The Canadian Federation of Students was formed in 1981 to provide students with an effective and united voice, provincially and nationally. At the time, it was recognized that for students to be truly effective in representing their collective interests to the government, it was vital to unite under one banner.Now with over 600,000 members, represented by more than 80 students' unions, the Canadian Federation of Students is the voice of post-secondary students in Canada. There are 5 member locals in Manitoba uniting over 42,000 full- and part-time students.Universities and colleges are funded primarily by the federal government and administered exclusively by the provincial government. As such, government policies and priorities determine the quality and accessibility of post-secondary education in Canada.Tuition fee levels, students financial assistance programs and funding for research are all set directly or indirectly by both levels of government. It is vital that students collectively organise at the provincial and national levels to ensure students' rights and concerns are fully represented.STRENGTH IN NUMBERSNo individual students' union, no matter how big or active, has the resources or political clout on their own to effectively influence post-secondary education policies
TEAM was first organized as an Association in 1972, with the purpose of conveying the desires and concerns of managers to the Manitoba Telephone System through meaningful dialogue. By 1985, the majority of management employees decided a stronger voice was required for MTS to hear them. Consequently, with this majority, TEAM obtained certification from the Manitoba Labour Board in 1986 to be the bargaining unit for the management employees of the Manitoba Telephone System.