March 2008

Your Committee on Political Education (COPE) has been very busy in the past month. In an attempt to get endorsements done with plenty of time to communicate with our members before absentee voting begins, COPE has been interviewing candidates for nearly every local, state and federal office in our two counties.

The Labor Council has made many more endorsements in the upcoming June 3 election, and union members are being asked to pledge their time to walk precincts and phone-bank for the candidates we’ve endorsed. It’s a little unusual for us to start this early, but it’s necessary. The campaign landscape has changed significantly, as more and more voters are registered to permanently cast their ballots as absentee voters.

Many of us have our annual opportunity to help others through food drives, toy collections and other events during the holiday season. But for thousands of volunteers across California, another important season begins after the New Year.

Did your local negotiate a new contract, organize new members, or have a job action? Let us know.

California State Senator Christine Kehoe and Assembly Member Lori Saldana have been named the Labor Council’s Legislative Heroes of the Month.

Did you know that you may be eligible for up to $4,500 in tax refunds through a federal program the United Way of San Diego County helps coordinate throughout the region?