COPE
Learn More about COPE
Sign up for recurring contributions today, through Dues Deduction or Credit Card!
COPE is our union’s voluntary political fund, separate from union dues which gives working families the power to hold politicians accountable to our priorities.
Due to COPE:
- Every worker in Minnesota now has the right to call in sick without losing our jobs or income.
- Starting in 2026, we will have the freedom to take time off work to care for ourselves & family members– up to 20 weeks with PAY!
- We set minimum wages & won holiday pay for nursing home workers– and established a standards board so we can do it again year after year.
- Home care workers won historic wage increase & orientation!
- No one else in our state will lose their life due to the high cost of insulin. The Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, championed by union member James Holt Jr. in honor of his son, ensures emergency access to insulin for all.
- Public school kids now get free breakfast & lunch after we helped make kindergarten free for all public students.
We ask every SEIU member to sign up for COPE so we can win more for working people.
Sign up for recurring contributions today, through Dues Deduction or Credit Card!
What Does COPE Stand for?
COPE is an acronym for the Committee on Political Education. It is our union's voluntary bi-partisan Political Action Committee used for political activities. We hold politicians accountable at every level of government and help our union build the political power to win strong contracts, better benefits and pass laws to protect our jobs.
How do WE Build Power?
Few, if any, union members have enough money or power on their own to compete with the wealthy few at the Capitol. By pooling our money and voices together, we build enough power to get elected officials to understand our issues and enact our priorities. When thousands of our local members each contribute, it adds up to real power.
How does COPE work for us?
COPE allows us to dedicate resources behind worker-friendly candidates. COPE money is used not only for contributions to candidates, but also to register new voters, educate the public on issues, and get-out-the-vote efforts.
Why is SEIU Involved in Politics?
Collective bargaining rights, job security, working conditions, and benefits are decided by elected officials. To do an effective job in collective bargaining, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa must be involved in electing candidates to school boards, city councils, county boards of supervisors, governor, Legislature, president, and Congress, who value, who believe in, and who will stand up for employees' issues at the decision-making table.
How is the Money Used?
COPE is a regular deduction and All COPE money goes into a separate central political account. Because Federal law can restrict the use of dues dollars for some political purposes, it is kept segregated from the general treasury. This account funds a wide variety of political activities, including contributions to Federal House and Senate races. SEIU has used this fund to build one of the largest and most-effective pro-worker political operations in the country.
Who Does SEIU Support?
SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa supports pro-SEIU, pro-worker candidates in local, state and federal election campaigns. SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa is bi-partisan and supports both Republicans and Democrats who support our issues. Much of our political program communicates directly to the public outside of the partisan political programs.
How can we contribute to COPE?
Contribute to COPE online now: Sign up to contribute to COPE through Dues Deductions HERE, or with a credit card HERE. Or talk to a steward or your internal organizer to contribute up to $20 a month (that’s only 67 cents a day) to help protect our retirement security and jobs.