January 21, 2020  

Upcoming events:

GSU Local 15 / Nutrien Bargaining - Jan. 28 & 29
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. 

GSU biennial convention - Temple Gardens, Moose Jaw, March 19-21, 2020
If you are a GSU member, we want to hear from you. Join us, 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. Learn more and register 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.

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.



Staff rep Steve Torgerson is working with members and the newly elected executive in Local 9
(Hi-Pro Feeds) to strengthen their workplace health and safety committees. Members are concerned the company isn't fully engaged in their workplace H&S Committees, so they approached Steve for his guidance and assistance to help protect plant and mill workers by returning the committees to acceptable standards. 

Do you need help? Just want advice? GSU can help.  If you need advice or ideas about how to handle a workplace situation, contact your GSU staff rep. These services are provided to you as part of your union dues. There is no additional charge for assisting you.



 
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.

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 its members.
We'll have great people, conversation, food, entertainment, and it's all being held at the Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa in Moose Jaw.

All members of GSU are eligible to attend, but space is limited.  Approved convention delegates will have the costs of hotel, mileage, food, and wages covered by GSU. 



We'll work you hard during the day, but the evenings are yours to enjoy. 

After the Friday evening banquet we are hosting a Casino Night social. Blue Chip Casino Rentals event staff will be setting up Roulette, Black Jack, Red Dog, Texas Hold'em, Crown and Anchor, and Over/Under. Whether you are casino savy or casino clueless, there will be a game for you. 

If you would rather go for a float in the mineral spa, retire to your room, or head over to Casino Moose Jaw, that's up to you!

Bargaining updates

Local 5 (Western Producer)

Union and company committee met on Jan. 14 in Saskatoon and exchanged a number of proposals. When the two sides didn't agree on most of the larger issues, they did agree to create a sub-committee to meet and attempt to and narrow down issues.

The next bargaining session has been scheduled for Feb. 25.

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.


Local 7 (Heartland Livestock)

Bargaining for GSU members in Local 7 gets underway Feb. 13 in Regina.

GSU's collective agreement with Heartland expired Dec. 31, 2019. GSU bargaining committee members are Tyler Sherwood, Heather Makay, and GSU staff rep/bargaining spokesperson Donna Driediger.


Local 15 (Nutrien)

GSU bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling reports the two parties signed off on some non-monetary proposals at their last meeting, and the company intends to present their full monetary package to the union committee when they meet again Jan. 28 and 29.

Collective agreements between Nutrien and GSU expired 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.


 
Thousands of women marched last Saturday. Why? 

On Jan. 18, women and their supporters in Regina, Saskatoon, Canada, and all over the world participated in women's marches. Why?
Three years ago today, more than six million people throughout the world gathered and expressed their anger over the election of Donald Trump despite his record of statements many felt were demeaning and offensive to women.  Women's Marches have been growing in strength, numbers, and ever since. In 2020, there were 45 scheduled marches throughout 20 countries stretching across Central and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Canada and Australia, and they are showing no signs of slowing down.

Additional information is available here: 


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