Spring membership visitations are underway

If they haven't done so already, your GSU staff reps will be checking in with you soon. You can expect to receive the Annual Report of GSU's Joint Executive Council, have an opportunity to discuss local and sub-local issues, share your concerns and ask any questions you may have.

Watch your email for updates.

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Saskatchewan Federation of Labour Education Opportunities

Contact your GSU staff to learn more.

Prairie School for Union Women

Saskatoon Inn, Saskatoon, SK

June 12-15, 2023

SFL Summer Camp

Shekinah Retreat Centre (Near Waldheim, SK)

August 19-25, 2023

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When you are having problems working at work, call us

The role of GSU is to help our members.

If you are struggling at work, reach out to a GSU staff rep. We assist and support our members through issues with discipline, accommodations, addictions, mental and physical health and more.

"If you are having problems managing life and work at the same time, please call us," said GSU staff rep Donna Driediger. "What you are going through might be the absolute worst thing in the world for you or it might feel too small to be valid, but I can tell you from experience that other people have gone through it and they have made it through to the other side. We will do our best to help you make it to the other side, too."

Our GSU staff reps are here to help ensure you are supported, treated with fairness, and have full access to the provisions and protections of your collective agreement. We are here to offer you a judgment-free zone, and your inquiry and our assistance will be strictly confidential.

These services are provided to you as part of your union dues. There is no additional charge for assisting you.

Bringing the Western workers' perspective to WESTAC

On May 4 and 5, GSU president James Brown and GSU general secretary Steve Torgerson attended the Western Transportation Advisory Council's (WESTAC) Spring Forum in Winnipeg.

WESTAC is a council of organizations in the transportation sector represented by decision-makers. WESTAC's members span all aspects of freight transportation in Canada. They include carriers and logistics providers, ports and terminals, shippers, labour unions, and three levels of government. WESTAC members represent a significant share of the Western Canadian economy. They focus on critical issues that affect Western Canada's freight transportation network to ensure that it is safe, efficient, reliable, and competitive.

“GSU has been a WESTAC member since 1983, and we are proud to bring the voice and views of grain workers to the table in Western transportation discussions,” Torgerson said. “Belonging to WESTAC provides a unique opportunity for GSU to provide the perspective of workers in discussions on the Western transportation corridor. Our membership in WESTAC has been invaluable for years and it will be valuable for years to come.”  

GSU’s affiliate, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (Canada), also represents workers at WESTAC forums.

Learn more about WESTAC here.

Take extra care when working or playing in high temperatures

It’s that time of year again and this season has brought on unusually hot weather. We always look forward to the warmer weather after a long cold winter, but there are many things to consider and protect us as we enter the glory days of sunshine and the summer months.

Not only are there health risks associated with the hot dry temperatures that we are experiencing; there are also environmental risks, including fire. Backyard fire pits, flinging a cigarette butt out the window and poorly maintained equipment moving down the road all present risks of fire as sparks can cause the dry grass to ignite and burn out of control.

The hot weather and accompanying humidity also raises the risk of heat rash, sunburn, heat exhaustion and stroke. At a minimum, drink lots of water, keep your skin and head out of the sun with hats and loose clothing, and wear sunscreen. Make sure you take breaks from the heat as needed.

For those of us who work outdoors or without the benefits of air conditioning, below is a Canada OH&S table regarding high temperature work as well as humidity rating.

This is a big topic with big considerations. Check out our web page for details and to learn more about what to watch for and how to stay safe in the heat.

If we all follow these guidelines, we can keep ourselves and those around us safe.

The June 1 deadline for receipt of applications is coming up quickly!



It takes a combination of hard work and educational funding for most students to achieve their goals. 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.

Learn more here.

Local 1 (Viterra Ops & Maintenance) & Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) in-person meetings are underway

Local 1 and 2 members are encouraged to attend in-person meetings to receive updates and provide feedback on bargaining.

• The Local 1 (Viterra Operations & Maintenance) in-person meetings continue for members. Check your email for your meeting notice or contact your GSU staff rep.
• The Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) meeting will be held on May 25.

Please share your meeting notice with members at your location, and contact Steve@gsu.ca, Mason@gsu.ca, or your bargaining committee members if you have any questions or would like to be added to our bargaining update email list.

You can read previous updates on the VITERRA BARGAINING page on GSU's main web page under the Bargaining menu tab. Contact Mason@gsu.ca to be added to our bargaining update email list.

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). Don't hesitate to contact your bargaining committee with any questions or concerns you may have.

Local 5 (Western Producer) bargaining impasse: mediation set for June 6 & 7; July 26 & 27

Mediation is scheduled for June 6 and 7, and again July 26 and 27. Mediator Kevin Eckert will assist the parties in an effort to reach a negotiated settlement.

The bargaining committee comprises Michelle Houlden, 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) - your new collective agreement is online at GSU.ca

The new collective agreement has been signed and is available under the COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS menu tab at GSU.ca. The next step is preparing collective agreement booklets for distribution to members.

Contact Mason@gsu.ca if you have any questions about your new agreement.

Local 16 (Lake Country Co-op) - the new collective agreement will soon be ready for distribution to members

GSU staff rep Brian Lark has prepared the new collective bargaining agreements with the amendments made during the recent round of bargaining. The agreement has been sent to Lake Country Co-op representatives for review. Pending any updates or changes that need to be made, the new collective agreement should be in the hands of members soon. 

Local 17 (Discovery Co-op) - new collective agreement will soon be ready for distribution

The final adjustments are being made to the new collective bargaining agreement. We anticipate that it won't be long until the wording is finalized and ready to share with members of GSU Local 17.

Local 18 (Lloydminster & District Cooperative Association) bargaining committee reaches a tentative agreement

A memorandum of agreement is being finalized and plans are underway to hold a ratification vote for Local 18 members soon.

Time doesn't care

It's simple math. If you see someone once a year, and average life expectancy is 85, you know how many more times you will see that person before they die.

Time is precious. Are you prioritizing the things that really matter to you? Time is not forgiving and it doesn't care about what you have planned or think should happen. You need to make a point of doing what you want to do and seeing those you wish to see, before time runs out.

Consider this:

• Life is short. Don't take time for granted