November 27, 2018 

Anything can happen, but here's what we have on our calendars for Nov 26 to 30:
  • 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 gsu@gsu.ca 
  • general secretary Hugh Wagner will meet with a member on Friday 
  • staff representative Dale Markling is recovering from hip surgery and will be absent from work through December. Members who would normally contact Dale at the Saskatoon office for assistance can call the GSU office in Regina toll free at 1.866.522.6686 or send an email to gsu@gsu.ca.

Annual General Membership meetings this week:

The agenda for meetings will include the following business:
  • Election of Local Officers
  • General Secretary's Annual Report
  • Vote on Defense Fund dues continuation
  • Update on bargaining, if applicable
  • Other business.
Saskatoon - Sub-Local 1.2 (Viterra - Saskatoon)
Tuesday, Nov. 27 - 6:00 p.m. at the RWDSU Saskatoon Office 
GSU staff: Donna Driediger

Canora - Sub-Local 1.17 (Viterra - Canora) & 15.17 (Nutrien - Canora)
Tuesday, Nov. 27 
GSU staff: Hugh Wagner

Local 5 - Western Producer
Wednesday, Nov. 28 - 4:30 p.m. at the Western Producer, Saskatoon
GSU Staff: Donna Driediger

Swift Current - Sub-Locals 1.16 (Viterra - Swift Current) & 15.16 (Nutrien - Swift Current)
Wednesday, Nov. 28 - Swift Current
GSU Staff: Hugh Wagner

We are working to schedule ratification meetings for Local 14 (Richardson) members to review and debate the proposed settlement and cast a secret ballot to approve or reject the proposed settlement. Watch your email for meeting dates and times.


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


Bargaining Update


Tentative Bargaining Settlement Reached Between GSU and Richardson International Limited

GSU's Local 14 bargaining committee has reached a tentative bargaining settlement with Richardson International Limited for the amendment and renewal of the collective agreement covering country operations and maintenance employees that expires on December 31, 2018. The bargaining settlement is subject to approval by members of GSU Local 14. The Local 14 bargaining committee is recommending approval.
 
Ratification meetings are being arranged to give Local 14 members an opportunity to debate and vote on the tentative settlement. Although the bargaining committee is recommending approval, the final decision rests with the members of Local 14. A majority of 50 percent plus one of the ballots cast will determine whether the proposed settlement is accepted or rejected.
 
The results of the vote will be announced when balloting is completed.



Learn more about the bargaining process and how it works

The Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union has done a great job of explaining bargaining in their Bargaining for Beginners web page and accompanying  infographic. You can check those out here


The Trouble With Company Holiday Parties

Actually, the title of this post should probably say "troubles" with an "s." Because there are a couple of potential holiday party pitfalls.

Let's start with the simple fact that many employees don't really like company parties (we'll have data on this right below). So an event, if not handled thoughtfully, that should be morale-building can easily become morale-diminishing.

Add to this the possibility that such gatherings, fueled by free flowing booze, also offer management a high-profile opportunity to go off the rails.

In short, while company parties can be genuine fun, there are minefields to navigate here.
First, let's consider the stats.

According to a recent  survey from  OfficeTeam, only 36% of professionals feel company holiday parties are fun. This means of course that 64% don't... and 35% actually give them a negative "thumbs-down."

Simply put, in very rough numbers about one-third of employees like holiday parties, one-third are indifferent, and one-third don't like them at all.

To read the entire article visit the following link:   The Trouble With Company Holiday Parties



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