What is PEOPLE?
PEOPLE — Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality—is the legislative and political arm of AFSCME. The PEOPLE program influences public policy and legislation by involving AFSCME members in four related activities:
- Registering AFSCME members to vote and providing them important information on the issues and candidates' records
- Lobbying elected officials
- Working to elect candidates who will act in the interest of AFSCME members and their families
- Making voluntary contributions that fund these and other union political activities.
Through the political process we can be involved in setting important public policy. Through the political process, public employees can elect representatives who are sensitive to maintaining vital public services and committed to dealing with workers fairly.
PEOPLE's Endorsement Process
Elected officials can dramatically affect the lives of AFSCME members. That's why the AFSCME PEOPLE program has established an endorsement process to give members the information they need to make the best choices on Election Day.
The process is democratic — all local unions can participate. By setting up such a process, AFSCME "speaks with one voice."
Each PEOPLE committee uses a variety of tools to decide whom to endorse in a particular race. Voting records, questionnaires, candidate interviews, and information provided by the legislative staff are all considered.
Party affiliation is not a basis for endorsement. The bottom line is the candidate's support for issues that benefit working families.
During election seasons, the candidates that Council 57 recommends will be listed on this website. Check our endorsements, print them out, and take them with you to the polls on Election Day.
Get Involved
Members have many options for getting involved in the PEOPLE program, including participating in voter registration drives, lobbying on specific issues and bills, working on campaigns-from walking precincts to working phone banks-and making voluntary contributions that fund these and other union political activities.
If you are an AFSCME member and would like to be more involved in our PEOPLE program, contact us today.