June 6 , 2017  

Calendar highlights for June 5 to 9:

Anything can happen, but this is what we have scheduled this week:
Upcoming events:

SFL Summer Camp
August 27 - September 1, 2017
Camp Easter Seal ~ Manitou Lake 
Learn about the camp and how your camper could win free registration here.  

Saskatchewan Federation of Labour's OH&S Conference
September 6 - 8, 2017
Saskatoon, SK
Learn more about the school  here. 

Contact your GSU staff rep for more information about these events, GSU's expense policy, or to register. 

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


GSU's June 1 scholarship application deadline has passed and applications will soon be in the hands of GSU's scholarship committee. 

Scholarship committee members Jim Brown (Local 1 - Viterra), Michelle Houlden (Local 5 - Western Producer), and Brett North (Local 1 - Viterra) will meet to review the applications, deliberate the merits of recipients' letters of recommendation, their community involvement and essays before announcing this year's scholarship recipients in early July. 

Five $2,000-scholarships are available to students who demonstrate an ability and a passion to inspire positive change in their community.  GSU members and their immediate families were eligible to apply. 

Detailed scholarship information is available from committee members and on GSU's web page:  www.gsu.ca .



Do you know what conditions will apply when taking unused vacation immediately adjacent to retirement or other employment termination?
 
In December 2016 a long-service Local 1 (Viterra - Operations) member contacted GSU staff rep Dale Markling upon discovering his employment had been terminated when he decided to burn up a few days' vacation immediately before retiring. The union member had told his boss about his intention to retire effective December 31, 2016, and when the date approached he arranged to be on vacation for the last few days. Even though he was on vacation, he still responded to work related calls.
 
The problem came to light when the member received his last pay stub. He discovered that Viterra considered his employment terminated as of his last day at work and his benefit coverage was discontinued. In addition, the member was not paid for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. He was surprised and unhappy.
 
When staff rep Dale Markling and general secretary Hugh Wagner raised the issue with Viterra management they were informed that employment termination in this type of situation was Company policy at least since mid-2008. Apparently Viterra had decided not to allow employees to use vacation as a bridge to retirement or other terminations of employment. GSU had no prior knowledge and had never been informed of this policy by Viterra.
 
An executive grievance was filed on behalf of members in Locals 1 and 2. After several grievance meetings, the grievance was resolved on May 12. Viterra agreed to pay the member who had raised the issue for two general/statutory holidays and also agreed that nothing shall alter an employee's status as an employee of the Company in instances where the employee takes vacation by mutual agreement and/or with the approval of her/his superior.
 
Even though this matter has been resolved for members of GSU Locals 1 and 2, we encourage all members regardless of their employer, including Viterra, to make absolutely sure what conditions apply when deciding to take unused vacation immediately adjacent to and leading into retirement or other employment termination. 

If you would like assistance, call a GSU rep.
 
Staff rep services are provided to you as part of your union dues. There is no additional charge for assisting you. Contact information for GSU staff reps is available here. 

 

Football season is here! The Saskatchewan Roughriders will kick things off with a pre-season game on Saturday, June 10 and we want you to be there.

Here's how to enter our draw: 

Send an email to [email protected] with your name and the name of the Rider's mascot and we will enter you in our draw.

If we draw your name, you will win two tickets to this Saturday's game against Winnipeg. 

Deadline to enter is 12:00 noon on Wednesday, June 7.

Visit our web page at www.gsu.ca where you will find another opportunity to win tickets. Winners will be announced in next week's Tuesday Members Memo and on our web page.

This contest is subject to our contest regulations. You can read those  here .


    Virtual view from GSU's season ticket seats.



8 bad habits that really aren't that bad for you

Good news! It turns out that sleeping in, skipping your workout, and eating chocolate may be acceptable indulgences.  


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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