City of Grantville recently issued the following announcement.
Working America, a community affiliate of the AFL-CIO, will be conducting a door-to-door membership drive in the great city of Grantville, starting May 20, 2022.
The purpose of this letter is to ensure the safety of our staff and to provide you with background information on Working America and our canvass operation so that you are aware of our activities and have the information you need to respond to any inquiries about our work.
Working America is a chartered affiliate of the AFL-CIO with nearly two million members who are associate members of the AFL-CIO. Working America is a not-for-profit 501(c)(5) labor organization that engages in education and legislative and political advocacy in support of good jobs, living wages, secure pensions, affordable health care, retirement security, and other issues of importance to working families.
Working America’s canvassers are professionally trained and carry prominently displayed picture identification cards. The purpose of our membership drive is to educate working people about issues that affect them, and sign up new members. Our organizers do not sell any kind of products. Our canvass typically operates in the late afternoon and evening until 8:00 p.m. – the hours when potential members are most likely to be home. Courts have recognized the right of canvassers to canvass during these hours. See Ohio Citizen Action v. City of Englewood, slip opinion 10-3265/3293 (6th Cir. 2012); City of Watseka v. Illinois Public Action Council, 796 F.2d 1547 (7th Cir. 1985).
As a courtesy to all communities in which we canvass, we notify each town or city before starting work there, and email you a list of authorized Working America staff members. That listing is attached, along with the AFL-CIO resolution establishing Working America as a chartered affiliate, and a letter from the Internal Revenue Service recognizing our tax-exempt status under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code as an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.
Because Working America is engaged in constitutionally-protected political speech in its canvassing operation, it is not required to obtain a permit prior to engaging in this activity. Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York v. Village of Stratton, 536 U.S. 150 (2002).
Please notify all police officers and dispatch of our presence so that they are aware of our constitutionally-protected right to engage in our membership drive.
We look forward to talking with residents in your community about Working America and its advocacy in support of working families. Feel free to give me a call with any questions. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Molly Chow, Field Director
(740) 258-8200
Working America, AFL-CIO
Original source can be found here.
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