June 13 , 2017  

Calendar highlights for June 12 to 16:

Anything can happen, but here is what we have scheduled for the week:
  • the Tuesday Members' Memo is emailed to GSU members weekly on Tuesday. If you know a co-worker who doesn't receive the TMM and would like to, have them call GSU toll-free at 1.866.522.6686 or send an email to [email protected]
  • general secretary Hugh Wagner attended a Western Transportation Advisory Council conference call on Monday
  • staff rep Dale Markling is conducting member visitations on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
  • Dale Markling met with Saskatoon and District Labour Council representatives on Tuesday
  • Hugh Wagner will meet with GSU members on Wednesday
     
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.  

Farm workers and Alberta Bill 17 - The Fair and Family-friendly Workplaces Act

The government of Alberta's efforts under Bill 17 - Fair and Family-friendly Workplaces Act seek to modernize labour legislation in the province and extend it to corporate farm operations. Small family farms will be exempt from coverage by Bill 17.

GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner recently wrote to the Western Producer to comment on the efforts by the government. His letter was published and you can read it here:

General Secretary Hugh Wagner's letter to the Editor - June 8, 2017 - The Western Producer




GSU staff rep Dale Markling has been assisting members as they negotiate leave to tend to family matters.

Each collective agreement has its own language and leave(s). Depending on the leave and the circumstances, there may be other options - such as compassionate care leave - that become applicable if a child, spouse, or parent becomes ill.  

If you require assistance with a leave of absence request, 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. 

 

Congratulations to our ticket winners Cameron Eytcheson
(Local 1 - Viterra) and Darren Culbertson (Local 1 - Viterra)

Cameron and Darren each won two tickets to watch the Saskatchewan Roughriders take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in their pre-season game on June 10 at the new Mosaic Stadium.

After the game, Darren reported back to us about GSU's new season ticket location. 

"Thanks again for the tickets, it was perfect weather and a decent game.

Just as an update on the seats, they are in a good location on the field with easy quick access to beverage/food vendors and washrooms. One thing to keep in mind for future 7:00 p.m. games is to wear sunscreen and a hat! The sun seems to follow the roof line on the west side while it is setting so you get direct sun past 8:30 p.m."

We appreciate the feedback, Darren, and we'll be sure to share your observations with future contest winners.

Cameron Eytcheson won our Tuesday Members' Memo contest tickets and Darren won tickets through our web page contest. Your chance to win is coming up n ext week when we will be giving away tickets to the July 1 season opener against Winnipeg.

GSU's ticket time contests are subject to our contest regulations. Read those  here .


    Virtual view from GSU's season ticket seats in Section 636.



SaskForward releases video challenging budget cuts

SaskForward, a coalition of Saskatchewan-based civil society groups, has released a new video that challenges the Saskatchewan government's claim that deep cuts to public services and programs are inevitable. By reversing the 1% corporate tax cut announced in the last budget, the video shows that $67.5 million could be recuperated and used to restore funding to many services and programs including the STC, a variety of post-secondary education programs, funeral services, parks, the hearing aid plan and much more.
 
Peter Gilmer, of the Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry, a participating organization in SaskForward, is enthusiastic about the message in the video.  "It is encouraging to know that we could maintain so many needed benefits and services for Saskatchewan people by simply reversing the 1% corporate tax cut. I believe that such a return would be in line with the values of the vast majority of Saskatchewan residents" he says.

Read the complete story on GSU's web page: www.gsu.ca

Learn more about SaskForward here: www.saskforward.ca



Ontario moves to ban employers from demanding sick notes

There is a certain irony in being too sick to be at work but sitting in the doctor's office waiting to request a sick note.

An Ontario physician believes the proposed labour legislation banning Ontario employers from demanding sick notes when employees take time off from work will help contain illnesses and free up valuable appointment time with doctors.


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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