Thursday, September 8, 2022 The Next Chapter After 27 years and a heavy involvement with CLAC, former Local 306 member Irma Friesen is ready for the next chapter of her life. Guide magazine Irma Friesen’s list of accomplishments is long and illustrious. As an educational assistant (EA) with the Hanover School Division in Manitoba for 27 years, Irma was involved with CLAC since 2005, including helping her workplace unionize in 2005, working as a union steward from the beginning until now, participating in multiple bargaining committees, and participating in the Local 306 Board as well as serving as a member of CLAC’s National Board. We sat down with Irma just days shy of her retirement in June 2022 for a glimpse into her eventful career. How did your career start?I went to the University of Winnipeg night school in my early 30s and got my educational assistant diploma while also working full-time, farming, taking care of a yard and a home, and doing the books. Four interviews later, Hanover School Division finally believed in me and hired me. I’ve spent 27 years in the classroom beside students. How did you help your workplace unionize with CLAC?We needed a voice. I was invited to a meeting to hear what CLAC had to offer us, and by the time the meeting was over, I could see that this was the right choice for us. Living in a very conservative area, union is not a good word. I could see that we would have to get buy-in, and somehow I got roped into it. The first round of negotiations were not easy. It was well over 100 hours before we even got a contract. What was your experience like on the National Board?It’s eye-opening. It’s a piece of CLAC that people don’t often see—how the ship runs. I’m always amazed at how we pull through during trying times, and it makes me listen to the news in a different way because of how different things affect our members. What does the National Board do?The National Board consists of former CLAC staff and union members from a variety of provinces and locals. We meet three times a year and are there to govern and make sure Wayne (CLAC executive director) is doing his job and make sure monies are used in the right place. We’re the conscience of the union. What advice would you give to someone beginning their career in education?I’ve never forgotten what one of my university professors used to say: “Never do for a child what a child can do for themselves.” Little folks are more empowered and set up for success when they learn to do things for themselves. Being an EA is very hard, but very rewarding. What works today may not work tomorrow. These days, I’ll be in the grocery store and kids I worked with years ago will recognize me. Except they’re not kids anymore. They’re married with kids of their own! We’ll always be a part of each other’s lives. What are your retirement plans?The first thing I need to do is clean my house! I also plan to catch up on my reading, work on puzzles, and spend some time at the lake. I’m not planning on being a substitute EA in my retirement—that chapter of my life is closed. But I’m excited for the next chapter! Irma Friesen Previous Next You might be interested in Define Your Role to Define Your Success 14 Feb 2025 Maplecrest Employees Secure Retroactive Wage Increases with New Two-Year Contract 13 Feb 2025 Liftsafe Engineering Employees Overwhelmingly Ratify New Agreement 11 Feb 2025 School Bus Drivers In Fort Nelson, BC, Unanimously Ratify New Contract 11 Feb 2025