May 24, 2016  
 
Calendar highlights for May 24 to 27:  
  • staff rep Dale Markling and Steve Torgerson will meet with several GSU members this week
  • staff rep Steve Torgerson will be in Yorkton on Wednesday to sign the master copy of the new Local 4 (Grain Millers) collective agreement and to meet with members and management.
GSU's calendar of events is regularly updated and available on GSU's web page - www.gsu.ca  

                                                
Several GSU members were experiencing difficulty receiving holiday pay credit.

One member called the union office on behalf of the group and asked GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson for advice. After hearing the details of the situation, Steve recommended how to proceed. The member was comfortable acting on behalf of the group and - with a bit of additional information from Steve - the member approached management representatives and was successful in getting the requested holiday pay credit for the members. 

Just want advice? GSU can help. If you need advice or ideas about how to handle a workplace situation, call your GSU staff rep. GSU toll-free:  1.866.522.6686 (Regina) or 1.855.384.7314 (Saskatoon). Contacting GSU doesn't mean you are obligated to file a grievance and we won't contact your employer or act on your behalf without consultation, direction, and approval from you.



GSU has received confirmation from Viterra that employees' retroactive pay adjustments are being processed and payment will be made on May 31, 2016. 



 
Our scholarship application deadline is only one week away

GSU is pleased to offer $2,000 scholarships to five students who demonstrate an ability and a passion to inspire positive change in their community.  GSU members and their immediate families - including spouses - are eligible to apply. 

Applicants must be enrolled in a diploma, degree, or certificate program at a community college, university, trade school, or technical institute as a full-time student in any country.

Visit GSU's web page at  www.gsu.ca for information and scholarship application forms.

Deadline for receipt of applications is June 1, 2016.

  
 

We have a web page dedicated to GSU bargaining. 
Check it out at  www.gsubargaining.ca .

 Bargaining updates and reports are also available on GSU's web page -  www.gsu.ca.

 

Hi-Pro Feeds
 
The last agreement expired on December 31, 2015 and the two sides have bargained for a total of four days with very little success. While the union side has attempted to get the talks going in the right direction, management has refused to discuss any amendments to the agreement regarding changes to language.
 
Members at the May 1 report meeting authorized the union committee to apply for conciliation and to take a strike vote at the earliest opportunity.
 
Bargaining is set to resume on June 1 and 2. Without significant progress it is unlikely that an agreement will be reached in the near future.   
 
GSU's Local 9 bargaining committee comprises Kelly Saretzky, Kev Clarke, and GSU staff rep Lawrence Maier.
 
  
Agrium/CPS 

On May 17 GSU mailed voting packages with detailed instructions and ballots directly to members at their homes. The deadline for return of ballots to the GSU office is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 10, 2016.

Contact the GSU office in Regina toll-free at 1.866.522.6686 if you are a member of this Local and you haven't received your voting package.
 
A summary of the tentative bargaining settlement between GSU and Crop Production Services Canada covering Local 1 5 members was previously emailed to members on May 6. The bargaining summary report is available on the GSU web page at www.gsu.ca. 

GSU's Local 15 bargaining committee members are Carolyn Illerbrun (Shaunavon), Brian Cowan (Ag R&D Saskatoon/Watrous), Brent Pelechaty (Canora), Lynn Woods-Nordin (GSU assistant general secretary), and  Hugh Wagner (GSU general secretary) .
 
 
Discovery Co-op

The most recent Local 17 bargaining session occurred April 19. The two sides remain apart on several issues. 

It is anticipated the next round of bargaining will be scheduled sometime in June.
 
GSU's Local 17 bargaining committee members are  Shelbi Prescesky, Glen Morrison, and GSU staff rep Dale Markling. 
 
  
Lloydminster & District Co-operative Association 

A tentative settlement has been reached. Information and details on a ratification vote will be available to Local 18 members soon.
  
GSU's Local 18 bargaining committee members are Christina Jones, Les Strueby, and GSU staff rep Dale Markling


Prairie Co-op  

GSU's bargaining committee last met with the company's representatives on March 24. Dates for additional bargaining sessions are being determined.  

GSU's Local 19 bargaining committee members are Lindsay Hill (Strasbourg), Debbie Hillier (Cupar), and Steve Torgerson (GSU staff rep). 

How do you handle criticism?

Whether you are at work or at home, being criticized is inevitable.

Whether the intention is constructive criticism or destructive criticism, it's how you deal with the criticism that can make a difference in the outcome. Your response has the potential to damage or enhance your work and family relationships, and if you internalize criticism it can cause you stress and a loss of self esteem. 

Learn more here. 

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