Grassroots Lobbying:

The Path to Political Power

The “Congress shall make no law... abridging the right of the people... to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

The right to lobby is as old as the U.S. Constitution and is protected in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights.

For many of us, lobbying is something other people do. But lobbying has become an essential component of a successful union program and, in fact, plays a crucial role in the legislative process. Workers and their unions have a direct interest in legislation considered by Congress. We make our interests known by electing worker-friendly senators and representatives and by lobbying for or against specific legislation, a right guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.

Lobbying, or more simply put, trying to influence those who make policies that affect our lives, is something anyone can and should do. It is in our best interests if we expect to keep our legislators informed about our issues. You can help ensure good legislation on state and national levels by communicating with your elected representatives.

Elected officials are particularly attentive to facts and viewpoints provided by their constituents. That’s why citizens, special-interest groups and corporate America have emerged as the most effective groups to seek to influence lawmakers’ decisions. In this highly competitive political world, we must take on the challenge of lobbying on behalf of our interests.

Historically, lobbyists have been at work from the earliest days of the Congress and have become the means by which powerful and wealthy interests groups have influenced decision-making in the U.S. Congress and state legislatures. Today thousands of lobbyists representing special-interest groups as varied as disabled veterans, children’s television, multinational corporations, workers’ rights and child welfare groups are a major force in government decision-making. Most estimates place the number of lobbyists in Washington at close to 25,000; that’s more that 48 lobbyists for each of the 535 members of Congress. Millions upon millions of dollars are spent on each congressional session to influence federal legislation.

Labor unions under attack

Political attacks on labor unions are a historical fact. With each opening session of the U.S. Congress or a state legislature, 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 organiza-tions determined to undermine unions and workers’ pay and benefits. Therefore, lobbying for legislation favorable to working families becomes crucial. Citizens’ lobbyists are seen as a way of countering the power and influence of multinational and anti-labor forces. Citizens’ lobbyists have in fact emerged as a deciding factor in many legislative battles at all levels of government. The UAW believes that democracy can flourish only when all its citizens – especially all working Americans – do their part.

Union members make the best lobbyists

To assure accountability of the people they elect, union members have become the best lobbyists on behalf of their union and working families. Electing worker-friendly candidates does not mean that your job is done. The job of a union lobbyist also entails communicating with the legislators on issues that impact labor. Two other factors come into play when workers lobby their representatives: The representative is kept informed of the trade union point of view and legislators know their actions are being monitored closely by the folks back home.

Grassroots lobbying

Grassroots lobbying can involve letter-writing or a telephone campaign. It can mean visiting our representatives in person at their offices. Modern technology has given union members an opportunity to lobby via the Internet. Many lawmakers can now be reached through this method. This is an ideal way to lobby when time is of the essence and many members must be reached quickly. While modern technology offers new ways to lobby, nothing can beat the time-tested way by visiting lawmakers at their offices.

Why lobby?

• Because you are the powerful voice that can be used to advance the interests of working families.

• Because you and your fellow union members CAN make a difference.

• Because you have the power to change laws.

• Because lobbying is a democratic tradition.

Lobbying can be hard, but it can be done and nothing beats the satisfaction of knowing you did your part in making democracy work. America’s history is full of success stories of people like you who fought at great odds to make great changes such as legislating child-labor laws, free public schools, clean-water laws and Social Security. The kinds of laws enacted depend upon the lobbying efforts made by union members like you. Lobbying can help find solutions we would not have thought of otherwise. Lobbying is easy when we work together in a committed effort to protect the welfare and security of all Americans. Lobbying can determine an outcome favorable to working families. When politicians are hostile to labor’s points of view, pressure through lobbying from their constituents – that’s you – may prevent them taking an active role against a labor-backed bill.

It is our job to keep them honest and accountable. But as important, be sure to thank your lawmaker either through a phone call or letter when they deliver on a labor issue.