December 19, 2017  



" 2017 was GSU's 81st year and, as it draws to a close, the Executive Committee, GSU staff members, and I offer our heartfelt wishes to all of you and your loved ones for a joyful holiday season.

We wish all the very best for 2018 and commit to do our best to see GSU accomplish its mission of improving the lives of the working people we are so fortunate to represent."
                                                                 ~Jim Brown, GSU President


Anything can happen, but here is what we have scheduled for the week:
  • a broken line left GSU's Regina office without internet service on Monday
  • GSU staff attended a staff meeting in Regina on Tuesday
  • the Tuesday Members' Memo is emailed to GSU members weekly on Tuesday. If you know a co-worker who doesn't receive the TMM and would like to, have them call GSU toll-free at 1.866.522.6686 or send an email to [email protected] 
  • general secretary Hugh Wagner will attend a conference call meeting on Wednesday
  • on Wednesday, Hugh Wagner has a grievance hearing and a meeting regarding job classifications with members of Local 8 (Advance).
There will not be a Tuesday Members' Memo during the week of December. 25.

Upcoming events:

GSU Biennial Policy Convention
Humboldt, SK - March 22-24, 2018  
Interested in attending? Contact your GSU staff rep.

Other upcoming events are posted at gsu.ca.

GSU's calendar of events is regularly updated and available on GSU's web page - gsu.ca.  


GSU annual meetings complete for 2017
 
October and November are a very busy time for GSU elected officers and staff reps as the annual meetings of the union's locals and sub-locals are held throughout Saskatchewan.
 
The 2017 round of annual meetings reviewed GSU operations, finances, the GSU Defense Fund and the union's bargaining calendar for 2018. A major feature of most of the meetings was beginning to identify priorities for agreement renewal bargaining. The last two meetings will be held this week.
 
"The 2017 annual meetings provided one of many opportunities for GSU members to participate in building the union's bargaining agenda with their employers," said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. "Union members spend a big part of their lives in the workplace and they are the ones who are best placed to say what should be changed in the collective agreements GSU bargains."
 
"Like any democracy GSU works best when members participate," said Wagner. "Thanks to everyone who took the time to attend their 2017 annual union meeting."

 


Claim your health spending credit by Dec. 31

Health spending accounts are a provision in several GSU collective agreements.They may have different names - such as health spending account, health flex account, or health flex spending account - but they all cover different additional health benefit costs that occur throughout the year.

Contact your GSU staff rep if you are unsure if your agreement has a health account or if you need clarification on your account coverage.




A GSU member contacted staff rep Lawrence Maier regarding eligibility for sick leave benefits. 
The member was deducted vacation and earned time off for overtime for a number of doctor and specialist appointments while dealing with a serious illness. 

The member gave permission for Lawrence to talk to management and attempt to resolve the matter. Management is reviewing the situation, and  if a positive answer isn't received soon, further action will be taken to provide the benefits that the employee has earned and deserves.

Contact a GSU staff rep with your questions and concerns. We will work with you to find answers to your questions, find solutions that work for you, and we won't act on your behalf without your direction and approval. 

Contact information for GSU staff is available here .



Try out the United Way's poverty simulator: Can you make the month?
 
Make the Month is a digital poverty simulation that aims to help Canadians understand and experience what it's like to have to make your paycheck last the month. 

This interactive tool prompts individuals to make difficult life choices, and shows Canadians the day-to-day reality of those living paycheque-to-paycheque.

Visit the Saskatoon simulator here, or contact contact Amanda Lanoway for more information or to book your Poverty Simulation for the Regina area.

This article has been printed for entertainment purposes. The views and opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of GSU, its members, officers, or staff.



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