Greater Twin Cities United Way: Improving Lives, Strengthening Communities

The menu has downgraded

Overview

Organized Labor Partner

Labor leaders and Lauren

The partnership between Organized Labor and Greater Twin Cities United Way spans over 70 years.

Labor members contribute time, skills and money to support the Agenda for Lasting Change and help create a better life for everyone in the community.

Pictured L-R: Sharlye J. Knutson, president, St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, William McCarthy, president, Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, Lauren A. Segal, president and CEO, Greater Twin Cities United Way,
Dan Fortier, president, Teamsters Joint Council 32

Union News & Events

July 13 Live United Launch Event a Success!

Ideal weather, fantastic entertainment and activities for all ages coupled with a massive volunteer project made the July 13 Live United launch event a success. Almost 230,000 pounds of food were collected and $10,700 was raised in cash donations. View press release (PDF).


L-R (back row): Doug Flateau, Diane Zilley, Wayne Wittman, Kurt Zilley, John Ewaldt, Kera Peterson L-R (front row): Becky Sweet, Ellie Schmeltzer, Judy Lindner, Jon Grebner, Michael Moore	Labor members sorted hundreds of pounds of donated food.

National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) 16th Annual 'Stamp Out Hunger' on May 10

Stamp Out Hunger Nonperishable food items were collected in all 50 states as part of the largest one-day food drive in the nation on Saturday, May 10, 2007.

This year's NALC National Food Drive was record-breaking: 73.1 million pounds of food was collected. 2008 was the fifth consecutive year the total surpassed 70 million pounds. Food collected locally was distributed to United Way food relief partners like Second Harvest Heartland.

CenterPoint Energy / Gas Workers Union Win 2008 'Best Of' Award

Center Point Energy team March 27, 2008—CenterPoint Energy/Gas Workers Union Local 340, I.B.E.W. Local 949, OPEIU Local 12 won this year's "Best Labor/ Management Partnership" at the annual United Way Best Ofs ceremony.

The Best Of awards honor outstanding workplace giving campaigns in 25 categories. View press release (PDF).

Making a Difference

Labor picture 1

Blood Drives
Partnered blood drives are held at unionized workplaces and collect over 5,000 units of blood annually.

Carrier Alert Program
This free service "keeps an eye on" people living alone who might be unable to call for help if they become sick or injured.

Civic Engagement
United Way agencies and Labor Community Services staff help people exercise basic voting rights, civic engagement and advocacy.

Labor picture 3

Early Childhood Education Initiative
Union member donations help United Way's initiative that ensures all children ages 0-6 years are fully prepared for kindergarten.

Earned Income Tax Credit
Working families get informed about state and federal tax credits and keep more of their hard-earned money through the United Way Claim It! partnership.

Labor picture 2 Union Counselor Training and UCAN Program
Trained union members assist co-workers in need and their families with a support system of referrals to appropriate health and welfare resources. These programs also prepare members to be activists for social change in their community.

Volunteering
Union volunteers participate in projects that keep our community strong like doing yardwork to help seniors and people with disabilities stay independent. United Way Caring Connection is a program that matches volunteers' interests and location preferences to volunteer opportunities.

Member Support Services

United Way 2-1-1™ is a free and confidential help line that's available 24 / 7.

Connect to over 40,000 community resources like: finding a childcare or adult care provider, getting consumer information, receiving or volunteering for counseling services, getting or receiving emergency food, clothing, shelter or transportation and much more. Just dial 2-1-1 or 651-291-0211.

Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO (Anoka, Carver, Hennepin, McLeod, Meeker, Scott, Wright Counties)

Doug Flateau, Working Partnerships: 612-379-8133
Betsy Hunter, Working Partnerships: 612-379-4206

St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO (Chisago, Dakota, Ramsey, Washington Counties)

Lynne Larkin-Wright, Labor Studies and Resource Center: 651-222-3787 (ext. 16)
Kera Peterson, Labor Studies and Resource Center: 651-222-3787 (ext. 18)

Minnesota AFL-CIO

Candace Lund, Minnesota AFL-CIO: 651-227-7647

Teamsters

Ellie Schmeltzer, Minnesota Teamsters Service Bureau: 612-676-3730
Minnesota Teamsters Service Bureau: 612-676-3700

Websites