Prime Minister Paul Martin dissolved Parliament, Nov. 28 and called federal election for January 23, 2006. It will be a long campaign. CUPE members know that low participation in elections means more privatization, so they’re gearing up to make their voices heard – and not just by voting!
CUPE members and locals can use the election campaign to strengthen our communities and protect quality public services and public sector jobs. Working together in our workplaces, in our communities and on the campaign trail – CUPE members are fighting Paul Martin’s and Stephen Harper’s privatization agenda. And they’re getting behind candidates who pledge to defend public services and strong, healthy communities.
This election is expected to be dirty and nasty after the holidays – and then there won’t be a lot of time to get rolling before voting day. We need to develop a positive campaign to build and improve public services right away to show that there is an alternative to the cynical tax-cutting and privatization agenda.
The first thing to do is get together and get creative! The power of the brainstorming session is unbeatable and is a great way to involve people.
Make sure you have read up on the election legislation (mailed to all locals in the Nov. 15 general mailing). There are changes to how unions can participate in the election process. For example, CUPE locals can encourage members to volunteer as individuals acting on their own time. But you can’t pay them or book them off to to work directly for a political party. Also, while you can produce materials for your own members, there are restrictions on paid advertising.
Here are some ways you and your CUPE local can produce victories and influence this election:
Your local: On the campaign trail
Events, events, events! Engage your members in the election process. People working together for change is how we’ll help strengthen our communities – and this election is part of that.
Volunteer for local candidates. Support those who are most likely to defend public services and who vow to stop privatization. Organize your locals to volunteer together to help on a campaign by staffing the phone bank one weekend (or more), or by organizing the distribution of neighborhood flyers or blitzing a community with lawn signs. There is power in working together!
Organize an all-candidates’ meeting. It can be a general meeting or one with a focus on privatization, health care, child care, women, unemployed workers, city infrastructure or another priority issue. This is a great way to showcase progressive candidates. And there’s no better way to motivate people to vote wisely than letting a Liberal or Conservative candidate stumble through their anti-public services lines!
Encourage members to attend other all-candidates’ meetings. Armed with leaflets and lined up at the microphone, they can set the agenda from the floor. Provide a “Truth-O-Meter”, a placard with a moveable arrow that can point closer to “truth” or “lie” depending on who is saying what!
Organize your local Paul Martin or Stephen Harper welcome brigade. Both leaders may visit your community for a photo-op. Be part of the picture with street theatre, banners, stunts. Be on the lookout for other high-profile politicians, too. Check election.cupe.ca for updates on leaders’ schedules – we’ll post them when we can.
Become the news. By making your presence felt at Liberal and Conservative press events, you can become part of the news coverage. One large banner can steal the show. One clear voice with a powerful message can steal Liberal or Conservative thunder. Be whimsical, be daring, be on the front line!
The New Democratic Party’s positions opposing privatization are stronger than ever. Support the NDP candidate in your riding. If you’re in a larger city, consider which ridings are most likely to elect a New Democrat and focus your efforts there.
Your local: In the community
Reach out to your membership.
Look at the different ways you are plugged into the community. Reach out to family, friends and neighbours: hockey players, folk music lovers, environmental activists, highland dancers, church groups, students, farmers, bowlers. Tap into your community’s diversity. Talk politics and privatization.
Watch more TV.
Tune in the televised leaders’ debates with fellow CUPE members, and invite your neighbours too! There’s nothing like yelling at the TV with a group of friends.
Anti-P3 privatization alert pickets. Turn your main street into a stage by organizing a “P3 Privatization Alert” information picket. Two members per street corner can hand out hundreds of flyers over lunch-hour. Cover 10 intersections and you’ve reached thousands of people in one go.
Winter festivals. Be on the lookout for local events in your communities where a little leafleting can go a long way. People waiting in long holiday line-ups at stores would welcome new reading materials.
Coalitions. Find out what other unions and progressive groups are planning and work with them to complement each other’s efforts.
Your local: At the workplace
Leaflets, posters, stickers. They can all help spruce up your workplace. Download materials from election.cupe.ca to help get the word out.
Organize a brown bag lunch. Use it to discuss why we need to vote for public services. Or, depending on your local, organize a special session during a regular union meeting. Voting for public services starts at the local level.
Organize a skit. Use the cafeteria or lunchroom in your workplace to dramatize the differences between public heath care and private, for example. Or how about our own version of “Survivor”? The players can vote Paul Martin or Stephen Harper off the island?
Election day support. Find out what support people might need to go vote. It might be help with child care or getting a lift to the polling station. It might even be making sure they’re on the voting list, and getting them on the list if they aren’t already. Survey your members’ needs and plan accordingly. Encourage members to help each other.
Media
Call-in shows. Monitor local radio call-in shows and encourage members and their families to call in.
Letters to the editor. Don’t like what the Liberals or Conservatives are planning for your community? Write it down and send or email it to the local media. Even a few lines can make a difference.
Actions. Provide sample “letters to the editor” for your members. Circulate the phone numbers for call-in shows. Alert members when special election coverage is looming, such as CBC Town Halls, national leaders’ debates and local broadcasts.
A last word
Your actions count. Whether you live in a big city or a small town, you can influence the election outcome. The cumulative effect of your efforts is to build a bigger, stronger movement for change by electing a federal Parliament that is more responsive to your needs and those of your community.
Every vote counts, and now more than ever. Changes to elections financing legislation mean that political parties now benefit from every single vote cast. In other words, your candidate doesn’t need to win the election to make your party stronger.
See you on the hustings and at the polls!