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What is Political Action?
Political Action is how our Union works to improve the benefits and working conditions for our membership. Elected politicians make the laws, statutes and ordinances that control our working conditions, compensation and pensions. We accomplish our goals by educating officials regarding issues important to us, and then working to elect those who support them.
Both the IAFF FIREPAC and our Local 2068 FIREPAC are dedicated to electing candidates who support fire fighter and paramedic issues and holding them accountable for their votes once in office. As registered Political Action Committees (PACs), both programs rely on personal, voluntary contributions from our Union Members. Federal election law prohibits the use of regular union dues for political purposes.
Since its creation in 1977, FIREPAC has raised and contributed over $12.5 million. During the 2005-2006 election cycle, FIREPAC contributed more than $3 million to more than 330 pro-IAFF candidates running for Congress in races across the country. FIREPAC is among the top 25 federal PACs among the more than 4,000 in the country.
How Is My Contribution Used?
PAC funds are used to make campaign contributions to federal, state and local political candidates. Very specific criteria are used to determine which incumbents or challenging candidates will receive our support. At the national level, if an incumbent member of Congress solicits FIREPAC support, the IAFF will review his or her voting record on fire service and labor related issues of vital importance to our members. The IAFF also consults State Associations and Local Unions to determine their relationship with the politician.
At the state and local levels, our Union leaders issue questionnaires for candidates. A committee of fire fighters and paramedics evaluates responses, and follow-up meetings are conducted prior to making any endorsement decision. Of labor PACs, IAFF and Local 2068 FIREPAC are the most bi-partisan PAC, contributing 30 percent of their funds to Republican candidates.
Political action work does not stop with the election. The IAFF, VPFF and Local 2068 continuously monitor voting records. Annual legislative conferences in Washington, D.C. and Richmond let our members meet face-to-face with our elected officials to discuss fire fighter issues one-on-one.
What is a Check-Off Program?
Our check-off program is a voluntary payroll deduction plan that allows any Local 2068 member to “check-off” a small PAC donation each pay period. The designated amount will be deducted from your pay stub every pay period.
Our check-off program has been designed to support both the IAFF FIREPAC and the Local 2068 FIREPAC. The amount will be added to the ‘dues’ item on your pay stub, and the Local 2068 office staff will designate the funds for the PACs.
What Can I Do?
Our Union’s greatest strength is an involved and active membership. You help us help you by keeping your voter registration current, staying up-to-date on our issues, contributing your time to help our endorsed candidates at election time and supporting our PAC.
By checking off $5.00 per paycheck, your annual PAC contribution qualifies you for the “100+ Club”. Participants in the 100+ Club will receive a specially designed gift and also be enrolled in the IAFF’s FIREPAC President’s Club. President’s Club members receive:
· IAFF FIREPAC President’s Club Pin
· IAFF Congressional Directory
· Recognition in the International Fire Fighter
But most importantly, supporting PAC is a clear declaration of your commitment to our brother and sister fire fighters and paramedics both in our department and across the country.
How Do I Sign Up?
To enroll in the check-off program and join the Local 2068 100+ Club, use the form below. Read it carefully, fill in your contribution amount, sign it and return it to our Union Office. That’s it! It has never been easier to support the political activities of Fairfax County Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics.