Officers

A social worker raised in rural Ontario, Fred became active in CUPE in 1991, joining the staff of Community Living Toronto as an advocate for children with developmental disabilities.

As a local union activist, Fred was a steward, a health and safety activist, and a pay equity and contract negotiator. After being elected President of CUPE Local 2191, Fred led his local through a successful three-month strike that beat back a long list of concessions.

Elected to the CUPE Ontario Executive Board in 1998, Fred has served on numerous provincial and national CUPE committees, including the National Pink Triangle Committee and the Provincial Social Service Workers’ Coordinating Committee. He was elected CUPE Ontario Secretary-Treasurer in 2006, leading the union through the adoption of a progressive, percentage-based dues model. In 2010, Fred made history when he was elected President of CUPE Ontario, the first LGBTQ person elected to lead the province’s largest union.

Fred is also a General Vice-president on CUPE’s National Executive Board and a Vice-President of the Ontario Federation of Labour.

An experienced trade union leader and champion in the fight for equality, Yolanda McClean is the Secretary-Treasurer of CUPE Ontario. She is a progressive voice for change and inclusion in CUPE, the labour movement, and the community as a whole. Yolanda has developed strong anti-racism programs and caucuses for workers of colour in CUPE sectors across Canada and has always kept building employment equity at the forefront of her mind. Over 14 years as a Diversity Vice-President on CUPE’s National Executive Board, and over 11 years as the 2^nd Vice President for CUPE Ontario, Yolanda has increased the participation of women and equity-seeking groups throughout the union.

Since 2013, Yolanda has been the president of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, providing a strong voice for Black workers within the trade union movement and challenging organized labour to be more relevant to the needs and aspirations of Black workers.

As Equity Vice-President for CUPE 4400 (representing 13,000 Toronto Education Workers), Yolanda had firsthand experience with struggles of workers, particularly part-timers, for better wages and benefits, good working conditions, and strong public services.