Labor and United Way: A Partnership That Works 

Since just after World War II, United Way has partnered with labor unions. Giving back is a union tradition and we are honored to be partners with members of organized labor in helping our community. Whether it's contributing time, skills or money, union members help to make a huge difference in our community through the United Way.

United Way is committed to helping members and their families. Under the leadership of the Greater St. Louis Labor Council, the Madison County Federation of Labor and the Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, more than 600 families receive confidential help each year. United Way also staffs labor liaisons to work with organized labor on a number of topics, including:

• Training of union members to assist co-workers with information about available local health and human services and to refer them to the appropriate organizations.
• Recruiting, training and helping to place members of organized labor on the decision-making bodies of health and human service organizations.
• Supporting the National Association of Letter Carriers' National Food Drive held annually on the second Saturday in May.

United Way/Labor Community Services Liaison Program 

Help Is Just a Phone Call Away
Our United Way and organized labor have a special relationship that provides all union members with a union brother or sister to call on for guidance and referral to community resources that they are eligible to receive. Our labor staff is available daily to help union members with utilities, food, counseling and other non-work-related problems. Nearly 200 United Way agencies and more than 900 local organizations are at your service and ready to help. 

Online resources 

The best starting point for local and national labor-related information and news is the Web sites maintained by the labor unions active in the region.

• National AFL-CIO
• Missouri AFL-CIO
• Illinois AFL-CIO
• U.S. Department of Labor