United Way of Canada – Centraide Canada and the Canadian Labour Congress

Labour Programs and Services

United Way – Centraide and organized labour have a long history of working together.  Both organizations are committed to the collective good.  For United Ways – Centraides, it’s in our communities, while for labour, it’s for working men and women.  But both movements also understand that workers live in communities and communities depend on workers. Not surprisingly, both movements see many of the same faces.

In 1988, United Way of Canada – Centraide Canada signed a formal partnership agreement with the Canadian Labour Congress, the largest umbrella organization of unions and other labour bodies in Canada, representing over three million members.  The partnership agreement, which includes the Statement of Principles, was updated in 1999 and is aimed at providing a context for our organizations to work toward goals we hold in common, while respecting our different approaches and structures.

Today, our organizations assist workers and their families through labour and community programs based in a number of United Ways – Centraides across Canada.  A key activity is providing union counsellor training (see below) to unionized workers.  The training allows these workers to connect fellow union members in need with the community services their donations support.

• Joint recognition of the importance of social and public services and opposition to any unilateral attempt to dismantle this system.
• Commitments from United Way of Canada - Centraide Canada that, in agencies funded by United Way - Centraide,
  • paid employees would not be displaced or replaced by volunteers, including during strikes and lock-outs;
  • volunteers would not work in positions providing on-going service for which funding could and should be made available.
• Commitments by the Canadian Labour Congress to provide leadership and encourage members to support the voluntary sector through personal participation and financial contribution to the United Way - Centraide campaigns.
• Recognition by United Way of Canada - Centraide Canada of the importance of labour’s contribution to the voluntary sector and endorsement of labour participation in decision-making and representation on boards and committees.
• Joint recognition of the importance of the relationship.

The union counsellor program was established in Windsor, Ontario, in 1973. The objective of this program is to develop a strong network of union members who are trained on a variety of social and personal challenges workers face and the community resources available to address these challenges. Union counsellors do not counsel workers as such. Instead they help workers identify the issues for which they need help and link them to existing support systems.

This is a three-level program that can be tailored for each community, but ensures that these members have consistent training across the country.  Through this program we are developing a group of union members knowledgeable about and committed to their communities.

Questions about Labour Programs and Services? Email: jmanchee@unitedway.ca