May 1, 2018 
 
Anything can happen around here, but this is what we have scheduled for the week:
  • staff rep Steve Torgerson attended a grievance meeting in Yorkton on Monday. He also met with an employer regarding a situation in the workplace
  • staff rep Donna Driediger and Local 7 (Heartland) representatives Heather Mackay and Larry Worobetz met with Heartland management on Monday and Tuesday for bargaining. They are scheduled to meet again on May 10
  • GSU's executive committee (president Jim Brown, vice presidents Michelle Houlden and Brett North) held a conference call meeting with Hugh Wagner and assistant general secretary Lynn Woods-Nordin on Tuesday
  • general secretary Hugh Wagner and Steve Torgerson attended a step 3 grievance meeting with an employer on Tuesday 
  • 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]

  • staff rep Dale Markling and the Local 6 (Wild West Steelhead) bargaining committee will meet with management for bargaining on Wednesday

  • staff rep Steve Torgerson has a meeting with a Saskatchewan Federation of Labour officer on Wednesday

  • Hugh Wagner will attend a Western Advisory Transportation Council meeting in Winnipeg on Thursday and Friday

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

  
The Canadian Labour Congress Young Workers Program and United Way Centraide Canada
are offering a $2,500 post-secondary scholarship to a union members or their dependants.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:
  • Current union member, or the child/dependent of a union member, that is affiliated to the CLC (such as GSU);
  • Age 30 or under as of September 1, 2018;
  • Enrolled for September 2018 to enter their first year of full-time study at a Canadian public post-secondary institution: university program (leading to a degree) or college program (leading to a diploma or certificate);
  • Does not have any prior post-secondary studies; and
  • Currently enrolled or not more than two years out of secondary school.
Deadline for receipt of applications is June 1, 2018.

An application form and information are available here. 



A member was terminated following an investigation into complaints regarding their conduct at work. The member contacted GSU, consulted with staff rep Steve Torgerson, and filed a grievance.

 

When staff rep Steve Torgerson researched and prepared for grievance hearings, he identified a reoccurring theme of a year-long failure by the employer to provide a safe workplace. In this case, the issue wasn't the physical safety of workers in the workplace, but rather failure to create a safe environment for employees to confidently report issues to managers and trust they would be addressed.

 

The issue which ultimately resulted in the member's termination seemed unavoidable in the existing workplace environment and resulted in job loss for the employee. It also brought to light that other employees didn't feel safe at work or believe they had any recourse through their employer.

 

Ultimately, the grievance was resolved when the grievor accepted a sizable settlement from the company. The employee was pleased with the settlement, but it is perhaps just as important that the Company recognized their responsibility to ensure that all steps have been taken to create, foster, and enforce a safe workplace for all employees.  

 
When there are problems in the workplace there are many factors to consider. 
 
A GSU staff rep has access to information and can help gather all facts and identify whether your rights have been violated.  Call us if you need advice or if there is a problem to be fixed. 

Contact information for GSU staff is available here.

 
The National Lacrosse League playoffs are underway, and two lucky GSU members will each win two tickets to watch the Saskatchewan Rush in the western final on Thursday, May 10 at Co-op Field at  SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon.

It's easy to enter to win. Just send us your answer to the following question:

Your Fairy Godmother is giving you the gift of becoming the owner of any professional sports team. What team would you own and why?

Send your answer to [email protected] by 9:00 a.m. this Monday, May 7 and we will enter your name in the draw.

Good luck!

GSU is offering five $2,000 scholarships to GSU members, spouses, and dependants in 2018
GSU is pleased to offer $2,000 scholarships to five students who demonstrate an ability and a passion to inspire positive change in their community.

The scholarship competition is open to GSU members, their spouses, and dependent children who have not previously won.

Scholarship applicants must be enrolled in a diploma, degree, or certificate program at a community college, university, trade school, or technical institute as a full-time student in any country. 

Learn more about the scholarship program and download your scholarship forms and guidelines here:  GSU scholarship program

Deadline for receipt of applications is June 15, 2018.

 

Are you stumbling on your career ladder?

You are never too smart to make dumb mistakes. Even the most clever among us are susceptible to career-limiting oversights and blunders. 

Change these seven behaviours and get closer to reaching your career potential: 7 dumb things smart people do to limit their careers

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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