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A.....Yes, a branch may hold a fundraiser for COLCPE, our political action committee, but active carriers can only solicit money for COLCPE from other carriers. We can not ask other people to give to COLCPE, and we can not hold a fundraiser for a partisan candidate or political party.
A.....Yes, a branch can use treasury money to pay for lost time if the letter carrier is doing legislative or lobbying work, or if they are performing political activities which educate or organize NALC membership or as part of AFL-CIO COPE efforts, However, the branch cannot pay for lost time for a carrier to work directly on a partisan campaign.
A.....Branch phones can only be used to call NALC members and other AFL-CIO union members. If the phones are used to call anyone other than labor union members, it is illegal and cannot be done.
Note: Check with your local and or state AFL-CIO representatives to find out what is being done in your area. It may be more cost and time effective to join an existing operation as opposed to setting up your own.
A.....Political candidates for elective office are allowed, and welcome, to speak to our membership at branch meetings. This can be a great way to get your membership more interested in a campaign and to recruit volunteers. If it is a political speech, the branch must make time available to all candidates.
A.....If your branch is endorsing a candidate, or recruiting volunteers for their campaign, you can write about it in the branch newsletter, as long as it is only mailed to branch members.
A.....Develop and maintain relationships with local politicians-many will move on to higher office, and you will be a step ahead if you already know them. Have an annual or semi-annual legislative event where you invite your Representatives to the branch meeting. Your branch can also sponsor a candidates forum around election time. Get involved with your local labor council's COPE program-they have great resources and programs for political involvement.
In order to insure that Congress protects the hard fought benefits of both active and retired letter carriers, NALC established COLCPE in 1976. Since its inception COLCPE has contributed over $15 million dollars to candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate who support letter carriers and their families. COLCPE is the largest federal employee political action committee and the NALC'S voice in Washington. NALC members should be proud of their legislative successes brought about through COLCPE.
Political campaigns are expensive. Contributions from COLCPE help re-elect our friends to Congress and defeat those who oppose letter carriers. COLCPE gives the NALC and all active and retired letter Carriers a voice in Congress to counter the anti-worker groups who want to take away the benefits we enjoy. Our fight is never over. In the new Republican controlled Congress, there will be members who will try to take away our COLA, raise the retirement age and compromise the Postal service. COLCPE is one of our most powerful tools to stop these efforts.
COLCPE is non-partisan and supports both Republicans and Democrats. Contributions to COLCPE are voluntary and cannot be made from general dues funds. Please take the time to contribute to COLCPE to support letter carriers and our union.
PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHECK OUT TO "COLCPE" AND MAIL TODAY TO: