

The State Program • In 2015, MAUW and the Labor Department partnered with AFSCME Council 25 to cosponsor their Annual Charity Golf Outing • Generated more than $15, 000 in revenue for local labor programs • $13, 000 was donated to aid the Flint Water Crisis in April of 2016.

The Future

The Future • Full involvement in Public Policy • Limited staffing has created challenges • Focusing on issues that impact dislocated workers has created greater impact • Focus on issues include • Earned Income Tax Credit • Unemployment Issues • Expanded 2 -1 -1 coverage and Outreach