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SRPs brew successful VOTE-COPE
campaigns November 5 , 2003 Debra Cassidy and Michelle Cronin accept the VOTE-COPE award for the Wappingers Federation of Workers. Coffee drinkers everywhere know the line: I'm not doing anything until I get that first cup in the morning. Debra Cassidy tells the 324 members of the Wappingers Federation of Workers that if they want their union to work for them in the political arena, they've got to give her that cup. "It's the same message at each meeting," Cassidy said. "The union can work for them, because passing laws means electing representatives who are supportive of union issues. VOTE-COPE is New York State United Teachers' voluntary bipartisan political action campaign. Contributions support lobbying at the state and federal level on behalf of public education, health care and workers' rights. NYSUT paid tribute to School-Related Professionals in six locals for their outstanding efforts in VOTE-COPE at their recent leadership conference. For the third year, the WFW transportation, custodial and maintenance members in Dutchess County received honors for highest total contribution by an SRP local. Other locals honored included the SRP chapter of the Carmel Teachers Association; SRP members of the BOCES Educators of Eastern Suffolk; the Horseheads School Service Association; Lancaster Association of Service Personnel; and the United Federation of Teachers, which represents paraprofessionals and secretaries in New York City. Alan Lubin, NYSUT's executive vice president who oversees the legislative division and political action efforts, praised locals for their work, and asked for even more help in the future. He noted that campaigns and elections are growing increasingly expensive. "We have some tough years ahead of us. The present national administration is against us. We have a tough fiscal economy and we know the first jobs to be cut when budgets get tight are yours," Lubin told SRPers at the statewide union's annual conference. "But the biggest weapon we have is you, and the fact that you vote and you give to VOTE-COPE." Cassidy shared some of WFW's winning ways: Form a committee. "You've got to have help," Cassidy said, praising Michelle Cronin and Pam Dragonetti for their work. Tell members where the money goes. "The only way we get laws passed is by lobbying, and you have to pay for that," Cassidy said. NYSUT recently won legislation to remove the 3 percent employee pension contribution after 10 years of service for all SRP members in the state Employees' Retirement System. Get payroll deduction. WFW members can spread their donations out over 26 paychecks. It's a lot easier to ask people for $1.25 a paycheck than for $32.50. Get, and use, your rebate. The biggest portion of VOTE-COPE is rebates to locals. The WFW has used their rebate to support candidates in local races. Contributions large and small, from locals across New York state, made up last year's $4.5 million VOTE-COPE fund. - Betsy Sandberg |
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