Political Action Fund Objection
Posted on UHPA website
UHPA policy allows active members of UHPA to object to the $5 per month allocation to the Political Action Fund. A member must complete an Allocation Objection Form. The form for the 2012-2013 fiscal year is available now and must be returned to the UHPA office by September 14, 2012.
The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) has an active Political Action Committee that has participated in state & federal elections through political endorsements, contributions to candidates and independent expenditures on behalf of our endorsed 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 subject to the accounting requirements and used for purposes consistent with the Hawaii State Election and Federal Election laws.
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.
Our policy will allow members of UHPA to object to the $5.00 per month allocation to the Political Action Fund. This will not lower their 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 request to withhold funding from the Political Action Account must be made each year. If you do not wish to contribute to the “candidate endorsement” fund for fiscal year 2012-2013, you must sign, date, and return the Allocation Objection Form to UHPA at 1017 Palm Drive, Honolulu, HI 96814, by September 14, 2012.
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.
---30---
National Right to Work Foundation:
|