The following is a copy of an email sent to the Borough
Working America, a community affiliate of the AFL-CIO, will again be conducting a door-to-door organizing drive in the greater Gratz Borough starting 08 April 2026, and continuing at least through 08 August 2026.
For the weeks of 04/08/26 – 08/08/26 our canvassers will be in your county’s area. If this changes dramatically I will send further updates to assist officers by providing the most accurate information available.
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 canvassing operation, so that you are aware of our activities and have the information you need to respond to any inquiries about our work. 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.
Working America is a chartered affiliate of the AFL-CIO with over five 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, education, 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 may at times carry prominently displayed picture identification cards or wear red safety vests that display their affiliation with Working America. The purpose of our membership drive is to educate working people about issues that affect them, sign up new members, and at times receive voluntary dues from our members. Our organizers do not sell any kind of products. Our canvassing typically operates in the late afternoon and evening, from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. – the hours when working people are most likely to be home. Courts have recognized the right of canvassers to canvass during these hours, notwithstanding any local or state curfews. 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) ; New Jersey Citizen Action v. Edison Township, 797 F.2d 1250 (3d Cir. 1986)
As a courtesy to all communities in which we canvass, we notify each town or city before starting work there. We have attached 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) ; Ser Empl Intl Union v. Mun Mt Lebanon, 04-4646 (3rd Cir. 2006). 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 us a call at any time with any questions. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
