Ask the President

Question:

Regarding the National Executive Board’s endorsement of Obama for president: Are a portion of my dues being used for this endorsement? I don’t endorse Mr. Obama and I don’t want my dues going for his benefit.

James, Oregon Postal Workers Union

President Burrus:

Thank you for your question. So that you and other members who support a different candidate will know, no APWU dues money has been contributed to Sen. Obama’s campaign for the Democratic nomination. In fact, it is illegal to contribute dues money to a political candidate’s campaign.

That is why the APWU solicits voluntary contributions to COPA, the union’s Committee on Political Action. In many elections we use these voluntary contributions to support candidates we believe will stand up for working families.

However, Sen. Obama refuses to accept contributions from lobbyists or political action committees — including the APWU’s — because he is committed to eradicating the undue influence of “special interests” in the political process. His refusal to accept contributions from lobbyists and PACs demonstrates his dedication to this goal.

This commitment was one of the primary reasons for our endorsement. We believe it is far past time to stop big-money contributors from drowning out the voices of average Americans.

The union has multiple sources of income, including members’ dues, contributions to COPA, Health Plan service fees, and others. Expenses incurred to announce and explain the NEB decision are paid for from these sources of revenue, but no funds have or will be used from the membership dues during the Democratic primaries to support the candidacy of Sen. Barack Obama.

May 5, 2008