COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL EDUCATION (COPE)
Frequently asked questions about SEIU COPE
What is COPE?
COPE, your Committee on Political Education, is CEUI’s
voluntary political action fund, which underwrite our political
and legislative activities.
COPE dollars contributed by members like you are used to:
Pay for grassroots lobbying efforts against privatization and budget cuts and CEUI’s voter registration and election day Get Out the Vote operations; and Allows CEUI to make contributions to local, state and federal candidates who support your issues. Only by electing your candidates will success be achieved in protecting your jobs.
Why should I contribute?
In the current political climate, all of us are at risk of losing
our jobs, benefits and security. Each of you has an interest
in protecting the jobs of state employees. The more money you
raise, the more effectively you can protect yourself and your family. The
few dollars you invest in COPE is worth thousands of dollars in
better benefits, better working conditions, and fewer layoffs.
Why is CEUI involved in politics?
Your bargaining rights, wages, benefits and job security are all
decided by elected representatives. CEUI has a responsibility
to protect member’s rights and working conditions. In
order to do this effectively, you must be involved with electing
these representatives. In the current political climate your
involvement is even more important as public employees are increasingly
targeted by politicians bent on cutbacks and scaling back government.
Does CEUI just give to Democrats?
No! Our priority is to support pro-CEUI, pro-worker candidates
and issues no matter what party they are from.
Politicians are crooked, why are we giving them
money?
Not all politicians are crooked, but we need to see that the ones
who are do not win. One of the reasons we give money is to
help pro-worker, pro-CEUI candidates win. WHEN YOU WIN AT THE
POLLS, YOU WIN AT THE BARGAINING TABLE.
How will giving money protect my job?
Think of it as an insurance policy. The money you invest goes
to helping CEUI promote public employees rights, compensation and
job security. It allows CEUI to inform and educate the public
and elected officials about how they will be hurt by privatization
or by laying off state employees. COPE also pays for CEUI, and CEUI
members to lobby against budget cuts or layoffs. In short,
the money you give to CEUI COPE strengthens the political and legislative
programs and gives CEUI members the resources needed to fight back.
What is the money used for?
All of the money goes into CEUI’s Political Account for use
in political activities only. This money does not become part
of the general treasury. The money goes to political contributions,
voter registration and education, lobbying and GOTV (Get out the
Vote) efforts. The money will also be used to introduce and
pass legislation that protects CEUI members and influence policy
and budget decisions that affect your jobs, families and future.
A portion of the money goes to the federal PAC at the International
office for use in Congressional or U.S. Senate races.
Who can contribute to COPE?
COPE contributions can be made by all working and retired CEUI members
and their families, as well as employees of CEUI and their families.
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The CEUI COPE Committee is a group of members interested
in political action. Members assist in Voter Registration
and COPE drives, participate in all Election Day activities,
work to get out the vote, spread the word to get other members
involved and assist with current legislation just to name
a few of the activities of COPE Committee members. The
CEUI COPE Committee has meetings (typically once or twice
a month) to discuss upcoming and recent political action.
Interested in joining the COPE Committee? Please talk
to your Steward or Staff Representative.
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**THANK YOU TO ALL THE MEMBERS WHO CONTRIBUTE
TO POLITICAL ACTION!
YOUR SUPPORT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE!**
Click email us if you have any questions or comments.