Who we are
We are the 1,650 EA, RECE, Office Clerical, Custodians, Information Tech Staff, Library Technicians, Instructors, Supervisors, Central Administration, Maintenance, Transportation staff within the Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario and the Upper Canada District School.
Our Local represents members from Pakenham to Gananoque – along the St. Lawrence River to Brockville, Cornwall, and the Quebec border to Rockland along the Ottawa River as full-time, part-time, LTO, and Occasional staff. We are connected with CUPE Ontario (55,000 members) and CUPE National. CUPE 5678 also has a strong connection with the Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU).
Officers and Executive
ERIN HURFORD
President
Registered Early Childhood Educator
Full-Time Release – 12 Months
Erin.hurford@cupe5678.ca
(613) 342-0434 CUPE Office
(613) 349-4300 Cell
JACOB CASSELMAN
Education - Vice President
Board Office Courier
ROBIN YANDEAU
Education – Vice President
Head Custodian
South Grenville District High School
robin.yandeau@cupe5678.ca
CAROLYN LAFLAMME
Transportation – Vice President
GIS Administrator
Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario
carrie.laflamme@cupe5678.ca
SHEILA ROBERTSON
Secretary-Treasurer
Athens DHS Office Administrator
Full time release 12 months
sheila.robertson@cupe5678.ca
(613) 342-0434 CUPE Office
(613) 349-4653 Cell
SHEENA HAGERMAN
Chief Steward
Itinerant Student Support Worker
– Full Time Release – 12 months
sheena.hagerman@cupe5678.ca
(613) 342-0434 CUPE Office, Ext. 2
(613) 640-2748 Cell
Lorrie Somerville
Recording Secretary
Educational Assistant
Lyn Public School
lorrie.somerville@cupe5678.ca
REPRESENTATIVES
Health &Safety
Shelley Swerdfeger
Lead Custodian
South Edwardsburg Public School
shelley.swerdfeger@cupe5678.ca
WSIB/Injured Worker / Return to Work
Eastern Region - David James
Educational Assistant Tagwi
Western Region - Nancy Ripley
Registered Early Childhood Education - Vanier PS
nancy.ripley@cupe5678.ca
STEWARDS
CRAIG GALLAGHER
Transportation
Transportation Planner
Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario
craig.gallagher@cupe5678.ca
RUSSELL SNETSINGER
Facilities & IT Services
Technologist
CCVS
russell.snetsinger@cupe5678.ca
KAREN GALLAGHER
Office / Clerical
Elementary Office Administrator
Vanier Public School
karen.gallagher@cupe5678.ca
ANGELA PARKS-GIBSON
Classroom Support
Educational Assistant
Perth & District Collegiate
Angela.parks-gibson@cupe5678.ca
TAMMY COOPER
T.R. Leger/Alternative Ed.
Instructional Assistant
T.R. Leger Cornwall
TRUSTEES
ELSIE DAY - term to Nov 30, 2025
Retired / Casual
Shelly Crowe - term to Nov 30, 2026
Secondary Office Administrator - Gananoque Secondary School
Julia Gauthier - term to Nov 30, 2027
Financial Assistant - Thousand Islands Secondary School
Our History
In the beginning (Fall of 1997), 4 CUPE locals merged – 1935, 1266, 782, 1258 forming the new Local 5678. One number was used from each of the previous local numbers creating the new 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 Local. Following the representation vote in the Fall of 1998, the remaining federations/unions joined and Local 5678 grew to represent all education support workers within the Upper Canada District School Board.
CUPE 5678 Vision Statement
“Local 5678 will create and foster a sense of unity and belonging with respect among all members through active participation, communication and education.”