At the COPE Local 343 Convention in April of 2009, a motion was made to expand the Executive Board to include a seat for a young worker. The reasoning was to ensure that the voice of young workers is heard at the decision making level of the Local. Also, it would provide young workers with the opportunity to learn from our leaders, who have been proud union activists for years.
COPE Local 343 is the first Local in our entire union to reserve a seat on its Executive Board for a young worker.
By recognizing the young workers in our Local, we hope to encourage everyone to become active and get involved in their union.
There are many educational opportunities and chances to participate in meetings and union events where young workers can get to know one another and other members in our union.
For more information or to find out what is happening with young workers at COPE Local 343, please feel free to contact Cassandra Julal, Youth Member at Large.
COPE Local 343 consists of 1700+ members and 97 collective agreements across Canada. Local 343 is an autonomous Local and the largest COPE Local in Ontario.
Ethiraju has been a member of COPE Local 343 for the last 25+ years with an
extensive accounting and financial background. A friend and colleague once
told him that if you want to see change, you need to get involved, and so he did. Ethiraju has been a steward, a bargaining committee member, and sits on multiple committees at Local 343. Advocating for those who are not able to and helping others and social justice has always been a strong value of his, and he will continue to do that at the board level! Ethiraju believe in a more just world. In his spare time, he love to spend time with his family, his dog Maya, enjoys gardening, talking about politics, and making the best biriyani in town!
