What is COPE?

Working Americans are under attack. COPE – the Committee On Political Education – is our counter-offensive.

Corporate America and anti-union organizations posing as good government “policy groups,” along with private transportation companies and public authorities, all spend big money to influence elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels.

These entities want to see decision makers in Washington, D.C., state capitals, and City Halls across the country, enact anti-worker laws, policies and regulations. They include the right to organize and negotiate for fair wages, solid retirement plans, and affordable healthcare. In order to maximize profits, or to achieve their version of efficiency, anti-worker forces also seek to replace workers with technology, like self-driving vehicles, and cut corners on safety in the workplace.

Jobs in all of our sectors – Air, Rail, and Transit/Universities/Utilities/Services – are being impacted or are at risk. That’s why we have COPE, which is funded by members’ voluntary contributions.

COPE supports candidates who are supportive of TWU members at all levels of government, regardless of party affiliation. If a candidate demonstrates a desire to protect our rights and contractual gains, and wants to help us provide a better life for all transportation industry workers and their families, COPE will help that candidate get into office to do just that.

What COPE Does:

• COPE distributes thousands of congressional voting records and helps educate union members on the issues so they can be informed voters.
• COPE endorses candidates on the basis of their record and/or their program, not on the basis of their party affiliation.
• COPE urges every union member and voting-age member of his or her family to vote!

What COPE Does Not Do:

• COPE does not receive or use union member dues for political activity, including contributions to candidates’ campaigns for office.
• COPE does not tell anybody how to vote.
• COPE does not force union members to contribute to the fund.
• COPE does not force members to participate in its programs within their local or their community.

Contribute to COPE today to make sure your voice is heard in Washington. For more information, contact Andrew Rangolan, COPE Director.

Contributions to the TWU PCC are not tax deductible. Contributions to the TWU PCC are voluntary and no TWU member will be advantaged or disadvantaged for their decision to contribute or not contribute. The TWU PCC is connected to the TWU and may use the money it receives for political purposes including, but not limited to, making contributions to and expenditures for candidates for elected office.

COPE Director Andrew Rangolan