On August 15th, 2025, Western Academic Workers United’s Joint Organizing Committee voted in three Operational Student Employees to serve equally as unit leaders for the interim period before the OSE Unit could be formally represented by WAWU. The Joint OC decided by a majority vote to move forward with this after considering how the workload of our UAW Staffer, Erin Magarro would be distributed after they depart. The responsibility of OSE Leads will primarily be:
- Organizing the organizers
- Handle administrative tasks such as:
- Meetings with University Administration
- Working on HB 1570
- Bottom-lining the campaign for OSE Recognition
- Coordinating OSE actions with the ESE Executive Board
- Attending all committee meetings to coordinate action
The Joint OC decided by a majority vote to elect 3 OSE Leads, considering the workload and the importance of including an odd number of people to avoid tied votes. This decision, and the following election, were endorsed by the Executive Board and ratified by OSEs at the next Monthly Membership Meeting.
This election was contested, with 5 Operational Student Employees running for 3 OSE Lead positions. Candidates and statements are listed below:
Alejandro Garcia
I’m still working on developing a lot of skills, but I have a lot of passion
and dedication to do the work. I did a lot of outreach and had a lot of
conversations this year, I also feel prepared to organize direct actions.
Connor Haines
I started getting involved Dec 2024, moreso once bill died, much more
leading up to strike. I became Picket Commander, facilitated meeting with all
picket captains and learned bottomlining skills. I have great outreach and organizing
skills, learned on DIDO and working on database. I know how to use this data to
figure out where to strengthen organizing network. We need to get the ball rolling
on the bill – I have experience with legislative language
Grace Rodriguez
I felt thrown into the deep end, started organizing Rec right away after
starting my job, comfortable having uncomfy/hard convos with people I don’t
know, getting people to care and know that they can participate and make
change happen. I was very involved in the strike, worked well under a lot of pressure.
I went to Summer School to develop skills and learn even more. I need to learn
more about admin tasks and how to talk with WWU Admin, want to learn. I will be
here until 2027
Kaitlyn Minnotte
You know me, I’m Kaitlyn. I’ve been involved since Nov 2024, I think in this
position what I personally bring is a more human approach towards organizing, I
can bring a lot of 1-1 conversation skills. I feel very strong on communications and teaching it to
others, I also have a lot of administrative experience working with sheets and
docs.
Mary Surdyk
I have been involved with WAWU heavily since May 2024, been on BC
since it’s inception, I’ve been on OC a bunch know how that typically runs,
I’ve worked with Karna and Erin a bunch, went to Summer School and leader about
leadership dev. I feel confident about organizing organizers, and I was heavily involved
in the OSE bill and in talking to admin and legislation.
All members of the Joint Organizing Committee were allotted three votes to distribute amongst the candidates. Connor Haines, Grace Rodriguez, and Kaitlyn Minnotte were elected as OSE Leads, pending approval by the Executive Board and OSE Membership. The membership ratified this decision at our 2025-08-21 MMM, and our OSE Leads formally took their positions.
Please note that while OSE Leads are elected positions, they are not voting members of the Executive Board. They are encouraged to attend Executive Board meetings to effectively carry out their duties.
As of September 4th, 2025, the WAWU Executive Board is composed as follows:
| President | Willow Heidt |
| Vice President | Olive Dillemuth |
| Financial Secretary | Gwyn Teel |
| Recording Secretary | Anika Erickson |
| Sergeant at Arms | VACANT |
| Guide | McLean Bowers |
| Trustee | Eddie Church |
| Trustee | VACANT |
| Trustee | VACANT |
| OSE Lead | Connor Haines |
| OSE Lead | Grace Rodriguez |
| OSE Lead | Kaitlyn Minnotte |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | James Booth |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | Cassi Kiger |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | Thaseus Karkabe-Olson |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | VACANT |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | VACANT |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | VACANT |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | VACANT |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | VACANT |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | VACANT |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | VACANT |
| Member-at-large (Head Steward) | VACANT |