A Career of Activism

Leslie began her career as an Occasional Teacher for the North York Board of Education and York Region District School Board in the late 1980’s. In 1988 she was hired to teach at Yorkdale Adult Learning Centre in North York.  It was in this job that she first encountered the importance of funding the full-service school.  

From the early 1990’s on, Leslie fought alongside other OSSTF activists to protect funding for the full-service school model of adult education. She created lobbying materials and was interviewed by reporters about the need to protect adult education. She lobbied Trustees and MPPs and raised awareness about this issue within OSSTF.  She helped organize rallies and protests both locally and at Queen’s Park.  Through this experience, Leslie began to hone her union leadership skills.

Leslie was a grid-teacher and sole-income parent during the social contract period of the mid ‘90s. She experienced first-hand the anxiety of this difficult time for public sector workers. This struggle deepened Leslie’s conviction that unity in the face of adversity and solidarity among workers are essential to protect education workers and publicly funded education.

The late 1990’s ushered in the divisive, anti-public sector worker Harris/Eves era.  Leslie was a marshall during the Toronto Days of Action and took part in other Days of Action protests around the province.  During the Political Action Protest of 1997 Leslie was a Picket Captain and created a public information brochure used throughout North York to inform the public about the Harris attack on public education.

After amalgamation, Leslie worked with the new District 12 Political Action Committee, planning and executing strategic political action at both the municipal and provincial levels, recognizing the direct connection between politics and success in member protection.  Appointed to the position of Chief Negotiator for Toronto teachers in 1999, Leslie successfully negotiated four collective agreements and achieved enhanced working and earning conditions for members in spite of the spate of anti-public education worker government actions.  

Leslie was elected to the position of Executive Officer on the Teachers Bargaining Unit in District 12, Toronto, in 2000 and has been a full time release officer to her Bargaining Unit and District since.  She currently serves as Chief Negotiator, Vice President, Staffing Officer, Grievance Officer, Arbitration Coordinator and as Executive Liaison to both bargaining unit and District committees.  

Leslie has been an AMPA delegate for 18 years and a Provincial councillor for nine years.  She served on the Provincial Discussion Table Advisory Group in 2008 and is currently a member of the Strategy and Structure Review Committee.  

Leslie understands from experience the importance of a leadership team that works together to create unity of direction and action.  With your support, Leslie will bring her experienced and effective approach to leadership to the Provincial Executive.

For details about Leslie’s skills and experience, please visit the other pages of this website.
Please feel free to contact Leslie with questions or concerns, or to offer your support for her candidacy.