Why Is TEPAC Necessary?
TEPAC is the political arm of NTEU and is extremely
important to our legislative program. TEPAC allows NTEU
to support members of Congress who work to protect and defend
the rights of federal employee and retirees. TEPAC also
helps to defeat members of Congress who are not supportive
of NTEU’s causes.
Why Doesn’t NTEU Use Some
Of My Dues Money To Make A Political Contribution?
Federal law prohibits NTEU from using union dues
money for political contributions. TEPAC relies on voluntary
contributions.
What Criteria Are Used To
Determine Who Receives A TEPAC Contribution?
NTEU exercises great care in deciding who should
receive TEPAC funds. If the candidate is an incumbent, the
decision is based on:
• candidate’s
voting record on NTEU issues;
• relevant
leadership or committee assignment;
• relationship
between candidate and local NTEU chapters;
• NTEU member’s
recommendation.
If the candidate is a challenger with no prior congressional
experience, the decision is based on:
• personal
interview with the candidate;
• responses
to questionnaire on federal employee and retiree issues;
• what attempts the candidate has made to establish
a relationship with local NTEU chapters;
• If applicable,
candidate’s record from state or local office;
• NTEU members'
recommendations.
How Does NTEU Raise Money for
TEPAC?
Mail solicitations are still a very productive
way to raise money for TEPAC. Other methods include: ads
in the NTEU Bulletin, TEPAC receptions at each Training
Conference and a fundraising drive at both the annual Legislative
Conference and at the semi-annual NTEU National Convention.
The Hatch Act Reform law of 1993 allows NTEU members to
solicit fellow NTEU members for TEPAC contributions off
federal property. NTEU Chapters frequently hold offsite
chapter meetings or fundraisers to raise funds for TEPAC.
The final way that NTEU raises money is through payroll
deduction. NTEU members complete an SF-1199A form and allow
their contribution to be sent directly to TEPAC. When signing
an SF-1199A form, the employee must sign an “Employee
Disclaimer form” which states that this is a voluntary
contribution.
PLEASE NOTE:
The act of completing an SF-1199a form on federal
property and physically walking it to your personnel office
is a violation of the Hatch Act. Please complete this form
offsite and send it to the TEPC Director at NTEU’s
National Office to avoid breaking the law!
How Can I Give?
Contributions may be sent by mail to NTEU’s
National Office. You may want to check with your Chapter
President, Legislative Coordinator or TEPAC Coordinator
to see if there is an upcoming offsite chapter meeting so
that you may donate to TEPAC. If you’d like to sign
up for payroll deduction, please call the TEPAC Director
and ask for a sign up form! For more information about the
forms or any questions relating to TEPAC contact Deborah
Jansen at 202.572.5500 or by e-mail.
TEPAC
1750 H Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 572-5500
Contributions to TEPAC are not tax deductible.
Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect
and report the name, mailing address, occupation and name
of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200
in a calendar year.