Public Employee Press

2012 Election
You can help re-elect President Barack Obama

While billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch have rallied their conservative supporters to contribute over $100 million this year to help defeat President Obama in November, the 1.6 million-member American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, DC 37's national union, has its own fundraising effort to keep him in the White House and restore a progressive majority in Congress.

Contributions to P.E.O.P.L.E., AFSCME's voluntary political fundraising arm, help candidates who support policies favorable to workers who provide public services nationwide. P.E.O.P.L.E., which stands for Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality, has a 2012 goal of getting 10 percent of AFSCME members to contribute at the MVP level of $4 every paycheck, or $100 annually. Right now 5 percent are at the MVP level. United Federation of Nurses Local 436 is the first in DC 37 to have 25 percent of its membership at this level.

The presidency is a priority, but the House of Representatives and the Senate are very important, said Sue Levitan, AFSCME's associate fundraising director. "That's where our issues get a fair hearing." If all members of AFSCME contributed just $2 weekly, that would bring in $160 million dollars, enough to help throw out many of the Congress members who regularly vote against public services.

P.E.O.P.L.E. contributions helped pass President Obama's Affordable Health Care Act, his recent 2 percent reduction in payroll taxes and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provided funds for states and counties in their budgets for 2009-2012 and helped them avoid layoffs and cuts to vital services. Levitan also suggested that locals implement their own fundraising efforts and pass the hat at meetings.

Union members can join P.E.O.P.L.E. anytime simply by signing a card authorizing your employer to deduct your voluntary contribution from your check. DC 37 members can pick up P.E.O.P.L.E. cards at the Political Action Dept. in Room 408 at union headquarters, 125 Barclay Street, Monday through Friday during regular working hours. You can also authorize your credit card issuer or bank to make regular monthly contributions.

—Alfredo Alvarado