Every unit counts. So does every member.

OSSTF/FEESO’s strength lies in its diversity: nearly 60,000 members in 37 districts and more than 151 bargaining units, working in a wide range of professions across Ontario.

I come from a support staff unit and from a district where I learned to work with members whose realities, classifications and collective agreements are very different. That experience taught me something fundamental: our diversity doesn’t divide our Federation — it is its strength.

Our structure already recognizes the importance of local representation. OSSTF/FEESO describes local autonomy as one of its foundations, and bargaining units have their own democratic structures. At AMPA, every bargaining unit is also guaranteed minimum representation.

For me, representing at the provincial level means being able to listen to, understand and defend every reality of our members: teachers, education support staff, professional staff, instructors, university support staff, custodial and maintenance staff, administrative and technical staff, and every other classification that makes up the richness and diversity of OSSTF/FEESO.

It also means recognizing the realities of large and small units alike, of urban, rural and remote settings, and of francophone and anglophone members.

Our roles may differ and our challenges may vary, but every member deserves the same attention, the same respect and strong, fair representation.

Because within OSSTF/FEESO, no classification, no region and no member should ever feel forgotten or left behind.

A strong Federation is one where every member knows their reality counts and their voice can shape our collective decisions.