'Bucking' for PEOPLE

In the Buckeye State, Council 8 and the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA)/ AFSCME Local 11, have crafted innovative ways to get more members to contribute to our legislative and political-action arm — PEOPLE (Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality).

Last May, Council 8 activists from Cleveland mobilized to defeat another union's attempt to eliminate a Cuyahoga County tax levy that supports health care services — provided by AFSCME members — for some of the neediest residents. A month later, Locals 3360 (MetroHealth Medical Center) and 3353 (MetroHealth Center for Skilled Nursing) seized on that momentum and sponsored PEOPLE training for their stewards. The goal: to hit the council's target of doubling membership contributions.

Voluntary member contributions are an important part of the PEOPLE program, which works with affiliates to mobilize members in state and local elections; and involve members in grassroots advocacy and legislative campaigns.

With the approval of their employers, the Cleveland locals set up PEOPLE booths at both job sites, signing up more than 250 members.

In addition, Local 3353 negotiators were able to get PEOPLE checkoff language written into their labor agreement. "We negotiated the checkoff in our contract so our members can make their contribution as a payroll deduction," says Pres. Ingeborg Thomas. "The way PEOPLE helped us save the tax — and, with it, public services and hospital jobs — opened a lot of members' eyes."

Using those two locals as models, Council 8 representatives are training activists across the state to continue building the union's PEOPLE program.

HIT THE ROAD. In September 2002, OCSEA — underscoring the connection between political action and public-sector employment — challenged its chapters to boost member participation in PEOPLE from 6 to 10 percent. More than 50 units promoted the cause to their rank and file.

Leading the way in the statewide PEOPLE drive were activists from Marion Correctional Institution (Chapter 5110) and Gallipolis Developmental Center (Chapter 2710). Membership participation shot up — to 44 and 38 percent, respectively. "When we launched our campaign, members of our committee went to work an hour early before each shift to make presentations during assembly," says Ivan Stithem, chairman of Marion's PEOPLE committee. "We set up posters, and distributed literature that pointed out the importance of supporting the campaign.

"Those committee members talked individually to fellow employees and, one by one, we collected lots of signed PEOPLE cards."

Overall, OCSEA has improved member contributions to 8 percent. It has also launched a PEOPLE Roadshow. Staff representatives, visiting all nine state districts, are introducing the "Take Back Ohio" political campaign while advising leaders on how to make their PEOPLE drives more effective.

(Ohio Association of Public School Employees/ AFSCME Local 4 has also run exciting and effective PEOPLE programs. For a rundown, see Public Employee, July/August 2003.)

— Jimmie Turner.

Some states and localities prohibit soliciting political contributions on public property. So check the laws in your own area.