October 1, 2019 

Upcoming events:

Saskatchewan Federation of Labour convention - Oct. 23-25 - Saskatoon
GSU is an SFL affiliate and our members are eligible to attend convention. 

GSU's annual membership meetings - autumn 2019
We're starting to line up dates and locations for these meetings. If you have a specific date in mind, contact your GSU staff rep.

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.




A Local 15 member who retired in April was frustrated with slow replies about his pension options under the former Viterra Pension Plan for GSU members.

After three months of waiting, the member contacted GSU and general secretary Hugh Wagner raised the delays with Nutrien HR. The response from HR was very prompt, and although there were still some hurdles to overcome, the retired GSU member received the information he required. He has since selected his pension options.

Don`t hesitate to contact your staff rep if you have a problem. They may not have magic wands, but often your union rep can make things happen.

Bargaining updates and information will be shared in future Tuesday Members' Memos and on our web page at gsu.ca.



Joint Executive Council meets, reviews business of the union

Elected officers from 15 GSU locals gathered in Regina on Sept. 26 for their semi-annual meeting.  This group, the Joint Executive Council (JEC), serves as the governing body of the union between policy conventions.

As always, there was a full agenda for the one-day meeting. GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner and GSU accountant Debbie Head lead members through a financial update. Wagner also presented an administration update and his A utumn 2019 General Secretary's Report. In addition, the union's constitution was reviewed and updated, a new Conflict of Interest Policy was adopted, and  plans for GSU's 2020 convention at the Temple Gardens and Spa in Moose Jaw were discussed.

Succession planning for GSU leadership and staff was also on the agenda. After a thorough discussion, the meeting directed the GSU Executive Committee and staff to begin preliminary work and prepare for a report and discussion at the upcoming GSU policy convention. 

Council members also selected Local 1 (Viterra Operations/Maintenance) member Darryl Knelson as a director on the GSU Defense Fund Board of Directors and welcomed GSU's newest staff member, Debbie Head, to her first council meeting and to the union. 

Are you interested in becoming a member of the Joint Executive Council?
Learn more  here  , or contact your GSU staff rep for more information.



The unexpected benefits of volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to feel good about yourself. It benefits you and it benefits the organization you are helping.

GSU's Joint Executive Council members, Defense Fund Directors, and Local officers are volunteers* who take time away from their work and their families to help ensure the union runs efficiently and that the views of the members they represent are always considered.

When you volunteer, you make a difference. You help a cause that is important to you, you make new friends, and your physical and mental health even benefits.

Learn more here:   15 unexpected benefits of volunteering

This article has been printed for entertainment purposes. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of GSU, its members, officers, or staff.

*GSU members who serve on union committees, boards, and attend convention have their time off work, wages, and expenses covered in accordance with GSU's expense policies (child care included). 



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