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Campaigns Contributions & OCSEA

THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW OF 1995 (SB 8) MADE THE USE OF MEMBERS´ "DUES MONEY" FOR PARTISAN POLITICAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS ILLEGAL FOR AN "INCORPORATED" LABOR ORGANIZATION.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR OCSEA?

Every OCSEA Chapter, District Council and Assembly is prohibited from making any contribution to any candidate for elected public office, to a state or local political party or a local political club with dues money.

OCSEA Chapters, District Councils, Assemblies and District Grassroots Committees (DGC) are prohibited from using union funds to make contrbutions to or purchase tickets for events for the support of other labor organizations political funds (AFL-CIO Central Body COPE).

No individual or subordinate body may make a contribution and request/or receive reimbursement from OCSEA.

CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION STRUCTURE

• OCSEA is “incorporated” and the OCSEA Governmental Affairs Committee of the State Board of Directors (PAC) is the only authorized entity according to the OCSEA constitution for making political contributions on behalf of OCSEA. (This fund may receive voluntary member contributions only.) No OCSEA subordinate body can use dues monies for any political purpose.

• If your Chapter, District Council, Assembly or District Grassroots Committee would like for OCSEA to make a political donation for a particular candidate, political party/issue, a written request should be forwarded to OCSEA Governmental Affairs Director.  The OCSEA Governmental Affairs (PAC) State Board Committee authorizes all PAC requests and expenditures.

HELPFUL HINTS

• If it says “Paid For By” it is good clue that it’s political campaign material or a request for a political campaign contribution. Check the small print at the bottom of material.

• When in doubt, call and ask “Will the proceeds for the event or activity go to political campaigns or a candidate’s political committee?  If the answer is YES—IT’S AGAINST THE LAW!
  

PERMISSABLE UNION FUNDS IN CAMPAIGNS

• State or local “ballot issue” campaigns (ie. Statewide ballot issue or a local school levy).  HOWEVER, REPORTING OF SUCH CONTRIBUTIONS IS COMPLICATED, SO ANY SUBORDINATE BODY CONTRIBUTIONS SHOULD ONLY BE MADE WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE OCSEA GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR. Dues money can be used to educate our members about OCSEA endorsed candidates.

• Communications to OCSEA members only  (ie. Letters, flyers, phone calls, e-mail).   ALL  POLITICAL EDUCATION MATERIALS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO OCSEA MEMBERS MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DISLAIMER IN AN EASY-TO-DETECT PORTION OF THE MATERIAL: “THIS MATERIAL IS DIRECTED TO AND INTENDED FOR THE USE OF MEMBERS OF OCSEA/AFSCME LOCAL 11” 

See Related

GRASSROOTS FACTS - Direct Tax Credit

GRASSROOTS FACTS - Hatch Act defines DOs and DON'Ts for public employees

GRASSROOTS FACTS - ALL

Updated: March 8, 2007