LEAP honors CAF, LEF contributors

Northeast Section IVP D. David Haggerty, center, presents L-154 delegates with a Capitol Dome Award for achieving the highest CAF donations by a local. Left to right, delegates Tom McKittrick, Paul Price, IVP Haggerty, Ray Doria, and D-PA Bridget Martin.

Funds support pro-worker candidates, member education

TOP DONORS TO CAF and LEF in 2013 received recognition during the 46th annual Legislative Education Action Program (LEAP) conference in Washington, D.C., April 28-May 1. The awards went to vice presidential sections, individual lodges and individual members.

The Campaign Assistance Fund (CAF) is how our union contributes money to candidates for federal office. It is used primarily to make contributions to election campaigns for the U.S. House and Senate. Because CAF is a political action committee (PAC) fund, donations to it are completely voluntary. CAF money cannot come from a lodge’s treasury or dues; it can only come from donations or fund-raising activities. And only active and retired Boilermakers and their immediate families may give.

The conference recognized the Northeast Section (IVP D. David Haggerty) for the highest CAF contribution by a section in 2013 — $130,731.26. Local 154, Pittsburgh, received the award for highest CAF contribution by a local lodge, raising $98,066.24. Local 92, Los Angeles, won for highest average CAF contribution per member at $77.55. The top individual member CAF fundraiser award went to Gerard “Mozzy” Maciejewski, Local 107 (Milwaukee), who raised $1,732.00.

Retirees contributed a total of $86,604.06 to CAF through the Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Trust in 2013, and $6,475.00 through the Officers & Employees Pension Plan.

International staff and officers contributed $34,909.50.

Pre-conference voluntary donations to CAF and those made during the event totaled $6,631.00.

In all, Boilermakers donated $497,750.04 to CAF in 2013, a 3.5 percent decrease over final figures for 2012.

LEF donors recognized

THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION Fund (LEF) is the Boilermakers’ non-federal “527” account, which is used to influence elections to state and/or local office and to offices in political party organizations. It is not used for direct contributions to federal candidates but may be used for public communications about them. The LEF account is intended exclusively for election-related purposes or only insubstantially for other purposes such as legislative activities.

The award for the highest LEF contributions for a section in 2013 went to the Great Lakes (IVP Larry McManamon), which raised $63,555.03. Local 83 (Kansas City, Mo.) won the award of the highest contribution by a local, with $32,816.56.

Local lodges presented LEF checks during the event totaling $17,000.00.

Top 10 Local Lodge
CAF and LEF Contributors in 2013
Top 10 locals giving to CAF Top 10 locals donating to LEF
Local 154
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
$98,066.24 Local 83
Kansas City, Missouri
$32,816.56
Local 92
Bloomington, California
$46,452.03 Local 13
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
$15,236.00
Local 744
Cleveland, Ohio
$22,147.18 Local 549
Pittsburg, California
$5,971.00
Local 374
Hammond, Indiana
$19,894.90 District 57
Chattanooga, Tennessee
$5,000.00
Local 549
Pittsburg, California
$19,787.25 Local 154
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
$4,873.50
Local 5
Floral Park, New York
$17,036.41 Local 104
Seattle, Washington
$4,852.00
Local 85
Rossford, Ohio
$16,929.49 Local 693
Pascagoula, Mississippi
$4,730.75
Local 11
East Helena, Montana
$11,496.22 Local 374
Hammond, Indiana
$3,821.00
Local 105
Piketon, Ohio
$11,012.96 Local 667
Winfield, West Virginia
$3,256.00
Local 1
Chicago, Illinois
$10,872.60 Local 647
Ramsey, Minnesota
$2,755.75