August 23 , 2016  


Viterra has been implementing 12-hour shifts in several of its facilities, and staff rep Steve Torgerson has been answering member questions and providing clarification on the new Local 1 (Viterra Operations and Maintenance) agreement wording in Article 18.2 and how the new Schedule C applies.

If your have questions about hours of work, regular work schedules or modified work week schedules, don't hesitate to contact your GSU staff rep.

No problem is too small. Identifying problems as soon as they arise benefits everyone. Call us toll-free if you have a question or a problem you would like addressed. Call 1.866.522.6686 (Regina) or 1.855.384.7314 (Saskatoon).
 


Are you interested in attending the Sask. Federation of Labour's OH&S Conference or Convention? 

GSU members who sign up and are approved to participate in GSU-sanctioned events will have their time off work, wages, and expenses covered in accordance with GSU's expense policies (child care included). GSU staff will also assist you with arranging the time off with your employer.

SFL OH&S Conference
September 7-9, 2016 | Delta Regina Hotel, Regina
Read the event brochure here.
Interested? Contact your  GSU staff rep to learn more or to register

SFL Convention
October 26-29, 2016 | Queensbury Convention Centre, Regina
Read the event brochure here.
Interested? Contact your  GSU staff rep to learn more or to register.


The Joint Executive Council is the governing body of the union which formulates policy and oversees the business of the GSU between Policy Conventions. 
  
 

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
 
After two additional days of intensive bargaining with the assistance of federally appointed conciliator Kathy Peters, the Local 9 (Hi-Pro Feeds, Chilliwack) Union Committee and Management have agreed on a tentative settlement. A meeting has been set for August 27 for members to vote on the tentative settlement. If the settlement is rejected a strike vote meeting will take place on August 28. 

"The union committee is recommending acceptance of the tentative settlement," GSU bargaining committee spokesperson Lawrence Maier reported. "Details of the deal will not be released until the vote has been held."
 
The deadline for conciliation expired on August 8, and the Company refused to extend it. The 21-day "cooling off" period ends on August 29. If the agreement is rejected by members voting, the parties will be in position to strike or lock out after giving 72-hours' notice to the federal Minister of Labour.
 
Updates will be available by August 29.

GSU's Local 9 bargaining committee comprises Kelly Saretzky, Kev Clarke, and GSU staff rep Lawrence Maier.
 
  
Discovery Co-op

The parties met on August 17 and at the end of the day the two sides were still apart on are wages, length of the agreement, scope, and rights for temporary employees.  

"After we exchanged proposals with the company a couple times, the union committee felt that we had to consult with our members," said GSU bargaining committee spokesperson Dale Markling.

It is anticipated that a meeting with members will be scheduled and take place within the next two weeks. 
 
GSU's Local 17 bargaining committee members are  Shelbi Prescesky, Glen Morrison, and GSU staff rep Dale Markling. 
 
  
Lloydminster & District Co-operative Association 

GSU bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling is working with Federated Co-op HR representative Matt Boyko to complete the final revisions on the new collective agreement. 

"I hope we will be able to sign it off in the next week or so," Markling advised.
   
GSU's Local 18 bargaining committee members are Christina Jones, Les Strueby, and GSU staff rep Dale Markling


Prairie Co-op  

The union and company bargaining committees reached a tentative settlement during their August 12 bargaining session.  The memorandum of settlement is being prepared for distribution to Local 19 members and a settlement vote will be scheduled by early September.   

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


Western Producer

The local's current collective agreement expired July 31, 2016.  

Questions or Concerns? Contact GSU staff rep Dale Markling. 

Congratulations to last week's Labour Day ticket winner Alynn Hagstrom. Alynn is a Local 14 ( Richardson) member from Kindersley.

Here's your chance to win two tickets to the final Labour Day Classic at the current Mosaic Stadium. 

The Blue Bombers will be in town on September 4 to take on the Riders, and GSU has two tickets to give away to one lucky GSU member.

Here's how to enter:

We want your game prediction. Will the Riders win? Or will the Bombers leave the stadium as the victors?Tell us which team you think has what it takes to win the 2016 Labour Day Classic and we'll enter your name in our draw.

Get your answer to us by noon on Monday, August 29 to be eligible. Entries will be accepted by email at gsu.regina@sasktel.net , fax 306.565.3430, or by delivery to 2334 McIntyre Street in Regina. 

Good luck!

Entry in GSU contests and acceptance of prizes constitutes permission to use winner's name, city, province, name of employer, and winning entry for promotional purposes. Please refer to GSU's contest rules and regulations for more information.

Power of NO

We've all been caught off guard by a request to do something or to attend a function we really aren't interested in. Are you able to decline the invitation?

When you say NO to cluttering up your calendar with the things you don't want to or can't do, you are saying YES to freeing up the time to do something that is important to you. I t's not always easy to say no, but it allows you time in your life to say an enthusiastic yes to the things you really want to be doing.

Do you feel guilty about saying no?  Here's some additional motivation to help you to build your resolve so next time you can  Say No So You Can Say Yes.

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.

Please consider the environment before printing this email.

This email and any attachment(s) are confidential and may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient please notify GSU, delete this email and do not copy, use or disclose it.