Area Representative (AR) Spotlight

Meet your (AR) – Kasey Wilson  

By John Resotko, Communication Committee Member   

1. What is your job title?     GIS Professional/Library Assistant 
2. What area of campus (this refers to the area rep info on the APA website, like, East, South, North, etc.) building and department do you work in?     North, Main Library, Maps 
3. How long have you been at MSU?     6 years 
4. How long have you been an Area Representative?     I am currently an AR in training and will be official in September 2021! 
5. Why is being a member of the Union important to you and what value does it bring?     The solidarity and the mentality that we can always do better for each other. My first union job was as a graduate student in Vancouver, Canada. I remember that one of the unions went on strike and all the other locals made their solidarity known, including the regional transit union which dropped riders off at the edge of campus to help force action from the university. The power and pride these folks had in improving work and life conditions for each other was eye opening.  
6. Right to work laws make it harder for unions to recruit and maintain members here in Michigan. However, this creates a stronger bond for those of us who are passionate enough to serve our colleagues as Area Representatives. We are dedicated to this work because we see the power and benefit of our collective voice. We will work toward that goal even for the skeptical folks who are not sure we are worth their contributions. 
7. I have directly benefited from the APA’s work in the last year where I saw no reduction in my pay or benefits like our non-unionized colleagues. I also benefited in the form of the recently adopted parental leave policy which has allowed me to be home with our first child for 4 weeks to focus on our new family (not how much vacation and sick leave I have banked). Finally, I’ve benefited from our discount programs through our MEA and NEA affiliation which cut my car and home insurance by ~$150 dollars per year with better coverage. It also gave me access to discounted, and union made, GE appliances for our new house! 
8. What words of advice do you have for the new hires at MSU?     First, sign the blue card during your HR orientation. I promise it is worth it. Second, get involved with the APA and any other opportunities to volunteer at MSU. Your time here will be more fulfilling. Third, take a walk because there is so much beauty to see on this campus! 
9. What do you love about working at MSU?     Working at the main library, I am constantly surrounded by the hum of students and faculty generating new ideas and building community. It is a dream to have a small role in growing those relationships and ideas into something that will improve our world or just one person’s time in East Lansing. Oh, and working right next to the Red Cedar and Beal Garden is a pretty sweet deal! 
10. What do you like to do when you are not at work?    I can’t wait to watch movies in a theater again, but I’ve enjoyed exploring older films while we’re all home due to Covid. I also love to get outdoors. Most recently, Covid and a close friend have pushed me into cycling which has been a blast! 

 

The AR’s are appointed by the Executive Board and their role is to assist with distributing APA materials and information and to serve as a resource for members. AR’s are assigned to a geographic area of campus, so if there is not an AR in your immediate building, you can find one nearby. For a list of AR’s go to http://lay.wyz.mybluehost.me/about/area-representatives-2/