There may be no subject more divisive within the membership of the UWUA than politics. Much like the rest of the country, our members hold a wide range of political views, and there is often debate over what role the union should play in the political process. Some members want greater involvement, while others would prefer the union stay out of politics altogether. Regardless of where someone stands politically, most of us can agree on two things: we are not satisfied with the current political climate, and money plays far too large a role in the American political system.
Yet, whether we like it or not, the de
cisions made by elected officials and regulators directly impact UWUA members every single day. Laws, regulations, infrastructure investments, energy policy, labor protections, utility oversight, retirement security, and workplace safety are all shaped by the political process. If utility workers are not represented in those discussions, decisions affecting our jobs and industries will be made without the voices of the workers who keep this country running.
That is where political advocacy becomes essential. The UWUA’s primary role in politics is not about partisan politics or elections — it is about advocacy. Advocacy means educating legislators, regulators, and policymakers about the real-world impact their decisions have on utility workers, our industries, and the communities we serve. Every day, UWUA officers and staff work to ensure policymakers understand the importance of reliable energy infrastructure, good union jobs, collective bargaining rights, and investments that strengthen our nation’s utility systems.
Unfortunately, access to the political system often requires resources. The reality of American politics is that elected officials are constantly fundraising while preparing for the next election cycle. We may not like that reality but ignoring it does not change it. If working people choose not to participate in the political process, others will gladly fill the void. As the saying goes, if you are not at the table, you are on the menu.
This is why the UWUA COPE Fund exists. COPE — the Committee on Political Education — is the tool the union uses to participate in the political process and advocate on behalf of utility workers nationwide. Importantly, union dues cannot legally be used for political contributions, and the UWUA has taken additional steps to reinforce that separation. The COPE Fund is supported entirely through voluntary contributions that are separate from union dues, with strict protections in place to ensure there is no commingling of funds.
The purpose of COPE is not to “buy elections.” In reality, the average contribution made by the fund — $1,000 — is relatively small in today’s political environment. What COPE truly provides is access: the opportunity to sit at the table, educate decision-makers, and ensure the voices of utility workers are heard when policies affecting our jobs and industries are being developed.
For years, the UWUA COPE Fund has been sustained by dedicated contributions from officers, staff, executive board members, and committed union activists. Now, the UWUA is expanding that effort through a nationwide fundraising campaign called Change for Change – A Dollar A Day.
The idea behind Change for Change is simple: small contributions, made consistently by many members, create real collective power. A dollar a day may seem small individually, but when utility workers across the country stand together, those contributions become a powerful force that strengthens the union’s ability to advocate for its members and our industries.
The campaign also makes participation easier than ever before. In the past, many members could only contribute through payroll deduction programs offered by their employers. Today, through online fundraising platforms, members can voluntarily contribute to the UWUA COPE Fund regardless of whether payroll deduction is available at their workplace.
Change for Change is ultimately about solidarity, participation, and protecting the future of utility workers. By contributing just a small amount each day, members help ensure the UWUA continues to have a strong voice in the political and regulatory decisions that shape our jobs, contracts, benefits, and future.
For additional information on the UWUA COPE Fund, go to https://uwua.net/committee-on-political-education/.