November 29 , 2016  

Calendar highlights for Nov. 28 to Dec. 2:
  • general secretary Hugh Wagner attended a conference call meeting on Monday morning
  • staff rep Lawrence Maier will meet with a GSU member on Thursday
  • GSU's annual membership meetings continue. Watch your email for your meeting notice or check www.gsu.ca for more information.
GSU's calendar of events is regularly updated and available on GSU's web page - www.gsu.ca. 


Directors of GSU Defense Fund meet, review $3.9 million defense fund investments
 
The Board of Directors of the GSU Defense Fund met at the GSU office in Regina on November 25. The business of the meeting included a review of Defense Fund Investments which currently stand at $3.9 million (market value).
 
The Directors received a report on legal expenses incurred defending members' collective bargaining rights and an update on GSU's finances. Considering GSU's current collective bargaining agenda, a motion to transfer $250 thousand to RBC for investment was approved.
 
At their previous meeting on August 15 the Directors approved setting strike/lockout pay at 75 percent of members' gross regular pay plus payment of group insurance premiums.
 
The Directors will meet again early in the new year following the completion of GSU annual financial audit.
 




GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson was approached by a group of GSU members who were having problems with a shift schedule. The members had some ideas for how to improve the shift schedule for their own benefit and for the benefit of the company. 

Steve helped the members initiate the discussion with their managers and, ultimately, the company saw the benefits of the suggested schedule change. The new schedule is being implemented and management thanked the members for bringing their ideas forward.
 
Do you need assistance addressing an issue in your workplace?
Contact a GSU staff representative .
 
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).


  
 

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

 

Discovery Co-op

Union and company representatives met November 22 for the first time since GSU Local 17 members voted to reject the Co-operative's offer and voted in favour of strike action. The two sides were unable to reach an agreement. The next step in the process under the Saskatchewan Employment Act is to apply for conciliation.

"Our proposal addresses the Co-operatives' concerns and their intentions as expressed to the union bargaining committee," said union bargaining committee spokesperson Dale Markling. "The Co-operative's continued unwillingness to move forward on this issue is puzzling."
 
The two sides previously came very close to reaching a tentative settlement when they met on October 14. 

GSU's Local 17 bargaining committee members are  Shelbi Prescesky, Glen Morrison, and GSU staff rep Dale Markling.   


Prairie Co-op
 
Last week GSU m embers voted to accept the memorandum of settlement their bargaining committee agreed to in September. 

Company representatives held their ratification meeting November 28. We expect to hear the result of their deliberations soon. 
 
GSU's Local 19 bargaining committee: Lindsay Hill (Strasbourg), Debbie Hillier (Cupar), and Steve Torgerson (GSU staff rep)

 
Western Producer

The Local 5 bargaining committee met with Company representatives for negotiations on November 18. The issues have been narrowed down, but the two sides have not reached an agreement. 

A bargaining update will be provided to members at their Local's annual meeting on December 7.

GSU's Local 20 bargaining committee members are Kim Quintin, Michelle Houlden, Laurie Michalycia, and Dale Markling (GSU staff rep). 


CHS Canada
 
The union is still waiting for a response from the company. 

The two sides recently took a step closer to reaching a tentative settlement for the members at Edenwold. Staff rep Steve Torgerson has been in contact with the members and management as they attempt to work through clause language issues. 

Questions or Concerns? Contact GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson. 




  
Avoid over-committing your time with this simple formula

The holiday season is here, and with it comes the stress of trying to carve out enough time to accomplish everything that is asked of you. 

Take a moment to identify, prioritize, and strike a balance between what is important to you and the expectations placed on you by others. Then check out this formula for examining your time usage and find out exactly what you have time for this holiday season.

Still struggling to fit everything into an already packed calendar? Click here for some helpful hints on how to say NO without feeling guilty.

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