Struthers, Andrew – OSU: Candidate for Director

Over the past two years, it has been a privilege to serve on the SEIU 503 Board of Directors representing Higher Education. As a member from Oregon State University, like many of you, I continue to see how our union supports our members, and I want to continue working for all of you.

During the past two years, I have had the pleasure of lobbying legislators in Salem on behalf of Higher Ed workers and other workers within our union when asked.  During these difficult months of bargaining, I have traveled to other Universities to rally with fellow workers and listen to how they are directly impacted by university decision-makers.  This is work I plan to continue if re-elected to this position, because I believe leaders in positions like this need to show up and support our members and workers.

As a member of the Board of Directors, I have served on the Union’s Finance Committee and have worked to help ensure our membership dues are being spent properly on issues that matter to members and help to improve our union.  I will continue to speak out for members and how dues are spent, and whether decisions are made in the best interest of everyone within the union.  To be an effective union, we need to ensure our dues are supporting all members and are being used in the most effective way possible.

In these difficult times, we need a leader like me who can continue that hard work and be ready to work on difficult issues.  That can take difficult stances and stand firm when hard decisions need to be made.

Over the next two years, our Union will be at a critical inflection point as budget decisions across our state and federal government are going to make things more difficult for all our employers.  We need a leader who is willing to work hard for our members and show up every day to ensure our voices are heard and listened to.

I have served in a variety of other leadership roles within our union, within my own city representing on the Corvallis City Council, and I even volunteer within my own community.  I know what it means to serve, and I know what it means to do the hard work of representing others.

I would appreciate your support in continuing to serve on our union's Board of Directors.