June 6, 2016
TO : Recording Secretaries of IAM Local Lodges in Canada
I am writing to endorse and encourage the support of your Local Lodge membership for the United Way Campaign in your community.
These are difficult times and we must work to assist the less fortunate in our communities to manage their lives with dignity.
Unions represent workers … and do so much more. Our IAM Local Lodges have a long history of devoting time and effort to their communities. It is a tradition of volunteering that is as evident today as it always has been in the past. It is part of our credo: “Service to the Community”.
One of the ways we have supported our neighbours and communities is through the United Way, a tradition spanning more than 50 years.
The labour movement in Canada and the United Way share a common vision of “building a society which provides a wide range of social and public services which are accessible, universal and of the highest quality”.
When IAM MEMBERS GIVE TO United Way, their money is used in their community to support many programs and services:
• Building self esteem in young people
• Enabling independent living for seniors and the physically challenged
• Strengthening families
• Preparing people for re-employment
• Helping people in crisis
• Helping women
2.
To encourage our membership’s support for United Way and agencies in 2016, your help is needed.
I am asking the leadership of each Local Lodge to actively support United Way workplace campaigns by discussing this at your Local Lodge meeting. Other activities we encourage:
• Participating in workplace campaigns and providing a Local Lodge representative
• Activating workplace campaigns by influencing management
• Endorsing the United Way by letter to your membership or through your Local Lodge newsletter and website.
• Raise awareness and support for United Way at membership meetings.
As Leaders in your Local Lodges you know this country’s social safety net is badly frayed. Supporting United Way will help to ensure services are available to our members and their families.
I urge you to actively support the aims and objectives of the United Way by becoming involved with your own work place campaign. Remember, the United Way is the way to help the most.
In Solidarity,
Stan Pickthall
GENERAL VICE PRESIDENT
SP/jc
cc: Canadian Staff
Chris Buckley, President OFL
Hassan Yussuff, President, CLC
Sharon Lupton, National Director Labour Programs Services United Way