OSSTF/FEESO delegates elect provincial leaders

On Sunday, March 14, 2021, delegates of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) participated remotely in their annual meeting. The meeting included the election of provincial leaders to represent the 60,000 members of the educational union.

Those elected were Karen Littlewood, President; Paul Caccamo, Vice-President; Martha Hradowy, Vice-President; Jeff Denys, Treasurer; Hayssam Hulays, Executive Officer; Malini Leahy, Executive Officer; Colin Matthew, Executive Officer; Mike Foulds, OTF Table Officer; and five OTF Governors: Andy Adzic, Richard Brown, Stephen Helleiner, Kelly McCarthy, and Shannon Vandenberghe.

Karen Littlewood, a teacher from District 17, Simcoe, has been elected as President. Littlewood was elected as Vice-President in 2019. Littlewood served as TBU and District President in District 17 and has served provincially as Chair of the Communications and Political Action Committee and Vice-Chair of Provincial Council. 

Paul Caccamo, a teacher from District 6A, Thunder Bay, has been re-elected as Vice-President. He was first elected as an Executive Officer in 2017. Caccamo has also served as Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF) Governor and locally as District and TBU President in District 6A. He has also been a member of many provincial work groups and committees. 

Martha Hradowy, a developmental service worker from District 9, Greater Essex, has been elected as Vice-President. Hradowy was first elected as Executive Officer in 2017. Hradowy served as President of the Educational Support Staff Bargaining Unit in District 9 and has served provincially as chair of the Finance Committee.

Jeff Denys, a teacher from District 8, Avon Maitland, has been elected as Treasurer. Denys has served as District President, District Treasurer, and TBU President in District 8.  Denys has participated on several provincial committees, including Communications and Political Action, Finance, and Protective Services.

Hayssam Hulays, a teacher from District 12, Toronto, has been elected as Executive Officer. Hulays has served provincially as the Chair of the Human Rights Committee, and was the District Communications and Political Action Committee (CPAC) Officer, Executive Officer, and Human Rights Officer in District 12. Hulays has also served as an OTF Governor. 

Malini Leahy, a teacher from District 2, Algoma, has been re-elected as Executive Officer. Leahy was first elected as an Executive Officer in 2019. Leahy has also served as an OTF Governor, and as District 2 TBU President, Benefits Officer, Treasurer, and Vice-President.  

Colin Matthew, a teacher from District 15, Trillium Lakelands, has been elected as Executive Officer.  Matthew also served as OTF Governor, both District President and Teacher/Occasional Teacher Bargaining Unit President in District 15, and has served on the provincial Communications and Political Action Committee.

In addition, OSSTF/FEESO representatives were elected as representatives for the Ontario Teachers’ Federation Board of Governors. 

Mike Foulds, a teacher from District 7, Bluewater, has been acclaimed as OTF Table Officer. Foulds has served provincially on the Judicial Council and the Educational Services Committee.

Andy Adzic, a teacher from District 9, Greater Essex, has been elected as OTF Governor. Adzic has served as Chief Negotiator, Grievance Officer, TBU Vice-President for District 9, and provincially as a member of the Finance Committee.

Richard Brown, a plant support staff worker from District 25, Ottawa-Carleton, has been elected as OTF Governor. Brown has served as Chief Negotiator and Membership Services Officer for District 25, and provincially as a member of Educational Services Committee, Judicial Council and the Protective Services Committee.

Stephen Helleiner, a teacher from District 14, Kawartha Pine Ridge, has been re-elected as OTF Governor.  Helleiner served as second Vice-President at District 14 and sat on the provincial Faculty of Education Advisory Work Group.

Kelly McCarthy, a teacher from District 20, Halton, has been re-elected as OTF Governor. McCarthy is the Chief Negotiator, Grievance Officer, and Pay Equity Officer for District 20 and has served as the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Provincial Finance Committee.

Shannon Vandenberghe, a teacher from District 28, Renfrew, has been elected as OTF Governor. Vandenberghe has served provincially on the Status of Women Committee.

These elected members will commence their duties for the next term on July 1, 2021.