Labor

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LABOR & UNITED WAY

Since 1946, the AFL-CIO and United Ways across the country have partnered together to provide social services to union members, their families and the community.  It’s a partnership that works. 

Organized labor knows the meaning of living united.  Giving back is a union tradition.  Whether it’s contributing time, skills or financial support, union members make a huge difference in our community through United Way.  We are honored to be partners with the Northwest Indiana Federation of Labor and members of organized labor in making our community a better place to live, work and raise their families. 

AFL-CIO Community Services Program

Started locally in the 1960’s, the AFL-CIO Community Services Program grew from organized labor’s desire to help members get more involved in supporting their community.  Lake Area United Way is one of only two in the state of Indiana that employ two AFL-CIO Community Services Liaisons.

Besides assisting local union community service efforts, they also hold significant roles within LAUW.  In addition to their responsibilities as AFL-CIO Community Services Liaisons, Judy Terek also serves as Senior Campaign Manager and Dave Sikes is Director of Allocations and Planning.

With over 30 years of combined community service and experience, Judy and Dave work to:

§  Recruit union members to serve in various volunteer capacities.  For example, during the 2008 flood, they facilitated recruitment of union volunteers and the involvement of the Northwest Indiana Building & Construction Trades Council with the Lakeshore Area Regional Recovery of Indiana (LARRI).

§  Cultivate relationships with union members and local labor organizations to support United Way and the community.  Organized labor’s support of United Way workplace campaigns continue to be among the best in Northwest Indiana.

§  Provide education and information on community services and programs to workers and their families.

§  Respond to plant closings and worker displacement to ensure union members have access to appropriate health and human services in Northwest Indiana.

§  Coordinate labor participation in Worker’s Memorial Day observances each year in April to promote workplace safety.

§  Support the National Association of Letter Carriers’ National “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive held annually on the second Saturday in May.

§  Speak out on public issues important to working families.

United Way Labor Participation Committee Chair

Dan Murchek

President

Northwest Indiana Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

Labor Representatives on Lake Area United Way’s Board of Trustees

Randy Palmateer

Business Manager

Northwest Indiana Building & Construction Trades Council

Rosa Maria Rodriguez

Financial Secretary

United Steelworkers Local 1010

For more information on the AFL-CIO Community Services and United Way Partnership, contact Judy Terek or Dave Sikes at the Lake Area United Way, (219) 923-2302 or by email at:  jterek@lauw.org or dsikes@lauw.org.