November 23, 2021
Calendar highlights and upcoming events:
GSU membership meetings are well underway

We are using Zoom for a majority of our membership meetings this year and we have set Dec. 15 as our target date for completion. If you have a preferred date and time for your meeting, let us know.

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Local 14 (Richardson) bargaining - TBA

Our original Nov.10 bargaining session was postponed at the company's request. An alternate date hasn't been set.

GSU staff rep Mason Van Luven has been tasked with sending bargaining updates to Local 14 members. Our Tuesday Members' Memo database will be used to send email updates, so if you have a co-worker who does not receive our TMM and would like to be added to our contact list, have them contact Mason@gsu.ca.

Your bargaining committee members are Jerid Clark, Curtis Shiels, GSU staff Mason Van Luven, and GSU staff/bargaining spokesperson Hugh Wagner.

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GSU Local 8 (Advance) - executive meeting Nov. 23; next bargaining session on Nov. 30

Local 8's executive committee members met today in advance of their upcoming Nov. 30 bargaining session.

GSU bargaining committee members are Doug Murray, Dion Elliott, Steve Holiday, Doug Kampman, Mason Van Luven (GSU staff), and bargaining spokesperson Hugh Wagner (GSU staff).

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Have you used your Health Flex Spending Account or other health benefits? It's time to check your account.

The point of using your health benefits isn't just to use up the money - it's to make sure that you are getting the medications, treatments and help you need to feel and be your best mentally and physically. Self-care is particularly important as we all cope with the stresses of living and working through a global pandemic

Check your collective agreement for details on your account, and - as always - don't hesitate to contact your GSU staff rep if you need help sorting things out. The services we provide to you are included in your union dues, and there is no additional charge for assisting you.
GSU promotes 2022 wage increases
GSU is urging employers to step up to the plate by granting significant wage increases to employees in 2022.
 
On Nov. 18, GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner wrote to corporate management at Nutrien and Viterra to lobby for 2022 wage increases that at least match increases in the rate of inflation as measured by the All Items Consumer Price Index (CPI). 
 
The CPI has recently recorded increases higher than 4 percent and the Bank of Canada has indicated upward pressure on the CPI will continue at a rate of 3.5 percent or higher for all of 2022.
 
Wagner advised both employers that collective agreements don’t present any barriers to awarding each and every employee a higher wage/salary increases.  
 
“It is my respectful submission that the principles of equity, fairness, recognition and retention all support this kind of action,” Wagner said. ““When we meet employers such as Advance Manufacturing and Richardson International at the bargaining table in the latter part of 2021 and the beginning of 2022, we will be arguing for significant wage increases for all employers.”
 
“Other companies are being encouraged to do the right thing without waiting for the collective agreements to open for bargaining,” he continued. “As the economy continues to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and price inflation appears to be on the rise, the time to recognize and reward workers for the value of their contributions to economic growth and corporate prosperity is long overdue.” 

We're helping members sort through snow-day paystub issues
GSU staff reps are fielding calls from members who reviewed their pay stubs and are questioning how their time was calculated.
Employees throughout Saskatchewan were sent home early or told not to come in when last week's winter storm created treacherous conditions, led to road closures, and caused power outages. GSU members may have access to options like pressing necessity, family leave or personal leave clauses in their collective agreements that might offer a leave of absence to deal with emergent situations.

"Collective agreements vary between employers. It's a good idea to check your collective agreement to see what it says about access to leave for situations like we experienced with last week's storm, or when a family member needs urgent care or your water heater floods your basement," said GSU staff rep Donna Driediger. "When you know what leave is available to you and when it can be accessed, you can make informed decisions. That will also help ensure your time is recorded as you intend it on your pay stub, and it will help you identify when it's not paid out properly, too."

If you have questions about how your work time was paid out during the blizzard, or what you may be entitled to for pressing necessity or personal leave in your collective agreement, don't hesitate to reach out to your GSU staff rep. Our services are provided to you as part of your union dues and your inquiry will remain confidential.

Contact information for GSU staff representatives is available on our web page at gsu.ca.
How to start a difficult conversation
No one enjoys initiating or participating in a difficult conversation, but leaving situations unaddressed doesn't mean they will fade away. Avoidance may actually make things worse, and that will leave your issues weighing on your shoulders like a load of bricks.

There are a number of ways to prepare for a tough conversation so you know how to start the dialogue, carry out the conversation in a productive way, and increase your odds for a successful outcome.

Learn more here about how to start a difficult conversation:


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.