When you pledge $2 per pay period to PEF COPE, you join thousands of other PEF members working to turn the tide of privatization, understaffing and devalued public service that threaten you and the quality services you deliver.
COPE stands for Committee On Political Education
It is the only way federal election law allows PEF members and other labor union members to work together in financially supporting political candidates in national elections who will support legislation, funding and policies that promote:
- Quality public services at the federal, state and local levels;
- Fair labor and wage laws, healthy and safe workplaces, pension protections; and
- Affordable, quality public education and health care, a clean, crime-free environment, and other issues important to PEF members and their families.
How Are COPE Contributions Spent?
Voluntary COPE contributions are used to support candidates PEF has endorsed for federal office. (Federal law limits labor unions to using COPE funds to support candidates for federal office.)
Endorsements are debated and made by the PEF Executive Board with the advice and recommendations of its statewide and regional political action committees.
Approximately 100 PEF members serve on these committees that interview candidates and review their voting records and positions on issues important to PEF members and working families.
Please Note: The COPE contribution level mentioned is only a suggested amount. It is up to individual members to decide whether they want to contribute and how much. The union is prohibited by law from discriminatory treatment of members based on their participation in COPE or lack of it.
