PAC Leader Helps Members Find Common Ground

The 460 members of Local 1025 in Wilmington, N.C., hold a broad range of political views, and President Wilhelmenia Hardy works hard to bring them together in support of worker-friendly candidates and policies.

The local’s members, who make fiber optic cables for Corning Inc., participate in the USW’s Political Action Committee (PAC) because they understand the program is about backing issues and candidates that help workers, not political parties.

“We have Democrats and Republicans,” Hardy said.  “We were able to have a dues check off drive and a PAC drive and assure people it was to help any candidate who wants to support what is best for unions and working people.”

This push towards political cooperation has earned Hardy the honor of PAC member of the quarter.  District 9 Director Dan Flippo, who nominated Hardy, said “she has taken on the PAC program and done a really good job in a fairly conservative part of North Carolina.”

Contributions voluntary

Federal Election Commission rules prohibit using union dues for political purposes, so the USW relies on voluntary contributions to its PAC fund to engage in political action. 

Local 1025 started actively participating in PAC a little later than other locals but has quickly picked up momentum.  The local kicked off its first PAC drive in 2008 with a rally where more than 200 members signed PAC cards.  Today, Hardy focuses on educating new members.

Corning’s habit of making extreme demands of its workers has also helped keep union membership and PAC participation high even though North Carolina is a right-to-work (for less) state, she said.

“Every time Corning does something to attack us, the workforce is very supportive of us,” Hardy said. “People come forward to ask for union cards, and I give them a PAC card too.”