April 9, 2019 

Anything can happen, but this is our schedule April 8 to 12:
  • The Tuesday Members' Memo is emailed to GSU members weekly on Tuesdays. 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]
  • Local 1 & 2 (Viterra) ratification meetings are underway. Members should check their email for meeting times and dates. 
  • GSU staff representatives are on the road this week and they can be reached on their cell phones. That information is available at gsu.ca.
  • Questions? Contact a GSU staff rep at either our Regina or Saskatoon office.

Have you been accepted into university or tech school? 
Are you a GSU member, spouse or dependant of a GSU member? 
If your answer is YES, you are eligible to apply for a GSU scholarship.


 
GSU is offering five $2,000 scholarships to GSU members, spouses and dependants in 2019

GSU is pleased to offer $2,000 scholarships to five students who demonstrate hard work, a willingness to seek further education to improve themselves, and a drive to inspire positive change in their communities.

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 1, 2019.


Today is #EqualPayDay 

According to the Ontario's  Equal Pay Coalition , today the average female worker's earnings since Jan. 1, 2018 match her male co-worker's earnings for the 2018 calendar year.

The numbers don't lie, and they are appalling.  Today - in 2019 - women overall make 32 percent less than men who work in a comparable employment position. 

The gender gap is even wider for some. Here's how, on average, different women fare compared to white men born in Canada:
  • Racialized women make 40 percent less.
  • Indigenous women make 45 percent less.
  • Immigrant women make 55 percent less.
  • Women with a disability make 56 percent less.
Wage discrimination is real.  

Equal work deserves equal pay. It's common sense.


Bargaining Updates


Locals 1 (Viterra - Country Operations/Maintenance) and Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) 

A tentative settlement has been reached and ratification meetings are underway. Check your email for a copy of the tentative settlement and details about your ratification meeting.

Bargaining committee members:
Local 1 - Jim Brown (Balgonie), Brett North (Moose Jaw), Wilfred Harris (Carnduff), Travis Brewer (Saskatoon) 
Local 2 - Sheila Tran (Regina), Howard Wilson (Regina)
GSU staff - Hugh Wagner, Donna Driediger.

 
Local 4 (Grain Millers) bargaining meeting April 10, 2019

The Local 4 bargaining committee met with Company representatives March 26-28. This was the second time the two sides have met since negotiations began. 
  
The Company has taken a hard line and no significant movement was made in the last bargaining session. As a result, GSU's bargaining committee is holding membership meetings on April 10 to consult with union members.

Bargaining committee members:
Alex MacKay, Ryan McNabb, Kerry Whitters, Tyler Chorneyko, Glen Wlaschuk, and GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson.


Local 17 (Discovery Co-op) bargaining update

GSU's Local 17 members rejected the company's final offer and the parties are at an impasse. 

The Union served notice of impasse to the Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety and we expect the Minister will appoint a conciliator to arrange conciliated bargaining session(s) within the next 60 days to assist the parties and attempt to reach an agreement.


Local 18 (Lloydminster Co-op) bargaining update 

As was the case in Local 17, GSU's Local 18 members also rejected the company's final offer and the parties are at an impasse.  The Union served notice of impasse to the Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety and we expect the Minister will appoint a conciliator to assist the parties and arrange a conciliated bargaining session(s) within the next 60 days.



 

Perry Thiessen just won tickets to this Saturday's RUSH game

In a nod to the RUSH's April 13 fan appreciation night, last week's GSU ticket contest asked you to tell us about a person, business, club or group that you appreciate. As always, there were lots of great answers but we could only draw one winner. 

Congratulations to our lucky winner - Local 15 (Nutrien) member Perry Thiessen, who shouted-out his co-workers as a group he appreciates.  Perry and his guest will be in the stands to watch the RUSH take on the Philadelphia Wings this Saturday evening. Have fun, Perry!

The final game of the regular season will see the RUSH take on the Colorado Mammoth April 27. Watch our upcoming  Tuesday Members' Memos for your chance to win tickets.



Are you dealing with an energy vampire?

There are those who walk among us who seem incapable of positive thoughts or actions. They are pessimistic. They feed on negative energy. They are anxious to drag you down into their abyss and suck the life out of you. After all, misery loves company.


PHOTO CREDIT: Photo by Jared Brashier on Unsplash

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