Where to turn for help in Southeastern Connecticut when you are between jobs. A list of services, programs and resources in our community that are here to assist you in times of need. Read More >>

With a long history of caring for those in need, organized labor continues its commitment to the United Way mission. A basic principle of the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is that the union member is first and foremost, a citizen of the community who strives to make it a good place in which to live, work, raise children, and to retire. From this basic principle, a partnership between organized labor and United Way was formed in 1942. Nationally, 6 AFL-CIO representatives serve on United Way of America's Board of Governors. Locally, we have an active Labor Committee and several union members serving on United Way of SE CT's Board of Directors.

Labor volunteers serve in many capacities to ensure that United Way remains effective and efficient in our community. Click on the links below to read more about:

• Union Counseling Program (UCAN)
• Worker's Memorial - Join us on April 28th, 6 a.m. at Washington Park
• National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive - 2nd Saturday in May
• Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center
• Labor Committee

AFL-CIO Union Community Action Network (UCAN)

The Southeastern Connecticut Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO and United Way team up to sponsor Union Community Action Network Training - UCAN. As part of this four-session program, labor volunteers are trained on the information and skills needed to refer co-workers, family members and neighbors to existing social services. Highlights of this valuable training include:

• Developing a stronger Union referral link
• Learning about United Way's network of community agencies
• Forming alliances that strengthen the labor movement
• Understanding the power of community involvement
• Building a more caring community!

UCAN Have a Hand in Helping so Many Lives

• UCAN help working families by changing the economic environment and building power for workers.
• UCAN help build a strong political voice for working families.
• UCAN help each other through community resources.
• UCAN help build a strong labor movement.
• UCAN be the "voice" at your workplace and community to help working families.
• UCAN do all this and more because you are a UNION COMMUNITY ACTIVIST.

The 2007 Class is forming now. The dates are Tuesday & Thursdays, May 15, 17, 22, & 24, from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sessions will be held at the United Way office, and are $45.00 per person. To register, please contact Sharon Peccini, United Way's AFL-CIO Liaison. Class size is limited and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Worker's Memorial

The Workers' Memorial is held annually on April 28th across the country to remember and honor union brothers and sisters who lost their lives while on the job. Locally, the Memorial Monument stands at Washington Park in Groton. The year 2007 marked the 13th anniversary of the permanent memorial.

The Memorial site contains more than 500 commemorative markers remembering workers and their families who have made the supreme sacrifice through loss of life at the workplace. The Southeastern Connecticut Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO pledges to stand solid as the rock at the Memorial site to continue to fight for every American Worker's right to a safe worksite.

Below, images from the 2007 Worker's Memorial Ceremony. Held on April 28th at Washington Park in the City of Groton, over 100 people attended the 8:00 a.m. ceremony.

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National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive

The 300,000-member National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), which represents city delivery letter carriers in all 50 states and U.S. jurisdictions, conducts the world's largest one-day food drive each year on the 2nd Saturday in May. Co-sponsors of the drive are the U.S. Postal Services, United Way, the AFL-CIO, Campbell's Soup Company, and America's Second Harvest.

In 2007, the drive collected 74,316 pounds of food that was delivered to the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center in New London. Post offices in the towns of Colchester, Groton, Ledyard, Mystic, New London, Norwich, Pawacatuck, Quaker Hill, Uncasville and Waterford participated in the drive in 2007. America's Second Harvest estimates that one pound of food has an average wholesale value of $1.69 and that 1.3 pounds of food is equal to one meal. That means that this year's drive can be translated into a donation of approximately $125,594 or nearly 57,166 meals!

The effort began in 1991 when the NALC, with the support of the U.S. Postal Service and the AFL-CIO, conducted a 10-city pilot program. More than 290 tons of food was collected in just those 10 cities. In 1993 the drive expanded to 200 NALC branches in all 50 states and covering more than 1,000 communities. A record 12 million pounds (6,000 tons) of non-perishable food donations was collected. The drive has continued to flourish ever since, expanding the number of cities and towns involved to more than 10,000 communities. The drive comes at a critical time when most food banks are experiencing depleted donations and food donated during the holiday seasons have diminished.

The simplicity and efficiency of the drive are what make it work. It is held at the same time each year - on the 2nd Saturday in May. Donations are collected in participating communities by letter carriers along their normal mail routes. People wishing to donate simply leave their non-perishable items by their mailboxes. It is delivered immediately to local food pantries. Easy!

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Labor Committee Members

Wayne Burgess, Chair President, SECT Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO MDA-UAW Local #571

Norman Brothers, Laborers Local 547

Kenneth DelaCruz, Boilermakers #614

James Fadden, Painters Local #1122

Way Hedding, IBEW Local #261

Joann Holmes, AFT Health Care Workers Local #5123

James Kelly, Retiree, MDA-UAW

Sharon Palmer, AFT Local #2038

Thomas Schlink, Teamsters #493

John Worobey, MDA-UAW Local #571

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