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JOURNAL
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ONLINE VERSION VOLUME 107 - NUMBER 5 - JUNE/JULY 1998
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Labor Party First Constitutional Convention

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Labor Party

First Constitutional Convention

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

November 13-15, 1998



At the last Grand Lodge Convention, held in July of 1994, BMWE delegates voted to endorse the effort to build a Labor Party. Moving on this mandate, the BMWE worked with other AFL-CIO unions representing well over one million members to make this resolution a reality. Over 60 BMWE delegates played an important role in June 1996 at the Founding Convention of the Labor Party in Cleveland, Ohio.



Now comes the second important step in the life of the Labor Party. In November of this year, the Party's first Constitutional Convention will be held in Pittsburgh. At the beginning of April BMWE President Mac A. Fleming sent a letter to each U.S. Subordinate Lodge Secretary-Treasurer along with a copy of the Call to the Convention.



Because the BMWE has endorsed and affiliated with the Labor Party, each BMWE subordinate lodge and system division and federation is considered an endorsing union. However, each lodge or system that affiliates individually with the Labor Party is entitled to greater representation than endorsing groups at the convention.



"The Labor Party is at this time a non-electoral organization and does not replace the BMWE's ongoing political activity and support of candidates of our choice," said President Fleming. "However, helping to build the Labor Party is part of our commitment to advance the interests of the members of the BMWE." President Fleming went on to express the hope that each subordinate lodge and system division and federation will consider affiliation with the Labor Party and that the BMWE will have a substantial delegation at the Labor Party Convention.



@ BOX = Labor Party Affiliation



Who is eligible to affiliate?



Organizational membership in the Labor Party is open to international unions, locals, districts, lodges or any other designation rendered by an International Union; state federation and central labor bodies; and other organizations deemed worker supportive by the Labor Party's National Council.



What does it mean to affiliate with the Labor Party?



Affiliates shall, by official act, accept and abide by the Constitution and principles of the Labor Party and shall pay an annual affiliation fee. Affiliations help build a strong base for the Labor Party and provide financing necessary to carry on our day-to-day operations. Affiliation is also the first step in gaining representation on the National Council, the governing body of the Labor Party.



What is the cost of affiliation?



Locals/Lodges/Districts/Councils

100 members & under: $ 50 per year Central labor bodies: $500 per year

101-500 members: $100 per year State labor federations: $ 1,000 per year

501-2500 members: $250 per year International unions: $10,000 per year

1501-5000 members: $500 per year

5001 or more members: $1,000 per year



Are Other Unions Supporting the Labor Party?



Over one million workers are represented by the nine international unions -- including the Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers, the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes, the American Federation of Government Employees and the United Mine Workers -- and thousands of local unions that have endorsed the Labor Party.



Can My Union Contribute Treasury and Political Action Funds?



Yes. The Labor Party is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization and can receive funds from any source -- including treasury money, PAC, education or special funds. Because the Labor Party is non-electoral, Taft-Hartley restrictions do not apply.





Labor Party Affiliation Form



This is to certify that _________________________ has, by official act, affiliated with

union local/lodge/district/council/federation or organization

the Labor Party.



Name of union: ___________________________________ Affiliation fee enclosed:

$50 $500

Contact person: ___________________________________ $100 $1000

$250 $10,000

Address: ___________________________________

Please make checks payable

City/State/Zip: ___________________________________ to Labor Party. Contributions

are not tax deductible

Telephone/fax numbers: ______________________________





LABOR PARTY * PO Box 53177 * Washington, DC 20009

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