GCIU members in the United States and Canada have another chance to win big prizes while they help elect worker-friendly candidates to federal, state, and provincial offices.

The General Board approved a raffle to benefit the GCIU Political Action Fund. The drawing, which will be held Dec. 10, will be for 75 cash prizes totaling $20,000. There will be five prizes of $1,000 each; 10 prizes of $500 each; 20 prizes of $250 each; and 40 prizes of $125 each.

GCIU Vice Pres. Lawrence Martinez, who chairs PAF and the General Board's legislative activities, said the tickets, which cost $5 each, were mailed to local unions along with flyers to post in shops.

Martinez said 2002 will be a very important year in politics, with the entire U.S. House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate up for re-election.

"The last presidential election proved how each and every vote can make a difference, as can your dollars," Martinez said. He stressed that PAF money raised in Canada will stay in Canada to fight anti-worker candidates there.

In the U.S. Senate, Martinez said, three of the most conservative senators announced their retirement, so "we have an opportunity to elect a U.S. Senate that is more in tune with the issues facing working families."

Only five seats are needed to overturn the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, Martinez said. However, the redistricting process that is underway based on population shifts reported in the U.S. census will make this more difficult, he said.

"It is vital that we support and elect candidates who are committed to holding down the cost of health care, protecting Social Security, and changing outdated labor laws," Martinez said. "This cannot be achieved without the commitment, determination and concern of every local union officer and member."

Martinez urged everyone to get active by: raising funds to support candidates that support working families' interests; educating members about the issues; and encouraging members to register and vote.

Martinez told the GCIU Legislative Committee that the International and locals are working to help Democratic candidates Jim McGreevy in New Jersey and Mark Warner in Virginia in their gubernatorial races.

Martinez reminded locals that all ticket sale money, ticket stubs, and unsold tickets must be returned to his office at GCIU headquarters on or before Dec. 6.