RE: Labor Day Events and Communications Tool Kit

August 22, 2012

TO: NO on 32 Communications Committee

FR: Brian Brokaw

With Labor Day right around the corner, we have put together a No on 32 Labor Day Communications Tool Kit to help you with your outreach to your membership and assist them in pushing the No on 32 message on Labor Day around the state.

Included in this tool kit you will find:

1) List of Labor Day events around the state (as compiled by the California Labor Federation) 2) Sample Media Advisory for localized events 3) Sample Talking Points for localized events, letters-to-the-editor, Labor Day op-eds 4) Letter-to-the-editor online tool 5) Social Media tools including sample facebook message, tweets, blast email

Please feel free to distribute this internally, post on your member action center websites, etc. If you have any questions about the Social Media components, please contact Patton Price or Brian Leubitz directly. For any other questions, please contact Brian Brokaw or Lisa Murphy.

List of Labor Day events around the state: Click here to find a Labor Day event in your area: http://www.calaborfed.org/index.php/site/page/labor_day_2012_schedule_of_events Sample Media Advisory for Localized Labor Day / No on 32 events

MEDIA ADVISORY [DATE] FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY [CONTACT]

On Labor Day, [LOCAL AREA] Working Men and Women to Urge NO on Prop 32

Statewide ballot measure aims to limit the voice of working men and women, create special exemptions for corporate special interests

[YOUR AREA] – At a celebration honoring the contributions of working people on Labor Day, [YOUR AREA] union members and other members of the community will voice their opposition to Proposition 32, the “Special Exemptions Act” on the November statewide ballot.

Prop 32 would severely restrict California workers from having a voice in our political process. As a result, teachers, nurses, firefighters, police and other everyday heroes would be unable to speak out on issues that matter to us all—like cuts to our schools and colleges, police and fire response times, patient safety and workplace protections.

WHAT: WHEN: WHO: WHERE:

Proposition 32 claims to be “political reform,” but in reality was intentionally written to create special exemptions for billionaire businessmen and business special interests, giving them even more political power to write their own set of rules.

[OPTIONAL HOOK] A “Super PAC Billionaire” will also be on hand to explain why he and his wealthy friends are supporting Prop 32, to help further their agenda at the expense of the middle class. For more information on Prop 32, please visit www.VoteNoOn32.com

Sample Labor Day No on 32 Talking Points

 On Labor Day we are taking time to celebrate the everyday achievements of the working men and women who make California and America great. Over the years, labor unions have led the fight in advancing the rights of all working people. The 40-hour work week, workplace safety protections, child labor laws, establishment of a universal and free public education system -- with each of these milestones, working men and women have been at the forefront of the fight to defend the middle class.  But this Labor Day, the future of workers’ ability to stand up to the powerful corporations, billionaires and big banks that want to erode working people’s rights is under threat. Prop 32, the Special Exemptions Act, was written to limit the voice of working men and women and create special exemptions for corporate special interests, giving the wealthy and well-connected even more political power to write their own set of rules.  Prop 32 would severely restrict union members from having a voice in our political process. As a result, teachers, nurses, firefighters, police and other everyday heroes would be unable to speak out on issues that matter to us all—like cuts to our schools and colleges, police and fire response times, patient safety and workplace protections.  So if you care about clean air and water, and don’t want to give polluters free rein, vote no on 32.  If you care about homeowner protections, and don’t want the big banks’ influence to go unchecked, vote NO on 32.  If you care about small classroom sizes and your kids’ education, vote NO on 32.  If you care about patient protection and don’t want to give insurance companies free rein in politics, vote NO on 32.  If you care about keeping police and firefighters on the streets, vote NO on 32.  If you care about protecting workplace safety, child labor laws, and closing unfair corporate tax loopholes, vote NO on 32.  If you care about good middle class jobs with fair wages, vote NO on 32.  Prop 32 is misleading, deceptive and full of consequences that hurt all of us. It does absolutely nothing to limit special interest influence on politics while severely curtailing working people’s ability to stand up to powerful corporate interests. The result would be a devastating tilt in power to big banks, corporate CEOs and billionaires that would further undermine California’s middle class.

More on Prop 32 – the Special Exemptions Act – It’s Not What It Seems

 Prop 32 exempts secretive Super PACs and corporate front groups, which can raise unlimited amounts of money from corporate special interests and billionaire businessmen to support their candidates or defeat their enemies. The measure does nothing to prevent anonymous donors from spending unlimited amounts to influence elections.  Prop 32 is NOT campaign finance reform, as its backers claim. The wealthy supporters of this initiative created exemptions for Wall St. hedge funds, real estate investors, insurance companies and other well-heeled special interests allowing them to continue contributing directly to the coffers of political candidates.  This measure would give corporate special interests and billionaire businessmen even greater influence over our political system. Corporations already outspend unions 15-1 in politics. This measure would effectively clear the playing field of any opposition to big corporations’ agenda, which includes outsourcing jobs, gutting homeowner protections, slashing wages and health benefits and attacking retirement security.  Non-partisan groups like the California League of Women Voters, California Common Cause, Public Citizen and Public Campaign, who advocate for policies that curb special interest influence, are urging voters to REJECT Prop 32. Public Citizen calls it “an attack on labor masquerading as campaign finance reform”. California Common Cause says it “will do more harm to California's democracy than good.”  The primary financial backers are retired CEOs and millionaires associated with the extreme right-wing Lincoln Club of Orange County. All of the primary funders of the measure would benefit personally from the exemptions created for certain companies and organizations.  If Prop 32 were to pass, it would effectively silence the voice of union members while giving corporate special interests and billionaire businessmen even more influence over our political system.  Some voters may say, “Prop 32 is unbalanced, but it’s a step in the right direction.” Here’s the problem with that: restricting unions and their workers, while not stopping corporate special interests, will result in a political system that favors corporate special interests over everyone else.  Despite the proponents’ claims that this initiative is geared toward “getting special interest money out of politics,” the truth is Prop 32 is a deceitful measure designed to silence working people while giving big CEOs and the very wealthy free rein to exert limitless influence on our political system. Sample “Super PAC Billionaire” Script for Press Events:

An optional “hook” that can be used to attract news coverage is the inclusion of the “Super PAC Billionaire” in your press conferences or other Labor Day speaking events.

All you’ll need to recreate Super PAC Billionaire (who even has his own twitter handle @SuperPacBillion) is a lively member who can dress to the nines in a fancy-looking suit, slide into character and follow the script below. Additional pieces of flair (like a top hat, or monocle, coattails, etc. are also great but not necessary). Same for the bottle of Perrier – see the sample script below!

INTRO BY ORGANIZER: “You’ve all now heard why we are urging NO on 32… but for the sake of equal time, let’s allow a prominent YES on 32 supporter to make his case. Without further ado, here is Super PAC Billionaire.”

SUPER PAC BILLIONAIRE: “Hello my fellow one-percenters!” “I am here today to urge that you vote YES on Proposition 32 [CLAP!!!!!]” “My name is – wait, scratch that – I don’t have to tell you!” “I’ll spare you all the details, but my brilliant legal team found a way for me to make all my Super PAC donations through my [FINGERQUOTE] ‘Super Secret Organization’ [WINK WINK] ensuring that I can remain anonymous! Brilliant!” “But you, my friends, can just call me what my friends and corporate colleagues call me, Super PAC Billionaire.” “Friends, let me tell you about MY agenda.” “I want to ensure that the BIG BANKS have a seat at the table.” “I know that our SCHOOLS are OVERFUNDED…I mean kids really ought to be buying their own textbooks. And it’s time that our friends and colleagues in BIG OIL get the tax breaks they DESERVE, to help them through the tough times they’ve been in.” “It’s time to roll back those pesky AIR and WATER safety regulations, right?? Look – what is wrong with this water??? It’s pristine!!” [HOLD UP BOTTLE OF PERRIER AND TAKE A SWIG] “That’s what Prop 32 is all about. Vote YES on Proposition 32. It is the only way to silence these whiney (list workers that will be at the event) and clear out the obstructionist working men and women of this state. Why should they have a voice in Sacramento? Big Corporations and the billionaires like me know what’s best for everyone. Trust me, I’ll protect you and be your voice. Just give me all the power and you’ll see…life will be great! “Vote Yes on Prop 32!” “Follow me on twitter – Super PAC Billionaire” “See you in the Caymans! Ciao!” Letter to the editor tool http://www.stopspecialexemptions.org/LTE

Writing Your Letter to the Editor

Just click the link above, follow the simple instructions and in less than a minute you'll be writing a letter to the editor of your local paper. Start by entering your zip code, then select the local or area newspaper you'd like to receive your letter. Our automated tool will take care of the submission online.

The best letters are personal and local. You may reference the Labor Day Prop 32 "talking points" to help provide detail in your letter, but the most important point you can make is to underscore the impact that Proposition 32 would have on you, on your job, or on your community.

Click here for more information on what Proposition 32 would mean for you.

Remember to keep your letter brief - most newspapers only publish submissions that are around 200 words or fewer. So it's worth taking the time to make those words count! Social Media Tools:

Below you will find sample email text for your use as you contact your membership about Prop 32 on Labor Day. If you have a twitter and/or facebook account, we have also included a sample twitter message, and a sample facebook post for your use.

We’ve tried to make these both topical and flexible. For the email, we have left a few blanks for you to customize the message for your members, and then offered three action items. The facebook message similarly requires a bit of customization before you post it to your page. Because of the brevity required for twitter, that message is pretty straightforward. However, we appreciate any good mentions with links to our twitter and facebook accounts.

If you have any questions, please contact Patton Price or Brian Leubitz about how to integrate these suggestions into your program.

Sample Facebook Message:

For generations, labor unions have fought for the middle class. The 40-hour week, workplace safety laws, child labor protections, and so many more achievements we take for granted were achieved thanks to working men and women. We cannot afford to let corporate special interests silence the voices of working Californians. Proposition 32 was written to limit the voice of working men and women and create special exemptions for corporate special interests, giving the wealthy and well-connected even more political power to write their own set of rules.

On Labor Day, join us in pledging to vote No on Proposition 32. (Consider posting a photo with members holding a No on 32 sign or other No on 32 graphic) http://StopSpecialExemptions.org/PledgeToVoteNo

Sample Tweets: Labor brought us 40-hr wk& more. #Prop32 silences working CA & leaves huge #SpecialExemptions. Pledge to vote No on 32: http://StopSpecialExemptions.org/PledgeToVoteNo

Celebrate #LaborDay by pledging to protect voice of working Californians by voting No #Prop32. http://StopSpecialExemptions.org/PledgeToVoteNo #StopSpecialExemptions Sample text for email blast for member organizations

Dear ______,

On Labor Day we are taking time to celebrate the everyday achievements of the working men and women who make California and America great. Over the years, labor unions have led the fight in advancing the rights of all working people. The 40-hour work week, workplace safety protections, child labor laws, establishment of a universal and free public education system -- with each of these milestones, working men and women have been at the forefront of the fight to defend the middle class.

But this Labor Day, the future of workers’ ability to stand up to the powerful corporations, billionaires and big banks that want to erode working people’s rights, is under threat. Prop 32, the Special Exemptions Act, was written to limit the voice of working men and women and create special exemptions for corporate special interests, giving the wealthy and well- connected even more political power to write their own set of rules.

Join us in pledging to VOTE NO on PROP 32 to preserve our voice.

Not only does Prop 32 silence our voices, but it also makes the SuperPAC billionaires who are buying elections across the nation even more powerful. The Special Exemptions Act would only make our elections worse by making secretive Super PACs the law of the land in California.

Together working people advocate for the issues that matter to us, like [insert relevant issues here]. The last thing we can afford is to be pushed out of the room when it matters most.

Add it all up, and it’s a recipe for success for the super-wealthy, but a disaster for everyone else. That’s why on this Labor Day, it is important to pledge to Vote NO on Prop 32.

Join us in opposing the Prop 32 -- the Special Exemptions Act by voting NO in November. In the meantime, you can take a few simple steps to get involved:

1. Sign up for No on 32 updates .

2. Like No on 32 on Facebook.

3. Follow No on 32 on Twitter. Thank you for your continued support,

Signature/group

Cover Photo and Profile Pics for Facebook & Twitter:

We're working on new Labor Day themed profile pics and a cover photo for facebook. We should have them ready by close of business on August 29. You will be able to download them here: http://www.stopspecialexemptions.org/L_D_images

Why I'm Voting No on 32

On Labor Day, we will be sending out an email highlighting the importance of labor and the deceptive impacts of Prop 32. Later this week, we will be putting out a call for No on 32 supporters to submit a sentence for use in that email about why they are opposing it, why their union is important to them, and/or how Prop 32 will hurt their everyday lives. Submissions can come through Facebook and twitter in response to those posts, or at our online form: http://NO32LABORDAY.TK

Thanks to everyone and best wishes for Labor Day! NO on 32!