January 31 , 2017  

Calendar highlights for Jan. 30 to Feb. 3:
  • general secretary Hugh Wagner was at the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board on Monday
  • staff rep Steve Torgerson attended a conference call meeting on Monday
  • the Tuesday Members' Memo is emailed to GSU members weekly on Tuesday. If you know a co-worker who hasn't received the TMM and would like to, they can call GSU toll-free 1.866.522.6686 or email at gsu.regina@sasktel.net. 
  • Hugh Wagner will be at the  Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board on Friday to serve as the union scrutineer when ballots cast during the CPS non-union employee representation vote are counted (see story, below)
Upcoming events:

60th Annual SFL /CLC Spring School
April 3 to 7, 2017 ~ Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa, Moose Jaw, SK
Learn more about the school and read the course outline here.
Contact your GSU staff rep for more information or to register. 

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

GSU president named finalist for 2017 Safe Worker Award


 
GSU president Jim Brown is one of three finalists nominated for the 2017 Safe Worker Award sponsored by the Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board (WCB). The winner of the award will be announced at the annual WCB Compensation Institute being held at TCU Place in Saskatoon on March 20, 2017.

"Recognition of Jim's steadfast work and commitment to safe and healthy workplaces is long overdue," said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. "He's served as a worker representative on Viterra's central OH&S Committee for many years where he has actively agitated for worker safety."

In addition to being president of GSU, Jim is a member of GSU Local 1 (Viterra) and has worked for his employer for nearly 30 years. He currently works at Viterra's terminal elevator in Balgonie.
 
Congratulations, Jim.

SFL leaders say workers not to blame for government mismanagement
 
Leaders from Saskatchewan's labour movement recently came together through a series of meetings to share information on what people are hearing from public employers. They say one thing has become clear: the provincial government is setting the stage to blame Saskatchewan workers for the government's own budget mismanagement, waste, and lack of leadership.
 
"Janitors, teachers, and healthcare providers did not cause the government's billion dollar deficit, so it makes no sense whatsoever for the premier to be bullying these, and other, public servants," said Larry Hubich, president of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL). 

In response to what they say are the provincial government's attacks on working people, families, students, and communities, a rally is being organized.
 
"The Rally for Saskatchewan is an opportunity for everyone to come together and fight for what we value here in Saskatchewan: public Crowns and strong public services, world-class public healthcare, schools and teachers that have the resources they need to teach our kids, a seniors' care system that is properly staffed, and a positive direction that believes in the promise of this province," Hubich said.  "Selling Crowns and public services will really hit families hard: prices will go up, services will suffer, and jobs will be lost - especially in small towns and rural Saskatchewan.That's why we are involving local leaders in this effort. We hope town and city councils will defend their communities and call on the provincial government to stop its risky privatization schemes." 
 
People can share information about privatization and take action to protect our Crowns by sending a letter to their local town/city council/MLA by visiting: www.ownyoursask.ca. 


CPS ballots to be counted Feb. 3 

On January 9 the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (SLRB) sent ballots by registered mail to CPS non-union operations employees on the question of being represented by GSU. The SLRB has informed us that the ballots will be counted starting at 10:00 a.m. this Friday, February 3.

GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner will attend the counting of the ballots as the union's scrutineer.

When the results of the vote are available they will be announced on GSU's web page and emailed to our list of employees on the voters' list.

Background information can be found by visiting GSU's web site at www.gsu.ca.
  
 

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

 

Discovery Co-op

Company representatives aren't prepared to meet with the union committee and federal conciliator Kevin Eckert until the end of March, and the union committee says that isn't good enough. Union bargaining committee spokesperson Dale Markling has also indicated that the union isn't prepared to agree to an extension of the conciliator's 60-day mandate.

"If the company can't find dates before the end of March, we will be asking the government to bow out," Markling said.

The Minister of Labour Relations previously appointed conciliator  Kevin Eckert to assist the parties.  The conciliator has a 60-day mandate which can only be extended by the agreement of both parties.

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

 
9 benefits of being a good listener

"A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he knows something."
- Wilson Mizner

Active listening means quieting your mind and offering your complete attention to the person who is speaking. Too many people half-listen, consider how to relate their own experiences, and compose what they will say next while anxiously waiting for their opportunity to talk.

People love to be heard and people like people who are good listeners. When someone really listens to us we feel valued and important, and since having someone actively and completely listen to us is rare, we are likely to notice and think fondly of a person who actually listens. 

There are other unexpected benefits when you are a good listener.  Learn more here:  The benefits of being a good listener .

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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