May 8, 2018 
 
Anything can happen around here, but this is what we have scheduled for the week:
  • staff rep Steve Torgerson is at the  SFL/CLC Spring School this week
  • general secretary Hugh Wagner met with a member on Tuesday
  • staff rep Dale Markling and the Local 6 (Wild West Steelhead) bargaining committee are meeting with their employer for bargaining today
  • 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] 
  • Hugh Wagner will meet with Local 8 (Advance) members on Wednesday
  • staff rep Donna Driediger and the GSU Local 7 (Heartland) bargaining committee meet their employer for bargaining on Thursday
GSU's calendar of events is regularly updated and available on GSU's web page:  gsu.ca  

  

June 10-14, 2018 - Waskesiu Lake, SK

The Prairie School for Union Women offers trade union women an intensive four days of learning and sharing in a supportive environment. The goals of the school are to develop women's personal and leadership skills and to build solidarity among women workers.  The school provides on-site child care and is committed to child-friendly attitudes. 

Whether you are a woman who is a long time activist or just starting to get involved in your union, this school is open to you. Enrolment for the 2018 School is limited to 150. Participants will be registered on a first-come first-served basis. 

GSU members who sign up and are approved to participate in GSU-sanctioned events - such as the Prairie School for Union Women - 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.

Interested in attending? Contact your GSU staff rep.


Recently members at a GSU-represented workplace attended a workplace mediation meeting to address conflict between a number of union members and their manager. The mediation process resulted from grievance action taken by the union members in response to complaints they had about their manager.
 
"As a result of dialogue during the grievance process GSU, the grievors and the employer's representatives agreed to give mediation a try. With the assistance of a mediator, all concerned participated and aired their differences and, while the experience is still fresh, I am reasonably optimistic that a renewed and forward-looking workplace relationship has been started." 
 
GSU members have access to a grievance process and it is intended to provide the means for resolving workplace disputes regardless of the subject. The decision to use the grievance procedure in GSU collective agreements is up to the employees involved in any given situation. Employees represented by GSU have access to union staff reps who will advise in relation to rights, responsibilities and the options available. The decision on whether to tackle an individual or group workplace problem through the grievance procedure rests with the union members involved.
 
Access to a grievance procedure free from discrimination, retaliation or retribution, and it is guaranteed to unionized workers by their collective agreement as well as federal and provincial labour legislation.
 
Just want advice? GSU can help.
 
If you need advice or ideas about how to handle a workplace situation, call your GSU staff rep.

Contact information for GSU staff is available here.



Congratulations Cameron Eytcheson (Local 1 - Viterra) and James Hajewich (Local 1 - Viterra)! You have each won two tickets to the May 10 Rush playoff game.

Last week we asked you to tell us what professional sports team you would love to own and why, and James and Cameron's answers were pulled out of the hat to win tickets in our draw.
  • James says he would own the Dallas Cowboys. "The market value and marketing value is second to none, plus they are my favorite team since the 70s."
     
  • Cameron would own the Edmonton Oilers, "... so I could get some better defense and turn the team into what it could be."
Thanks to everyone who played along. Watch for upcoming chances to win Rider tickets and more.
 


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.


10 ways to enjoy summer while you are at work

We made it through a tough, long winter. Gone are the days of wind chills and snow, and here comes green grass, camping, and ice cold drinks under the stars. 

It's not hard to figure out how to enjoy summer when you are away from the office, but there are also things you can do to celebrate summer in your workplace. 

Check them out here: 10 ways to enjoy summer - even when you are at work 

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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