Who We Are

Mary Fowler is a proud ETFO member, serving as the President of the Durham Teachers' Local and also on the union's Provincial Executive. She is a strong advocate for publicly-funded public education, and works tirelessly to defend it against attacks from right-wing governments.

Mary currently sits on the board of Parkview Place, a not-for-profit seniors housing corporation, and has previously served on the Board of the Oshawa Public Libraries, and as Vice-President of the YWCA Durham. Mary believes that creating a fair and just society starts by organizing in our own communities.

Krista Laing is the 1st Vice President for the Durham Region Labour Council as well as the CUPE Local 250 President in the municipal sector. She has been involved in a unionized environment since she was 16 years old attending and participating with the part time Local 53 union in Whitby Ontario. Over the last 5 years she has participated within Local 250 and has created and implement many positive changes while in this role. One of which has been the implantation of a Human Rights committee. Her passion is to create working environments that strengthen and empower the voices of all young workers across Ontario. She aspires to raise awareness for the Health and Safety and Human Rights issues that young workers face daily and be a strong ally and advocate for racialized, LGBTQ+, indigenous and all groups of marginalized young workers whose voices need to be heard. Most importantly her focus is to aim to educate young workers on ways they can become more involved and advocate for change within their own Local.

Jeff Tomlinson is a labour and public education researcher and a proud member of COPE Local 343. Originally a library technician, he first got active in the trade union movement through organizing for a support staff union at UOIT, which was certified as OPSEU Local 301 in 2018. Jeff is dedicated to the cause of labour, believes that the trade union movement is the most important and effective force for positive social change, and that local labour councils should be the heart of the movement.

Chelsea is a union organizer, researcher and finance coordinator coming out of the post-secondary sector and a proud member of CUPE 1281. Chelsea is a strong advocate of radical democratic unionism and believes that a militant and mobilized rank-and-file membership is key to the success of both the labour movement and the advancement of worker’s rights.

Krista Hooper is the Youth Representative for the Durham Region Labour Council as well as the CUPE Local 250 Recording Secretary in the municipal sector. She has been involved in a unionized environment since she was 16 years old attending and participating with the part time Local 53 union in Whitby Ontario. Over the last 5 years she has participated within Local 250 and has created and implement many positive changes while in this role. One of which has been the implantation of a Human Rights committee. Her passion is to create working environments that strengthen and empower the voices of all young workers across Ontario. She aspires to raise awareness for the Health and Safety and Human Rights issues that young workers face daily and be a strong ally and advocate for racialized, LGBTQ+, indigenous and all groups of marginalised young workers whose voices need to be heard. Most importantly her focus is to aim to educate young workers on ways they can become more involved and advocate for change within their own Local.

Registered Practical Nurse, President CUPE Local 6364, Executive at Large for CUPE Ontario International Solidarity, Co-chair of CUPE National Health Care Issues Committee.

Pam advocates for her CUPE Local members and works alongside the Oshawa Health Coalition, We are Oshawa , Durham Northumberland CUPE Council, and Municipal, Provincial and Federal elections in the community to put forward the agenda to better people's life in her community. Speaking to the media on different occasions to shed light on the disarray of our Health care system and the under appreciation of the Frontline workers by the Government and their employer, Pam is always advocating. But Pam’s first passion is her husband and son along with her fur baby, Princess Bella . Pam's an avid baseball player.

Registered Practical Nurse, President CUPE Local 6364, Executive at Large for CUPE Ontario International Solidarity, Co-chair of CUPE National Health Care Issues Committee.

Pam advocates for her CUPE Local members and works alongside the Oshawa Health Coalition, We are Oshawa , Durham Northumberland CUPE Council, and Municipal, Provincial and Federal elections in the community to put forward the agenda to better people's life in her community. Speaking to the media on different occasions to shed light on the disarray of our Health care system and the under appreciation of the Frontline workers by the Government and their employer, Pam is always advocating. But Pam’s first passion is her husband and son along with her fur baby, Princess Bella . Pam's an avid baseball player.

President, Occasional Teachers Bargaining Unit, and Member of Executive of Ontario Secondary School Teacher Federation District 13 Durham / Fédération des enseignantes-enseignants des écoles secondaires de l'Ontario District 13 Durham. Provincial Councilor Provincial Council Liaison to Provincial Finance Committee. Ontario Secondary School Teacher Federation District 13 Durham / Fédération des enseignantes-enseignants des écoles secondaires de l'Ontario District.

Social justice and human rights advocate engaged in support of marginalized workers, women, youth, retirees, seniors, persons living with disabilities, migrant workers, 2SLGBTQ++ and Indigenous people

For the past seventeen years, Amanda Usher has worked as an Ambulance Communications Officer (ACO) within the Ministry of Health, seamlessly balancing her duties alongside her numerous roles as a dedicated union activist and OPSEU/SEFPO local President. Currently, she represents approximately 30,000 members in the Ontario Public Service as the elected Central Employee Relations Committee Chair.

Driven by a passion for justice and equity, Amanda has immersed herself in the labour movement, gaining profound insights into the challenges confronting Ontario workers and the critical importance of public services. Through her various elected positions, she has become a source of empowerment, tirelessly advocating for the rights and well-being of her fellow members.

Amanda's unwavering commitment to mobilizing workers for better contracts, stronger locals, and the respect they rightfully deserve has been instrumental in fostering positive change. At the heart of her approach lies a dedication to internal organizing, fostering open communication, and championing fairness, equity, and inclusion.

Katy is the Support Staff member at the Durham Region Labour Council, where she plays a vital role behind the scenes in ensuring the council’s initiatives are successful. Prior to joining the council, she dedicated two decades to serving her community as a passionate library worker. With a deep commitment to inclusivity, her focus was on expanding services to reach those with limited accessibility. She was an active member of her local union advocating for members' rights by serving multiple terms as recording secretary, union steward and contributing to numerous committees.

Kim is a Regional Representative with the Canadian Labour Congress. In addition to the Durham Region Labour Council she represents nine other Labour Councils in Eastern Ontario. She is also responsible for Education and Social Media for the Ontario Region of the CLC. She has a 30-year history of representing workers in her workplace, at the bargaining table, and in her community.