As Labor Day approaches, many workers are looking forward to a three-day weekend.

It’s a great time to recognize that our country’s labor movement paved the way for workers to enjoy things like 40-hour work weeks, paid vacation and many other benefits. And that legacy goes further, including the work of building stronger communities for all.

To that end, 2017 marks the 75th anniversary of the partnership between organized labor and United Way, an agreement signed in 1942 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 the United Way).

At United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, we appreciate the lasting partnership with local members of organized labor in bringing positive change to our communities.

“It’s just a natural fit,” said David Pawloski, Organized Labor Liaison for UWBCKR. Pawloski is one of 150 liaisons nationwide employed by United Ways and one of 17 in Michigan. “The contributions of union members are crucial to the work we do at United Way, whether it’s contributing time, skills or money. They make a huge difference.”

A few examples of the impact union members make each year in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo:

• NALC Food Drive: The National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is held each May. Locally, NALC Branch 262 in Battle Creek and NALC Branch 246 in Kalamazoo partner in the effort, now in its 25th year. In Battle Creek and Kalamazoo combined, carriers collected 117,167 pounds of food during the 2017 event.
• School supply drive: Led by UWBCKR, this annual drive involves many local unions collecting school supplies, which are then given to the Kalamazoo Education Association and the Michigan Education Association Battle Creek for distribution to teachers.
• Holiday food baskets: The Community Services Committee of the South-Central Michigan AFL-CIO Labor Council leads an effort each year to collect funds and food donations used to pack food boxes for union members and families in need throughout the Lakeview, Harper Creek, Pennfield and Battle Creek school districts.
• Volunteering: Union retirees volunteer each Friday at the Tri-County Labor Agency’s food bank, which provides emergency food assistance for union and non-union members.

Part of the original agreement in 1942 encouraged labor representation on United Way boards and councils. That continues today, with union members serving on UWBCKR’s board of directors, executive committee, other committees and volunteer groups.

“The ways that local union organizations serve our community are almost too numerous to mention,” Pawloski said.

Walter Reuther, UAW President from 1946 to 1970, said the following words decades ago, and they still ring true today:

“There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow men. There is no greater contribution than to help the weak. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well.”