Standing With Working Families

When Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers in Kentucky were forced to work without pay during a federal funding collapse earlier this year, United Way was already by their side.

Thanks to strong relationships with labor partners, United Way was able to identify those most affected and respond with much-needed support.

We recognized that the individuals working day in and day out to protect families as they travel were facing a hardship of their own," said Kevin Middleton of United Way of Kentucky. "They continued serving their communities while not being paid and struggling to support their families in the way they always had."

It was the second time in less than a year that many TSA officers had been asked to work without pay. They had only recently recovered from the financial impact of the first shutdown.

“These people were really hit because they had, just a few months before, worked for weeks without pay," said Liles Taylor, director of mobilization for the Kentucky State AFL-CIO.

Although workers eventually received back pay both times, many relied on credit cards, food banks and assistance from local labor organizations to get by in the meantime.

United Way of Kentucky and the Kentucky State AFL-CIO began developing a response during the first funding lapse. When the second occurred, they were ready to act.

Using a list of affected workers provided by the state federation, United Way distributed Kroger e-gift cards directly to 141 families, providing more than $21,000 in grocery assistance. The effort also supported union jobs, since Kroger employees in Kentucky are represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers union.

The approach grew from a partnership Louisville-based Metro United Way had developed during a strike involving Ford workers.

Our labor partners came to us and said they had partners from across the country who wanted to help make sure these families could get back on their feet,"

Kevin Middleton of United Way of Kentucky

The relationship between United Way and Kentucky labor partners began after devastating tornadoes struck the state in 2021. According to Middleton, labor leaders reached out first.

“Our labor partners came to us and said they had partners from across the country who wanted to help make sure these families could get back on their feet," he said.

Those partners contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars in relief funding.

“We didn't take a dime of that money," Middleton said. “We turned it right back around to support those families."

Taylor said that support reflects the core values of the labor movement. The funds came from union dues paid by working people who voted to help others facing hardship, including people they had never met.

“Take our money that we gave to serve us and use it to serve somebody else that we may not even know," he said.

For Taylor, that spirit of solidarity defines what unions are all about.

“I would dare say that the entirety of what a union is, is caring for your neighbor and the person working alongside you and their families."