News from the Upper Peninsula
The Importance Of Political Action
by Emil Kezerle
Business Agent/Coordinator, Upper Michigan Office
328 Superior Avenue, Crystal Falls, Michigan 49920
906-875-4990; 800-361-1269
Just recently, the presidents of our Upper Michigan locals received a packet regarding a contribution of $9.00 to the Upper Michigan Law Enforcement Association Political Action Committee. Although most of you have heard this information more than once, please allow me to again explain what it is all about.
First, in order to be a member of the Upper Michigan Law Enforcement Association (UMLEA), one must be a member of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association (WPPA). What is important to know, however, is that the UMLEA is not your union representative. What the WPPA does with respect to managing your local association’s labor affairs and what the UMLEA is intended to provide you are separate matters. The UMLEA is a stand-alone political action committee, overseen by an independent board of directors, which is comprised of law enforcement officers from across the Upper Peninsula.
Michigan is somewhat different from Wisconsin in the application of rules surrounding political action funding. Michigan rules require that any contribution to a political action fund must have the specific approval of each individual. It is for this reason that your president has been provided checkoff forms that each member must sign, should the member agree to make a contribution to this fund.
In order for this to be a successful opportunity for our Michigan members, a funding mechanism is necessary. Dues money, or money collected and deducted for the payment of union dues, may not be used for purposes of political action. Such funds must actually be maintained in a completely separate account. Therefore, it is necessary for us to request that this contribution be made through a separate collection.
So, what is this fund intended to accomplish? The influence of political action is recognizable at every level of government. Realistically, the UMLEA is not going to be a significant or influential group relating to federal or even state government any time soon. That’s all fine and good; however, let’s talk about where you, as public employees, do need the UMLEA in order to be influential.
If you’ve read this publication on a regular basis, you have heard me suggest that labor-related impasses with your employer are most often caused by your elected officials and less often caused by managers, administrators, chiefs, or sheriffs. You must accept this fact and when you do, you will understand just how important it is to have an organization, such as the UMLEA, available to you. The endorsement of local candidates for various local government seats is a matter that your local association must become involved with. You need to reach out and support those candidates that you know have your best interests in mind. You also must be prepared to address the problems that result from candidates (or current board members) who have no specific interest in your welfare or the welfare of your association.
Support for good candidates comes in a number of ways. The UMLEA funding that we are speaking of is maintained to provide your association with financial assistance in these areas.
For example, last year, one of our locals was faced with a number of political problems, including a city mayor who simply wanted to dissolve the police department. With the financial assistance of the UMLEA, a recall effort was initiated, and the UMLEA Board approved the purchase of local television time on behalf of the local association, along with the purchase of other materials needed to address the recall effort. That funding was available as a direct result of political action contributions.
In conclusion, the UMLEA is young but we are growing. Every year we become more and more recognizable by folks out there who are interested in our endorsement for local government seats. It is in the area of local politics that we hope this organization will prove to be most beneficial for all of our Upper Michigan members.
I hope that I have adequately explained what this fund is intended to do for you. Please check with your local president and review the documentation that he or she has been provided. The decision to contribute to this effort will be yours and yours alone. As always, don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
