About COPE
What is COPE?
How the CFT Committee on Political Education works
COPE stands for “Committee on Political Education” and represents the political action arm of the CFT. The purpose of COPE is to engage in political education, to facilitate member-to-member communications about political issues and elections, and to endorse political candidates and make contributions to candidate campaigns. Many local unions also have their own COPE committees.
The CFT COPE Committee meets regularly to interview current and potential candidates throughout the state to determine those most committed and capable of championing the interests of educators locally and in the State Capitol. When the union finds true supporters of member interests, the union endorses them. When there are close races, the union contributes COPE funds to help political candidates who are supportive of labor and quality education issues win their elections.
COPE contributions are an integral part of the work the Federation does do to give our union the resources it needs to have a strong voice in shaping the political climate that, in turn, shapes education in California and the nation.
- To learn more about developing a political action program in your local union, email the CFT Political Department.