66th Annual SFL Convention - Oct. 26-28, Regina 

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour is anticipating an in-person convention at Regina's Queensbury Downs this October. The COVID-19 situation will be monitored prior to convention and attendees will be notified in advance of the convention if any health measures are required in order to attend.

Contact your GSU staff rep if you are interested in learning more or attending. In addition to covering your wages, hotel and approved incidentals as outlined in our expense policy, GSU will assist with your leave of absence request. We have limited spaces available and several have already been claimed, so don't wait to long to throw your hat in the ring if you are interested in attending.

Brochure: 2022 SFL Convention Call Guide

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Congratulations to our 2022 GSU Scholarship recipients

It's September and everyone is back at school, including our five scholarship recipients.

Each year 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.

Congratulations to this year's scholarship recipients and thank you to GSU scholarship committee members Jim Brown (GSU president), Michelle Houlden (GSU vice president) and Sheila Tran (GSU vice president) for their work reviewing scholarship essays and selecting our recipients.  

Anxiety is not the same as "having butterflies"

By GSU staff rep Donna Driediger

Ever wake up at 4:00 am with a splitting migraine, your head throbbing, and the sweat beading on your forehead? You know it’s coming.

The pain coming from your head makes it hard to handle light, the sweating is now fully engaged and your body is drenched from head to toe, your stomach starts to roll, the nausea starts taking over, you know you have to get to the bathroom but your head and stomach are screaming at you. You make your way down the dark hall trying not to fall and all you can think is, I need to cool down, I’m going to fall over, I’m going to throw up, my head is going to explode, I have slow my breathing down ... did I just make that horrible moaning sound?

For the next 40 minutes I cycle through vomiting, sweating, and every toxin leaving my body with as much force as possible. Then, it comes, the shivering. Once I start to shiver, I know my anxiety attack is over. I am finally left with the pure exhaustion of feeling like I have battled a tiger for the past 45 minutes. I have nothing left and I crawl back into the peace of my bedroom and hope for a few hours of rest before I am supposed to get up and head to work.

Anxiety by those who don’t suffer from it often refer to it as “butterflies”. I am here to tell you that when someone tells you they suffer from anxiety, they aren’t talking about a few natural reactions when you’re excited or nervous. We mean our “butterflies” are giant demon dragons that attack at any time and feel like they are stealing our life away one anxiety attack at a time. It steals your confidence, your happiness and your peace. 

If you don’t suffer from anxiety, be glad - but also be kind. None of us know what demons others may be slaying today.

If you suffer from anxiety or other mental health issues that are affecting your work, don't hesitate to contact Donna or any of our GSU staff reps. 

Local 1 & 2 (Viterra) proposals being gathered for bargaining

The planned Sept. 8 and 9 Board of Delegates bargaining preparation meeting in Regina will not proceed as planned after company representatives denied nearly all requested leaves for elected union officers. Obviously, we are very disappointed but our officers may choose to take it as a compliment since they are so important and valuable to the company that two days without them is not possible. 

Bargaining preparations and work on the draft bargaining package will continue. Board of Delegates can expect to receive a package of information for their review and feedback very soon.

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).

As bargaining proceeds, check out the VITERRA BARGAINING page on GSU's main web page where information on bargaining will be available.

Local 5 (Western Producer) prepares for bargaining 

GSU Local 5's bargaining committee met on Aug. 17 to discuss the first draft of proposals submitted by members and put together a package to begin the process of negotiations with Western Producer Publications.

The first set of bargaining dates with the employer are set for Oct. 4, 5 and 6. 

The bargaining committee comprises Michelle Houlden, Sharlene Lark, Laurie Michalycia and Donna Driediger (bargaining spokesperson and GSU staff).

Locals 6 (Wild West Steelhead) agreement now posted at GSU.ca

The agreement has been signed and we are preparing new agreement booklets for members. In the meantime, check out the new March 1, 2022 to Feb. 28, 2024 collective agreement here.

Don't hesitate to contact GSU staff reps Brian Lark or Steve Torgerson if you have any questions. 

Local 7 (Heartland Livestock) prepares for bargaining 

Notice to bargain was served to the company today.

Local 7's bargaining committee members are reviewing members' bargaining proposals in preparation for putting together a final bargaining package. 

The bargaining committee comprises  Lori Brantion (Prince Albert), Paige Lister (Moose Jaw), and Melissa Little (Yorkton) and Mason Van Luven (bargaining spokesperson and GSU staff).

Locals 16 (Lake Country Co-operative), 17 (Discovery Co-op), 18 (Lloydminster & District Cooperative Association)

GSU staff rep Brian Lark has visited GSU members in these locals in preparation for negotiations with their employer(s) this fall.

Locals 14 (Richardson) agreement wording finalized, booklets to be printed and sent to members in September

The new collective agreement booklets are at the printers. We anticipate having the booklets back and ready for distribution by Sept. 19. In the meantime, view or print the new agreement from GSU's web page at GSU.ca.

Are you delighted the heat wave is continuing and your shorts and flip flops are still viable options? Or are you anxiously awaiting crunchy leaves, crisp cool temperatures and pumpkin-spiced and -scented everything? 

Whatever camp you land in, autumn is inevitable. But are you ready?

Learn more here:

• 8 signs you are ready for autumn
• 9 signs you are not so ready for it to be fall
• 10 ways to prepare yourself for the fall season