13 September 2017
On the eve of my retirement, I would like to thank you for the confidence you have shown me throughout my thirty years of activism.
It all began when I was hired as a Day Care Service Educator in September 1988. I got involved with the Syndicat du soutien en éducation de la Pointe-de-L’Île at the beginning of the following year. First as a delegate representing my school then as Vice President of my local union, I have always denounced injustice.
I spent hours examining staffing plans and seniority and recall lists to ensure positions were fair and that they respected the provisions of the collective agreement. I was surprised to discover I had a keen interest in defending the rights of members. The part of my union involvement I found the most rewarding was being in a position to help people: the direct contact with you has been incredibly rewarding. I have been working a long time for fair recognition of the work performed by school support staff. Members of the Pointe-de-L’Île union permitted me to represent them from 1989 to the beginning of 2012, and I would like to thank them for this great trust. In February 2012, I had the opportunity to take on a new challenge when I joined the team at the Fédération du personnel de soutien scolaire (FPSS-CSQ).
I was able to continue these commitments during the last six years as Vice President of the FPSS-CSQ. My best memories of this period are of meetings with passionate people, people committed to promoting education and workers’ rights.
It’s hard to acknowledge all the people I met over the years, but I want to emphasize the decisive influence they have had in my professional and personal life.
I’ve experienced many educational storms in recent years: cuts, several ministerial changes and shifts in government priorities. I know we end up changing things when we fight. We must never be afraid to denounce what is not right for us.
Labour relations and professional affairs issues brought many challenges that I enjoyed facing. We rise to the occasion when we have to deal with problems. I lived many different emotions during each round of negotiations!
I leave with a heavy heart but with my head held high and with a sense of duty accomplished. Be proud to be support staff: you perform extraordinary and indispensable jobs. Nothing would be the same without you. Keep striving to claim your place and for recognition of your true worth. I salute you, knowing that I’ll be seeing you again… in a demonstration near you!!!
Francine Leduc
Vice President of Labour Relations and Professional Affairs