June 16, 2020

Calendar highlights and upcoming events:


Local 15 (Nutrien) pre-vote video and conference call meetings

Prior to the vote on the company's so-called final offer (see related story, below), GSU is holding membership meetings via Microsoft Teams video conferencing as well as a conference call as follows: 

  • A conference call meeting will be held on June 17 starting at 7:00 p.m.
  • The second Teams video meeting will be held on June 18 starting at 11:30 a.m. and concluding no later than 1:00 p.m. (The first Teams video meeting was held June 16.)
  • Detailed information on the calls and impending vote was sent to Local 15 members by email on June 12 and June 15.

Deadline for Receipt of ballots is July 3, 2020.

If you are a Local 15 member and you do not receive your bargaining package and ballot in the mail by June 22, contact your GSU staff representative.


GSU 2020 scholarship program application extended deadline - Sept. 1

Learn more and download the application forms  here .
Local 15 (Nutrien) members learning more, asking questions, and preparing to vote on company's so-called final offer
When GSU’s Local 15 bargaining committee met with Nutrien representatives on June 5, the company presented what they call their final offer.

GSU has provided members with details of the offer. We are also holding video calls and a conference call to review the company's offer and answer any questions members may have before they vote to either reject or accept the company's offer.

“Ordinarily, we would hold membership meetings and an in-person vote. With Covid restrictions in place we are using video and telephone conference calls to meet with members, and a two-envelope postal ballot system to conduct the vote,” said GSU bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling. “Obviously we would prefer to meet members in person, but we are fortunate that technology allows us to meet virtually and have them vote in a way that maintains strict confidentiality.”

A voting package was sent to Local 15 members on June 12. Members who have not received the package by June 22 are being asked to contact their staff representative.

The deadline for receipt of the mail-in ballot is July 3.

A bargaining history is available here .  

The union's bargaining committee is comprised of GSU Bargaining Committee Brian Cowan, Curtis Cousins, Lynn Shaw, Steve Torgerson (GSU staff rep), and Dale Markling (GSU staff rep and bargaining spokesperson).
Local 6 (Wild West Steelhead) to set membership meeting, prepare for bargaining
As Covid restrictions give way to a reopening of the province, GSU staff rep Dale Markling is working with the Local 6 executive to hold a membership meeting, finalize bargaining proposals, and elect the local's bargaining committee.

Markling expects it will be late July before schedules are clear, dates are set, and bargaining can begin.

If you are interested in being becoming a bargaining committee member, contact your local representative or Dale Markling.
Dates being set for Local 5 (Western Producer) bargaining, pay rollback discussions
After Covid restrictions and a number of other uncontrollable delays, dates are now being determined to restart bargaining and to meet regarding the pay rollback in the Local. 

Members of the Local will be advised once dates are set.

Do you always have to be right?
It can be hard to acknowledge when you are wrong. If you deny your wrongdoing, you don’t accept responsibility, and fail to apologize, it can damage your credibility, hurt your relationships, and even stifle your personal growth.

Many of us think that being right all the time gains respect from others, but it’s the people who tell the truth and admit they were wrong who are held in high esteem.

Learn more, here:


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.