People Powered Politics
| UFCW 21 ENDORSEMENTS |
“I don’t want liquor in my store.” Matt Kenyon |
Decisions made by elected officials - whether it is in the State Capital or Washington D.C., directly impact the lives and paychecks of UFCW 21 members, and their families, and communities.
That's why UFCW 21 has a political program focused on people-power. We have worksite protection laws (like minimum wage and workers comp) or laws like the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) that help us live better, due to workers standing up and pushing for them - together.
"UFCW 21 is the state's largest private sector union, with 35,000 members inside and outside Seattle who work in retail sales, grocery stores, health care and service sector jobs. It has a reputation not only for writing checks, but delivering campaign workers to the candidates it backs." Seattle PI.com 10/8/09.
What is people-powered politics?
As a non-partisan group (we don't care whether a person is Republican or Democrat, Independent or non-partisan), UFCW 21 makes sure that working people have a greater say in politics. People-powered politics does the following:
- Trains & empowers leaders to lobby their own legislators on issues like breaks, worker rights, health care, and many others.
- Interviews and makes focused endorsements of candidates who stand up for working family issues, and makes endorsements of some state and local ballot measures.
- Mails and calls members to educate them on candidate/policy proposals. UFCW 21 doesn't tell anyone how to vote, but believes it's important to let union members know where political candidates stand on issues that affect working families. And then works to make sure that the voice of working people is heard loud and clear by those elected officials in our communities and in the state capitol, and in Washington DC. (Last election, in addition to 40,000 phone calls to members and 125,000 pieces of mail, we had in person contact with members at our over 800 worksites across the state.
- Registers members to vote. More voters means more power, UFCW 21 registers as many members sending 18 year-old members a registration from and always working to get more members registered. If you're not registered to vote yet, register now! Register online at the website of Washington's Secretary of State.
- Recruits and trains people to run for office
Get involved in people-powered politics!
- Contribute to the Active Ballot Club (ABC). At most workplaces, you can automatically donate a small amount from your paycheck ($1 - $4 each week) to the UFCW 21 ABC Fund. We use these funds to support elected officials who stand up for us.
- Register to vote.
Tell your elected officials what you think:
- To reach your state legislators in Olympia, call the Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000. The operator will direct your call to your member of Congress.
- To reach your member of Congress in Washington DC, call the Congressional Switchboard: 1-202-224-3121. The operator will direct your call to your member of Congress.
Would you like to get active with UFCW 21's People Powered Politics? Call your Union Representative for more information.
