January 14, 2020  

Upcoming events:

Local 5 - Western Producer - Saskatoon, Jan. 14
Bargaining is underway today in this Local. GSU's bargaining committee members are Sharlene Tetrault, Michelle Houlden, and GSU staff rep/bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling.

GSU Local 15 / Nutrien Bargaining - Jan. 28 & 29
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. 

GSU biennial convention - Temple Gardens, Moose Jaw, March 19-21, 2020
If you are a GSU member, we want to hear from you. Join us, share your thoughts and experiences, and let us know what you think your union should be doing for members.  All members of GSU are eligible to attend, but space is limited. Learn more and register here.

Contact your GSU staff rep if you are interested in attending or learning more about an event.

*GSU members who sign up and are approved to participate in GSU-sanctioned events will have their time off work, wages, and expenses covered in accordance with GSU's expense policies (child care included). GSU staff will also assist you with arranging the time off with your employer.



 
The 2020 GSU Biennial Policy Convention is coming up on March 19-21, 2020, and we want you to join us for what is shaping up to be a fantastic convention.

We are counting on GSU members - like you - to come to convention, share your thoughts and experiences, and let us know what you think your union should be doing for its members.
We'll have great people, conversation, food, entertainment, and it's all being held at the Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa in Moose Jaw.

All members of GSU are eligible to attend, but space is limited. 

Approved convention delegates will have the costs of hotel, mileage, food, and wages covered by GSU. 



Moose Jaw Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa meeting room. The room may look formal, but GSU convention attire is casual.

Know Your Rights: Hours of Work

BY HUGH WAGNER, GSU GENERAL SECRETARY

Recent conversations with members of Local 1 (Viterra Operations & Maintenance) and a recent workplace incident have reinforced the importance of employees' rights in relation to hours of work.

Employees who receive less than 24 hours' notice that the start time or time-frame of their scheduled shift has changed should decline to change and report for work at their originally scheduled time.

The right to 24 hours' notice is covered in section 173.1 of Part III of the Canada Labour Code which applied to GSU members in Locals 1 & 2 (Viterra), 4 (Grain Millers), and 14 (Richardson). The Code also provides that employers shall provide employees with their work schedules in writing at least 96 hours before the start of the employee's first shift under the schedule.

Exceptions are provided for in the event of a threat to the life, health or safety of any person; threat of damage to or loss of property; or the threat of serious interference with the ordinary working of the employer's industrial establishment.

Employees should be staffing their operations adequately and should not rely on employees constantly interrupting their plans, their family or private time or compromising health and safety on account of fatigue.

Questions? Comments? Contact your GSU staff rep.

Progress report: Nutrien bargaining

Collective bargaining is how the union and company management arrive at the terms and conditions of employment for the workers in the bargaining unit.  On Jan. 7 and 8, the GSU Local 15 (Nutrien) bargaining committee met with the company representatives for their second set of negotiations. 

GSU bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling reports that the two parties signed off on some non-monetary proposals and the company intends to present their full monetary package to the union committee when they meet again on Jan. 28 and 29.

GSU's 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.


  
Bundle up and join WOMEN'S MARCH CANADA this Saturday

The weather may be cold, but the fellowship will be warm Jan. 18 as women and their allies  around the world will join the fourth annual march of Women's March Global, a yearly event that brings together inspired, international  change-makers committed to fighting for equality, justice, and human rights worldwide.  

In Saskatchewan, supporters in Saskatoon and Regina will gather to march for change, mutual support, and to create connections for the future. 

Learn more on the following Facebook links:

Women's March Canada 2020 REGINA
Sat. Jan. 18 - 10:00 a.m. March / 10:45 post-march social
YWCA - Regina
1940 McIntyre Street,  Regina, SK

Sat. Jan 18 - 4:00 p.m. 
d-Lish by Tish Cafe
702A 14th Street East, Saskatoon, SK



Congratulations to our Saskatchewan Rush ticket winner Glenda Hunter-Craig (Local 1 - Viterra)

We asked GSU members to tell us what event they would attend if the sports fairy granted them tickets, and we learned about a lot of fantastic events all over the world that we didn't even know existed. We could only draw one winner, and this time it's Glenda Hunter-Craig who gets two tickets to watch the Rush take on the Colorado Mammoth this Saturday evening in Saskatoon.

We wish we could have the sports fairy whisk you away to the  2020 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Glenda, but at least you and your guest will enjoy the Rush game.
 
Thanks to everyone who played along. Check back for more chances to win. 



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