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Winnipeg Free Press
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘No agendas, no secrets'
Manitoba teachers have voted in a new union executive led by a francophone educator who has pledged to renew the embattled organization with a 'no secrets' philosophy. The 2025 annual general meeting of the Manitoba Teachers' Society wrapped up over the weekend with the election of president Lillian Klausen. Klausen has taught French-language courses in rural, northern and, most recently, Winnipeg, throughout her 30-year career. She was president of Éducatrices et éducateurs francophones du Manitoba – the francophone counterpart to her latest role – from 2020 to 2024. Since then, Klausen been working for the River East Transcona School Division and in a part-time union role. 'I'm very hopeful for a renewed Manitoba Teachers' Society and great things moving forward. In practise, (that will involve) honest communication,' she said in an interview Wednesday. 'It's about being open and honest and everybody knowing what we're working on and what we're doing moving forward — no agendas, no secrets. We're just looking to make the best decisions for the society.' Within hours of the union's latest elections, Klausen and her colleagues on the MTS provincial executive, better known as PX, selected an executive director. The union's operational wing had been without a permanent chief of staff since November 2023. The last 18 months have been marked by significant turnover, rampant infighting and low morale, and multiple investigations into workplace culture at MTS headquarters on Portage Avenue. Two people served in interim roles after the last executive director initially went on a leave. Danielle Fullan Kolton submitted her resignation, one of a handful of recent high-profile exits, at the end of December. Her successor, Arlyn Filewich, has worked in various roles at MTS since leaving the front lines of the teaching profession in 2014. More than 330 delegates, representing 16,600 public school teachers, were registered for the 2025 AGM between May 21 to 24. They chose Joel Swaan, a teacher from Winkler-based Garden Valley School Division, to be the new MTS vice-president. Klausen said she's confident in the overhauled leadership team and the new and old faces that are on it. Her first major project is to meet with the 38 local chapter presidents of MTS, she said. The new president drove to Saskatoon on Sunday to meet with her counterparts from other Canadian jurisdictions to discuss challenges faced by teachers across the country. Recruitment and retention, as well as aggressive student behaviours in classrooms, were the hot topics, she said. MTS is finalizing internal working groups to brainstorm solutions to local workplace concerns — a project that began under former president Nathan Martindale. Amid the chaos at MTS headquarters, Martindale oversaw the ratification of the union's first provincial collective agreement and lobbied the government to establish its new universal school meal program. He decided not to run for re-election and plans to return to a classroom in the Winnipeg School Division in the fall. As his two-year term came to a close, Martindale told the Free Press he was hopeful his successors would carry on a campaign to counter anti-Indigenous racism, transphobia and other 'hateful rhetoric' at school board meetings. 'We have a responsibility, as teachers, to push back,' he said last week. Martindale indicated the union was gearing up to mobilize its locals to do more public education on trusteeship ahead of the 2026 municipal races. Klausen echoed those comments on Wednesday, saying MTS will search for community members who share the union's values and encourage them to run for office next year. Maggie MacintoshEducation reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
23-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Leadership issues dominate opening session of teachers' union AGM
Manitoba teachers want answers about how their top union officials plan to bring about stability at their Portage Avenue headquarters after 'a rough year.' More than 330 delegates are registered to take part in the 106th annual general meeting of the Manitoba Teachers' Society this week. Formal proceedings kicked off Thursday morning with an impromptu debate related to the organization being without a permanent executive director to oversee the day-to-day operations of supporting 16,600 members. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES The Manitoba Teachers Society building in Winnipeg. Three different people have served in that role over the last 18 months, a period during which MTS has grappled with infighting and low morale among support staff, as well as multiple workplace investigations. 'It's time that we have a properly appointed leader of this organization,' Cale Dunbar of the Brandon Teachers Association told hundreds of colleagues packed into a conference room in downtown Winnipeg. 'This room is the highest authority — in all of our bylaws, we are the body that controls the future of MTS — and I think everybody in this room has a right to know what's happened and what's going to happen to make sure that we have an executive director quickly, moving forward.' Dunbar requested the multi-day meeting agenda be amended to include an in-camera session to discuss leadership matters on the final morning of the four-day event. The AGM runs Wednesday through Saturday at the RBC Convention Centre. Speaking in support of his motion, the Brandon-based teacher said it had been 'a rough year' for the union and its reputation due to 'staff turmoil' and media coverage of it. MTS hired a third party at the start of the school year to conduct a workplace audit to respond to complaints about office culture, harassment and morale issues. A summary of Richter Consulting's findings and recommendations have been shared with administrative staff who are represented by Teamsters Local 979. 'The process is moving in the right direction…. We look forward to continuing to work with MTS leadership after the AGM to build a healthier work environment,' Teamsters Canada spokesman Christopher Monette said in a statement. Monette said turnover in management has helped ease tensions. Executive director Danielle Fullan Kolton announced her resignation in December after a 13-month leave, around the same time as the chief financial officer and another high-ranking manager. MTS president Nathan Martindale also revealed he would not be seeking re-election during the winter break. Teamsters said seven of 13 grievances it has filed since 2023 have been resolved through arbitration. 'Additionally, members who filed individual grievances will be receiving a formal apology letter from the organization,' Monette said. Dunbar told the AGM that teachers have questions about internal operations and allowing them to ask them in private is most appropriate. Members know little other than a search committee to find a new executive director was formed, he noted. His motion passed with overwhelming support, but not without Dunbar being questioned about his intentions and the point of holding such a session. There have been two different temporary executive directors since Fullan Kolton went on leave in November 2023. Glen Anderson, the latest interim leader, declined to comment on the ongoing search to replace him, saying the matter is with the provincial executive, better known as PX. PX is made up of a president, vice-president and members-at-large who are elected by the membership. Teacher-delegates will cap off their 2025 annual general meeting with elections Saturday to replace seven departing PX members. The union's outgoing president is returning to the front lines of his profession to teach elementary schoolers in Winnipeg in the fall. Martindale said in an interview that it is 'an exciting time' for the union because a leadership shakeup is on the horizon. 'It's a sign of an engaged membership that we have multiple people running for all the different spots,' he said. The union leader said he could not disclose any details about hiring or the results of a recent third-party probe into labour concerns raised by MTS employees, many of whom field teacher complaints about their workplaces and advocate for them. Martindale said those matters have been discussed by PX in private. An internal workforce survey, which was conducted by Teamsters in 2023, found most of its members who run day-to-day operations at MTS felt their office was not a psychologically safe place and was being run by incompetent managers. Sixty per cent of respondents disclosed they feared sanctions from their bosses. Eight in 10 of them said they considered the then-executive team to be 'inept in conflict resolution.' Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. After those results made headlines, a group of local union executives penned an unusual letter to PX on March 7, 2024 to urge it undertake an inquiry to expose whistleblowers. Multiple signatories — Jonathan Waite, Jamie Shuhyta and Mervat Yehia — are currently mounting campaigns for PX. Waite, who is based out of the Seine River School Division, is running for president. He is up against Garden Valley teacher Joel Swaan and Lillian Klausen, who is currently at the helm of the teachers' society's francophone counterpart. All of the three nominees are experienced union representatives. Maggie MacintoshEducation reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Daily Express
19-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Council set up to strengthen skills training: Prioritise TVET, Chief Minister tells youths
Published on: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 20, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Hajiji said the TVET courses currently offered have been tailored to meet the needs of the fast-evolving job market and industrial sectors, making it a stable and viable career path for young people. Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor called on youths in the State to open their minds and view Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a primary choice for building a bright future, not merely an alternative pathway. He said TVET now plays a significant role in the economic and social development of the State, in line with technological transformation and the current needs of the industry. Advertisement 'TVET not only equips individuals with practical skills, but is also synonymous with empowerment, job opportunities and economic growth,' he said when launching the Sabah TVET Council (MTS), here, Monday. His speech was read by Deputy Chief Minister III/State Public Works Minister Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya. Hajiji said the TVET courses currently offered have been tailored to meet the needs of the fast-evolving job market and industrial sectors, making it a stable and viable career path for young people. 'I urge youths in the State not to hesitate to participate in the TVET field. Now is the time to change the perception and see TVET as a smart choice that opens doors to becoming professionals, entrepreneurs and innovators,' he said. According to him, the Sabah TVET Council is a commitment by the State Government to strengthen the technical training ecosystem, coordinate over 160 TVET institutions across the State and ensure that every graduate produced is truly ready to face the challenges of the working world. Advertisement He said TVET is also considered a key driver for the State's development goals through the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 Development Plan and national strategic documents such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030), the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP 2030) and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). Hajiji also touched on the current technological revolution, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), which requires the younger generation to be equipped with new skills that are adaptive and innovation-oriented. 'The world of work is changing. If Sabah's youths are not prepared with relevant skills, we will be left behind. TVET is the best platform to develop a highly skilled human capital that will drive the State's progress,' he stressed. He said the launch of the Council marks a new era in empowering youth development through structured training aligned with industry needs – positioning Sabah as a competitive skilled workforce hub at the national and regional levels. Hajiji said it is not just an administrative structure, but a strategic platform that unites government agencies, training institutions, the industrial sector and key TVET players into a cohesive and inclusive ecosystem. According to him, the Council also acts as a policy coordinator, a driver for skills training direction and a strategic liaison for development fund applications from the Federal Government. 'It also supports the youth empowerment agenda and graduate employability, while strengthening the recognition and certification of skills at the State level,' he said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sabah youths urged to choose TVET as primary option, not an alternative
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has called on the youth in the state to open their minds and view Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a primary pathway to building a bright future, rather than merely an alternative route. He said TVET now plays a significant role in the state's economic and social development, in line with technological transformation and current industrial needs. 'TVET not only equips individuals with practical skills, but it is also synonymous with empowerment, employment opportunities, and economic growth,' he said in his speech for the Launch Ceremony of the Sabah TVET Council (MTS) here today. The text of his speech was read out by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya. Hajiji said the TVET courses currently offered have been tailored to the needs of the job market and the rapidly developing industrial sector, making it a stable and viable career path for young people. 'I urge the youth of this state not to hesitate in joining the TVET field. Now is the time to shift perceptions and see TVET as a smart choice that opens doors to becoming professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators,' he said. According to him, the Sabah TVET Council launched today is the Sabah government's commitment to strengthening the technical training ecosystem, coordinating over 160 TVET institutions across the state, and ensuring that every graduate produced is truly ready to face the challenges of the working world. He said TVET is also seen as a key driver for the state's development goals through the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 Development Blueprint and strategic national documents such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030), the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP 2030), and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). Hajiji also touched on the current wave of technological revolution, including artificial intelligence (AI), which requires the younger generation to be equipped with new, adaptive, and innovation-oriented skills. 'The job landscape is changing. If Sabah's youth are not prepared with relevant skills, we will be left behind. TVET is the best platform for us to develop a highly skilled workforce that will drive the state's progress,' he stressed.
Barnama
19-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Sabah Youths Urged To Choose TVET As Primary Option, Not An Alternative
KOTA KINABALU, May 19 (Bernama) – Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has called on the youth in the state to open their minds and view Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a primary pathway to building a bright future, rather than merely an alternative route. He said TVET now plays a significant role in the state's economic and social development, in line with technological transformation and current industrial needs. 'TVET not only equips individuals with practical skills, but it is also synonymous with empowerment, employment opportunities, and economic growth,' he said in his speech for the Launch Ceremony of the Sabah TVET Council (MTS) here today. The text of his speech was read out by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya. Hajiji said the TVET courses currently offered have been tailored to the needs of the job market and the rapidly developing industrial sector, making it a stable and viable career path for young people. 'I urge the youth of this state not to hesitate in joining the TVET field. Now is the time to shift perceptions and see TVET as a smart choice that opens doors to becoming professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators,' he said. According to him, the Sabah TVET Council launched today is the Sabah government's commitment to strengthening the technical training ecosystem, coordinating over 160 TVET institutions across the state, and ensuring that every graduate produced is truly ready to face the challenges of the working world. He said TVET is also seen as a key driver for the state's development goals through the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 Development Blueprint and strategic national documents such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030), the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP 2030), and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). Hajiji also touched on the current wave of technological revolution, including artificial intelligence (AI), which requires the younger generation to be equipped with new, adaptive, and innovation-oriented skills.
