Over
half a century ago, on August 17, 1942, an agreement on cooperation
was signed by the National Congress
of Industrial Organizations (CIO) Committee for American and Allied
War Relief, the United Nations Relief Committee of the American
Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Community Chests and Councils,
Inc. (now United
Way of America). This agreement encouraged labor representation
on Community Chests boards and councils, and for recognition of
union members’ contributions. The agreement sought cooperation between
employee solicitation organized by employers and union representatives
who jointly stressed voluntary contributions without coercion.
This
agreement came in response to the growing number of fund drives
organized to support Community Chests, labor war relief, American
Red Cross, the USO, war bond campaigns, plus a number of trade,
religious and advocacy groups who wanted to help. To coordinate
effective support, organized labor and the Community Chests and
Councils, Inc. agreed to join in collaborative fund raising and
community development. As a result, labor liaison positions were
established on the staffs of local community chests.
In
1946, the Department of Labor Participation was established at United
Way of America. The aim was to join United Way, labor and health
and welfare agencies in a cooperative, community effort to bring
services and people together. To accomplish this, what are currently
known as AFL-CIO Community Services liaisons are employed by United
Way organizations throughout the country. These representatives
are selected by the local AFL-CIO Central Labor Council and serve
at the pleasure of United Way and the Council.
Organized
labor is a full partner in United Way, as witnessed by the more
than 200 AFL-CIO Community Services liaisons currently serving on
the staff of state and local United Ways throughout the country.
Representatives of unions volunteer in all phases of United Way
activities, serve on year-round committees, participate in annual
United Way campaigns as part of the campaign leadership structure,
and communicate to union members the importance of the campaign
and the agencies involved. Union members are involved as volunteers
in their communities by working with the many health and human care
agencies providing services to the community.
On
November 22, 1971 and again on April 4, 1979, the Cooperative Memorandum
of Understanding between the United Way of America and the AFL-CIO
was reaffirmed.
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