Transcript The Corporate Deception Act

SAY
NO TO PROP. 32
STOP THE SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS ACT
Coming to a ballot box
near you this November
Prop. 32 -- November’s Anti-Union
Ballot Measure

Much different and much worse than
previous anti-union measures

Backers claim it’s campaign finance
reform – they even call it the “Stop
Special Interest Money Now Act”
Prop. 32 -- A Deceptive Power Grab

Takes away union members’ voice in
politics

Riddled with EXEMPTIONS for
corporate interests and billionaires
What We’ve Won Through Politics –
And Stand To Lose
• Medicare
• health insurance
• pension
• social security
• 8-hour day
• meal breaks
• workplace health &
safety laws
• child labor laws
• overtime pay
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grievance process
sick leave
FMLA leave
minimum wage
Project Labor
Agreements
job security
not contracting out
vacation leave
collective bargaining
Prop. 32 is the First Blow of a
“One-Two” punch

Remove unions from politics in 2012,
then come after our rights in in 2014

Next are local and state ballot measures
that gut pensions, eliminate PLAs and
even strip collective bargaining rights

And we’d have no ability to fight back
Fair and Balanced?
Backers claim that the measure:

Bans both corporate and union contributions to
candidates

Prohibits campaign contributions from
government contractors

Prohibits corporations and unions from collecting
political funds from employees and members via
voluntary payroll deduction

Makes all employee political contributions by any
other means strictly voluntary, requiring annual
written consent.
“Fair and Balanced” Really?

PROHIBITS unions from making ANY
contributions to state or local candidates or
political parties EVER.

Backers claim it’s “balanced” because the same
ban applies to “corporations” but…

Riddled with exemptions: Wall Street hedge
funds, real estate investors, insurance
companies and billionaire businessmen would
be able to contribute directly to candidates
“Fair and Balanced” Really?

Claims to prohibit corporations AND unions
from using payroll deductions for politics.

Unions collect dues through payroll deduction.
Corporations don’t use payroll deduction for
politics; they use their massive profits.

Exempts Corporate Super PACs and front
groups allowing them to spend with NO Limits!
Prop. 32 Eliminates Our Voice
UNIONS WON’T BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO:

Candidates – Local or State

Ballot Measures – Local or State

Independent Expenditures

We couldn’t even communicate with our
own members on politics
Who It Restricts
ALL UNIONS in California will
be affected - public and
private sector, service, trades,
EVERYBODY.
Who Can Spend Without Limits
(THE 1%)

Corporate Super PACs – No Limit

Chamber of Commerce – No Limit

Michelle Rhee’s PAC – No Limit

Karl Rove’s PAC – No Limit

Wal-Mart – No Limit

Assoc Builders & Contractors – No Limit

Billionaires – No Limit
Who's Behind It

Wealthy corporate interests

Orange County millionaires

Anti-union activists

Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

Lincoln Club of OC (backers of Citizens
United case)
Our Opponents’ Message Now
U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz:
"This initiative gets to the heart of one of
the most corrosive elements in politics:
campaign contributions. For too long,
special interest money has dominated
our politics, muting the voice of average
Californians.”
Why Their Message is so
Dangerous

“Campaign Finance Reform” is very
popular with the public

Eight in 10 voters say there’s too much
big money spent on political campaigns
How We’re Going to Win – Message
TIPS ON MESSAGING:

1) This is an attack on our jobs and our
wages – personalize fight for members

2) It’s not real reform – it’s unbalanced,
unfair and full of exemptions for wealthy
and corporations

3) Gives even MORE power to corporate
interests, Super PACs and billionaires to
write their own rules
How We're Going to Win –
Field and Paid Media

We need more education than ever – MUST
reach every union member in the state to win

Member to Member Program – in worksites,
phoning, walking and online

Building a broad coalition of partners

Voter persuasion and GOTV campaign to
general voters through Alliance for a Better CA

Statewide paid media – TV and radio, social
media and mail
For More Information:

Go to www.CaliforniaLabor.org

Contact California Labor Federation
Communications Director Steve Smith at
[email protected]