WHO WE ARE AND WHAT DO WE DO

The Independent Association of Support Staff (IASS) has been supporting its members for over 30 years and has been representing the members of the Lester B. Pearson School Board for the past 24 years. Our Members now stands at over 1600 of a diverse employee group;  over 35 classifications comprised of administrative, technical and paratechnical personnel.  Full-time, part-time, and chapter 10 employees from close to 60 schools and centres. The services provided by our members enable the elementary schools, high schools, daycares, adult and vocational centres, international centres and administrative offices to remain strong and vibrant.  

The IASS negotiates both the Provincial and Local collective agreements that cover our members and fulfills a vital role on the Labour Relations, Professional Improvement, and Health and Safety Committees. The IASS also sits on the Classification and Pay Equity Committees.  Elected by the members every two years, a committed Executive Committee works diligently for the protection of employee rights related to such areas as working conditions, fair treatment, security of employment, grievance support and defense, arbitration, health and safety, and respect. 

Our workplaces throughout the school board are represented by Union Delegates, elected by their peers.  We have withstood many changes over the years since our founding in 1982 when the employees, of what was then the Lakeshore School Board, chose to become the first and largest independent union in the English education sector. An amalgamation of school boards in 1998 resulted in a vote from six employee union groups to have the Independent Association of Support Staff represent them as one within the newly-founded Lester B. Pearson School Board.      

The Independent Association of Western Quebec joins us in the negotiating of one common collective agreement. 

We are very proud of the service and attention that is given to each and every member. Safeguarding and promoting economic, professional development and social interests such, especially in the bargaining activities and enforcement of the collective agreements remains our priority.