April 16, 2024

AEA/GSU Local 8 membership meeting - April 18

Presentation of bargaining proposals is on the agenda.

Local 1 (Viterra) and Local 14 (Richardson) Board of Delegates meetings to be set

We're convening separate meetings of our Local 1 and Local 14 delegates to identify and address concerns and to ensure that members are feeling adequately represented and able to reach out to GSU officers and union staff for support when needed. Also,

• Local 1 has just wrapped up bargaining and it's important to reflect on the process to learn what needs to be done and what we can improve on going forward.

• Local 14’s collective agreement remains in effect until the end of 2025, but it's important to use the time between agreements to observe, reflect and prepare for the future.

Both meetings will identify issues, assess priorities, and note what is working well and what isn't working at all so we are well prepared for future negotiations with employers. 

Are you a Local 1 or Local 14 member who is interested in attending your Local's delegates meeting and representing fellow GSU members in your workplace? Contact your GSU staff rep to learn more. 

Prairie School for Union Women - June 9–13, Regina, SK

Earlybird registration deadline is May 3

The Prairie School for Union Women offers trade union women an intensive four days of learning and sharing in a supportive environment. The goals of the school are to develop women’s personal and leadership skills and to build solidarity among women workers.

Whether you are a woman who is a seasoned union advocate or just starting to get involved in your union, this school is open to you. This year, the school will be held in person in Regina from June 9 – 13 at the University of Regina

GSU will send up to two delegates to this popular school. Learn more here, then contact your GSU staff rep if you are interested in applying to attend.

Helping temporary, casual, term employees and Co-op students understand their rights and benefits as GSU members

Spring brings us an influx of new members who are temporary, casual, term employees and Co-op students. When you have never been a union member, having information set out for you in a collective agreement is a different experience. To better understand what benefits and rights you have while working for a unionized employer, speak to a GSU staff representative.

GSU staff rep Brian Lark has been answering questions for new GSU members who are curious what their rights are as union members.

“All GSU members have the right to fair representation no matter what their employment status is, and we are here to provide that,” Lark said. ““Most of our collective agreements contain language that pertains to temporary, casual or term employees. These employees are dues-paying members and they deserve the coverage and compensation that all GSU members are entitled to.”

Lark cautions that not all collective agreements or all employers are equal, and available benefits may fluctuate from employer to employer and agreement to agreement.

If you are a new or seasoned member of GSU and you have questions about your collective agreement or the benefits and rights you are entitled to, reach out to a GSU staff representative.

• Our assistance is provided to you and paid for by your union dues and there is never an additional charge for assisting you.

• There is no limit on the number of times you can seek assistance and advice, so reach out to us anytime you have questions or think there is a problem that needs to be addressed. 

• Call us toll-free at 1.866.522.6686 (Regina) or 1.855.384.7314 (Saskatoon)

If you need advice on any employment issue, don't hesitate to reach out to your GSU staff rep.

GSU representatives are committed to offering the support you need, and we will never contact your employer or take action on your behalf without your approval or consent.

If you are accepted into a full-time community college, university, trade school or technical institute program, you are eligible to apply for a GSU scholarship

Every year, GSU offers $2,000 scholarships to five students who demonstrate a passion for driving positive change in their community. For the first time, if you have already won a GSU scholarship in the past you are encouraged to apply again.

Previously, recipients could only receive one scholarship per lifetime, but GSU's Joint Executive Council members voted to remove that restriction.

The scholarship competition is open to GSU members, their spouses, and dependents, regardless of previous scholarship awards. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a diploma, degree, or certificate program at any community college, university, trade school, or technical institute.

Learn more, download the forms or complete them online at GSU.ca.

Deadline for receipt of applications is July 1, 2024.

Did you receive your copy of our annual report?

Local 5 (Western Producer) members have a new collective agreement

Members recently voted to accept the terms of a memorandum of settlement and now work is underway to incorporate the terms into the new collective agreement. When GSU and company representatives agree upon the final collective agreement wording, the agreement will be signed. After that, GSU will begin preparing collective agreement booklets for Local 5 members.

The bargaining committee comprises Laurie Michalycia, Donna Driediger (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU staff) and Steve Torgerson (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU general secretary).



Local 6 (Wild West Steelhead) bargaining underway today

GSU's Local 6 negotiating committee met on Feb 13 to complete their bargaining package before they met with the employer on Feb 14. Both sides presented proposals and while progress was made, a tentative settlement was not reached.

Watch our April 23 Tuesday Members' Memo for an update on the April 16 bargaining session. 

The bargaining committee comprises Connor Hartley, Logan Farwell, Kassie Freeland and Donna Driediger (lead negotiator/GSU staff).



Local 9 (Trouw) agreement renewal bargaining continues by email

GSU's Local 9 committee is awaiting a company's response following their review of an amendment to overtime language. Once received, our bargaining committee will determine the next steps, including a goal of conducting a ratification vote at the earliest opportunity.

Your GSU bargaining committee comprises Rob Macken, Kelly Swaretzky and Mason Van Luven (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU staff). Jordan Jefferson is serving as alternate.



Local 19 (Prairie Co-op) committee to meet, strategize for June 4-6 bargaining session

On Feb. 28 and 29, GSU's Local 19 (Prairie Co-op) bargaining committee attended virtual negotiations to renew the collective agreement with their employer counterparts. This marked their second meeting following the initial bargaining session on Feb. 14.

Members of Local 19 are advocating for improved benefits, better pay, and a compensation framework that considers performance, annual adjustments, and progression through pay ranges.

The two sides will meet for their next bargaining session on June 4 through 6.

The current collective agreement expired on Oct. 31, 2023.

Your GSU bargaining committee comprises Colter Spence, Lindsay Hill, Jennifer Schmidt, Mackenzie Walter and Mason Van Luven (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU staff).

Is there something you've always longed to do or experience?

Every journey starts with a choice. Today, choose to break free from doubt's grip, and trust in your abilities, heart and gut – even if others don't. Give yourself permission to pursue your dreams or try something new.

In a skeptical world, be your own advocate. Don’t allow doubts, whether yours or others’, to stop you from crafting and experiencing your life in the way you want to live it. 

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.