The United Way and the Canadian Labour Congress signed a formal partnership over 20 years ago. Our work together brings our large movements together to work for the good of our communities.  Questions about Labour Programs and Services? Send an e-mail to jmacdonald@uwayapu.org.

Labour Community Services

Labour and United Way share many of the same values and recognize the importance of establishing and maintaining quality services which are accessible and meet the needs of the community. The partnership between organized labour and United Way has evolved and grown for more than fifty years.  In 2004 United Way, Durham Region Labour Council and Canadian Labour Congress formalized their local partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding.  A Labour Community Services Coordinator was hired to support the efforts of both United Way and the Labour Community.

Building Communities: Labour programs and services staff and volunteers chair adjustment committees in communities where layoffs and closures are affecting everyone. We organize partnerships to provide and fill knapsacks with school materials for kids who can’t afford them. We facilitate the involvement of skilled tradespeople in repairing facilites for community groupsthat could not otherwise afford it. We coordinate annual dinners sponsored by unions for those who are hungry and initiate food sustainability programs. Through labour programs and service, unions work with UWs and community groups to make things happen.

LABOUR’S PLAN TO BUILD VIBRANT SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ACROSS CANADA click here!

Retirement Security for Everyone!

People should not be left to fend for themselves in retirement. It's time for a change in emphasis toward public pensions and toward greater security for people who belong to existing employer plans. 

That's why the Canadian Labour Congress is proposing three key reforms that would benefit all workers, improve retirement income security, and gear Canada's pension system to better fit the needs of a changing economy.

Training & Capacity Building

Union Peer Counseling  Workers Helping Workers:  A key element in our work together is theUnion Counseling Program.  It trains union members about community resources and social issues so they can link union members and their families in need with the available social services, many of which are funded by United Way.  These members are also able to alert unions to social problems that particularly affect their workplace so the union can consult or bargain with employers to improve conditions.

The Basic Course

The basic union/peer course introduces you to counseling and communication techniques. It provides you with an understanding of the broad variety of difficulties people may face.  You will be equipped with the knowledge, expertise and resources needed to ensure people get help when they need it.  We will also help you implement the union/peer counselor program in your workplace.

Union Counselors (Peer Counselors) are workers trained to help co-workers find effective solutions to personal problems that are not resolved through provisions of a collective agreement.

As a counselor, you'll be able to offer guidance, referrals and information to colleagues in need of support.  You will be an important component in making the workplace a healthier, happier place to be.

Through this program you will develop an improved understanding of services and how to access them. You may lso become involved in the development, enhancement & preservation of services in the community

Who Benefits?

Everyone Benefits!!

• You! Become both a leader and a resource in your workplace.
• Your union! Union counsellors provide a new value-added service to members.
• Your company! Counsellors will be an important component in making the workplace a healthier, happier place to be.
• Your labour movement! Counsellors know first-hand what new services are available and can help identify gaps in the community.
• Your community! As a counsellor, you help have the opportunity to increase the awareness of the need to provide fair, affordable, sensitive and easy-to-reach community services for people from all walks of life.

The Union Counselor Program empowers you with the skills to help people in need. It gives you insight into available services in your community and how to access them.

This is a prevention-based program, with a goal of helping union members in the workplace. United Way provides training for Union Counselors to help them help their colleagues deal with personal problems and refer them to programs in their community that can provide direct support.

The CLC/United Way Union Counseling Program

Post Training Support

Union/Peer Counselor graduates continue to have access to and assistance through the Labour Council/United Way Labour Services Co-ordinator. If a challenging issue arises, the Counselor can access support just by calling 905-686-0606.

WHERE THE CRISIS IS HAPPENING, YOUR UNITED WAY IS THERE FOR WORKING FAMILIES!!