The Labour Community Advocate Program is the latest evolution in the CLC’s Union Counselling program.
The course began in Windsor in 1973 with the original purpose of connecting trade union members with services available in their community. The goal was to provide assistance that would support members facing personal and social challenges. It was very much in Labour`s historic tradition of “Good and Welfare”, collectively taking care of those in need.

In 1976 the Union Counselling Program was adopted by the Canadian Labour Congress Community and Social Services Department. In the years since, United Way Labour Programs and Services Staff across the country have delivered this CLC program to union members. The training has always focused on communication and how to effectively and appropriately support workers by listening and linking them with services available in the community; many of which are funded by United Way.

In 2011 the CLC re-named the course to the Labour Community Advocate Program and shifted the focus slightly. The original training has been updated and now includes a section on connecting the participants’ locals and the broader movement with like-minded community groups. The course now has modules on Unions and Communities Working Together, Community Services, Principles of Communication, Interviewing and Referral Skills, Equity in referrals, Linking Labour and Community and more.

The Labour Community Advocate Program is another way that Unions in Winnipeg are working with the United Way to improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action.

For more information, please call the United Way of Winnipeg’s Labour Director at 204-477-5360.