Political Action Fund Objection

News Release from UHPA

UHPA has an active Political Action Committee that has participated in state elections through political endorsements and contributions to candidates. The UHPA Board of Directors has taken action to allocate from the dues of all Bargaining Unit 7 members an amount of $5.00 a month to be placed in a Political Action Fund. The Fund will be used for purposes consistent with the Hawaii State Election laws, and it will not be used in any federal elections. The Political Action Fund will be subject to the accounting requirements of the Hawaii State Election Commission. If you do not wish to contribute to the “candidate endorsement” fund for fiscal year 2011-2012, you must sign, date, and return an Allocation Objection Form to UHPA by September 30, 2011.

Although all faculty members in the UH System are members of Bargaining Unit 7, not all faculty members choose to be members of UHPA. However, they are still required to pay an amount equivalent to member dues. These non-members are given an opportunity each year to object to certain expenditures made by UHPA that are unrelated to our duties under HRS Chapter 89, including political action contributions. They can receive a rebate of these funds based upon objections made annually.

The policies of UHPA will also allow members of UHPA to direct that the $5.00 per month allocation to the Political Action Fund be withheld. This will not lower the individual’s total dues, but it will not add to the total amount of funds allocated for partisan political purposes with respect to candidate endorsements and contributions. If a member chooses to withhold funding from the Political Action Account, they will not be allowed to vote on any recommendation for candidate endorsements made by the Board of Directors.

This affirmative request to withhold funding from the Political Action Account must be made each year. The Allocation Objection Form must be completed and returned to UHPA at 1017 Palm Drive, Honolulu, HI 96814 by September 30, 2011, if you do not wish to contribute to the "candidate endorsement" fund.

The UHPA Board of Directors has taken this action in response to the strong feelings held by some members that the union should not participate in making candidate endorsements or political contributions. However, we believe it is essential for a public sector union to maintain a political presence since the fundamental work of our bargaining with the State of Hawaii is ultimately subject to legislative approval.

J. N. Musto, Ph.D.

Executive Director