There are a variety of ways that our union can make an endorsement in a political campaign, but each method is built on two common principles:
- All endorsements are based solely on state worker issues -- pay, benefits, job protection, contracting out, working conditions, etc. -- and nothing else.
- The endorsement process is democratic and participatory.
To help members understand how these decisions are made I thought it would be helpful to post our union's formal endorsement process, as adopted by our Executive Board, verbatim:
WFSE/AFSCME Council 28 may make endorsements for legislative, congressional and statewide candidates, and to support or oppose statewide ballot measures.
Endorsements may be made by the biennial endorsements conference, by the council executive board, by local presidents representing members residing within a specific jurisdiction, or by the Council 28 convention.
WFSE/AFSCME will strive to ensure as many member voices as possible are heard during the endorsement process. WFSE/AFSCME will strive to communicate to our members whom the council has endorsed and why.
ENDORSEMENTS CONFERENCE
The WFSE/AFSCME endorsements conference shall be held in even numbered years. Delegates to the endorsements conference shall be the executive officers, the executive board, and two delegates from each local. Local delegates must provide written documentation signed by their local president and secretary confirming their status as that local’s delegate.
Endorsement of a candidate shall be by a 2/3 vote of delegates. Endorsement of or opposition to a statewide ballot measure shall be by a majority vote of delegates.
The endorsements conference shall be presided over by the president, or his/her designee. Delegates will receive a recommendation from the executive director, or his/her designee, in each endorsement considered. Delegates will also receive recommendations brought forward by interview teams, if available.
All votes shall be by voice, except a division of the house may be ordered by the Chair or requested from the floor. A roll call will be ordered with 25% support of registered and voting delegates. If a request for a roll call is sustained, each local represented by a registered delegate will be entitled to cast votes equal to that local’s most recent monthly per capita strength, and each Council 28 Executive Board member and statewide officer shall cast one vote.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
The WFSE/AFSCME executive board may make endorsements that are not in conflict with decisions made by the endorsement conference. Endorsement of a candidate shall be by a 2/3 vote of the executive board. Endorsement of or opposition to a statewide ballot measure shall be by a majority vote of the executive board.
The executive board will receive a recommendation from the executive director, or his/her designee, in each endorsement considered by the board. The executive board will also receive recommendations brought forward by interview teams, if available.
LOCAL PRESIDENTS
Endorsements for legislative offices may be made by a 2/3 affirmative vote of the executive director and local presidents representing ten or more members in the appropriate district, or their designees. Endorsements made by the executive director and local presidents may not conflict with decisions made by the endorsements conference.
Local presidents will be asked to appoint up to two delegates to interview teams when applicable. Interview team delegates will have the authority to vote for or against an endorsement on behalf of their local. If there are not enough locals present at the interview to reach the 2/3 threshold, local presidents will be polled until it is determined whether or not an endorsement will be made.
Local presidents will receive a recommendation from the executive director, or his/her designee, in each endorsement considered.
CONVENTION
The WFSE/AFSCME convention may make endorsements for legislative, congressional and statewide candidates, and to support or oppose statewide ballot measures.
Endorsement of a candidate shall be by a 2/3 vote of delegates. Endorsement of or opposition to a statewide ballot measure shall be by a majority vote of delegates.
Delegates will receive a recommendation from the executive director, or his/her designee, in each endorsement considered by the convention. Delegates will also receive recommendations brought forward by interview teams, if available.
INTERVIEW TEAMS
Where advisable, teams of WFSE members will be assembled to interview candidates and make recommendations regarding endorsements. Interview teams shall use a standardized questionnaire, provided by the council, to ensure consistency. An interview team may formalize a recommendation by a majority vote.
Understanding how the endorsement process works is important. But perhaps equally important is to understand how individual members can have an impact on the union’s endorsement decisions.
Most endorsement decisions are made by delegates representing local unions, so the first thing a member interested in getting involved should do is communicate with their local president.
- Find out how your local selects its delegates to the Endorsements Conference and participate in that process. Amazingly, some local unions don’t send any delegates to the Endorsements Conference, so getting involved at the local level is oftentimes very beneficial.
- Volunteer to participate as a representative of your local on candidate interview teams. Again, some locals don’t participate at all in the interview process, and local presidents sometimes have a hard time finding someone who is willing and able to serve.
- Hold your president and your local union accountable for making sure your interests are being considered during the endorsement process.
Members interested in specific details about the Endorsement Conference should drop Diana a note. Naturally, any other comments, questions and suggestions are welcome as well. -- Dennis
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