TMM: Are long hours and high pressure getting to you?

August 4, 2020

Calendar highlights and upcoming events:

We've handed out masks to most of our GSU members

GSU staff reps were busy reaching out to members in July to touch base and to hand out our new masks. We will be handing out a few more when our next order arrives this week, so if you haven't received your mask soon, let your staff rep know and we will arrange to get a mask to you.

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Wild West Steelhead bargaining

Wild West Steelhead management and GSU's Local 6 (Wild West Steelhead) bargaining committee are working to secure bargaining dates in late August.

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Nutrien, Local 15 (Nutrien) bargaining committee to meet Sept. 30, Oct. 1

Members will be updated on the result of the meetings.

GSU collective agreements with Nutrien expired Dec. 31, 2019. Your GSU Local 15 bargaining committee members are Brian Cowen, Curtis Cousins, Lynn Shaw, GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson, and GSU staff rep/bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling.

Related stories:

Members soundly reject company's final offer [July 3, 2020]
Bargaining history

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GSU's 2020 scholarship program application deadline is slowly creeping closer.

Don't miss out. Apply now.

If you paid union dues to GSU in 2020 that means you, your dependant children, and your spouse are eligible to apply for a $2,000 GSU scholarship.

Deadline for receipt of 2020 scholarship applications is Sept. 1.

Learn more and download the application forms here.

Visit our Website

Saskatchewan Federation of Labour cancels 2020 convention

Every autumn GSU officers and members look forward to attending the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) convention. The convention location rotates between Saskatoon and Regina, providing GSU members throughout Saskatchewan access to topical speakers, presentations, debates, and the opportunity to meet new GSU delegates and catch up with old friends.

On June 16 the SFL's Executive Council passed a motion to postpone the 2020 SFL Annual Convention until such time the Saskatchewan Medical Health Officer says it's safe to hold large gatherings. As a result, there will be no SFL convention call sent out to GSU members this year.

"Safety of our members is a priority and I think the SFL's decision was a wise one," said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. "GSU is also closely monitoring the latest health advisories and conducting its meetings and union business accordingly."

We're giving away a GSU shirt and a matching GSU mask

The cooler winds of autumn will soon be here, so it's a good time to give away a long-sleeved GSU shirt and mask.

Enter our draw by answering the following question:

What is a positive that has come out of the pandemic for you?

Send your answer to us at gsu@gsu.ca by 9:00 a.m. on Aug. 11 and you will be entered in our draw. Good luck!

Contest rules are available here.

Are long hours and high pressure getting to you?

By GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner

It seems to be somewhat cyclical, but with the steady ramping up of grain shipments from terminal elevator locations GSU is receiving an increasing number of complaints about excessive demands being placed on employees.

The source of complaints is not every location and not every company has the same approach, but more and more GSU members are growing fed up with the pressure to produce more and more without any extra help or relief. Understaffing and poor planning are chronic problems and the impact hits workers the hardest.

While it might seem like somewhat of a broken record, we advise members to use the rights they have under their collective agreements to refuse to work excess hours. I understand the pressure from management and the desire not to leave co-workers dangling, but until people act collectively to say NO, the system won’t change.

GSU has bargained protections into collective agreements. We’ll back members who rely on their rights, but we need members to step forward.

Are you experiencing difficulties in the workplace?

Contact your GSU staff rep. Contacting GSU does not mean you are obligated to file a grievance, and we will not contact your employer or act on your behalf without consultation, direction and approval from you.

Our services are provided to you as part of your union dues. There is no additional charge for assisting you.

Call us toll-free at 1.866.522.6686.

Would you rather be right or happy?

Everyone likes to be right, but being right can come at the price of angering and alienating friends, family, co-workers, or just wrecking what could have been a great day.

When you catch yourself in a fight to be right, ask yourself why you feel so strongly about making sure the other party bows to your view. The need to always be right can stem from a variety of sources such as feelings of inferiority, self preservation or protection, or even the threat of retribution at home or work. What is the root case fueling your refusal to back down?

Depending on the situation, it may be preferable to swallow your pride and choose being happy and keep the peace over gaining the acknowledgement that your position is the correct one. After all, sometimes leading by example and showing you don't always need to fight to the end can actually be productive and lead a happy life.

Check out these links to learn more about how to resist the need to be right and how to cope with someone who must always be right:

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.