Calendar highlights and upcoming events: |
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GSU is seeking a part-time Accounting & Payroll Administrator for our Regina office. Application deadline is Feb. 25, 2022. |
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GSU Shop Steward Training (online) – Feb. 24, 2022
This is our first education opportunity of the year. Contact GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson if you are interested in learning more about upcoming education opportunities.
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AEA/GSU Local 8 conciliation – March 3
This is 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.
A bargaining recap is available here.
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GSU's membership survey closes March 4
Access the survey link here. Read the story below for detailed information.
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Joint Executive Council meeting tentatively set for 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 scheduled for 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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GSU Local 14 (Richardson) committee spokesperson hints union members may soon assess, vote, determine next step in process |
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When GSU local 14’s bargaining committee last met with their counterparts from Richardson International on Feb. 16, some additional progress was made in narrowing the differences on the issues of sick leave and wage increases.
“The bargaining session paused at the end of the day on February 16 so that GSU’s committee could assess where things stand,” said union bargaining spokesperson Hugh Wagner. “The next day I proposed meeting again on February 23 but management advised that scheduling prevents their committee from meeting again until March 9 or 10.”
“The delay isn’t optimum and we’ll continue to look for an earlier resumption of the bargaining,” Wagner said. “Even if we don’t meet until March 9, I think one more session will bring things to a point where union members will be able to assess, vote, and determine how the bargaining is going to turn out.”
“The Local 14 bargaining committee is doing its level best to bring about negotiated wage increases in line with members’ expectations,” said Wagner. “The final word goes to union members.”
Additional 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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Have you filled out your GSU survey? |
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Complete your survey by March 4 and pick your prize to enter our random survey draw. |
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Good or bad, we want to hear from you.
The survey will be open until noon on March 4, so make sure you respond at your convenience and urge your fellow GSU members to respond, too.
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As a thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, you have the option of entering our draw to win one of three prizes. |
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To enter the draw, we will need you to provide the necessary contact information at the end of the survey after selecting which of the prize you would like to enter to win. The lucky winner of our random draw will be contacted after the survey closes.
If you don’t want to enter the draw – or you would prefer your thoughts remain completely anonymous – simply leave the contact information section blank.
Any questions or complications with completing the survey can be directed to staff rep Mason Van Luven by phone or by email (306.552.7987 or Mason@gsu.ca) |
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You deserve to be paid for the hours that you work. |
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As workers, we trade our skill and time for money.
When your scheduled shift is over, your obligation to continue working for the company stops, and the obligation of the company to pay you stops as well. However, in the grain industry the car spot dates fluctuate, and companies expect their employees to be flexible on those hours.
In 2019, the federal government implemented changes that stated employers needed to give 24-hours notice of a shift change. Grain companies lobbied that they are not able to abide by these rules, and they received an exemption from the shift change rules (and others). This means they do not have to give you 24-hours notice of a change in your shift.
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Standby Pay is part of your collective agreement, and receiving it when you are on standby is your right. |
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Since the Feb. 2022 implementation above, GSU staff representatives have been fielding calls from members who are tryin to understand their right to receive standby pay during the times they are expected by the employer to be available and willing to come to work.
Simply put, when you are on stand-by, you are in a state of constant readiness to go into the office or be prepared to answer phone or emails as they come in. And when you have been directed to be ready and available for work, you deserve to be paid.
If you are struggling with standby pay at your location, or if you have questions or want to know more, reach out to your GSU staff representative. We would be glad to help.
No question is too big or small. GSU staff reps are here to assist you.
It's easiest to solve problems in the beginning when they are small, so don't hesitate to contact us when you see something that might need to be addressed. We will answer your questions and assist you in any way we can, and we won't contact your employer, file a grievance or act on your behalf without consultation, direction, and approval from you.
Contact information for GSU staff is available on GSU's web page at gsu.ca.
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Our path to reconciliation includes listening, learning, and creating opportunities for education and participation within GSU. On the last Tuesday of each month we will be sharing a short piece of information that we hope will inspire you to learn more about the topic and ultimately contribute to a shared future of reconciliation. |
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We are trekking individually and collectively toward the same goal |
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By GSU staff representative Mason Van Luven
Writing as a settler, I endeavor towards Truth and Reconciliation in my own way. My efforts, though futile on their own, contribute to a movement made up of an innumerable number of individuals all trekking towards the same goal. This is the power of a collective.
What makes the collective even more special is that your contributions are not just impactful, they are unique to you. Yet in that uniqueness you can find solidarity amongst strangers charting the same course towards Truth and Reconciliation.
In recognition of you and your uniqueness, my contribution to this Tuesday Members’ Memo is open-ended where you can curate your own education. To help you learn as you learn best, I have collected both videos and articles you can review at your leisure. When you get a chance to check them out, I would be interested in hearing which video, documentary, or article you chose to view and why. You can reach me at Mason@gsu.ca.
Documentaries:
Videos:
Articles:
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There is so much more to learn!
GSU is building a truth and reconciliation lending library. If you have resources you would recommend for our library or are interested in borrowing a book, contact staff rep Mason Van Luven at Mason@gsu.ca.
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The Power of saying Thank You |
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The words THANK YOU have a wonderful effect on the person who says them and the person they are directed to. These two simple words can improve relationships, help you sleep better, and propel you toward a positive outlook on life.
When we extend sincere thanks to someone for something they have done, it feels good. It provides a confirmation of appreciation for the individual we are thanking and their actions, and that sticks with us. Studies have shown that when someone compliments us, we feel like a valued part of society and we are inspired to work harder to please the person who acknowledged us.
There are so many opportunities to show your appreciation and acknowledge a kindness or courtesy with a simple thank you. Make a point of finding some and sharing your own thank yous today.
Learn more about the power of saying THANK YOU and unexpected situations where you should say thank you, 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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