Why Get Involved In The Political Process?

    The most important work we can do in the IBEW is at the bargaining table, gaining better wages, working conditions, overall terms of employment for our members, and to organize all non-union workers.  But, again and again, we see how many advances made at the bargaining table can be lost through a single action of Congress or a state legislature.  Also, our efforts to organize workers has become more and more difficult due to weakened labor laws brought about by damaging legislation.

    Virtually every day, Congress and state legislatures across the country make decisions that vitally affect us regarding policy issues like safety, Social Security, job and union security, health, licensing, taxes, pensions, the national budget and our children's schools.  The list is endless.

    That is why it is imperative for IBEW members to get involved, and stay involved, at every level of the union, and our country's political process.  We must not be satisfied until every IBEW members is registered to vote.  We must see to it that our members meet and get to know the candidates personally, volunteer to work on campaigns and vote.

    We must help to elect candidates to office whose views and ideals are sympathetic to the issues affecting working men and women in our country, regardless of their political party.  The IBEW does support political candidates of both parties, and independents as well.  If a candidate has the support of our members, and our local union supports the political fund, we will send a campaign contribution upon request.  We must communicate our views to all elected officials and, most of all, we must educate our members on the important political issues and encourage them to register and vote.

    We have always known we may not be able to match corporate spending dollars for dollar.  However, if we support our political fund, educate and motivate our members and turn them out to vote, we can elect labor friendly candidates and keep our friends in office.

    The principle on which the entire labor movement rests in our strength in numbers.  IF we work only as individuals, we merely have a scattered effect.  But, by working through our political program, and with the local, state and national AFL-CIO structures, we can truly make a difference.

IBEW Political Legislatives Affairs Department Manual, Page 4