January 7, 2020  

Upcoming events:

GSU Local 15/Nutrien Bargaining - Jan. 7 & 8
Your GSU Local 15 bargaining committee members are Brian Cowen, Curtis Cousins, Lynn Shaw, GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson, and GSU staff rep/bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling. Check out the Dec. 13, 2019 bargaining update here. 

Local 5 - Western Producer - Saskatoon, Jan. 10
The sudden illness of a committee member on Nov. 26 postponed the scheduled Local 5 (Western Producer) bargaining session. GSU's bargaining committee members are Sharlene Tetrault, Michelle Houlden, and GSU staff rep/bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling 

GSU biennial convention - Temple Gardens, Moose Jaw, March 19-21, 2020
Registration opens Jan. 9.  We are counting on GSU members - like you - to come to convention, share your thoughts and experiences, and let us know what you think your union should be doing for members.  All members of GSU are eligible to attend, but space is limited. 

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.



 
The 2020 GSU Biennial Policy Convention is coming up on March 19-21, 2020, and we want you to join us for what is shaping up to be a fantastic convention.

The venue

Moose Jaw's Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa in the heart of downtown Moose Jaw is the ideal setting for our 2020 GSU convention. Learn more about the venue here.
 
The convention

Ask anyone who has been at a GSU convention and they will tell you the people are friendly, everyone is welcome, the opinion of every delegate matters.

The policy convention sets the tone of the union for the next two years, and we need you to join us, tell us about the goals and concerns or workers in your workplace, and let us know what changes you want made in how we represent you and your fellow union members.

We have already lined up a great guest speaker, entertainment, and an exciting agenda we'll be telling you about soon.
 
The entertainment

There is plenty for you and your fellow convention delegates to do outside the regular convention hours.

Casino Night
GSU will be hosting a night of games and entertainment with a private casino evening for convention delegates. 

World-renowned geothermal mineral spas.
Early-birds can enjoy a 7:00 a.m. early-morning soak in the indoor/outdoor naturally warm spa waters, and night owls can soothe away their aches and relax their minds in the pools until 11:00 p.m. Wednesday/Thursday, and midnight on Friday.

Tunnels of Moose Jaw
Travel back in time under the streets in Moose Jaw's tunnels

Casino Moose Jaw
Feeling lucky? Head across the street to the casino. If you take the pedway you won't even need your coat. 

Watch your email on Jan. 9 for your chance to register.
Don' t miss out! Space is limited.


   Relax outdoors at Moose Jaw Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa.


Proposals exchanged, Nutrien bargaining gets underway today

This is the old story: Can rehash a bit and say things are getting going. Get a quote from Dale or Steve about committee being ready to go.

On Dec. 13, GSU's Local 15 bargaining committee met with company representatives to begin collective agreement renewal bargaining. According to  GSU bargaining committee spokesperson Dale Markling, the two sides exchanged proposals and there was good discussion when both sides sought clarification on the other party's proposals.  

Bargaining is set to resume on Jan. 7, 8 and continue Jan. 28 and 29 in Regina. 

GSU's collective agreements with Nutrien expire Dec. 31, 2019. Your GSU Local 15 bargaining committee members are Brian Cowen, Curtis Cousins, Lynn Shaw, GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson, and GSU staff rep/bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling.

  
Employer demands massive concessions on pensions

As a worker, it's frightening to think that your employer can demand concessions to your pension plan. 

As a GSU member, the good news is this time it's not your employer demanding pension concessions. The same can't be said for nearly 800 Co-op Refinery workers are still on the picket line trying to protect their pension plans.

Choosing to strike is never an easy decision. 

Negotiations between Unifor and Federated Co-op hit an impasse when the employer demanded massive concessions on pensions, despite an explicit commitment during the last round of bargaining to maintain the current pension plan.

Would you be willing to strike over major concessions to your pension plan? Or would you look the other way?

Look beyond Facebook and media headlines. Challenge yourself to talk to a locked-out worker and ask them why they've been on a picket line for a month in the middle of winter.

#supportUnifor594 

You can help. Support fellow workers by supporting picket lines wherever they appear. Learn more about this dispute and the resulting Unifor 594 boycott of Federated Co-op here.




Enter our draw and you could be beating your chest at the next Rush game

The Rush season has started off well and we have two tickets to the game and we are giving them away to one lucky GSU member. You can enter our ticket draw by sending us your answer to the following question:

If the sports fairy flew down and told you she was sending you and 10 friends to any sporting event in the world you wanted to attend, where would you ask her to send you?

Send in your answers to us by 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14 and you will be entered in the draw.




 
You can survive winter with a smile on your face

Winter has been pretty kind to us this year, but we know it's a matter of time until Mother Nature turns on us and hits us with everything she has. Are you ready?

Check out these 17 Must Haves to Survive a Canadian Winter


Please consider the environment before printing this email.

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