AGMs are winding down

Most Local/Sub-Local meetings are complete and the remainder have been scheduled. At each meeting members receive the general secretary's report, vote on continuation of the additional Defense Fund dues deduction, elect Local representatives and more.

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Defense Fund Board of Directors to meet Dec. 2

The GSU Defense Fund board of directors will hold a Zoom meeting on Dec. 2.

The meeting agenda will include reviewing the latest investment information as well as making contingency plans in the event union members engage in active collective bargaining disputes in the coming months. The current market value of the Defense Fund investments exceeds $5 million.

The GSU Defense Fund originated in 1996 to protect the collective bargaining rights of union members and provide strike/lockout pay to members when they are involved in collective bargaining disputes with their employers. The Fund is administered by a board of five directors who are elected by delegates to GSU biennial policy conventions. Vacancies occurring between conventions are filled by members elected by GSU’s Joint Executive Council.

Members interested in serving as a Defense Fund director are urged to submit their expression of interest to a GSU delegate, a union staff representative or by email to gsu@gsu.ca in advance of GSU’s policy convention scheduled for March 23 to 25, 2023. Paid union leave and reimbursement for travel expenses is provided to members serving on the board of directors.

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National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women - Dec. 6

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 candle light vigil will be held on Dec. 6 at 1861 McIntyre Street, Regina at 5:00 p.m. to commemorate the 1989 Montreal Massacre.

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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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GSU will never stand in the way of you getting a bonus

Every so often, but not often enough, employers will give employees bonuses to acknowledge business results. In other instances it might be to address exceptional circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

”GSU does not stand in the way of employer generosity or recognition efforts,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “We do our best to bargain solid and above-average benefits, wages and working conditions, and if an employer wants to go above and beyond GSU has no objection nor prohibition.” 

A number of GSU’s collective agreements explicitly acknowledge the ability of the employer to implement employee retention and incentive plans. There have been instances employers have told GSU members that they would give their employees a bonus but the union won’t allow it. In every instance the employer’s claim has been false.

If GSU members encounter this type of situation let us know and we’ll follow it up.

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.

Support SK child care advocates! Wear polka dots and attend their Nov. 30 play-in event

On Nov. 30, child care advocates across Canada will engage in a Day of Awareness and Action. This day will be used to draw attention to the importance of Early Childhood Educators, other staff who work in child care centres, children, families, and communities.

Child Care Now Saskatchewan is hosting an in-person event at noon Nov. 30 at the provincial legislature building in Regina.

The purpose is to draw attention to the fractured child care patchwork, the need to build a system that meets the needs of all families in all corners of our province, and to create a well-compensated workforce.

Here's how you can show your support:

• Indicate your plans to attend or how you will be supporting the event
• Sign the Child Care Now petition
• Attend the event and wear polka dots on Nov. 30

Child Care Saskatchewan will provide a limited number of campaign buttons and child care signs at the Regina event.

Your three basic rights for working safely

By GSU staff rep Brian Lark

As an employee, you have the right to refuse and the right to know if work has been refused.

Workers should never be afraid to exercise their right to refuse when they believe that the work will endanger the health and safety of self or others. It's the last line of defense and it should be used when the first two rights fail to ensure worker safety. If you are in a situation and decide to exercise this right, know it is a serious decision that should not be taken lightly and it shouldn’t be used as a routine method of solving workplace problems.

Be mindful that it's not only the work that may be dangerous. There may be situations or people we are working with who may make the work dangerous. For example, if you are required to work at a height with another worker who is afraid of heights, their fear could endanger them or cause a situation that presents danger to you. As well, if you are required to perform a task with a member of your team who is not fit for work, you have a right to refuse to work with them.

If you choose to exercise the right to refuse, you will need to do the following.

1. Tell your supervisor what is unsafe about the work. Your supervisor must respond to the concern by taking corrective action if they agree with your concern, or explain why they disagree with your concern.
2. If you are not satisfied with your supervisor’s actions/explanations and your workplace has a health and safety committee or representative, you should advise them of the situation. The committee can conduct an investigation on your behalf and provide a decision on their findings. If they agree with you, they can make recommendations to the employer to correct the situation.
3. If you are unsatisfied with the committee recommendations or there is no committee or representative in your workplace, reach out to your local health and safety officer in your province. If the officer disagrees with you, they can instruct you to return to work. If you disagree with the officer’s decision, you have a right to appeal the decision with your jurisdiction.
4. Know that the employer has the right to temporarily reassign you to perform other work while the investigation is being conducted.
5. The employer has the right to reassign another worker to perform the work; however, they cannot do so without informing them that the work was previously refused.
6. At all times during the work refusal process, workers can document their concerns regarding the dangerous situation or condition, people they have spoken to, and the outcome of any and all conversations regarding the work refusal.

There is much more to consider regarding your three basic rights to occupational health and safety.

If you have questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to me or any of GSU's staff representatives.

Our path to reconciliation includes listening, learning, and creating opportunities for education and participation within GSU. Each month we will share 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.

By GSU staff rep Mason Van Luven

What are the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission?

The Residential School System lasted well over a century. These were, as we have covered previously, church-run, government-funded institutions meant to assimilate Indigenous children into mainstream society.

Though the last school was closed in the late 1990s, the trauma lived on, not only in those who experienced the schooling but in their families and communities. As a result, activists mounted a campaign that led to the Residential Schools Settlement. From that came the concept of a Commission whose sole purpose was to hear from survivors, synthesize a comprehensive report of what happened, and recommend policy to address what happened.

This Commission took from 2008 to 2015 to publish the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action - a comprehensive report that outlines what the Canadian government and its people should do in the name of reconciliation. It's a long document, but a worthwhile read.

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.

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

Your bargaining committees got together for breakfast before meeting with the company last week in Regina. (Clockwise around the group starting in the lower-left) Mason Van Luven, Howard WIlson, Wilfred Harris, Steve Torgerson, Sheila Tran, Jim Brown, David Barrett, Shannon Antonenko, Kaylee Kruger, Travis Brewer.

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.

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. 2

GSU Local 5’s bargaining committee met with their employer counterparts on Nov. 14 and 18. Revised bargaining proposals were exchanged and some progress was made in narrowing outstanding issues; however, there is a significant gap between the parties on key matters.

Bargaining is ongoing and a further meeting is planned for Dec. 2, so the Local 5 bargaining committee is not in a position to disclose details at this time.

A further update will be released following the Dec. 2 meeting.

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) - awaiting company response on bargaining date availability

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.

Bargaining proposals, a web page password and additional information were sent to Local 7 members by email on Oct. 31. You can learn more on GSU's web page under the BARGAINING menu tab at the top of the page.



Local 16 (Lake Country Co-operative) dates set

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 Dec. 7

Local 17’s bargaining proposal package is ready and two sets of bargaining meetings have been confirmed. The 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. 

On some level we all suffer from the fear of missing out. Whether you can't attend a lunch with friends, you have to miss a workplace social, or you long to be a jet-setter like the social media influencers you follow, it's easy to imagine why you feel like you are missing out on the action while others are enjoying life far more than you do.

Social media is particularly FOMO-triggering as everyone goes out of their way to showcase only the best of what keeps them busy and makes their lives enjoyable.

Don't let FOMO take you down. Learn the origins of FOMO, the havoc is can wreak in your life, and what you can do about it here:

• How to deal with FOMO in your life