LABOR
Recently, United Way for Southeastern Michigan convened dozens of stakeholders from labor, faith, and community-based organizations for Labor in Action – an event aimed at driving creative solutions to our community’s most pressing needs.
“United Way was built for tough times, and no other organization can convene partners to be able to meet those challenges,” said Dan Colling, senior director of Corporate and Labor Relations at United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “So together, we’re going to develop solutions, we’re going to deliver on them, and we’re excited to bring you all together today for that purpose.”
Held at the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324, the event included a panel entitled “Labor and Community Impact: Where Ideas Meet Action” moderated by Wayne County Commissioner Angelique Peterson-Mayberry and spirited table discussions.
Panelists, including Labor Advocate Rick Blocker, Principal of Southfield Community Schools Porsha Eubanks, Attorney and Activist Gayle Hamilton, BAC Local 2 Bricklayer and Business Agent Ryan Harmon and UAW Region 1 Director Lashawn English, answered questions on current challenges, solutions, ways to strengthen advocacy and their hopes going forward.
“Labor is the community, so we have to get more vocal about what it means to be a union member: being in a union is about having a voice,” said Rick. “This partnership between United Way and unions matters so much, as well as renewing our collaboration with religious groups.”
VALUING LIVED-EXPERIENCE
The event held space for small group discussions on a variety of topics, including urgent local issues, elevation of community voices, inclusion, collaboration and pathways to sustainability. Each table received a question to collaborate on, and Table Two was asked how to elevate the voices of working families in decision-making spaces.
“We should allow working parents to be seated at the table and have the meetings after work hours so that they can attend,” said Table Two. “Our elected officials and leaders should be people with lived experience so that they can understand and represent the needs.”
Building on the importance of lived experience, Synnia Williams, business representative from IBEW 58, explained how people at her job wanted handwashing stations and heaters, but decision makers were slow in respecting those needs.
“If you never worked that line, you are not going to be empathetic to the needs of the people,” said Synnia. “I was that person on the job, and just because I do construction work doesn’t mean I’m less than human.”
“You can make better decisions if you’ve been there or have talked to the people doing it.”
LIFTING AS YOU CLIMB
Labor in Action provided a networking space for local leaders to exchange information and express shared goals. Founder and CEO of the nonprofit Motions, Alana Weems attended the event to network with local partners.
“Partnerships make the community; you can’t really do anything alone,” said Alana. “When you’re small, you need someone else to help you grow, and if you’re big, why not lift as you climb?”
Through partnership and collaboration, we can help ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families and improve local communities. Events like Labor in Action showcase the role of United Way and a community convener and establish a shared vision for success.
“I’m hoping that you all exchange information because, I promise you, someone in this room can help you with something that you’re doing,” said Alicia Dennis, director of Labor Relations at United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “And if they cannot, talk to me, I’ll help you.”
Want to see more of our Labor team’s work? Read about their other events, Sneakerball and Labor of Love.