TMM: GSU Local 4 (Grain Millers) serves notice to bargain

January 25, 2022

Calendar highlights and upcoming events:

Jan. 26 is Bell's Let's Talk Day to support mental health initiatives in Canada and help foster positive change.

GSU is listening and here to help.

If you have questions about workplace issues or external problems that are affecting your work, don't hesitate to reach out to your GSU staff rep. Our services are provided to you as part of your union dues. There is no additional charge for assisting you.

Contact our reps directly (contact information here) or by calling toll-free at 1.866.522.6686 in Regina or 1.855.384.7314 in Saskatoon.

GSU Shop Steward Training (online) - Feb. 24, 2022

Our first educational opportunity of the year has been scheduled, and it's a course for our recently-elected GSU officers. The course outline and an invitation to attend will be sent out by email later this week.

If you are interested in receiving an invitation, get in touch with GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson.

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GSU Local 4 (Grain Millers) serves notice to bargain

On Jan. 14, GSU staff representatives Steve Torgerson and Brian Lark met with the Local 4 (Grain Millers) bargaining committee to discuss bargaining proposals. These proposals were developed from member suggestions to the local executive during the duration of the current collective bargaining agreement and ideas that were shared during the Local’s annual general meeting held in Oct. 28, 2021.

Current proposals address:

annual wage increases,
improvements and clarification on current benefits,
clarification on some work-related duties and hours of work,
housekeeping additions/changes in the current collective agreement language.

GSU’s detailed bargaining proposal package will be shared with Local members as soon as it has been presented to the company’s bargaining committee.

GSU served Grain Millers Canada Corp. with notice of collective bargaining on Jan. 17, 2022. The current collective agreement between Grain Millers and GSU Local 4 is set to expire March 31, 2022. As with all GSU collective agreements, the current agreement remains in place until a new agreement is reached.

We will keep you updated and share new information and updates as bargaining proceeds. If you have questions at any point, contact GSU staff reps Steve Torgerson or Brian Lark, or any member of your bargaining committee.

GSU Local 4 Grain Millers bargaining committee members are Glen Wlasichuk, Ryan McNabb, Brandon Allin, Carter MacKay, Tyler Chorneyko (alternate), GSU staff rep Brian Lark, GSU staff rep and bargaining spokesperson Brian Lark.

AEA/GSU Local 8 waiting for appointment of conciliator

The AEA/GSU Local 8 bargaining is headed to conciliation and the union’s committee is waiting for Saskatchewan’s Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety to appoint a conciliation officer. Once appointed, the conciliator will have 60 days to meet with the parties in an effort to settle the bargaining impasse between Local 8 and Advance Tank Production Ltd./Advance Tank Centres Ltd.

“When we meet with the employer and conciliator, the union bargaining committee will push hard to obtain across-the-board wage increases consistent with members’ concerns about the rising cost of living,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “When both sides last met Dec. 16, we were apart at least three percent per year over the life of a proposed three-year agreement.”

The union served notice of a bargaining impasse on Jan. 14, 2022. It is anticipated a conciliator will be appointed in the next short while.

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

GSU Local 14 (Richardson) bargaining committee receives update on member consultations

GSU’s Local 14 bargaining committee convened on Jan. 17 for a report on GSU agreement renewal bargaining consultations with union members at their various locations. Although the process of sounding-out members’ views on bargaining issues is not complete, the emerging message is concern over the rising price of inflation and obtaining a wage increase for all employees that addresses their cost of living concerns.

Late last week GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner contacted Richardson’s bargaining spokesperson to convey union members’ cost of living concerns and the importance of an across-the-board wage increase for every employee in the union bargaining unit.

Follow-up discussion regarding the direction of bargaining is anticipated later this week.

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

In these times of high anxiety and stress, it’s more important than ever to safeguard your mental wellness

Ever-changing events have surrounded us throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and we are all continuing to experience varying degrees of a normal reaction to an abnormal event. Muddling through the news stories, divisiveness and misinformation has left many of us exhausted, anxious and depressed. Now more than ever we need to be respectful, kind and understanding - and hope that we receive that behaviour from others.

Mental Health problems affect people of all ages, cultures, education and income levels. They also indirectly affect all Canadians through illness in a family member, friend or colleague.

It is important to remember that while many mental health problems are time-limited and people are able to resume their lives as usual, adjustments may be required in a person's workplace or job duties to accommodate the effects of the mental health issue.

If you or someone you know are suffering with mental health concerns, please reach out for support.

GSU can assist in your workplace and work to ensure you are in a safe, healthy environment. Don't hesitate to contact your GSU staff rep.

We are accepting expressions of interest from GSU members who would like to become a director on our five-person GSU Defense Fund Board of Directors.

The board of directors is responsible for overseeing the administration and investment of the Fund assets (currently $5+ million). The primary purpose of the Fund is to provide income protection and assistance to GSU members who are engaged in a strike or lockout.

Interest in learning and sharing your opinion as a GSU member in good standing is required. Previous financial experience is not required.

The board of directors meets three times a year by conference call and at least once per year in person. Time off work for directors to attend to Defense Fund business is paid for by GSU along with directors’ travel, meal and hotel expenses.

31 ways to boost your mood and mind

Challenge yourself to do something that benefits your mental health once a day for a month and you will be well on your way to forming a new (and positive) habit that will make you happier.

It's easier than it sounds to boost your mood and benefit your mind. It can be as simple as picking something small - very small - that makes you feel good and brings a smile to your face.

For example:

treat yourself to a decadent creamer for your coffee
suck up some sunshine in a south-facing window
spritz on that cologne or wear that shirt you only use for special occasions.

It takes roughly 66 days to form a habit, so if you can commit to two months of doing a little something special for yourself to lift your spirits, you may find you have built the foundation for an uplifting year.

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.