Winnipeg Teachers’ Association
Sam started with the WTA in 2012 as the representative from Gordon Bell High School. In 2015, he won a seat as a Member-at-large of the WTA Executive. In 2020, he ran for treasurer and joined the table officers of the WTA. In his time at the WTA he has chaired the Teacher Welfare and Wellness Committee, and the Finance Committee. Sam was a member of the Group benefits, Workplace Health and Safety, Negotiations, Bargaining, Substitute, and the Table Officers Committees.
Sam was a member of the table team in 2018, sitting across from the division as we bargained our last collective agreement before the provincial agreement. He was part of the delegation at the Provincial Bargaining Seminars as MTS created the initial bargaining package for our first provincial Collective Agreement.
As the Treasurer, Sam was responsible for the budgeting and financial health of the association. He was responsible for the bank accounts and investment accounts.
Sam has represented members during surplus meeting, sitting across from Human Resources to support both the teacher and principal.
Sam also sat across from the school trustees with the president and vice president in the WTA/WSD Liaison Committee. He brought up issues that teachers and principals are facing and advised the president on next steps to take to respond. When the trustees were not in support of their teachers, principals and supporting staff, the table officers stood united against the accusations and improper rhetoric of the trustees.
Manitoba Teachers’ Society
Sam has been an active member of the MTS for over 10 years through his role as a delegate for the WTA at the MTS Annual General Meeting. He has been actively working for the interest of the WTA at the microphone and with other locals. Sam argued against improper increases of our fees and put his members needs first. He participated in the Kids Not Cuts march, the Bill 28 rally and other union marches over the last ten years.
Sam has been a member of the Educational Finance Standing Committee for three years. In that time he assisted with the training of Ed. Finance chairs from other locals, equipping them with information and working with the MTS staff to develop the seminars.