Meet our Executives

Kelly Belbin is the President of COPE Local 343, after participating on the Executive Board for three terms, and as a COPE Local 343 member for 10 years.

During Kelly’s time as a COPE Member before being elected to the COPE Local 343 Executive board she was a Trustee. Since being elected to the Executive Board as Member at Large, she also held the role of Chair of the Political Action Committee active in the fairness works campaign.
Prior to Kelly’s time as a COPE member she was on the executive board of CUPE Local 2191 serving as their treasurer for 2.5 terms, membership chair for 1.5 terms, and participated in the health and safety committee, labor management committee, and bargaining support committee.

While a CUPE member, she also co-chaired the CUPE Ontario Young Workers Committee, and participated in the Human rights committee.

Kelly also has strong roots in Scarborough, being active in her community with her Local NDP Riding association, and as a member of the board of directors at Progress Childcare Centre for 6 years.

Kelly is a proud Mom to Aidan, who also enjoys campaigning during elections, participating in rallies, and attending union functions!

Tanya La Rush has been a member of our local for over 24 years and brings with her a wealth of knowledge and skills. She has held such roles as Steward, Chief Steward and Bargaining Committee member. She currently holds roles such as Certified Health and Safety member, Pay Equity committee member (Job Evaluation), By-law committee member and others. She is currently the Chair of the COPE Local 343 Education Committee and is involved in political action and various community and union-friendly campaigns. She is a member of the ONDP and is a staunch advocate for equity and inclusiveness. She self-identifies with her Indigenous roots as Métis and is actively researching her family’s history. She is a proud mother of her two daughters who are both post-secondary school students and enjoys many activities such as movies, concerts and the outdoors.

Pauline has been a member of COPE Local 343 for 24 years now, working at the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 128. Pauline has held various positions such as Union Steward, Member-at-Large, Trustee and her current role of recording secretary. 

Pauline has been a part of many committess, providing her expertise and input on such things as Labour Day planning, Communications, Organizing and the Education Committee. 

Cornetta Mason has worked for Unitehere Local 75 for 23 years as a Union organizer and a Shop steward with COPE Local 343 for the past 14 years. During her career as an Organizer, she has successfully organized and brought unionization and solidarity to several establishments such as Novotel downtown, Travelodge Airport, Holiday Inn Toronto, as well as winning a three month strike at Holiday Inn Express Toronto.

Cornetta has encouraged many workers from hotels, food services and gaming outlets to become vital parts of the growing labour movement, and helped bring forward individuals in their respective hotel as shop stewards.

As a newly elected equity committee board member, Cornetta will bring the same drive and dedication to making sure that all groups play a vital role in our industry.