Helping Each Other....the goal of the labor movement and United Way.

And through United Way supported programs, the lives of workers and their families are assisted each year by the thousands.

Based upon the long-held belief that union members are first and foremost members of their community, AFL-CIO unions have honored the tradition of supporting United Way for almost sixty years! In duluth, the partnership of labor and United Way came together formally in 1957. At that time, the United Way committed resources to the labor community services programs and the labor movement committed its support and resources to United Way and its family of agencies. On a National scale, the partnership was cemented by an agreement.

The "Memorandum of Understanding" a cooperative agreement between the AFL-CIO and the United Way reaffirms both organizations' commitment to the belief that assistance through volunteerism is the essence of a democratic society. Duluth United Way and Central Labor Body signed their formal "Memorandum of Understanding" in 1983.

As a result of this partnership, programs sponsored jointly by the AFL-CIO and United Way continue to add value to the community as a whole.

Some of the elements of the year-round program are:

• Member Assistance Program
• Union Community Activist Network Training
• National Letter Carrier Food Drive
• Services to the unemployed
• Shoes for Tots
• Advocacy & Intervention Services
• Holiday Food Programs
• Christmas Toy/Gift Drop Program
• Many More.

Duluth AFL-CIO Community Services Committee
Todd Erickson,Chairperson, UNITE HERE 99; Lori Doucette, DSE 956; Wayne Dunder, Steel Workers 1028; Jean Hanson, UNITE HERE 150; Marlene Hart, AFSCME 3558; Gaynelle Johnson, NALC 114 Retiree; Leona Krieg, AFSCME 3801; Laura Laaksonen, UNITE-HERE 99; Dan Leslie, IBEW 31; Chad McKenna, NELC; Jayme McKenna, AFSCME 66; Janet Nelson, AFSCME 2980; Alan Netland, AFSCME 66; Terri Newman, CWA 7214; Roy Niemi, Teamster Retiree; Craig Olson, Painters 106; Lorraine Reinke, AFSCME Retiree; Kathy Stevens, AFSCME 66; Mike Sundin, Painters 106; Marlys Wisch, CWA Retiree; Helen Wisneski, AFSCME Retiree; Yvonne Harvey, Staff