What is CAP?
The Community Action Program of the UAW (CAP) is the union’s non-partisan political arm. It is a department of the International Union.
It isn’t a political party, and it isn’t tied to a political party. It endorses candidates, on the basis of their records and their stance on issues that affect working Americans. Over the years, CAP Councils have endorsed Democrats, Republicans and Independents.
Local and regional political endorsements are made by the UAW’s 160 CAP Councils or by other union bodies acting upon CAP Council recommendations. CAP Councils are made up of rank-and-file union members and retirees.
The UAW’s International Executive Board makes the union’s endorsement for president and vice-president following a secret ballot recommendation from each of the nation’s UAW locals.
There is a CAP Council working on political issues and candidate research at every level of the UAW and for every level of government in every area of the country where UAW members and retirees work and live.
Why Is Labor Involved in Politics?
Political attacks on labor unions are nothing new. Every time the U.S. Congress or a state legislature opens a new session, a flood of bills intended to restrict the rights and protections of working Americans, and their labor unions is introduced. Often the source of the proposed legislation is industrial, and business organizations interested in undermining unions and workers’ pay and benefits.
When working men and women help elect friendly candidates, passage of these anti-worker bills is less likely.
Workers have learned through bitter experience that there is a powerful link between the bread box and the ballot box. Gains won at the bargaining table and through sacrifice on the picket line can be wiped out by the hostile actions of political leaders, state legislatures, and Congress.
What is V-CAP?
From trade policy to health care, education to retirement security, taxes to roads and highways, politics affects our daily lives.
That’s why it’s essential for working families to make our voices heard in local, state and national politics. And one of the most effective ways to do that is by contributing to our union’s voluntary political action committee — UAW V-CAP. Our contributions to UAW V-CAP are used to support the campaigns of pro-working family candidates who have earned the endorsement of the UAW Community Action Program (UAW CAP).
Members who voluntarily contribute to V-CAP at the Activist, Platinum or Director’s Club level will be entitled to select awards annually.
If you are interested in donating to UAW-CAP, please print and complete the form below and take to your HR department at your workplace to let them know you’d like to begin deductions. Thanks for your interest.
