March 17, 2020  

Calendar highlights and upcoming events:

CANCELLED Local 5 / Western Producer bargaining - Saskatoon, March 24
GSU's collective agreement with The Western Producer expired July 31, 2019. Bargaining committee members representing GSU Local 5 are Sharlene Tetrault, Michelle Houlden, and GSU staff rep/bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling. Learn more here.

CLC/SFL Spring School - Moose Jaw, April 20 - 24, 2020 
This is a GSU-sanctioned event*. Learn more by contacting your staff rep or checking out the school brochure here.

Prairie School for Union Women - Waskesiu Lake, June 7 - 11, 2020 
This is a GSU-sanctioned event*. Learn more by contacting your staff rep or checking out the school brochure here.

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.



If you have concerns or problems as you deal with your employer's responses to Covid-19, don't hesitate to contact your GSU staff rep. 

GSU has been reaching out to employers to determine what measures they are taking to protect you in response to Covid-19. Read GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner's March 16 email to employers here. 

Need to talk to one of our staff reps? Our contact information is available here .

GSU services are provided to you as part of your union dues. There is no additional charge for assisting you. 


  


After careful consideration of the dynamic situation flowing out of the COVID-19 pandemic, GSU's Executive Committee made the difficult decision to cancel the union's Biennial Policy Convention scheduled for March 19 to 21, 2020.

GSU has always placed the highest priority on the health and safety of workers, and in the evolving COVID-19 virus situation we recognize that we could not risk the well-being of those who would be attending the convention in Moose Jaw. The Executive Committee also believes that our union has an obligation to the community to do our part in slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to help in avoiding the potential for adding to the burden on our healthcare system.

GSU's Joint Executive Council will be convened by conference call soon to discuss re-scheduling the convention and to attend to the immediate business of the union.

We thank all of the members who registered to be delegates to the convention and share the disappointment the cancellation will cause. We appreciate your support and understanding.


 
Memorandum of settlement reached in GSU Local 19, Prairie Co-op bargaining
       
Congratulations to GSU Local 19 bargaining committee members Devin Lipinski and Steve Torgerson who reached a memorandum of settlement with Prairie Co-op Ltd. on March 13 when the two sides met for bargaining.

"Local 19 members can expect to receive copies of the memorandum and the information on a vote soon," said GSU bargaining spokesperson Steve Torgerson. "Some allowances will need to be made for the Covid-19 outbreak, but GSU will work with Prairie Co-op management to ensure our members have the opportunity to ask questions and ultimately vote on the proposed deal."




Our Rush ticket giveaway has been cancelled

What a difference a week makes. Last week we launched a contest to give away tickets to the March 20 Georgia Swarm versus Sask. Rush game. Those plans changed when the National Lacrosse League suspended the season due to COVID-19. No lacrosse games? No tickets.

This too shall pass, and when it does we'll be back with new contests and opportunities to win. In the meantime, wash your hands and don't touch your face.



 
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 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.


Deadline for receipt of applications is June 1, 2020.



Covid-19 misinformation has become a fake news epidemic  

Fake news about Covid-19 seems to be spreading faster than the virus. W e all need to use our investigative skills to sort through the barrage of updates and bad advice about cures and protection.


Educate yourself by following credible news sources and experts

Looking for facts? Check out your local news stations, CBC,  CNN,  The Washington Post, or the  The New York Times. The World Health Organization is also a reliable source for the latest Covid-19 information.

Municipal, provincial and federal official websites are also a great place to go for news on changes to public policy, closures, and more. In fact, that's where the media gets its information from.

The World Health Organization is also a reliable source for Covid-19 information for the public. 

Refuse to share misinformation and fake news 

Consider the source of the information and don't share social media stories that aren't from a credible news organization.


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.


Please consider the environment before printing this email.

This email and any attachment(s) are confidential and may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient please notify GSU, delete this email and do not copy, use or disclose it.