Labor Unions

Since 1946 the AFL-CIO and the United Way of America have enjoyed a cooperative relationship. The following quote from, United Way of America President and Chief Executive Officer, Brain Gallagher puts it into perspective.

“The Labor movement and the United Way have a lot in common we have a rich history and heritage of caring about the human needs, justice, fairness and opportunity. We succeed together when we put our community first.”

Mission:
The mission of the AFL-CIO community Services Liaison Program is to improve the lives of workers and their families by meeting their human and social service needs; building broad and diverse coalitions to promote and protect dignity and justice for workers; and empowering workers and their unions to make their communities better, more responsive places to live, work and raise a family.

Nationally, more than 200 liaisons serve as staff to over 180 local United Ways. Alabama has two AFL-CIO Community Service Liaisons to help ensure our mission is achieved. Each Liaison works locally, in cooperation with their Central Labor Council.

Locally, the United Way of Southwest Alabama and the Southwest Alabama relationship has continued for over 40 years. Community projects include The National Association of Letter Carriers, Annual Food Drive and Carrier Alert- Branch 469, Information and Referral, Building & Construction Trades Department-D.A.D.’s Day, Boilermakers local 112- Hurricane Katrina disaster services, Painters local 779- United Way office painting and food delivery, refurbished hand rails for United Way Agency, and the list goes on.

Community Labor Leaders of the United Way of Southwest Alabama Board:

• Larry Fincher, President-Mobile-Pensacola Building and Construction Trades
• Rick Lambert, Treasurer-Southwest Alabama Labor Council
• Jerry Driskell, Apprentice Coordinator for the Asbestos Workers local 55
• Danny Price – Emeritus, formerly Business Manager - Plumbers and Steamfitters local 119, and President of the United Way board

For more information on the Southwest Alabama Labor Council, AFL-CIO contact:
Pat Rabbeitt, United Way AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison
Email: prabbeitt@uwswa.org or (251) 431-0101