November 22 , 2016  

Calendar highlights for November 21 to 25:
  • staff rep Steve Torgerson conducted ratification meetings for Local 19 (Prairie Co-op) on Monday and Tuesday. Results will be announced after mail-in ballots are received
  • staff rep Dale Markling and the Local 17 (Discovery Co-op) bargaining committee are meeting with the Co-operative on Tuesday to resume bargaining after the members rejected the Co-operative's proposal and voted in favour of strike action 
  • GSU's annual membership meetings are underway making this a particularly busy travel week for GSU staff reps. If you are having problems tracking down your rep in his office, try his cell phone. Watch your email for your meeting notice or check www.gsu.ca for more information.
Please note this evening's Local 1.2 (Viterra - Saskatoon & Area) meeting has been postponed and will be rescheduled.

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



GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson is assisting and advising a former GSU member who is encountering problems with EI and sick leave benefits. 
 
Are you experiencing problems with an EI claim or your sick leave benefits?
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).



If it's electronic, it likely contains Malaysian components.

According to the Malaysian Trades Union Congress, "The who's who of the electronics industry is here, yet the labour supply companies and subcontracting companies are a law unto themselves. There is no minimum wage, no overtime rate and no inspection." 

With a high demand for workers, and subcontractors and third-party recruiting agents desperate to fill factories, many migrant workers find themselves in employment situations through unlawful passport retention, deceptive recruitment, extortionate fees for jobs, no freedom of movement, and penalties for leaving their job before the end of a contract.

Learn more about the dark underside of the Malaysian electronics workforce here.

  
 

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.

 

Discovery Co-op

Union and company representatives met today 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 last 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
 
Ratification meetings were held on location November 21, 2016. Results of the vote will be announced when all mail in ballots have been received. 

Members were voting on the memorandum of settlement agreed to by the bargaining committee in September. 

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 again with the Company 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 with the other business of the 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 two sides have taken another 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 progress continues and they work out a few clause language issues. 

Questions or Concerns? Contact GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson. 




  
Navy Seals 40% rule for mental toughness - do you measure up?

You've done your absolute best, you've pushed yourself to mental and physical exhaustion and you can't possibly go any farther. Or can you?

The Navy Seals think you are capable of more. For the average Joe, when your brain is telling you to tap out, you are really only 40 percent done - and if you dig deep you can run farther, resist giving in longer, and work harder to accomplish the task in front of you.

Read on to learn more about how to resist your inner slacker and fire up your extra 60 percent of grit.

Lifehacker.com - Cultivate your mental toughness with the navy seals

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