Seattle Police Officers Guild Announces Major Affiliation with NCPSO/CWA

April 20, 2005

The Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG) has just announced a significant change in organizational direction by affiliating with NCPSO/CWA. This affiliation marks a seven-month effort by the SPOG and NCPSO/CWA leadership to bring this affiliation to a successful conclusion. The affiliation was announced in March following a membership vote that approved the move by a substantial margin.

"The Puget Sound is one of the most unionized areas in the countries," said SPOG President Kevin Haistings, "and our leadership saw the need to be more plugged into the Central Labor Council and CWA State Council, both of which are lobbying and political action groups." Haistings cited SPOG's need to become more politically active, particularly on the local City Council level. "SPOG has endorsed candidates in the past," Haistings noted, "but the organization is at a point where we must become more politically active by participating in local campaigns both through a PAC and other forms of council candidate support."

Haisting cited several reasons why the leadership decided to offer NCPSO/CWA as the sole choice for affiliation, including CWA's resources, professional national staff that can assist SPOG, and a special division for police and other public safety officers. "Another reason," Haistings said, "was the manner in which the NCPSO/CWA representatives presented their program to SPOG – the whole presentation dealt with how NCPSO/CWA could benefit SPOG, and there were no negative remarks about the other organizations that were competing for the affiliation."

NCPSO/CWA Director John Burpo expressed excitement about the SPOG affiliation. "SPOG's decision to join NCPSO/CWA demonstrates that our national union provides an attractive package of services and benefits to local associations and members." Burpo noted that the SPOG affiliation enhances NCPSO/CWA strength in the western part of the country. "We now have a considerable presence in Washington, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah." (See pages 1 and 2 for related articles on the Texas and Salt Lake County, Utah affiliations). Burpo also commended NCPSO President Chris McGill, CWA Staff Representative Rick Sorensen, CWA Local 7800 President Brenda Roberts, and San Antonio POA President Teddy Stewart for their assistance at the many Board and membership meetings that took place prior to the affiliation vote.