Also informally known as White Ribbon Day, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is commemorated in Canada every Dec.6, the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique de Montréal massacre when an armed male murdered 14 young women simply because they were women.

A candlelight vigil to commemorate the 1989 Montreal Massacre will be held at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 1861 McIntyre Street, Regina.

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AGMs are winding down

Local/Sub-Local meetings will be complete by Dec. 15.

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GSU biennial policy convention - March 23, 24 & 25, 2023

The Joint Executive Council convenes a policy convention of GSU delegates once every two years prior to May 31. The location of the 2023 policy convention is the Moose Jaw Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa.

Learn more here.

Members who are interested in being a delegate to GSU’s 2023 convention in Moose Jaw are asked to follow up by contacting their Local executive committee members, a GSU staff representative or by sending an email to GSUconvention@gsu.ca.

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Long-term temporary employee seeking permanent employee status

GSU staff rep Brian Lark is assisting a member who has been a temporary employee for six years. The member was originally a summer student hired as a temporary employee, and for the following five years the employee was hired on an eight- to ten-month term contract. 

“As a temporary employee, they are not entitled to all of the benefits that a regular employee is entitled to. They are not eligible to be a part of the group benefits. They do not get money towards a pension. They are not afforded paid time off for being sick, attending their sick children or vacations,” Lark said. “They are not entitled to an annual increase unless they are able to negotiate one themself when they accept the term position. These are basic privileges that come with being part of the union and they are excluded from them.”

Lark is working with the employer to transition the employee to a permanent employee. 

“This employee enjoys the work and position, and is willing to come back each year to do the work,” said Lark. “All they are asking is that the company give them the opportunity to enjoy all the benefits that come with being a permanent employee.” 

No problem is too small, so don't hesitate to reach out to us with your questions, observations or concerns. Our services are provided to you as part of your union dues and there is never an additional charge for assisting you or a limit on the times you can seek advice. Contact information for GSU staff representatives is available on our web page at GSU.ca.

Ten days of employer-paid sick leave are now available for private sector workers who fall under the jurisdiction of the Canada Labour Code.

Workers who have been continuously employed for at least 30 days will have access to their first three days of paid sick leave as of Dec. 31, 2022. Starting on Feb. 1, 2023, workers will acquire a fourth day of paid sick leave and will continue to accumulate one day of paid sick leave on the first day of each following month up to a maximum of 10 days per year.

“Most GSU members already have better sick leave benefits through their collective agreements with their employers, particularly since the new federal benefit caps out at 10 paid days per year,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “Nonetheless, this is a major improvement to labour standards that can be built on and extended to workers who are currently excluded because they are deemed to be temporary or casual.”

“Improving labour standards for all is a cause actively supported by GSU, but the absolute best way for workers to get ahead is to join a union,“ Wagner said. “Provincial governments would do well to follow the lead of the federal government since paid sick leave is an important incentive in recruiting and retaining workers.”

Member Education 2023

By GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson

As the end of the year approaches and thoughts turn to the holiday season and spending time with our friends and families, we would also like you to start thinking about member education. 

Member education is a critical path to stronger workplaces and a stronger union, and in 2023 GSU members will have a number of opportunities to receive the education they need. 

What is Member Education? 

Simply put, member education is an opportunity for a member to learn a new skill that will help them or their Local. Education is varied and should be chosen by considering what best suits the member. Popular education topics include bargaining, health and safety, how to become a steward and assist with grievances or participate in meetings with the company.

Early-2023 Education Opportunities

GSU In-House - open to GSU members and elected officers 

GSU provides in-house training on a variety of topics determined by needs and requests.

GSU Officer Training - Late January*

GSU will hold a one-day online training session for newly elected and re-elected Local/Sub-Local officers. We will cover the role and responsibilities of shop stewards, how to get your workplace working together, and what to do if there is a problem or issue in your workplace.  

*Officer training information will be sent to our elected officers upon completion of our 2022 GSU annual meetings schedule.

Saskatchewan Federation of Labour - open to all GSU members

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour and the Canadian Labour Congress hold a wide variety of training opportunities throughout the year.

SFL Spring School - April 2 - 6, 2023, Moose Jaw

Seven courses are available at this popular school. This year’s courses are Labour Law, Member Engagement/Action, Putting Workers First, Reconciliation and Action, Steward Level II, Domestic Violence - Facilitator Training and Transforming Conflict into Union Activism. If any of these courses are of interest to you, talk to your staff representative to learn more or to ask to attend. 

View the Spring School brochure here.

SFL Pensions and Benefits Conference - March 22 - 23, 2023, Regina

This conference will provide information on pensions and benefits relevant to you, both personally and as a union representative. You will hear about current critical issues facing pension plans, the importance of pensions, investment options, an update on pension law and legal challenges, as well as the basics of retirement planning. Experts from Saskatchewan and across Canada will share their expertise to lead you in the right direction with pension and benefits decisions. 

View the Pensions and Benefits Conference brochure here.

Let us know if you are interested in training

We will keep you in the loop as more education opportunities are scheduled, but you don't have to wait to hear from us. You GSU staff reps will recommend education or training if they think you might be interested or benefit from it, but make sure to let your staff rep know if you have a particular topic of interest.

GSU Defense Fund directors meet, review investments, discuss strike/lockout pay scenarios

The board of directors of the GSU Defense Fund met on Dec. 2 to review investment performance and plan for future contingencies.

On a year-to-date basis the Fund’s investment portfolio with RBC experienced a decline in value of -9.41% resulting in an estimated market value of $4,772,000 as of the end of November. Together with cash on hand, the Fund’s assets are an estimated $5.2 million.

The directors agreed to meet again in mid- to late-January 2023 to assess investment performance with the RBC advisors.

Various bargaining dispute scenarios were discussed along with the logistics of providing strike/lockout pay to GSU members in the event of a collective bargaining dispute.

The GSU Defense Fund is administered by five-person board of directors who are elected to two-year terms of office by delegates to GSU’s biennial policy conventions.

Paid union leave and coverage of expenses is provided by GSU to members serving as directors of the Defense Fund. The next election of directors will be held at GSU’s 2023 policy convention on March 23, 24 and 25, 2023.

Members interested in serving as a director are asked to send their expression of interest to a GSU elected officer or a union staff representative or by emailing gsu@gsu.ca.

Local 1 (Viterra Operations & Maintenance) & Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) bargaining to resume Dec. 14 and 15

After spending Nov. 24 in talks with company representatives, it was determined that meeting the next day wouldn't be useful. Both sides have agreed to reconvene on Dec. 14 and 15.

A detailed bargaining update was issued to GSU Local 1 and 2 members on Nov. 28. You can also read it on our web page a GSU.ca.

GSU bargaining committee members are Local 1 – Jim Brown (Balgonie), Wilfred Harris (Carnduff), Shannon Antonenko (Lloydminster), David Barrett (Gull Lake) and Travis Brewer (Saskatoon); Local 2 – Sheila Tran, Howard Wilson and Kaylee Kruger with assistance from GSU staff representatives Mason Van Luven and Steve Torgerson (GSU bargaining committee spokesperson).



Watch your email for updates and check out the VITERRA BARGAINING page (on GSU's main web page under the Bargaining menu tab) for additional information. Contact Mason@gsu.ca to be added to our email update list.

Local 5 (Western Producer) bargaining scheduled for Dec. 16

Your Local 5 bargaining committee met with the employer on Dec. 2. Unfortunately, the employer did not come with any changes to their wage proposal and your committee stood strong. We advised that the members of Local 5 are the revenue earners for the Western Producer and the need to keep up with inflation rates is imperative. 

We are hopeful there will be some significant movement on behalf of the employer during our next session on Dec. 16. 

The bargaining committee comprises Michelle Houlden, Sharlene Lark, Laurie Michalycia, Donna Driediger (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU staff) and Hugh Wagner (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU staff).



Local 7 (Heartland Livestock Services/Northern Livestock Sales) bargaining to continue Dec. 20

Dec. 20 has been set for the second round of bargaining. The union committee had hoped for an earlier resumption of negotiations and they are ready to continue addressing the significant gap in monetary and non-monetary issues between the parties.

The bargaining committee comprises Paige Lister (Moose Jaw), Lori Branton (Prince Albert), Melissa Little (Yorkton) and Mason Van Luven (bargaining spokesperson/GSU staff).

Updates will be issued directly to members after each bargaining session and as new information is available. Contact Mason@gsu.ca if you are not receiving updates and would like to be added to the list.



Local 16 (Lake Country Co-operative) to begin Jan. 31

The first bargaining session will take place on Jan. 31, Feb. 1 and 2.

Bargaining will take place through virtual conferencing. Recognizing the value of being together to communicate and discuss proposals as they arise during the bargaining sessions, GSU’s committee plans to gather in person and meet with the company by virtual conferencing. 

Your bargaining committee will share bargaining updates by email and text message, so make sure your contact information is up-to-date.

GSU’s bargaining committee comprises Ward Tolley, Kara Thevenot and GSU staff representative/bargaining spokesperson Brian Lark. 

 

Locals 17 (Discovery Co-op) bargaining begins tomorrow

Local 17’s bargaining proposal package is ready and the union and company committees will meet Dec. 7 and 8 followed by a Dec. 13 and 14 session. 

At the company's request, bargaining will take place through virtual conferencing. Recognizing the value of being together to communicate and discuss proposals as they arise during the bargaining sessions, GSU’s committee plans to gather in person and meet with the company by virtual conferencing. 

Your bargaining committee will share bargaining updates by email and text message, so make sure your contact information is on file so you can stay informed. 

GSU’s bargaining committee comprises Kristen Keating, Nathan Rafuse, and GSU staff representative/bargaining spokesperson Brian Lark.  



Local 18 (Lloydminster & District Cooperative Association) bargaining scheduled in March

The first bargaining session will take place March 28, 29 and 30. At the company's request, bargaining will take place through virtual conferencing.

GSU’s bargaining committee comprises Christina Jones, Trent Herring and GSU staff representative/bargaining spokesperson Brian Lark. 

Arriving on time shows others that you can be counted on and you value their time. Being on time to pay your bills saves you money, arriving on time at a meeting shows you are focused and responsible, and being on time for your flight helps you avoid unneeded stress and the nightmare of rebooking a missed flight.

Are you on time our consistently out of time? Learn more about how to be on time every time and why that is important, here:

• 10 tricks to help you arrive on time
• 15 reasons why being punctual is important