When SEIU Local 1000 member Ron Landingham was asked "Where's the rest of your Union?" he said "They're inside the Convention Hall!"

That answer provided a triumphant moment-- some of us had gotten inside! We on the outside were trying to influence the candidates, while those within will be choosing the candidates, definitely a few steps closer to the action.

A lot of what happens to people is decided in the political arena. Last Fall, political action determined that organized farmworkers would get contract mediation if grower managment was recalcitrant at the bargaining table. Safe staffing ratios for RN's was legislated through political action. CAL-OSHA came into being through political action. Many safety rules and anti-discriminatory policies exist because of political action.

Note: Unions can't use union dues for political purposes, which is why members sign up to contribute to the COPE fund if they want their union to have money for political action. Or they can commit political action themselves by lobbying their legislator on an issue of concern.