Tell your story to grow the family
As MSU expands, so must the APA. The APA currently represents over 3,300 professional positions at MSU, and each of those positions represents a family influenced by what happens at the university. Being part of the union has a direct impact on their dinner table issues. Our membership is diverse in experience and perspective. It’s important that their collective voice is heard and valued as a part of MSU. In the last round of contract negotiations, it was your voice, through the surveys, that guided the important topics. In the last minutes, there was an issue on the table that was not part of the survey, but management thought our members wanted it. We checked our data, and it would not impact our members to the extent that management thought. Oddly enough the dollar value attached was very close to the value of a topic our members ranked in the top 10 of importance. We listened to our members and for the first time in several decades the APA was able to get an increase in the longevity base. That is an example of how your voice matters and helps you.
As the APA takes our members’ voices forward, we need you to speak up in your workplaces. Tell of your experience, opinion, and/or feelings about what it means to have a partner who has your back not only in the bad times, but in the good times. Over the last year, numerous members have shared their stories of how being part of the APA helped them. It is common to get a call from someone who is struggling and does not know where to turn. Probationary positions are not familiar with working in a union environment and often try to go it alone out of embarrassment or not wanting to bother someone, but it starts with learning the APA is a partner they can depend on. Recently, a member noted that going into a meeting with their department felt like they were alone when faced with all the resources of the university. They were very thankful they had an experienced partner to help guide them.
From my position I am drawn into situations that sometimes represent the hardest and darkest times in a member’s life. There is confusion, fear, frustration, and apprehension. As we work through the situation I try to ask, “Does this help?” and rarely have I heard “no” as the answer. My next statement is “Good, tell your friends. We are here to help.” I look at it like a good restaurant, if the experience was good, tell your friends.
There are generations who never lived or experienced a union work environment, and they will not understand until your stories are shared. We need to work together to empower each other. This work cannot be taken for granted. The truth about how APA and its members works to engage, educate, and empower each other is evident and worthy of repeating. When we know, we grow.