Mert McDonald – National Representative

Mert is a CUPE National Representative assigned to work with  CUPE Local 503 and CUPE Local 5500. He works directly with the Local's executive, staff, and members. He is the service representative for Paramedics, 911 Call Centre, Homes for the Aged, and Part-time Recreation and Culture.

Jean-Marc Bézaire - National Representative

Jean-Marc is a CUPE bilingual national representative assigned to work with Local 503 on a full-time basis.

From 1983-96, he served on his CUPE local executive at the Royal Ottawa Hospital.

Since 1996, Jean-Marc has worked as a national representative in Cornwall, Toronto and Ottawa.   He has made notable contributions in negotiating collective agreements for Ontario health care and school board locals.

Currently, Jean-Marc is assigned by Local 503 to political action, including any public campaigns the Local may wish to undertake, the 2010 municipal elections, and monitoring City Council and its ten committees and initiating any action which might be required in light of decisions they may be contemplating.  He is also assigned to childcare reform, in light of the anticipated restructuring due to the Pascal Report, as well as servicing CUPE members at the Champlain Community Care Access Centre and long term care facilities.

Raymond Dinelle – Labour Representative

In 2002, Ray retired from the position of Buyer at the City of Ottawa, with 28½ years of service. He was subsequently hired as a Labour Representative for the Local.

In 1974, Ray was hired as a storeman with the Board of Health. From 1975 to 1983, he was a shop steward and served on the Bargaining Committee. In 1983, he was elected to Council as a representative for 35-hour salary members.  From 1985 to 1999, Ray served as secretary-treasurer.

Ray is credited with many accomplishments over the years: Job Evaluation Plan (RMOC); a computerized financial system; and, annual budgets. He served as an Executive member of the Ontario Division of CUPE; he helped to purchase the Local's first building on Concord Street; he helped to unite labour groups under the Local's banner; and, he served on the negotiating team for the first contract in the "new" City of Ottawa.

Ray Smith – Labour Representative

Ray Smith was hired as a Labour Representative for Local 503 in 2007, after 30 years with the City of Ottawa and a history of service with the Union.

Ray joined the City as an equipment operator in 1973, advancing to the position of Zone Supervisor for Parks, in the Surface Operations Branch. In 1988, Ray was instrumental in the Union’s successful fight to keep binding arbitration in the face of strong opposition from then-mayor, Jim Durrell. As part of the settlement, a contract was negotiated, giving "summer hours" to all blue-collar workers.

Ray served on Council from 1991 until 1997. He graduated from the Labour College of Canada in 1993. Ray represented Local 503 on the Ottawa & District Labour Council, serving as the Council's vice-president in 1994. Throughout his career, Ray has remained a firm supporter of literacy programs in the workplace. Ray supervised the Basic Education for Skills Training program within Local 503. He went on to oversee all workplace literacy programs in Eastern Ontario for the Ontario Federation of Labour

Jim Murray – Labour Representative

In January 2005, Jim was hired to replace labour representative Andy Steele.

Lucien Cléroux – Grievance Officer

In December 2008, Lucien was hired as a grievance officer. Lucien joined Council in 2005. A two-term president of Local 2617 with the former City of Cumberland outside workers, Lucien became active with Local 503 during Amalgamation. Lucien worked in Surface Operations with the City from 2001 to 2008. He served on the Grievance, By-Laws, Health and Safety, Education, Equal Rights/Pay Equity/Human Rights, and Master Assignment Board committees. He was chairperson of the Grievance Committee from 2005 to 2007.

Jeanette Dombroskie – Executive Assistant