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This page contains all of the candidates for USA’s 2025 elections for the Executive Committee, General Board, MTA Annual Meeting delegates, and NEA Representative Assembly delegates.
Elections Timeline:
- Tuesday March 18th 12-1pm is the Elections Town Hall on Zoom! Keep an eye out for a calendar invite!
- March 20th-27th: Balloting period begins at 7am on the 20th and ends by 5pm on the 27th
- March 28th: Elections results will be announced!
| USA Executive Committee: President Vice President Treasurer Grievance Officer |
USA General Board: Chief Steward Communications Committee Coordinator Recording Secretary Classification Specialist Health and Safety Coordinator Membership Coordinator Special Projects Coordinator Social Justice and Political Action Coordinator |
Candidates are listed first by the position they are nominated for, and then alphabetically by last name.
Candidates with (I) indicate that they are the incumbent candidate currently serving in this role.
Executive Committee
President
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Sheila Gilmour
Candidate for: |
Greetings! My name is Sheila Gilmour, and I am asking for your vote as President of University Staff Association. I am also asking for your support for Kyle Chambers for Vice President of USA and the slate of Grassroots USA Candidates you will see on your ballot. I came to campus in 2011 after serving in the Air Force for eight years. I am a UMass alum with a master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration, which I was able to put to use as a Greenfield City Councilor for the last seven years. I served in various roles over the last decade, including Chief Steward, Communications Chair, Vice President, and more. I am deeply involved in bargaining our contract, organizing our members, and working in coalition with other union leaders on campus to strengthen our union. I work with our Contract Action Team to organize around a strong contract, recruit and mentor emerging leaders, and enlist Silent Bargaining Representatives to make meaningful contributions in bargaining, including our proposals on Artificial Intelligence, Living Wages, and KRONOS. I am an active member of several multi-union coalitions who work collaboratively at the state and campus level to advocate for the needs of higher ed staff like ourselves. As union members, none of us are in this alone. I, too, draw strength and inspiration from the leaders I have the honor and privilege to serve with and I look forward to working as a team with my fellow Grassroots USA candidates to put our members first. You can learn more about us and what we stand for at https://grassrootsusa.net/. |
Vice President
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Kyle Chambers
Candidate for: |
Greetings! My name is Kyle Chambers, and I am once again asking for your vote – this time for Vice President of University Staff Association. I am also asking for your support for Sheila Gilmour for President, and for the slate of Grassroots USA candidates whom you will see on your ballot. A few notes about myself: I am a proud working parent, and I’m a Marine Corps veteran who came to UMass Amherst in 2021 after working for over 5 years as a 911 Dispatcher for the City of Holyoke. Over the past three years, I have been in the trenches alongside many of you in taking up the good fight: after the privatization of 120 Advancement positions, I was afforded the opportunity to serve with key USA and PSU members on the committee assembled with the intent of working towards reversing this decision. In addition to this and other roles, I’ve served on the Stewards Council and as part of the Communications Committee, where we’ve built a team dedicated to creating a consistent and high-quality flow of news content to keep you informed of what we are accomplishing as a union. Like many of you, I watched in anger as Beacon Hill dawdled on our legally agreed upon and desperately needed raises in 2023, and I was inspired when so many of you took action to demand that our legislature do their jobs. As we go into the next few years, we as a union will face unprecedented fights across the board, and we need a union that stands ready to meet those challenges. As it stands now, our union’s authority is overly concentrated among the executive committee, and many of us have completely felt left behind and disregarded by their approach to union leadership. I have been fortunate to work with a group of USA members who have felt the same way, and whose work has been critical to our union’s success at union events and at the bargaining table. Together, we’ve worked within the system to bring YOU, rank and file members, to our bargaining table with the Silent Bargaining Representative initiative, and we’ve seen nothing short of amazing results in our collaboration. Already, people you may know have gotten involved in writing and countering proposals, and have spread the word about management’s unfair practices, and this is only the beginning. Please visit our website at https://grassrootsusa.net to find out more about our vision for a more functional union. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to working with you towards a stronger union that adheres to the values of cooperation, transparency, and accountability. |
Treasurer
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Meredith Barscz
Candidate for: |
Hello fellow USA members! My name is Meredith Barscz, and I have been a member of the UMass community since mid-2018. I currently serve as Research Support Services Clerical Administrator for the Office of Post-Award Management. Concerning my qualifications for the Treasurer role, I had the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in business administration through Isenberg during the pandemic and have more than two years of experience managing a six-figure budget. As a proud employee and alum of UMass Amherst, I ask for your support and your vote for the position of Treasurer. I cannot think of a better way for me to give back to a union that has helped us achieve and overcome so much. I thank you for your time and consideration! |
Grievance Officer
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Linda Fish (I)
Candidate for: |
My name is Linda Fish; I work in the DuBois library and have been a USA activist for 30 years. My experience includes: USA Executive Committee Grievance Officer, former USA General Secretary, Labor Relations team member, Steward, and former Chair of the Stewards Council; MTA and NEA delegate; graduate of the ESP “Emerging Leaders” Program; attendee at MTA Higher-Ed Conferences and at ESP Conferences and MTA Summer Conferences for trainings on how to better represent members in grievances and bargaining contract techniques; member of the Negotiation/Bargaining Teams, and a member of the UMass Higher-Ed Classified Staff Unions Coalition (HECSUC) working on coalition bargaining. I have also served on hearings for the Chancellor’s Workplace Climate and Bullying Panel. My goal as Your Grievance Officer is to continue to advocate for our members and ensure effective representation with their workplace concerns in both grievance hearings and Labor Management meetings (while it is the UMass Labor Relations department that has the final say in resolutions, I will not give up the fight for the best outcome possible for our members); to strive to improve our workplace climate through my experiences at workplace bullying hearings; and to continue to work towards moving our union forward within our roles as University employees and to seek the respect we all deserve. As a delegate to MTA/NEA conventions: I will continue, from the opening of the MTA meeting to the final gavel at the close of both the MTA Annual and NEA/RA, to represent the concerns of our members when called upon to vote on the budget and other topics addressed at the conventions, especially those relating to higher-ed ESPs. I have the years of experience and knowledge, and ask for your vote to re-elect me as your Grievance Officer, and as an MTA and NEA delegate, and I thank you for your time and consideration. |
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Ian Sedelow
Candidate for: |
My fellow USA members, my name is Ian Sedelow, and I have had the privilege of serving as the Office Manager in Film Studies for the past three years. Beyond my role, I am deeply committed to our union’s mission—I currently serve as the Chair of Social Justice and Political Action on the USA Board, work as a union steward, and am a member of the contract negotiation team. As a dedicated USA union member and labor activist, I am asking for your vote for Grievance Officer. My mission is clear: to fiercely advocate for the rights of all members while ensuring our union remains transparent, accountable, and truly member-focused. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive future—one where every voice is heard and every concern is addressed. I would be honored to have your support. Let’s move forward, united! Vote Grassroots USA! grassrootsusa.net |
USA General Board
Chief Steward
| Camille Godbout-Chouinard
Candidate for: |
Hello USA! I am ready to step into the role of Chief Steward, and I’m asking for your vote! I’ve been a steward for the past 2 years, and I was recently appointed as the Co-Chief Steward. I’m running on the Grassroots USA joint slate (grassrootsusa.net) to bring our union into a new era of improved communication, transparency, and prioritizing member voices. Vote Grassroots USA! If elected, my plan is to continue the work that Dora Ramos started; rebuilding the Steward’s Council and increasing steward training. I’ve also been busy as the current Communications Committee Chair; rebuilding the committee, fine-tuning the USA Newsletter, and updating the USA website. I’m behind the dramatic increase in transparency around bargaining by writing our Bargaining Updates and making the Bargaining Headquarters. I’m a Silent Bargaining Representative Coordinator, Contract Action Team member, and Negotiations Committee member. I think my accomplishments speak to my persistence, organizing skills, and passion for unions. I’m ready to bring the USA Steward’s Council to the next level so we can better help you know our contract and enforce your rights in the workplace! |
| Dora Ramos (I)
Candidate for: |
I’m Dora Ramos, Clerk V for Athletics and have been involved with MTA/USA in different facets throughout many years. I have served on the Executive Board and Stewards Council, as General Secretary, Chief Steward, ESP Committee, represented you at the State and National Levels and on the Bargaining Team. I have made my voice heard for our members and welcome the opportunity to be a voice again. Now more than ever the Unions are working hard to make sure our employees are back to work. We need strong representation to have our voices heard! By standing together we were able to accomplish the repeal of Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)! We need to make sure the USA is being represented in all levels and with a lot of changes we need to hold this University accountable. |
Communications Committee Coordinator
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Deborah Place
Candidate for: |
Comm. Comm. Coordinator: Hello USA members! My name is Deborah Place (she/her) and I’m a rank-and-file volunteer ready to step up and run for office. I’ve worked on campus for almost seven years and the core value of my job as a library worker in the UMass Amherst Libraries is making information easy to access. Last summer, I joined the newly re-established Communications Committee. Together, we co-write, format, and edit the USA newsletters, bargaining updates, website articles, and other union communications to ensure membership is informed of important issues that impact our lives. Many of the newsletter sections and emails you receive are written and designed by yours truly! I’d be honored to continue the work of our previous chair, Camille Godbout-Chouinard. If elected as Communications Committee chair, I plan to collaborate closely with union leadership to ensure timely communications for meetings, union initiatives, and membership votes, and by uplifting our members’ voices in our publications and future social media accounts. Lastly, I encourage you all to vote for the candidates I’ve worked closely with as Contract Action Team members and Silent Bargaining Coordinators: Grassroots USA. Visit our website here for more information: https://grassrootsusa.net/
Delegate to the MTA Annual Meeting: Hello USA members! My name is Deborah Place (she/her) and I’m asking for your vote to be one of the USA’s delegates to the upcoming MTA annual meeting. I’ve worked on campus for almost seven years in the W. E. B. Du Bois Library and over the past year, I’ve become truly passionate about our union and serving our membership to the best of my ability. Last summer, I joined the newly re-established Communications Committee and soon after volunteered as a Contract Action Team member and Silent Bargaining Representative (SBR) coordinator. In these roles, I’ve collaborated closely with other USA members to transform bargaining into a democratic, inclusive process that allows rank-and-file members to join USA at the bargaining table. Participating in bargaining as a SBR coordinator inspired me to complete the MTA Bargaining Certificate after attending several MTA conferences. I’ve also been involved with multi-union committees that have organized rallies on campus in our fight for living wages and a fair contract. If elected as an MTA delegate, I will continue to advocate for important issues to our membership and make sure our voices are heard at the annual meeting. Thank you! |
Recording Secretary
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Chris Weeks
Candidate for: |
Recording Secretary: Hi USA! My name is Chris Weeks, and I ask for your vote for the position of Recording Secretary. In my role as a Technical Assistant III with Enrollment Management IT, I thrive when helping my colleagues overcome technical issues through hands-on demonstrations and written documentation. I see these skills translating to the role of Recording Secretary because it is impossible to organize if we are not organized. I was a rank-and-file member of USA until last year, when I felt it was time to step up and dedicate my services to our union. I was unsure how to get involved, so I ran for, and you elected me as a Steward where I now serve District 11. Once I saw Kyle Chambers’ impassioned speech about Silent Bargaining Representatives, I knew I had found another avenue to aid my union. I was soon approached by members of Grassroots USA to become an SBR coordinator. It wasn’t long after that I also joined the Contract Action Team, where we meet weekly to discuss and plan actions to help us win the strong contract we deserve. Take it from me: If you are on the fence about becoming more involved, it just takes the willingness to show up, and the union will help you find your place. If you haven’t found your voice yet, surround yourself with like-minded activists and your voice will develop. For me, my fellow Grassroots USA candidates are those activists, and I am thrilled to see where together we take the University Staff Association. To learn more about Grassroots USA, please visit grassrootsusa.net. Thank you for your support!
MTA Annual Meeting Delegate: Hello! My name is Chris Weeks, and I would love to serve as a USA delegate to the MTA Annual Meeting. Since my election as Steward last year, I have served my union in several ways. I joined the bargaining table as a Silent Bargaining Representative, then quickly stepped up as an SBR coordinator. I then joined the Contract Action Team, where we meet weekly to discuss and plan actions to help us win the strong contract we deserve. I recently attended the Winter Skills Conference in Boston and plan to finish my Bargaining Certificate this spring. I think the Annual Meeting is the natural next step for me as I continue to grow as a union representative. Thank you for your vote! |
Classification Specialist
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Alycia Fabry (I)
Candidate for: |
Hello fellow members! My name is Alycia Fabry (pictured here with my two boys), and I am asking for your vote to continue as Chair of the Classification Committee. In the 10 months that I have served in this position, I have worked hard at fostering open and transparent relationships and communication with talent compensation while helping deserving members of our bargaining unit receive the pay that accurately reflects their job and responsibilities. I want to continue to learn what parameters they use and act not only as a representative for my fellow members, but also serve as a point of reference, to be able to answer questions and guide members through the reclassification process with knowledge and honesty. I am currently attending bargaining meetings with management as a Silent Bargaining Representative because I believe showing up is the first step in working towards a better work future for our members. I am a graduate of UMass and have been employed here for almost 9 years. I have dual roles, both of which are under the umbrella of neuroscience, in Biology and the College of Natural Sciences. I have great pride in the university AND our union. Neither is perfect, but I feel showing up, working with our members to hold the university accountable for the hard work we all do and sometimes not getting compensated for accurately, is a step towards bettering life for our members. In turn this will better the university by making the relationship between management and their employees healthier and happier. I will continue to work hard for our members, always communicate with honesty, and represent those whose voices may be quieter than others. |
Health and Safety Coordinator
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Casey Krone (I)
Candidate for: |
I have served as the USA Health & Safety Coordinator since May 2020 and I am incredibly proud of the work I’ve done serving our members since then and hope to continue doing that good work. My life mission is to “connect and protect” and that is really what motivates me to work for our members in the health & safety space. The USA Health & Safety Committee will be creating a Subcommittee on Accessibility this spring, and I plan to propose that we create a USA committee to design and implement a Member Assistance Fund once we finish the current round of bargaining. The Health & Safety Committee drafted significant improvements to our health & safety contract language and that proposal has been put on the bargaining table.
I serve on the USA Sick Leave Bank Committee and as the USA Trustee on the MTA/DHE Health & Welfare Trust that provides our dental benefits and vision coupon program. Over the past year I have been working with the MTA and the other labor trustees to push the Trust to explore the possibility of merging with another public employee health & welfare trust if doing so would improve benefits for our members. I have been representing USA members’ perspectives on the Okanagan Charter Collective and on the MTA Environmental Health & Safety Committee, where I am currently the only member from higher ed. After we discovered in our bargaining survey April 2024 that approximately 1/3 of USA members experience food insecurity, I have advocated for that to be a standing item on the MTA EH&S committee agenda and have conducted a conversation around food insecurity in the MTA at the Winter Skills Conference and will run another discussion at the MTA Higher Ed Conference in March; besides destigmatizing the experience of food insecurity in our members’ lives, I hope to organize the MTA into doing work around food insecurity as part of their advocacy for living wages for classified staff statewide. While I am not a part of the Grassroots USA slate, I strongly support these energetic advocates for our union and am committed to their pillars of transparency and accountability, a member-centered approach, and timely communication. Grassroots USA has done incredible work already and they deserve your vote! |
Membership Coordinator
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Heather Deirdre (I)
Candidate for: |
I am asking for your votes as a delegate to the MTA Annual meeting, and to serve another term as your Membership Coordinator. I have worked on the Amherst Campus for over 31years. I bring with me perspective, insight, and life experience. I was drawn to be a union volunteer for many reasons. I wanted to give back and to strengthen the USA Union. When I encountered an unbearable work situation, I did not reach out to the Union soon enough because I thought that the problem was not a contract violation. I finally asked for, and received help, and much support. Upon becoming involved I have learned within the Union and grown as a member. Unions will work to protect our jobs, our benefits, our rights, and our respect. A strong, democratic Union is a community built by many. I attended my first MTA Annual Meeting in 2017, and every year since then. I was on the PFML Union Coalition Bargaining Team; I have served two terms as a Steward, and I served on USA’s Negotiation and Bargaining Teams 6 times and have earned my Contract Bargaining Certificate. I have attended several Winter and Summer Conferences as well as the ESP conference last spring. The workshops at the conferences are both informative and interesting. I always learn something, and it is an opportunity to meet colleagues in Higher Education from across the state. |
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Antonia Lynch
Candidate for: |
“There’s some good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for!” – This quotation by JRR Tolkien is often on my mind. Thanks to the union, I am still here, and I am still fighting for not just our students, but now myself, and my fellow union members. In my roles in the Stewards Council, the Negotiations Team, and the Health and Safety Committee, I have made connections with others, who like me, believe that a member-centered approach is the best way forward for USA. Together, as Grassroots USA, we have built the Silent Bargaining Representative program and created the Contract Action Team, we have co-organized rallies with other unions on campus, and we have fought to have your voices heard at the bargaining table. To learn more about our pillars, our victories, and our goals, please visit grassrootsusa.net.
I am running for the position of Membership Coordinator, a role in which I plan to connect with members to not only strengthen our numbers, but to also uplift others to get involved as I did. With my fellow Grassroots USA colleagues, I am ready to fight for each and every one of you, to center your voices in our decision making, and to ensure everyone is included. Whether you are on campus, hybrid, or remote, you are a part of this union, and your voice matters! |
Special Projects Coordinator
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Andrea Lydick
Candidate for: |
As a relatively new UMass employee, Steward, and Union member, I have found so much value in adding my voice to a movement I care about. There is a lot going on in the world but finding solidarity with my union siblings, supporting each other and seeking ways to uplift our members is one of the most empowering endeavors. I am learning more every day and am eager to bring my skills and passion for collective power to bear as Special Projects Coordinator. In the role, I will have the opportunity to work with all the other committee members to grow their initiatives, coordinate programming, and bring more members into every meeting. In my job as an Office Manager, I schedule events, support my team members, and coordinate with students, other departments, and administrative offices regularly. I know these skills will translate well into my union position. Working for our members alongside my Grassroots USA comrades on the Contract Action Team, as a Steward for District 13, and as a Silent Bargaining Representative Coordinator has taught me so much about organizing, about unions, and about solidarity. Grassroots USA is about YOU; we want USA members to feel heard, feel empowered to participate, and to feel as though the union is supporting you in the ways that count. I am so energized to fight for our members and am grateful for your support. www.GrassrootsUSA.net |
Social Justice and Political Action Coordinator
| John Avedisian
Candidate for: |
Dear fellow members of the USA Members, I am excited to announce my candidacy for the position of Political Action/Social Justice Coordinator. As a passionate advocate for social justice, equality, and the empowerment of Union Members, I believe this role is crucial for advancing our collective interests and advocating for the change we wish to see on our campus and beyond. Throughout my life, I have been deeply involved in causes that promote fair treatment, inclusivity, and the protection of workers’ rights. Whether participating in peaceful protests, organizing community discussions, or supporting advocacy initiatives, I’ve witnessed the power of collective action and how vital it is for us to stand together in our pursuit of justice. I am committed to working tirelessly to advocate for policies that protect our rights and advance social justice for all USA Members. Together, we can make a significant difference on our Union and beyond. I would be honored to serve you as your Political Action/Social Justice Coordinator. Thank you for your consideration and support! |
| Tim Pyne
Candidate for: |
After five years working at UMass, I was pulled to bring more of my focus and energy to USA. Over the past several months, I went from just paying closer attention, to dipping my toe in as an SBR, to wading into our Communications Committee, and diving in as Recording Secretary. Attending the MTA Winter Union Skills conference affirmed that I am doing meaningful and impactful work, and got me excited to dig in even more. I have put myself forward for the Political Action / Social Justice Coordinator position because I believe so strongly in the potential power unions can build to positively impact lives both in and outside workplaces. My experience at UMass has shown me that viewing the problems we face through lenses of both policy and community has real potential to create change, and it requires organizing to overcome the inertia, regardless of where people sit in existing hierarchies. With 15+ years of leadership experience in educational nonprofits governed by consensus and sociocracy, my appetite for consensus-building and critical reflection on organizational dynamics is insatiable. If elected, my primary focus will be on fostering solidarity through grassroots work. I look forward to creatively building opportunities for connection and collaborative action by inviting members to engage across the wide ranges of energy, time, and interest we each have. |
Candidates for USA Delegates to the MTA Annual Meeting and NEA Representative Assembly
*Please see below this list for statements from candidates for MTA and NEA delegates that are not running for Executive Committee or General Board positions!*
| Candidates for MTA Annual Meeting Delegates (16 spots) | Candidates for NEA Representative Assembly Delegates (5 spots) |
| Kyle Chambers Heather Deirdre Linda Fish Sheila Gilmour Camille Godbut-Chouinard Thor Hansen Jacob Ketchakeu Casey Krone David Litterer Andrea Lydick Antonia Lynch Mary Malinowski Michelle McBride Deborah Place Tim Pyne Dora Ramos Ian Sedelow Chris Weeks |
Alycia Fabry Linda Fish Jacob Ketchakeu Tim Pyne Ian Sedelow |
Below are the statements from the candidates for MTA and/or NEA Delegate that are NOT Running for a USA Board Position! Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name.
| Thor Hansen
Candidate for: |
I am the USA Steward for district #1 and an SBR, and I am asking for your support to represent you once again at the MTA Annual Meeting. Thank you for your consideration. |
| Jacob Ketchakeu
Candidate for: |
My name is Jacob Ketchakeu, and I’m a blue-collar worker at UMass. For over a decade, I’ve served this campus as a bartender and mail clerk. I understand firsthand the experience of feeling unseen, of being limited by job titles, and of the physical toll that manual labor takes. I’m ready to bring that perspective to the table.
I’m also a student, on track to earn my bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Cultural Anthropology in Spring 2025. My experience with UMass Grassroots Community Organizing has equipped me with the skills to collaborate and advocate for social, economic, racial, and environmental justice. I’m asking for your vote to represent our union as a delegate at the 2025 MTA Annual Meeting and NEA Representative Assembly. I’m prepared to use my experience and education to effectively represent our members |
| David Litterer
Candidate for: |
I have served on the USA Elections Board for 35 years, and served on three constitutional review committees and was USA Listserv Administrator for 15 years. I have represented the USA at 19 MTA Annual Meetings and 14 NEA Representative Assemblies. I would like to attend the MTA meeting again so I can ensure that our views are heard, and to also report back to the USA members about the issues discussed and actions taken at these two important events. |
| Mary Malinowski
Candidate for: |
Hello my fellow USA colleagues! I have been at UMass for 28 years, and I am also a 2016 alum of UMass. I have been active in USA as your President since 2023 and Vice President from 2018-2023, spending most of my career in Central IT. Doing union work is very rewarding; our union has created a robust stewards council with many new stewards, a communications committee, and a team of SBR coordinators who have worked hard during these negotiations to involve our members to be a “fly on the wall” and watch the negotiations with management as they are happening, amongst other things. All our volunteers work hard but our work is never ending, helping our members and protecting their rights is of the upmost importance of being a part of union leadership. Attending the MTA Annual Meeting as a delegate and representing USA is a vital part of our union’s responsibility, to be heard and to be involved in matters affecting MTA, our state, and standing side by side with other local unions under MTA. I ask for your support and for your vote as a delegate to the MTA Annual Meeting. Thank you! |
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Michelle McBride (I)
Candidate for: |
My name is Michelle McBride, and I am hoping you will support me in my bid to go to the MTA Annual Meeting this year. I joined the Union when it was first offered to me many years ago. Since that time, I have been an active member of USA. I hold the following positions right now: USA Board as the Special Projects Coordinator, and I am also a seated member of the bargaining committee. I attend as many trainings as possible and will continue to learn every day. I am very interested in going to the MTA Annual Meeting to continue learning and absorbing information about the MTA. I find it important to be on top of what is going with the MTA and being a part of the decision-making processes. I look forward to representing USA during the MTA Annual meeting. |
