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by Stuart Elliott
More than ninety Wichita union leaders attended the annual Kickoff luncheon for Labor’s 2009 United Way campaign. They got a “sneak peek” at the new United Way video, heard reports
on the Laid Off worker center and how United Way is responding to the economic crisis. They also heard Rita Rogers of District 70 announced as the Labor Participation chair for this year’s
campaign.
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Mario Cervantes, AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison, United Way of the Plains
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Mario Cervantes recognized labor union members who serve on the United Way board Mildred Montgomery of CWA 6402, Steve Rooney of the Machinists, Harold Evans of SPEEA, and Theron
Black, retired Machinist. Also present at the luncheon were Larry Landweher, President of the United Teachers of Wichita; Jim Davis
business manager for IBEW, Brent Allen IAM LL 839 VP; Tim Franta, Pres IAM LL 733, Kirby Clark, business representative for
the Sheet Metal Workers, Merv Wiltshire Business Manager I.B.E.W. Local No.1523; and Wil Leiker, Executive Vice President of the Kansas AFL-CIO. Two friends of labor from the Kansas
legislature also came: State Senator Oletha Faust-Goudeau and State Representative Gail Finney.
Next up were the loaned labor leaders–one new and one returning,
who will help with the United Way campaign in the plant. Mary Washington, IAM LL 639 (Learjet) who works at Learjet Bombardier, had just completed training. Washington shared a
moving experience at Rainbows United where her grandaughter is a client. Brian Alexander IAM LL 774,(Cessna) returning loaned labor leader, talked about Open Door, a
United Way agency that serves the homeless.
Mario Cervantes, Wichita’s United Way labor liaison, told the luncheon that “our community is in a crisis
with 11 percent unemployment and we will need to pull together to get through this.” The United Way, he
stressed, is the only national non-profit with full-time union staff and this equips uniquely to deal with the
crisis. “Partnership is understood everyday at United Way.” Cervantes said as he introduced United Way of the Plains President Pat Hanrahan.
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Pat Hanrahan, President United Way of the Plains
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Hanrahan started by recalling the experience of the Laid Off Workers Center which was open for 35 months after 9/11. Although he never expected to have to do it again,
it gave the United Way valuable lessons which will come in handy in 2009-2010.
Hanrahan shared the critical importance of this year’s campaign which
commits $1.3 million in direct financial assistance to laid off workers. Almost sixty percent of those helped by the LWOC were aircraft
workers with eighty percent living in Wichita. If you work in Wichita, you are eligible for help. The LWOC helped 300 in its first month in
operation in 2009. There were dramatic increases in July and August. The amount of aid given out has doubled in three months, with a total of nearly $200,000 in assistance so far.
The Laid Off Worker Center not only provides emergency financial and food assistance, but also services,
such as budgeting and job training. It is a one-step center. Westar has counselors there to help with
energy bills. Kansas SRS is there to help determine if workers are eligible for food stamps. Laid off
workers may have been earning very good wages before being laid, but may now be eligible to get food stamps which can really help stretch a family budget.
The LWOC is located in a building which is being provided by Via Christi. As a result, all funds donated to the LOWC will go directly to laid off workers.
“What do we ask?” Hanrahan said. “First, that people register by calling 211 to get an appointment and
to find out what paperwork to bring. Second, to be laid of due to lack of work and approved for unemployment compensation.”
Hanrahan also sketched some other United Way priorities for the coming year. In 2008, United Way
EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) campaign was able to bring back to Wichita $2,364,505 for families
with incomes less than $42,000. The EITC campaign will be expanded in 2010 because families which may not have qualified in the past may be eligible this time
United Way’s “211" program continues to grow, Hanrahan said. By calling “211,” Kansans can get
connected to social service and other agencies to help with personal, family or other problems. The number of calls doubled from 2006 to 2008.
“The challenge of 2009 is fund-raising,” to support the programs which will be in greater demand because
of the economic downturn. In 2008, the United Way of the Plains raised $16, 360,050, which was a
record amount, but short of the campaign goal. To make up the gap, the United Way moved $400,000 from reserves.
2009 will be a year of increasing needs and fewer donors. Because it is such a different year, the United Way has moved its allocation process to the fall.
 To drive home the need for a broad-based campaign, this year’s
fund raising campaign has the slogan “Give Five” If everyone in Sedgwick County gave one hours pay per month, the United Way
would raise $54 million–more than three times the goal. The goal is not impossible, Hanrahan explained. Last year.51 companies gave
100 percent of their potential and another 115 companies gave between 40 and 99 percent.
One hour of pay per month has long been the standard United Way
ask. This year, there is a bit of a change.“Five minutes of pay each day” is what United Way campaigners are asking people to give this
year. That consists of 3 minutes plus an extra 2 minutes to make up for those laid off and unable to contribute this year. .
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Mario Cervantes, Mary Washington, Brian Alexander, Rita Rogers, Pat Hanrahan
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Now came the time for Mario to introduce the person in charge of providing that extra spark of inspiration and leadership to meet the
increased fund raising goals. Rita Rogers, assistant directing business manager for IAM District 70, has agreed to serve as the Labor
Participation chair for the 2010 United Way campaign. Rogers said there was no way she could turn down Mario’s request to take on this
responsibility. “My door is open, if you need any sort of help for your campaign in the shops, in your company, give me a call.”
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