Get involved in Political Action because
if you're not at the table, you're on the menu!
Take Action
Get involved in Political Action because
Sample Letter for the 2023 Day of Action
We encourage you to personalize the message with your own experience. Keep your message short, but get your point across clearly.
Not sure who your legislator is? Check here!
Dear Senator/Representative
Washington state's Community and Technical Colleges are a powerful force for the state. They increase equity, help build strong communities, add approximately $20 billion to the state's revenue every year, and are a pathway to stable lives and careers for Washingtonians.
For too long, they have been threatened by underinvestment by the state. Students lack the supports, such as childcare and mental health counseling, that will help them succeed. Faculty and staff face high turnover rates because of job insecurity and poor compensation. Part time faculty must work multiple jobs, to make ends meet. Students lose out when the state doesn't invest in the CTCs. This year, the legislature has the opportunity to implement the policy and budget solutions that will reverse this trend.
We are calling on you to support the budget proviso that funds our CTCs, and to support part-time pay equity. We know that faculty working conditions are student learning conditions - and right now, those conditions are unsustainable. The education workforce in the CTCs deserve your support, and so do their students, and by extension all Washingtonians.
In solidarity,
Name
College
Our 2022 Primary Endorsements
The COPE Committee has made endorsements in the 2022 primary election, happening on August 2nd! You can review them here. Ballots will drop on July 15th, so keep an eye out.
How To Support Bills Virtually
Make your voice heard on legislation that matters to our students and educators
When we work to pass important legislation, we show up to support it. This means lobbying our legislators and testifying in committees where legislation is being heard. The virtual session for 2022 means that you have several ways of registering that support.
You can sign in in support of the legislation when it is being heard in committee, which is similar to signing a petition. If you want to testify virtually, you can sign in to do that, but it must be at least one hour before the meeting begins. You may also submit your testimony in writing up to 24 hours after the bill has been heard.
Retialiation - No Dues Deduction
This morning (3/7) extreme Lansing politicians are retaliating against an effort launched by teachers, nurses, and construction workers yesterday to amend the state constitution to protect collective bargaining rights and strengthen Michigan’s middle class.
Today the Michigan Senate retaliated by passing HB 4929, which would punish public school teachers, bus drivers, and cafeteria workers by placing burdensome new restrictions on the collection of dues that protect employees through collective bargaining agreements. The bill would prohibit the use of payroll deduction for the collection of dues. According to the nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency, HB 4929, “would have no significant fiscal impact on school districts.” An amendment was put on the bill in committee that would allow payroll deduction if the union local reimbursed the cost to the school district, that reasonable amendment was taken out of the bill on the Senate floor.
The bill now moves to the House. Please, use your cell phone, and call your Representative on your lunch time or immediately after school today. Ask them to vote NO on HB 4929, and if they are opposed to the bill, ask them try and stop the bill from taking “Immediate Effect.” Click here to find your Representative.
COPE: Building Our Union's Power, Building a Better Future
COPE - our Committee on Political Education -- is the political action committee for AFT Washington. COPE enables our union to engage the membership in both creating our political agenda and in making meaningful financial contributions to support candidates who will champion our legislative agenda. We do not use union dues to contribute to COPE. All contributions are voluntary.
Online Voter Registration
Visit the Secretary of State's Online Voter Registration site to register on line, get a paper voter registration form, or change your voter registration record.
Take Action: Make your voice heard
Make your views known to those in Congress and state legislatures who represent you on the issues that affect working families every day. Visit the AFT's Take Action page.