Committee on Political Education
The Committee on Political Education (COPE) was established in 1955 to encourage workers to participate in political activities. Shortly after the merger of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Congress of Industrialized Organizations (CIO), COPE was created by merging the CIO's Political Action Committee (PAC) with the AFL's Labor's League for Political Education (LLPE). This new group was tasked with “encouraging workers to register and vote, to exercise their full rights and responsibilities of citizenship.”
COPE conducted research into legislative issues and politicians, organized grass-roots mobilization efforts to track the voting records of state and local legislators, interviewed and screened candidates running for office, and made endorsement recommendations to the AFL-CIO. COPE also worked directly with candidates for political office by providing financial contributions to those supportive of worker’s rights.
Focusing on union members and their families, COPE led registration drives, prepared public relations and education campaigns, and created and distributed publications about candidates and their positions on the issues affecting workers’ lives, such as health care, pension benefits, and safe working conditions.
Originally operating as a top-down organization within the AFL-CIO that shared information from a governing body to local chapters, COPE was later decentralized, eliminating the coordinating body for the local organizations. Local COPE chapters are still active across the United States.
Chicago, IL, January 1963. AFL-CIO records
WARNING
Offensive LanguageThe archival resources in this exhibition contain offensive and outdated language. We chose not to censor these items in order to accurately represent the bias and prejudice of the time. We strongly condemn the use of such language and ask exhibition visitors to engage with this material carefully and critically. Explicit warnings have been provided for those items with the most offensive language.
AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education (COPE) Statement on Elections
Washington, D.C., 1956.
AFL-CIO Office of the President, President's Files, George Meany
In this statement to the Senate’s sub-committee on Privileges and Elections by COPE’s co-directors Jack Kroll and James McDevitt, we read a defence of COPE as a non-partisan body. Kroll and McDevitt lay out the three categories of COPE’s work, including member education on political issues of “prime concern;” an effort to register as many voters as possible; and supporting candidates.
Despite their claims to be non-partisan, COPE often supported more progressive candidates, particularly those whose platforms aligned with fair labor practices and stronger support of labor unions. They defended these endorsements by saying that COPE provided appropriate information about issues to the candidates, provided information to local and state organizations about the candidates, and occasionally made “modest” financial contributions to candidates.
“What is COPE?” Pamphlet
c. 1950s.
Frontlash records
Mississippi Labor Council “Program of Progress”
1962.
AFL-CIO Civil Rights Department records
This 18-point program focuses on several voter rights issues, including demands to reapportion Mississippi state legislatures (2), to move primary elections from Tuesdays to Saturdays (8), and for the state constitution to eliminate poll tax payments (17).
“We all want a better America!” Pamphlet
1950s.
AFL-CIO Civil Rights Department records
COPE Membership Card
1956.
AFL, CIO, and AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education, Research Division records
Clinton: A Political Story
1952.
AFL-CIO Education Department Film Productions
AFL-CIO Legislative Program
1956.
AFL, CIO, and AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education, Research Division records
“Vote For Two Candidates” Card
Louisiana, 1956.
AFL, CIO, and AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education, Research Division records
“Make Up Your Own Mind!” Pamphlet
New Orleans, Louisiana, 1956.
AFL, CIO, and AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education, Research Division records
“Negro Bids to Bar Mississippi Victor”
New York Times
Jackson, Mississippi, 1962.
AFL, CIO, and AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education, Research Division records
“GOPs Start Fight For States’ Rights”
Associated Press
Jackson, Mississippi, 1950.
AFL, CIO, and AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education, Research Division records
Report on Elections
Louisiana, 1956.
AFL, CIO, and AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education, Research Division records
Voting Records of Oklahoma
1956-57.
AFL, CIO, and AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education, Research Division records
“What 36 Women Can Do” Flyer
c. 1958.
Jo-Ann Orlinsky papers
COPE Meeting Agenda
1956.
Frontlash records
“Southern Primaries” Report
1956.
Frontlash records
“How To Register Voters” Pamphlet
1956.
Jo-Ann Orlinsky papers
Posters
Labor Posters, Broadsides, and Art collection
Photographs
AFL-CIO Photographic Prints