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CWA-COPE Gathers Steam in Quest for ‘$2 Million by 2000’
In the first year of its "$2 Million by 2000" program, CWA members contributed $1,575,047, CWA Sec.-Treas. Barbara Easterling reported, and increased their contributions over 1996 levels by $185,652. But with urgency born of foresight, she asked that they continue their generosity to CWA-COPE, the union’s political education fund.
"In November, the entire House of Representatives will be up for election, and this will be our best chance to reclaim the House for working men and women," Easterling said. "We must also keep in mind that the year 2000 will be another election year. We need these resources to ensure that a friend of organized labor is elected to the White House."
She also reminded the delegates that 2000 is the year of the national census and that congressional districts will be reapportioned according to the results. "In the year 2001, the state legislators will be meeting to redraw the boundaries of these districts for the 2002 congressional elections. A good portion of the CWA-COPE dollars raised through the $2 Million by 2000 program will be used to elect sympathetic governors and state legislators."
Easterling acknowledged 586 CWA locals and 29 retired members’ clubs that achieved 100 percent of their CWA-COPE quotas, and she congratulated Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9 and 13 for increasing their percentages above quota.
She presented top awards to:
State Awards for 100 percent participation by locals went to Arkansas, Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, South Carolina, South Dakota and Utah.
"In November, the entire House of Representatives will be up for election, and this will be our best chance to reclaim the House for working men and women," Easterling said. "We must also keep in mind that the year 2000 will be another election year. We need these resources to ensure that a friend of organized labor is elected to the White House."
She also reminded the delegates that 2000 is the year of the national census and that congressional districts will be reapportioned according to the results. "In the year 2001, the state legislators will be meeting to redraw the boundaries of these districts for the 2002 congressional elections. A good portion of the CWA-COPE dollars raised through the $2 Million by 2000 program will be used to elect sympathetic governors and state legislators."
Easterling acknowledged 586 CWA locals and 29 retired members’ clubs that achieved 100 percent of their CWA-COPE quotas, and she congratulated Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9 and 13 for increasing their percentages above quota.
She presented top awards to:
District 6 and CWA Vice President Ben Turn Jr.: District Sweepstakes Award for highest percentage of quota, 259 percent; Special District Achievement Awards for highest percentage of members in PCC Checkoff (payroll deduction), 12.4 percent, and most CWA-COPE dollars, $386,874; Platinum Quorum Award for most members, 354, contributing at least $240 annually; and Triple Quorum Award for most members, 260, contributing $360.
District 3 and CWA Vice President Jimmy Smith: CWA-COPE Quorum Award for most members contributing at least $120 for the year, 976.
Local 1301 and President George Alcott: Special Local Achievement Awards for most CWA-COPE dollars, $53,818, and highest percentage of quota, 8,625 percent; Distinguished President’s Awards for highest percentage of quota with voluntary, or free, dollars, 8,642 percent, and most voluntary dollars, $53,818; Triple Quorum Award for most members enrolled, 139. In presenting Maxine Lee Award - the sixth ever — for extraordinary CWA-COPE achievement. Easterling also recognized local CWA-COPE Director John Bronski.
Local 7072 and President Estella Madrid: Special Local Achievement Award for highest percentage of member participation in CWA-COPE PCC Checkoff, 100 percent.
Local 1101 and President Ed Dempsey: Special Local Achievement Award for largest number of members signed up for PCC Checkoff, 2,578.
Local 3204 and President M.M. Smith: CWA-COPE Quorum Award for most members enrolled, 91.
Local 6222 and President B.J. Etzel: Platinum Quorum Award for most PQ members, 62.
State Awards for 100 percent participation by locals went to Arkansas, Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, South Carolina, South Dakota and Utah.