Political Action

PEOPLE Program

An important political program is PEOPLE: "Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality." PEOPLE contributions are used to support elected officials who understand the needs and concerns of working families. PEOPLE dollars have provided valuable support to AFSCME's lobbying efforts on issues such as saving Social Security, fighting for health care and countering anti-union initiatives. PEOPLE is the difference between having things happen to you and making them happen. E-mail oalvarado@dc37.net to request a PEOPLE presentation.

What politicians has my union supported? (PDF format)*

Chair:
Jackie Rowe-Adams
President, Local 299


PEOPLE Coordinators:
PEOPLE Coordinators from each DC 37 local and the Retirees Association are appointed by their local/Retirees Association president. They hold meetings on the second Monday of the month (except in July and August).

Politics Affects Everyone
By participating in PEOPLE (AFSCME's political, legislative and fundraising arm), you can have a direct impact on the political process from helping shape policies on privatization and other issues that affect us to helping elect the public officials who are your bosses.

As a public employee, your job, wages and working conditions are directly linked to politics. We need the active participation of all members in order to make our legislative/political program strong, and in turn, to be effective when we work on behalf of our members. No other group of employees has such a direct connection to politics as AFSCME members. That is why PEOPLE matters.

How PEOPLE Makes a Difference
PEOPLE works to affect the political process on many levels. By law, union dues cannot be used to fund political campaigns; voluntary member contributions to the PEOPLE fund are used to help elect pro-worker candidates.

It is important to realize that pro-worker candidates are generally outspent by opponents, often by more than 10 to one. Big business is always a big spender for their candidates. Without our member contributions, pro-worker candidates would face almost impossible odds.

But PEOPLE provides more than money to candidates and campaigns. Trained AFSCME volunteers participate in campaigns to give pro-worker candidates the winning edge. Our political activists can make the crucial difference in any race. AFSCME also serves as a strategic resource for pro-worker candidates to help map out successful campaign strategies.

And last but not least, PEOPLE works with AFSCME members at the council and local levels to help create a structure for evaluating campaigns and endorsing candidates in state and local races. Politics is everywhere, but fortunately, so is PEOPLE.

PEOPLE Needs You
Like all aspects of our union, PEOPLE is nothing without our members. To provide a strong political voice for public employees, we need help. You can become an active part of PEOPLE in many ways.

The easiest way is by participating in a PEOPLE check-off program to provide a regular contribution that we can count on as we work with candidates and campaigns throughout the year to make sure our members' interests are represented.

Politicians will make decisions that have a great impact on you from privatization to pensions with or without your input. Make your voice heard by joining with other members in PEOPLE.

DC 37 PEOPLE
125 Barclay Street
Room 414
New York, NY 10007
(212) 815-1578