Executives
President: Allie Zidner. president@cupe5200.ca
Hello, I have been a dedicated DECE for many years. Originally from England, I embarked on an exciting adventure to Canada and never looked back, choosing to make this beautiful country my home. Throughout my career, I have embraced new challenges, joining the Union Executive as Secretary Treasurer and now the recent appointment to Union President. I am deeply committed to supporting and advocating for all CUPE 5200 members, with a focus on ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met. I love English chocolate and crisps. I always believe in family first! Now, I look forward to continuing my work and making a positive impact in the lives of our 5200 members.
Chief Steward : Dorothy Price. chief.steward@cupe5200.ca
Hey everyone, I’ve been an Educational Assistant for the past 20 years and have had the privilege of serving on the CUPE Local 5200 Executive Board since February 2017. I was elected as the Communications Officer and then, in May of 2017, as the Local’s first Chief Steward, holding the position for the last 8 consecutive years. My passion for union activism began at the young age of 17 when I first started to work in a unionized environment. Once I undersood what my rights and entitlements were, I quickly began exercising those rights and entitlements. When I started working at HCDSB in 2005, I brought that passion with me to empower the membership, to have our voices heard and will continue to be a strong advocate for members’ rights! On a personal note, I have a sarcastic side (I get that from my Polish mom) I love to joke around, am extremely competitive even when I shouldn’t be, and was born a Toronto Maple Leaf fan. Go Leafs Go! 💙🤍
VP Educational Assistants: Leah Simon. vp.ea@cupe5200.ca
My name is Leah Simon and I have been working as an Educational Assistant with the board for 12 years. Within my time at the board, I have been to several schools and had the great pleasure of working with many amazing people and some truly wonderful students. I have taken on more roles such as a Trustee within the Union, then onto Union Steward and Grievance Committee member. Now I have the pleasure of being the VP of Educational Assistants and working alongside our members and executives to help make a difference. But enough about the formal stuff, on my spare time I'm running around chasing two kids and enjoying several athletic leisure activities such as ice hockey and baseball. In the summer I enjoy camping with the family and in the winter shredding snow on the slopes.
VP Designated Early Childhood Educators: Victoria Pelley. vp.dece@cupe5200.ca
VP LINC ESL: Lilyana Zaharieva-Variyska. vp.lincesl@cupe5200.ca
Hello, everyone, my name is Lilyana. For the past 33 years, 21 of which at the HCDSB, I have worked as a LINC/ESL Instructor. I have been actively involved in the area of student portfolios, student assessment and scoring using the Canadian Language Benchmarks, TOEFL iBT guidelines and IELTS band rubrics. Teaching is not my only passion. I enjoy learning rap song lyrics and break moves. Décor is another pastime and I love baking and cake decorating.
Health & Safety Officer: Jacqueline Real. h&s.officer@cupe5200.ca
I’ve been an E.A. for over 15 years and still love what I do. I’m always looking to learn something new and take on new challenges. I’ve been part of my school’s Health and Safety Committee for several years, and this is my second year on the executive team as your Health & Safety Officer—a role I’m still learning to navigate. Outside of work, I spend time with my fur babies, find peace in the garden, and enjoy creating and upcycling whenever I can.
Membership Officer: Stefanie Greco. membership.officer@cupe5200.ca
I have been an Early Childhood Educator for many years, starting my career at the YMCA. Fourteen years ago, I transitioned to the school board, where I’ve spent the past 12 years periodically on the executive, taking on various roles. I served as the Membership Officer for a few years then took some family time, now returning again to my role. In addition to my professional life, I am a proud mom to two very active boys who keep me on my toes. I enjoy playing board games, am a true food enthusiast, and have a deep passion for sports, especially softball and basketball.
Secretary Treasurer: Linda McColeman. secretary.treasurer@cupe5200.ca
Recording Secretary: Shannon DiRenzo. recording.secretary@cupe5200.ca
Hi my name is Shannon and I am a daughter, sister, mother, early childhood educator, and a lover of books. I have worked with children for the last 30 years and the last 11 have been with the HCDSB. I love working with children, watching the excitement as they learn new things and the conversations are always enlightening. I am a mother of 3, 1 boy and 2 girls as well as a dog mom to a morkie named Roxie. I have been involved on the Executive as the Recording Secretary and have been on the Bargaining team; staying active, gaining knowledge to share with our members. As it happens life had become hectic for a while but recently I have been able to get back into my reading groove. I follow our very own Victoria Pelley on Tik Tok @lit_chick16 to get great recommendations.
Committees
Equality statement
Union solidarity is based on the principle that union members are equal and deserve mutual respect at all levels. Any behaviour that creates conflict prevents us from working together to strengthen our union.
As unionists, mutual respect, cooperation and understanding are our goals. We should neither condone nor tolerate behaviour that undermines the dignity or self-esteem of any individual or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.
Discriminatory speech or conduct which is racist, sexist, transphobic or homophobic hurts and thereby divides us. So too, does discrimination on the basis of ability, age, class, religion, language and ethnic origin.
Sometimes discrimination takes the form of harassment. Harassment means using real or perceived power to abuse, devalue or humiliate. Harassment should not be treated as a joke. The uneasiness and resentment that it creates are not feelings that help us grow as a union.
Discrimination and harassment focus on characteristics that make us different; and they reduce our capacity to work together on shared concerns such as decent wages, safe working conditions, and justice in the workplace, society and in our union.
CUPE’s policies and practices must reflect our commitment to equality. Members, staff and elected officers must be mindful that all persons deserve dignity, equality and respect.