2026 NATIONAL CAP CONFERENCE
BUILDING WORKING CLASS POWER
WASHINGTON, D.C, February 8-11

By law, union dues cannot be used to support any federal candidates and, in an ever-increasing number of states, any candidate for public office. Our only means of monetary support for many labor-endorsed candidates is voluntary political contributions.

With the U.S. Supreme Court changing the landscape for elections with its 2010 decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, corporate spending for independent political advertisements cannot be limited. According to OpenSecrets, during the 2024 election cycle Super PACs donated nearly $2.7 billion to federal candidates. Labor PACs, on the other hand, contributed a little over $55 million to federal candidates. While our fundraising efforts seem large, they are far outpaced by the billionaires and corporate interests who run American elections. V-CAP allows us to assert our power, win on our issues, and elect true working class champions to office.

Therefore, maintaining a strong counterweight is more important than ever to ensure that the UAW and all working class people have a seat at the table in our political system. Individually, we cannot take on the billionaires. But collectively, our voice, our money, and our power can be an organized force against their corporate agenda.

“V” Means Voluntary

Always remember that both checkoff authorization and the amount to be deducted are purely voluntary. No UAW member can or should be compelled to contribute to the UAW V-CAP fund. A member can cancel their authorization by written request at any time. The keys to increasing participation in V-CAP and our other political action efforts are political education and communication, not high-pressure tactics. These are proven methods that have been very successful in many local unions. They can be successful in your local union, if used properly and adapted specifically to your workplace.

*Note: UAW V-CAP is an independent political action committee created by the UAW. This committee does not ask for or accept authorization from any candidate, and no candidate is responsible for its activities. UAW V-CAP uses the money it receives to make political contributions and expenditures in connection with federal, state and local elections. Contributions to UAW V-CAP are purely voluntary and are made without fear of reprisal. All UAW members may be eligible for V-CAP fundraising activities, regardless of whether they contribute to UAW V-CAP. Money contributed to UAW V-CAP constitutes a voluntary contribution to a joint fundraising effort by the UAW and AFL-CIO.

Our Time To Lead

UAW members need to consider where their priorities and interests lie – with the union that is looking after their physical and financial well-being, or another interest that may be part of a plan to divide working people for the purpose of winning elections. When working families stick together and vote together, we win. When workers are divided by so called “wedge issues,” our opponents win.

And we must create and expand the infrastructure to help more members of the working class, including UAW members, run for office at all levels. We need a government that truly understands the experiences and needs of the working class and is willing to stand with workers as they take on the boss and build working class power. V-CAP is a powerful tool in our toolbox to fight for a government that serves workers, not the corporate class, and to build our power in the halls of government.

In order to win on our core four issues – wages, health care, retirement, and time off the job – we need to be as organized as the billionaire class and elect UAW champions. Contribute to V-CAP today to build our movement! It’s our time to lead.