Spring member visitations and Local 1 & 2 (Viterra) bargaining updates

It won't be long until GSU staff reps hit the highways for a round of member visitations. In addition to receiving the Annual Report of GSU's Joint Executive Council and discussion of local and sub-local issues, GSU members working for Viterra can also expect a bargaining update report and opportunity for feedback.

Detailed information will be available soon.

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Saskatchewan Federation of Labour Education Opportunities

Contact your GSU staff to learn more.

Prairie School for Union Women

Saskatoon Inn, Saskatoon, SK

June 12-15, 2023

SFL Summer Camp

Shekinah Retreat Centre (Near Waldheim, SK)

August 19-25, 2023

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Delegates to GSU biennial policy convention elect Defense Fund directors

The GSU Defense Fund is solid insurance for GSU members and a very important resource in assisting members with their collective bargaining agendas.  The primary purposes of the GSU Defense Fund is to ensure and provide for the continued operation of GSU and to provide strike/lockout pay to members of GSU in the event they strike or are locked out.

When delegates to GSU’s 15th biennial conventions met in March, they elected five union members to serve on the board of directors of the GSU Defense Fund.

We welcome Wilfred Harris (Local 1 - Viterra), Doug Kampman (Local 8 - AEA/Advance), Craig Reiman (Local 14 (Richardson), Lynn Shaw (Local 15 - Nutrien) and Barry Zimmer Local 1 - Viterra) who were elected to two-year terms of office by GSU convention delegates.

These elected directors will oversee the administration and investment of the GSU Defense Fund assets and set policy for payment of strike/lockout pay for union members engaged in collective bargaining disputes. The board meets three or four times a year (or more often, if required) to review the Fund’s financial position, investment strategy and other administrative matters.

Every GSU member in good standing is eligible to be a candidate for a seat on the Board of Directors, although three seats are reserved for members from GSU Locals 1 (Viterra), 2 (Viterra), 14 (Richardson) or 15 (Nutrien). Union members who represent their Local on GSU’s Joint Executive Council cannot also be a director of the Defense Fund.

"We commend these five individuals on their willingness to step up and serve their fellow members by serving on the board," said GSU general secretary Steve Torgerson. "The commitment of their time and efforts to manage the money of GSU members is noticed and appreciated."

Unfair Labour Practice filed, Local 1 & 2 (Viterra) petitions delivered to HR

This March, Viterra announced the Short Term Incentive Plan (STIP) for 2022 would be paid to eligible members of Local 1 and 2 members. A few days later, they changed their mind and said that they wouldn’t pay the STIP until bargaining has been resolved.

Since the 2022 STIP has no bearing on current bargaining taking place to negotiate new collective agreements in the Locals, GSU and Local 1 and 2 members and their GSU staff representatives began looking into all options to have the STIP paid out, including legal and direct action.

Members spoke up and signed a petition asking Viterra to honour their commitment to pay the STIP and not to try to use this as a tool to influence bargaining. Copies of the signed petitions were provided to Viterra Human Resources and GSU clearly stated its position that withholding of the STIP is an unfair labour practice and interference in the bargaining process.

When March 31, 2023, passed and Viterra did not release members' STIP, GSU filed an unfair labour practice with the Canada Labour Relations Board. In its application, GSU pointed to the statutory freeze in place as a result of bargaining that we believe the company violated.

"Getting the STIP released will not be done by petitions or legal action alone, but by the combination of those and the actions and constant voice of members speaking up and saying "No, I won't work longer than 12 hours until you release our STIP," "Pay us our STIP," and "Live up to the values that Viterra is supposed believe in," said GSU general secretary and Local 1 and 2 bargaining committee spokesperson Steve Torgerson.

If you and your co-workers want to do something to show the company you think they need to release the STIP, talk to your staff representative.

It takes a combination of hard work and educational funding for most students to achieve their goals. 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.

The scholarship competition is open to GSU members, their spouses, and dependent children who have not previously won.

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.

Deadline for receipt of applications is June 1, 2023.

Learn more here.

Local 1 (Viterra Operations & Maintenance) & Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) bargaining - Union to begin member consultations in May

Your GSU Local 1 and 2 bargaining committee members met with their management counterparts for a bargaining session on April 4 and 5. A detailed bargaining update was sent to members on April 6. You can read it here.

Bargaining dates have also been confirmed for April 26 & 27, and May 9, 10 & 11.

Regardless of what takes place on April 26 & 27, the time has come to meet directly and consult with GSU members. The GSU bargaining committee is planning to hold town-hall Zoom meetings and in-person membership meetings for each sub-local in May.

Watch your email or consult with a bargaining committee member for details.

You can read previous updates on the VITERRA BARGAINING page on GSU's main web page under the Bargaining menu tab. Contact Mason@gsu.ca to be added to our bargaining update email list.

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).

Local 5 (Western Producer) bargaining impasse: mediator appointed

On March 30 the union was advised that mediator Kevin Eckert had been appointed to assist the parties in their efforts to reach a negotiated settlement. We are awaiting contact with Mr. Eckert and we look forward to engaging this process so we can work to secure a new amended collective agreement.

We may not be able to provide details while discussions are ongoing, we will provide dates of meetings and as much information on progress as we are able to.

If you have questions, please reach out to your bargaining committee members.

The bargaining committee comprises Michelle Houlden, 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) members have a new collective agreement

When the company's offer was taken to the membership for a vote, 90 percent of the members voting were in favour of acceptance of the proposed settlement. 

Standing up for your rights may be tough and uncomfortable, but the outcomes are worth it. Local 7 members have proved they are ready for the challenge.

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 18 (Lloydminster & District Cooperative Association) bargaining moved to first week of May

The first bargaining session was set to begin March 28, 29 and 30. At the company's request, bargaining will now take place during the first week of May.

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

Staying happy in a toxic workplace

Post-COVID workers continue to reassess their relationship to their jobs, reevaluate their priorities and weigh how their employment affects their health and life outside the workplace.

It seems workers are willing to put up with less ... crap.

According to this article, a recent study found that a toxic workplace culture is the number one reason people leave their jobs and is 10.4 times more likely to contribute to attrition than compensation. Not surprisingly, when employees don't feel safe, acknowledged, and appreciated it affects their work, influences their behaviour and decisions, and takes focus away from the job at hand.

While you consider your options and decide whether to stay put or go, there are things you can do to make your workday better.

Learn more here:

• 14 moves that will keep you happier in a job that you hate
• Feel better knowing that while toxic people really are more successful, their success may not last
• 7 tips for staying positive in a toxic work environment
• Clear signs it's time to change jobs