Calendar highlights and upcoming events: |
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AEA/GSU Local 8 conciliation – March 3 POSTPONED
This was to be the first conciliation session between the parties.
The conciliation officer has 60 days to meet with the parties in an effort to settle the bargaining impasse between AEA/GSU Local 8 and Advance Tank Production Ltd. /Advance Tank Centres Ltd.
See related story, below.
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GSU's membership survey closes March 4
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Local 14 (Richardson) bargaining – March 9
The two sides have agreed to meet for the first time since Feb. 16. Details are available, below.
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Joint Executive Council meeting – Regina, March 25
The union's governing body will be meeting to review the business of the union and the 2021 audited financial statements.
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CLC/SFL Spring School – May 2–6, 2022
Registration is now open for this annual labour school. GSU will sponsor up to three attendees on a first come, first served basis. Learn more here and contact your GSU staff rep to reserve your spot or learn more.
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Bargaining with Richardson International resumes March 9 |
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“When we meet management again on March 9, we will continue to do our best to bring about a settlement for Local 14 members to vote on,” said union bargaining committee spokesperson and GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner.
The parties last met on Feb. 16.
A dditional information on past bargaining sessions is available here.
GSU bargaining committee members are Jerid Clark, Curtis Shiels, GSU staff members Donna Driediger and Mason Van Luven, and GSU staff/union bargaining spokesperson Hugh Wagner.
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AEA/GSU Local 8 conciliation date to be rescheduled |
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The March 3 conciliation meeting between AEA/GSU Local 8 and Advance has been postponed at the conciliator’s request. Union and management have provided alternative dates and it is hoped that a rescheduled meeting will be nailed down soon.
When both sides last met on Dec. 16, the union position on wage increases was at least three percent per year higher than the employer’s proposals over the life of a three-year agreement.
The union committee will continue to push for wage increases in line with the current trends in the rising cost of living.
Updates from previous bargaining sessions are available here.
The AEA/Local 8 bargaining committee is comprised of Doug Murray (president), Steve Holliday (vice president), Dion Elliott (OH&S co-chair), Doug Kampman (secretary treasurer), Mason Van Luven (GSU staff rep) and Hugh Wagner, (union spokesperson and GSU general secretary).
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Modest increases to Viterra salary ranges |
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As a result of a market review and a letter of understanding between the company and GSU, the minimums and maximums of most Viterra in-scope salary ranges will rise effective Jan. 1, 2022
According to GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner, generally speaking, the increases to the pay ranges will be a very modest 1.5 percent and will not have a dramatic impact on the wages of most union members.
“The changes to salary range minimums and maximums should not be confused with the 2.5 percent aggregate salary increase that will also be applied retroactively to January 1 and is linked to employees’ annual performance evaluations," Wagner said. “These increases are potentially more meaningful, but are also too low when compared to the rising cost of living.”
On Feb. 23, Wagner wrote to Viterra on the subject of wages and said,
“GSU does not object to raising the minimums and maximums of the salary ranges as proposed. However, we do argue that the salary ranges and employee’s individual rates of pay should be adjusted upwards significantly in light of the changing labour market and price inflation.”
He went on to say,
“We also continue to express the dissatisfaction of the union’s members in relation to the design and administration of the pay system, including unfairness in the application of annual salary increases.”
GSU members in Locals 1 (Viterra - Ops/Maintenance) and 2 (Viterra Head Office) will have an opportunity to tackle the subject of wage increases later this year when bargaining commences to amend and renew their collective agreements with Viterra. The current collective agreements expire on Oct. 31, 2022.
“Bargaining this coming fall will provide union members with an excellent opportunity to change the whole system of pay and wage increases into something that is much fairer, transparent and equitable," Wagner said.
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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. |
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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.
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, 2022.
Information and application forms are available at gsu.ca
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Torgerson deems Feb. 24 online Steward training a success |
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Pandemic restrictions are loosening and GSU is making up for missed opportunities in 2020 and 2021 by prioritizing member education in 2022.
Our revamped steward training course took place Feb. 24, 2022. In addition to being our first workshop of the year, this one-day online course was the first entirely-virtual education event we have held. Attendance was limited to members who were recently elected as union officers at their annual Local and Sub-Local meetings.
“We had a great turn out,” reported GSU staff rep and course instructor Steve Torgerson. “Training focussed on the responsibilities stewards have, what role they fill, and how they can help fellow members understand their workplace rights and union services that are available to them.”
“There were some new faces and some familiar ones, and it was exciting to see the passion, ideas, and drive they have to represent their co-workers,” Torgerson said. “This will lead to additional education opportunities and I’m looking forward to including even more GSU members in union education events.”
Contact GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson at Steve@gsu.ca if you are interested in upcoming union education classes.
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You are the average of the people you hang out with |
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It turns out that a good part of who you are and what you have may very well be based on proximity.
According to the article linked below, 20 percent of people are moving forward in life, 60 percent are mimicking the behaviour and circumstances of those around them, and 20 percent are falling backward.
Which category are you in? And what should you be doing differently to start moving forward?
Learn more here:
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.
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