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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GSU biennial policy convention - March 30, 31 & April 1, 2023

The Joint Executive Council convenes a policy convention policy convention of GSU delegates once every two years prior to May 31. The location of the 2023 policy convention is being finalized.

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Banked Time/Vacation questions answered

A Local 1 (Viterra) member contacted GSU with questions about banked time and vacation. The member had more than two weeks of both and they were wondering if one had to be used before the other. 

There is no rule that banked overtime or vacation must be used first. 

When choosing which leave to use, keep in mind that if you want to have any or all of your accumulated time paid out, banked time is different than vacation time. Having banked time paid out is your choice and you can have it paid out whenever you would like. Vacation? Not so much.

Whatever leave you choose, you do need to get approval from your manager to use a day off. And if you are making a point of using up your time off, give yourself a pat on the back. Taking time away from work is an important part of maintaining a healthy balance between work and rest, so be sure to take an opportunity to schedule and enjoy your vacation and banked time.  

No problem is too small! 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.

Mother Nature co-operated to help make Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) food truck day a success

It was a bright, sunny day when GSU Local 2 executive committee members organized a complimentary Mexican lunch for Local 2 members on Sept. 8. Regina's El Tropezon Authentic Mexican Food Truck was stationed nearby Viterra's head office and members used tickets to grab a drink and claim their choice of cuisine.

Congratulations to the Local 2 executive committee for putting together a great day. Events like this are a great way to get to know other GSU members.

"Every GSU Local has access to a dues rebate to host creative ways to bring members together," said GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson. "Contact your GSU staff rep to learn more."

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

On Sept. 9 your Local 2 (Head Office) bargaining committee members met to discuss the upcoming negotiations with Viterra. 

Results from the member survey were reviewed to identify and assess the key priorities identified for the upcoming negotiations. Concerns and proposals have been brought to the attention of the lead union negotiator (Steve Torgerson, GSU staff rep). 

The next steps for the Local 2 committee will be finalizing a bargaining package in preparation for meeting with Viterra representatives. While bargaining dates are yet to be set to begin the negotiating process with the employer, we anticipate meeting in the fall. 

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) bargaining set for Oct. 4, 5 & 6 

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 last week.

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 advises that notice to bargain has been sent to the three Co-op employers of GSU members in Locals 16,17 and 18. 

Lark plans to meet with the union bargaining committees in late September to review the members' bargaining proposals. 

Locals 14 (Richardson) agreement booklets are here and we're preparing to mail them to members

Your new collective agreement booklets are printed and they ready for distribution from GSU's Regina office. We're looking at our membership lists to confirm the numbers of members at each station we'll be mailing the agreement in bulk to work locations by week's end. The agreement is also available to view or print from GSU's web page at GSU.ca.

If you are suddenly finding yourself with less energy and in need of sleep, there's a good reason. Autumn fatigue has hit. Less hours of warm sunshine and an increase in cooler weather and darkness mess with our sleep-wake cycles and our circadian rhythm, leaving us feeling less than perky at the end of the day.

It's not unusual to feel this way. It's natural to sleep more in the wintertime. Unfortunately, it's also common to crave warm comforting foods and carbohydrates, so beware of the potential for winter weight gain.

Learn more about how you can battle winter fatigue here:

• Winter Fatigue? Five ways to get your energy back