u/Fletcher-Local96

I've heard that a lot of folks on campus don't know that Merit employees are unionized.

My name's Weston, I work in Admissions, and I was elected President of the AFSCME Clerical Local two years ago. I represent secretaries, clerks, analysts, and more in wage negotiations with the state and disciplinary matters.

I get out to the Free Speech Zone in front of Parks Library every Thursday from 12pm-1pm to protest the unlawful termination of an employee last year for expressing a personal opinion on her personal Facebook page.

Stop on by to talk about Union stuff! And get a gyro bowl from Heaping Plato in the Hub afterwards, they're pretty fantastic.

My social media posts do not, of course, reflect my job-related professional opinions nor those of my employer.

University employees are willing to consider increases to health insurance BUT wages have to go up first. We can't pay more for health care if we aren't paid more.

My annual raise was $0.45/hr. That's $14/week after taxes. That barely pays for the increase in health insurance, let alone food or property tax.

My demand that Caitlyn Spencer be reinstated to her position at Iowa State University with back pay is a LOW ask.