Dear WTU Members,
The Elections Committee wanted to provide some campaign updates to all members so that everyone is of one accord moving forward.
1. It was brought to the Elections Committee’s attention by the DC Board of Ethics and Government Accountability, that according to the Hatch Act, there should be no “political activity” while government workers are on duty. To ensure that no members are violating the DC Code of Ethics, the Elections Committee has revised the Campaign Rules. Previously, candidates could campaign if they were on their own personal time. However, this rule did not consider that members would not be on their own personal time but on government time as they would be on duty. As a result, moving forward, as of May 27, 2025, there should be no campaigning during the hours of 8:00 and 3:30pm. Dropping off campaign materials for building reps during your lunch period is still acceptable.
2. Per the DCPS Student and Staff Technology and Network Acceptable Use Policy, “DCPS reserves the right to access, review, copy, store, or delete any files stored on DCPS technology or in DCPS network accounts; and all communication using the DCPS network. Electronic messages and files stored on DCPS computers or transmitted using DCPS systems may be treated like any other school property.” “DCPS also uses a safety management system to analyze and review content found in online student file storage, inbound and outbound DCPS email, DCPS email attachments, and links to websites.” “Users shall not use the DCPS network or DCPS technology, including access to the internet, intranet, collaboration tools, bulk communication tools, social media, or email to use, record, share, upload, post, mail, display, store, or otherwise transmit in any manner, any content, communication or information that, among other unacceptable uses:
#23. Promotes or participates in any way in internal political or election activities related to a union or other organization representing employees”
We have made it clear that there should be no campaigning to the work email address of members. We have approved an initial email to a member requesting their personal email address with an explicit script that includes no campaigning of any kind.
3. Building Representatives: please check your email addresses for correspondence from election candidates. Candidates have indicated that they are having trouble with connecting with Building Representatives to set up meetings with members. As a reminder, the election is considered union business and as building reps, you must engage in your elected duty to ensure members are aware of all union related business regardless of personal views. If you have any questions about your obligations regarding electoral candidates, feel free to reach out to the WTU EC.
4. If you did not receive a ballot in your inbox or your spam, and you have a personal email address on file with WTU, please reach out to the YesElections by emailing help+wtu@yeselections.com. If you do not have a personal email address on file with WTU, please reach out to Donita Jackson, Membership Coordinator at djackson@wtulocal6.net so she can ensure you receive a ballot.
Thank you all for taking the time to review this correspondence. If you have any questions, you may email the WTU Elections Committee at wtu[email protected].
In Unity,
WTU Elections Committee