Public Employee Press

Election 2012
Union Builds
PEOPLE Power

Executive Director Lillian Roberts announced in January that DC 37 is stepping up its drive to sign members up for PEOPLE, the voluntary political fundraising arm of the 1.6 million-member American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, DC 37's national union.

Through PEOPLE, members help get out the vote to elect candidates who support working families and public services.

"We have a lot of work to do to prepare for the election on Nov. 6, and our activism in politics is incredibly important," said Roberts. "I'm asking all of our locals to step up to the plate because the people we elect determine the quality of our lives, our pay and benefits and even whether we have jobs at all."

The local leaders have responded with intensified efforts. Teaming up with the DC 37 Political Action and Legislation Dept., Local 1549 and DC 37 President Eddie Rodriguez has organized weekly lunchtime meetings at job sites to recruit new PEOPLE members. Their efforts have paid off as more than 100 Local 1549 members have signed up for PEOPLE since the beginning of the year.

Members get it

"The members understand what's going on around the country with the attacks against public employees," said Rodriguez, who is asking members to join him as an MVP member of PEOPLE who contribute at least $100 a year or $4 a paycheck.

Local 154 President Juan Fernandez has also been holding lunchtime meetings to sign up new members. "The response has been great!" he said.

"Labor is being attacked like never before," said DC 37 PEOPLE Chair and Local 299 President Jackie Rowe Adams. "And we have to fight like never before to keep our benefits."

Joining AFSCME PEOPLE is simple: Just sign a card authorizing your employer to deduct your voluntary PEOPLE contribution from your check. You can authorize your bank or credit card issuer to make regular monthly contributions.

PEOPLE, which stands for Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality, accepts contributions only from AFSCME members and their families.

"By joining PEOPLE you have a direct impact on the political process and the people who represent you," said Local 436 President Judith Arroyo, AFSCME's top individual contributor. She is proud to lead the first local to have 25 percent of its membership reach the MVP level.

"We want everyone to contribute as much as they can," Roberts added, "so that when election time comes in November, we will be ready to elect a Congress that stands with working people and re-elect President Barack Obama."

— Alfredo Alvarado