Director

Janice Best – COPE Ontario Director & Staff Representative

Janice has been active in the Canadian labour movement for thirty-six years. She began her career as a staff representative in 1976 when she accepted a position with the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), Central Ontario Council. In addition to working as a staff representative, Janice has served as a Vice President of the Ontario Federation of Labour (O.F.L.), and as a Canadian Vice President on the O.P.E.I.U. International Executive Board for fourteen years. She was one of two Canadian women first elected to that position in 1986.

The Canadian membership of OPEIU separated from the international union in 2004 and Janice proudly became a member of the new Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union (COPE).

Janice was elected as Director of COPE Ontario at its founding convention in February 2007, and re-elected again in 2010 for a four year term. As Director, she oversees the daily operations of COPE in Ontario regarding collective agreement negotiations, grievances and arbitration, membership education, and organizing new members into COPE.