Since 1946, the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and United Way Worldwide (formerly United Way of America) have enjoyed a cooperative relationship through which they and state and local United Ways provide services to members of organized labor, their families and their communities. Organized labor is also part of the decision-making process at United Way Worldwide, with AFL-CIO representatives serving on the Board of Trustees.
The mission of the Michigan Association of United Ways Labor program is to strengthen the partnership between organized labor and the state and local United Ways in Michigan. This is accomplished by securing financial support for Michigan Association of United Ways, assisting local United Ways with their campaigns, implementing national and state educational core programs and serving as advocates on behalf of Michigan Association of United Ways, local unions and local United Ways.
- Annual programs include:
- Staff training conference for state and local community service liaisons.
- One-week labor volunteer training held at the UAW Education Center.
- One-day August seminar to mobilize labor volunteers for the United Way campaign and update them on relevant community service issues.
- Other specialized trainings and projects which are developed to assist labor and United Ways to build stronger communities.
- State “Labor Leads” registry that recognizes United Way labor donors that have made leadership pledges to their respective United Ways in excess of $250, $500, $750 and $1,000 per year.
- A statewide Community Services standing committee that will provide greater visibility, representation and collective strength to the community service movement in Michigan.