$9.3 Trillion: U.S. National Debt. [Reuters, ANALYSIS-U.S. economists see long-term ills from Iraq war, March 13, 2008]

$311 Billion: US Federal Deficit [Christian Science Monitor, U.S. deficit at record high and rising, April 23, 2008]

33.51: Cost of a barrel of oil in March 2003. [Energy Information

Administration] 

$118.59: Cost of a barrel of oil on April 28, 2008. [www.oil-price.net]

$3.53: Average Price Per Gallon of Gas in Iowa - April 28, 2008. [AAA]

$123 Billion: Profits of Exxon Mobil, Shell Oil, BP America Inc., Chevron, and ConocoPhillips in 2007. [AP, Congress Has Big Questions for Big Oil, April 1, 2008]

Sign up for PEOPLE online

AFSCME Members can now sign up for PEOPLE (Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality) on our website.

The three links below will allow you to learn more about AFSCME's PEOPLE program, download a PEOPLE payroll deduction form, and learn how to become an MVP member of PEOPLE.

(Please click on 1, 2, and 3 below)

By Participating in PEOPLE (AFSCME’s political, legislative, and fundraising program), you can have a direct impact on the political process – from helping improve healthcare and wages to collective bargaining, privatization, and prevailing wage.

PEOPLE works to affect the political process on many levels.

By law, union dues cannot be used to fund political campaigns; voluntary member contributions to the PEOPLE fund are used to help elect pro-worker candidates.

As a public employee, your job, wages and working conditions are directly linked to politics. We need the active participation of all members in order to make our legislative/political program strong, and in turn, to be effective when we work on behalf of our members. No other group of employees has such a direct connection to politics as AFSCME members. That is why PEOPLE matters.

How PEOPLE Makes a Difference

PEOPLE works to affect the political process on many levels. By law, union dues cannot be used to fund political campaigns; voluntary member contributions to the PEOPLE fund are used to help elect pro-worker candidates.

It is important to realize that pro-worker candidates are generally outspent by opponents, often by more than 10 to one. Big business is always a big spender for their candidates. Without our member contributions, pro-worker candidates would face almost impossible odds.

All AFSCME members and their families can be part of PEOPLE!

"Your ability to gain at the bargaining table is directly related to your past gains politically. AFSCME PEOPLE is our vehicle to get the job done." [Gerald McEntee, AFSCME International President]

"Being active in PEOPLE is the single best way to build the Union and to make a political statement. We want a better life, better quality of public services and to be able to live with dignity on and off the job." [William Lucy, International Secretary-Treasurer]

AFSCME also serves as a strategic resource for pro-worker candidates to help map out successful campaign strategies.

And last but not least, PEOPLE works with AFSCME members at the council and local levels to help create a structure for evaluating campaigns and endorsing candidates in state and local races. Politics is everywhere, but fortunately, so is PEOPLE. 

PEOPLE Needs You

Like all aspects of our union, PEOPLE is nothing without our members. To provide a strong political voice for public employees, we need help. You can become an active part of PEOPLE in many ways. The easiest way is by participating in a PEOPLE check-off program to provide a regular contribution that we can count on as we work with candidates and campaigns throughout the year to make sure our members' interests are represented.

Politicians will make decisions that have a great impact on you from privatization to pensions with or without your input. Make your voice heard by joining with other members in PEOPLE.

AFSCME Iowa Council 61

4320 NW 2^nd Avenue

Des Moines, IA 50313

(515) 246-1517

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Last modified: 04/28/08