Representatives from AFT-Maryland’s affiliate agencies, including union presidents, key staff members, and members of the AFT-Maryland Legislative and Political Action Committees attended training on Committees on Political Education (C.O.P.E.) and the federation’s political and legislative activities on June 19. Chris Runge, AFT Deputy Director, provided an overview of AFT’s political perspective and national priorities and presented information on the importance of building political power by encouraging members to participate in union C.O.P.E. activities.
Todd Reynolds, AFT-Maryland Political Action Coordinator, described the federation’s efforts to organize and mobilize members and to increase member effectiveness in the political arena. Reynolds explained federation’s analysis of data on member locations, legislator voting records, and the resulting organizing and mobilization activities.
Terence Cooper, AFT-Maryland Director of Policy and Legislative Services, detailed Maryland’s legislative and budgetary processes, the federation’s method of determining legislative priorities, and the importance of member participation in legislative hearings, and visits to legislators. The training equipped union members with a better understanding of the federation’s legislative and political agenda and organizing activities.
6/24/14