This election, Part-time members have a choice:
You can elect my opponent, who has only months of experience in the role, or you can elect me — an experienced, licensed legal professional who has represented workers and tenants before various courts and tribunals. I've faced renowned legal teams countless times — and won!
Education
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Paralegal Diploma - Honours
Humber College - 2013 -
Certificate in Human Rights Law
Osgoode Hall Law School, York University - 2020 -
Certificate in Conflict Management
University of Windsor - 2024
Registrations
Law Society of Ontario
Paralegal Licence - 2014 - Present
ADR Institute of Canada
Qualified Mediator - 2024 - Present
Chief Steward OPSEU 5121
2022-present
Major Pay Increases
When I started as a Relief Community Shelter Worker at Homes First Society in 2017, the organization's lowest paid employees made $18 per hour (about $4 over minimum wage at the time). Today, Homes First employees are among the highest paid private shelter employees, second only to the City. In addition to wage increases for all employees, we managed to quadruple the overnight premium from $1.00/hour to $4.00/hour; this is more than we have at the City.
Stable Schedules
Unlike the city, we eliminated forced shift rotations. Staff now bid by seniority for their preferred shift and keep it.
More Vacation
We increased vacation entitlements for Homes First staff. In most cases, Homes First staff now have higher vacation entitlements than the city.
Grievance Wins
Some people dismiss grievances as "paperwork." They're not. A grievance is the first step in a legal process that can compel the Employer to follow the collective agreement and the law. It is through hundreds of grievances which I filed on my own time, that we've had so many gains at Homes First. I will continue this tradition of efficient, steadfast "paperwork" for city workers if elected.
Here are a number of things I've accomplished through grievances:
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Reversal of wrongful terminations
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Removal of unfair discipline from employee records
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Elimination of mandatory extended shifts when a worker's relief no-shows
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Enforcing the employer's compliance with employee accommodations
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And much more!
Organizing and calling out unfair practices only matters when we back this up with action. By grieving every violation by management and taking it to arbitration when they refuse to settle, we achieve lasting change for all workers. This is how we win!
Human Rights Advocacy
Through my work at OPSEU 5121, I have represented many members before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, securing positive outcomes in each case.
I am currently representing a group of predominantly Black workers who object to the new workplace sign-in process at Homes First which requires fingerprinting. This is an obvious practice of discriminatory surveillance and we will not stand for this.
What Members of CUPE can take away
All of the above are examples of the successes I have achieved largely on my own time and without compensation as part of only a three person team. I hope this illustrates my passion, dedication and vigor for union activism. I will never stop fighting for what's right; not at OPSEU or CUPE.
If you elect me, I will fight for you and ensure the employer follows every article of our collective agreement and every applicable law. I will stand up for your rights no matter the cost!