Spring membership visitations begin May 10

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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Local 1 & 2 (Viterra) bargaining update meetings are underway

The Local 1 (Viterra Operations & Maintenance) meetings began with two town hall Zoom meetings on May 8 and an additional town hall Zoom meeting scheduled for 6:00 p.m. May 9 (meeting link available here). In-person meetings have also been scheduled and notices were sent to members by email.

The Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) meeting will be held on May 25.

Please share your 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.

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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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GSU staff rep Donna Driediger assisted a member who was transitioning from sick leave to long-term disability

"When a member is working through this process it can be exhausting. There are a lot of forms, questions and appointments to navigate - all while trying to get healthy," said Driediger. "There are times when you run out of sick leave and you may not have reached the threshold to meet long-term disability requirements. GSU is here to assist and to advise of other opportunities and methods to bridge your time until you are eligible for long-term disability."

If you have questions or concerns about your short- or long-term disability, don't hesitate to contact Donna or your GSU staff rep. They will be happy to assist you. 

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

Locals 1 2 (Viterra) members

Here’s what has taken place since the STIP was withheld by Viterra in March

• In March 2023, Viterra announced the Short Term Incentive Plan (STIP) for 2022 would be paid to eligible members of Local 1 and 2. A few days later, they changed their mind and said that they wouldn’t pay the STIP until bargaining had been resolved. 

• GSU filed an Unfair Labour Practice (ULP) on April 3. Viterra had 15 days to reply, which they did on April 26, giving GSU a further 10 days to reply, which we did on May 5.

• We await the reply from the Canada Industrial Labour Relations board regarding the next step in the process.

We will keep members up-to-date as we move through the ULP process. If you have questions about this process, let us know.

We're working hard to keep the pressure on Viterra to pay the 2022 STIP.

If you have thoughts about how we can keep the pressure on, share them with your elected representative or your GSU staff representative.

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) bargaining updates sent, in-person meetings begin May 10

In-person bargaining update meetings begin tomorrow for Local 1 members, and the Local 2 meeting has been scheduled for May 25. Check your email for your meeting notice.

Bargaining Update #14 was sent to members on May 2, and Bargaining Update #15 was emailed to members on May 8. All updates, the union's bargaining proposals and more are available on the web page at GSU.ca.

Please share bargaining updates and information with members at your workplace.

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

GSU's Local 5 bargaining committee held a membership meeting on April 25 to provide members with an update and give them an opportunity to ask questions.

Mediation has been set for June 6 and 7, and again July 26 and 27 with mediator Kevin Eckert who 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, possibly as soon as late next week.

"The bargaining committee negotiated a real increase to help offset the continuing cost-of-living increases that we see year over year," said GSU staff rep and bargaining spokesperson Brian Lark. "There is also an addition of annual pay-for-performance increases that members are now eligible to earn year over year to recognize the efforts and successes that employees bring to the table." 

Additional information on the tentative settlement will be available after it has been voted on by Local 18 members. 

Congratulations to GSU's bargaining committee members Christina Jones and GSU staff representative Brian Lark on reaching a tentative settlement.

Mistakes are proof that you are trying

We all make mistakes. It's part of being human. Fortunately, while you may feel vulnerable and silly when it happens, there are many positives to having something you are attempting to do vear absolutely sideways.

Mistakes force us to think differently. They can change the way we do things, push us to learn more and grow, and they can teach us valuable life lessons.

In the long run, there is far more likelihood of regret from failing to try than there is from trying and failing.

Learn more:

• Mistakes are proof that you are trying
• Five reasons you should be willing to make mistakes
• Learning from your mistakes