Why Politics Matter

Politics matter because… Local 1000 is investing in your family’s future.

As state workers raising families in California, politics affect every aspect of our lives, including the rights, raises and benefits negotiated in our contract. Making politics work for you, your family and your community is important to us.

To effectively protect your rights, Local 1000 must actively engage in electing candidates who believe in—and stand up for—working families. It is important that we support leaders who are committed to a living wage, retirement security and affordable healthcare benefits at all levels of government from the president and Congress, to California’s governor and Legislature, all the way to school boards, city councils and county commissions.

How do we make the difference?

Our union is dedicated to building political power needed to win strong contracts and better benefits and to pass laws that protect our jobs, our families and our communities.

In 2012, Local 1000 was successful in advancing measures that support union families and all Californians, like Proposition 30, the “Temporary Taxes to Fund Education” initiative. We also helped defeat Proposition 32, the deceptive “Paycheck Protection Act of 2012,” which sought to undermine how much union members contribute to support political activities that protect their interests.

We also work hard to engage voters…putting “boots on the ground” to have conversations at the grassroots level. We work year-round to grow our capacity to reach out through phone banks and precinct walking. We get voters registered and to the polls on election day.

Politics matter to working families every day. Constant vigilance and a willingness to engage in political battles for the right reasons are essential to protect working families who are constantly under attack. Local 1000 is always watching for–and engaging in–political advocacy to guard our members and all California working families so they might lead a good life in sustainable communities and enjoy the benefits of social and economic justice.