We take your rights seriously.
During our local’s leadership elections, your rights are protected by federal law under the Labor‑Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA). The LMRDA guarantees your right to speak your mind about union issues and candidates, and cast a secret ballot in fair elections.
Our local can adopt reasonable election rules about things like meeting procedures, campaign timelines, and use of resources, but those rules must comply with the LMRDA and cannot take away rights the law guarantees to you as a union member. That means local rules cannot be used to silence criticism, block members from campaigning, or otherwise interfere with your legal rights to participate fully and democratically in union elections.
During an AFT leadership campaign, members have the right to:
- Criticize union leaders, staff, and candidates, including by name, even harshly, as long as you are not engaging in unprotected conduct like threats or violence.
- Argue for or against slates, caucuses, and proposed directions for the union, including calling for changes in leadership, policies, bargaining strategies, or contract ratification.
- Distribute campaign literature (flyers, emails, websites, social media posts) and organize meetings or caucuses to support particular candidates or platforms, without interference from union officials, so long as you follow neutral use‑of‑resources rules.
- Receive uncensored information from all candidates: if the union offers a mailing, email blast, or similar channel to one candidate, it must offer equal access on the same terms to others and may not censor their content.
Remember: Never use WP resources (WPUNJ emails, printing, etc.).
For more information: Free Speech Rights in Your Union | Labor Notes
Please contact the campaign if your member rights are violated during this election:
