Last week Ontario Public Service Employees' Union Local 110 president Paddy Musson announced her decision to step down from her position this upcoming spring.

“In old-fashioned union terms, I've paid my dues,” she said. “I've done this job for 26 years, there are other things I want to do.”

There was speculation Musson was resigning over the fact that Fanshawe's union accepted the college's offer, despite her persistence that they should not. Musson said she has been considering this decision for a while, but admitted the vote decision did have some impact.

“If the vote had gone in a different direction, it might have been a stronger pull for keeping me here,” she said. “Although I am very disappointed in the vote — (as) it removes protections fought for in the past — it is not the reason why I'm making the decision.”

While she said she is not leaving the local chapter altogether, she is looking forward to taking a sabbatical and doing research, eventually returning fully to the classroom.

“The best job I've done here has been teaching,” she said. “I did the other job because I had to. (But) the exit I'd like is as a teacher.”

Throughout her 26 years as president, she has felt good about being a part of a lot of the accomplishments. Some she named was chairing a bargaining team that helped to double the salaries of partial-load teachers. “I was happy to be a part of them getting fairer treatment than in the past,” she said. She was also proud of helping with a training program that has had a positive effect on about 1,000 teachers in the province, she added.

But, despite the fond memories, she's ready to move on.

“It's time to pass on the opportunity to others,” she said. “It has been an honour.”