What is PAC?

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The United Steelworkers Political Action Committee (USW PAC) is a fund that USW members contribute to voluntarily each month to support our union’s efforts to elect pro-worker, pro-union lawmakers.

Why is the USW involved in elections?

The most important work we do as a union involves bargaining and enforcing good contracts to secure fair wages, dependable benefits, and safe working conditions.

However, whether we like it or not, workplace health and safety, wage and overtime regulations, retirement security, even our right to organize and bargain collectively, are all tied to local, state, and federal laws and the people making them.

Many USW employers are heavily invested in the political process, spending millions to help elect candidates who will support laws that favor them.

We know from contract negotiations that those priorities can be very different from ours. That’s why it is on us to do everything in our power to elect lawmakers who will support workers, no matter their party affiliation.

For close to 70 years, this has been the mission of USW PAC.

Who gets our support?

If a candidate is anti-union, then they won’t get our support. It’s that simple.

Before we make any decision to endorse or support a candidate, we determine if their values align with ours.

We look at their background, voting records, and often meet with them.

Candidates for federal office must fill out and return our union’s candidate questionnaire. This allows us to see where they stand on our core issues including collective bargaining, health care, infrastructure, workplace health and safety, trade, and retirement security.

Do my donations really help?

YES! Federal and many state laws prohibit unions from contributing members’ dues dollars to candidates, which is why your support of USW PAC is so important.

Your voluntary contributions to USW PAC are the foundation of election campaigns that fight for our members and families when no one else will.

USW PAC uses the contributions it receives for political purposes, including addressing issues of public importance and making contributions and expenditures in connection with federal, state, and local elections.

Together, our contributions to USW PAC make a significant difference because they support our union’s ability to educate our members and the candidates about the issues that matter most to workers and our families.

Also, pro-worker candidates need our support if they are going to ever have a chance at defeating antiunion lawmakers.

How can I contribute?

Most members contribute to USW PAC through automatic payroll deductions. This option is only available when your local union has bargained the necessary contract language.

However, even if your contract does not contain the necessary language, you can still contribute to USW PAC using your debit or credit card by visiting our secure website at pac.usw.org/donate.

Contributions and gifts to USW PAC are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year.