One of my most important roles as International Secretary-Treasurer is overseeing our great union's grassroots political program. And since it's August of an election year, it's a task I'm neck-deep in at the moment.

But I'd like to take this opportunity to step back and explain the decisions we make as your representatives at the IBEW.

Candidates for office take a wide variety of stances on every issue you could dream up. It's enough to make your head spin.

But we keep it pretty simple here at the IBEW.

I've said it many times: I don't care if you're a Republican or a Democrat, a liberal or a conservative. If you stand with the IBEW on the issues important to our jobs and our ability to provide for our families and come home safely at the end of the day, you'll have our support.

I know many of you won't agree with the decisions we make, but I truly believe that if you take the time to do the homework — and we make it very easy for you by visiting IBEWGov.org — you'll understand.

That may mean you still vote for a candidate we don't support. I know you vote on many issues, not just your jobs. But President Cooper and I are going to give it to you straight and let you make up your minds in the voting booth.

This year, the Biden-Harris administration has earned our support, and not by just talking a good game on unions and middle-class jobs. President Biden and Vice President Harris have put words into action, passing some of the most important legislation for working people in our lifetimes.

They've poured trillions of dollars into the economy for construction, manufacturing, utilities, telecom, railroads and more, and they've put rules into place ensuring that the vast majority of new jobs created are good, union jobs.

They've appointed union champions to important positions at the National Labor Relations Board and into federal judgeships. They've showed up at our union halls and on our jobsites. They've been friends to the IBEW on nearly every issue that matters to our jobs.

But here's my pitch: Don't take my word for it. Visit IBEWGov.org and read it for yourself.

Then make sure you're registered to vote, and make sure you get involved with your local union's grassroots program. If your local doesn't have one yet, encourage your leaders to get going.

Talk to your sisters and brothers on the job. Because, believe me, the uninformed folks among us do plenty of talking.

And when November rolls around, go vote, and take your family and your union sisters and brothers with you. This election is too important to sit out.

Also: Cooper: Our Growing Power