United Way and organized labor have had a working partnership since 1942. This partnership sought cooperation between employers and union representatives in the area of employee solicitation to jointly stress voluntary contributions without coercion. As a result of the partnership, labor liasion positions were established on the staffs of the local United Ways. Labor Liaisons are chosen to serve by the local Labor Council and serve at the pleasure of the Labor Council and the local United Way.

Putting the Partnership to Work in the Lehigh Valley

Here in the Lehigh Valley, organized labor is very much a part of United Way. James Irwin, President of the Lehigh Valley Labor Council and member of AFSCME District Council 13 represents labor on the United Way Board. 

The Lehigh Valley is one of several United Way's in the state of Pennsylvania that have an AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison. The labor liaison's responsibilities include:

• Fundraising among union members and non-union members, where appropriate 
• Recruitment of volunteers
• Assisting the Lehigh Valley Central Labor Council in establishing community service committees and programs
• Providing layoff and strike assistance
• Information and referral services for union member
• Developing new United Way campaign opportunities 

Perhaps one of the best examples of the strong partnership between labor and United Way in the Lehigh Valley is the TeenWorks™ Program. Developed and implemented in 1999, TeenWorks™ provides a funding source for teens who are doing community service projects. Up to twenty union members and up to twenty teens join together to review applications and allocate funding. To date TeenWorks™ has funded over 450 projects with dollars exceeding $500,000 through United Way workplace campaign donations. Over 200 boy scouts have recieved their Eagle Scout Award through TeenWorks™ funding.