Annual general membership meetings are well underway

Watch your email inbox for your meeting notice. Meetings run until early December, so if you haven't received your notice you can expect it to show up soon.

If you are a Local 1 or 2 (Viterra) member, your meeting will include a bargaining report and strike vote. If you are unable to attend your scheduled meeting, contact your staff rep and arrange to attend another meeting.

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Defense Fund Board of Directors - Nov. 2023, (video conference)

These elected directors oversee the administration and investment of the GSU Defense Fund assets and set policy for payment of strike/lockout pay for union members engaged in collective bargaining disputes.

The board meets three or four times a year (or more often, if required) to review the Fund’s financial position, investment strategy and other administrative matters. Most meetings are held via conference call or video technology and paid union leave is arranged for participation in the meetings.

Learn more about the Defense Fund Board of Directors here.

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Attending your union's Annual General Membership Meetings is a right and a responsibility. It ensures that you stay informed, have a voice, and actively participate in the decision-making process. By actively engaging in your union, you contribute to a stronger, more empowered workforce, ultimately benefiting both you and your peers. Throughout November we'll explore the reasons why attending AGMs is really important.

Have a voice

AGMs provide a platform for members to voice their concerns, suggestions, and feedback.

Your attendance and input ensure that the needs and priorities of members at your workplace are considered. Through open discussions, members can collectively advocate for improvements in their workplace conditions, wages, benefits, and other important matters.

Employers are taking firmer stances on safety in the workplace and GSU staff reps have noticed an uptick in discipline-related calls regarding safety.

GSU believes a safe working environment preserves the well-being of our members and fosters a culture of trust, productivity, and efficiency. We support employer efforts to ensure their workplace and employees are safe. 

Safety can’t be rushed, so when you are facing time constraints and demanding workloads, it is important to slow down, take a step back and ensure that all safety protocols are being followed. Rushing through tasks increases the likelihood of accidents or errors, and it’s always better to invest a little extra time in ensuring safety than to deal with the aftermath of an accident.



“If you find yourself in a situation where you feel pressured to compromise safety, it is crucial to communicate those concerns to your employer,” said GSU staff rep Brian Lark. “By reporting issues promptly, workers play an active role in staying safe and maintaining a safe and secure work environment. If talking to your employer doesn’t resolve the issue, call your GSU staff rep for assistance.”

GSU staff representatives work with you to find answers to your questions, recommend what course of action is best to follow, and find the solutions that work for you. These services are provided to you and paid for by your union dues. There is never an additional charge for assisting you, and there is no limit on the number of times you can seek advice.

GSU staff representative coverage areas expand, responsibilities shift

Steve Torgerson's responsibilities have undergone a significant shift since he assumed the role of GSU’s general secretary at the union’s March 2023 biennial policy convention.

The general secretary role doesn’t encompass the day-to-day servicing responsibilities of a GSU staff representative. The vacancy created when Torgerson left his staff rep role to accept his new position will not be filled in the foreseeable future and this has led to additional responsibilities and servicing adjustments for GSU’s three remaining staff representatives.

As a result of these changes, GSU members who call the office or attend their upcoming annual general meetings may be greeted by a different staff representative than they are accustomed to working with.

“We are always looking for ways to adapt, improve and ensure that members continue to receive the highest level of representation and support possible,” Torgerson said. “This shifting of responsibilities has been a necessary and gradual process that began over the summer months. We expect that the changes will be complete and our staff representatives will be settled in their new locals and sub-locals by the end of the year.”

Local 1 (Viterra Ops & Maintenance) & Local 2 (Viterra Head Office): Nov. 14 & 15 set for conciliation; strike vote being conducted

As confirmed in our Oct. 27 email to members, Nov. 14 and 15 have been set as conciliation dates for Local 1 and 2. A bargaining update will be issued following this conciliation session.

Attend your Annual General Meetings to hear the bargaining committee's report and participate in the Strike Vote

We strongly encourage you to attend your annual meeting to hear the bargaining committee's report and ask any questions you may have prior to the vote on authorizing strike action.

If you are unable to attend your scheduled meeting, contact your GSU staff rep and arrange to attend another meeting. You can view a list of meetings dates and locations here.

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.

If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact a bargaining committee member or your GSU staff representative.

GSU bargaining committee members are Local 1 – Jim Brown (Balgonie), Wilfred Harris (Carnduff), Shannon Antonenko (Lloydminster), David Barrett (Gull Lake), Travis Brewer (Saskatoon), Dale Lysitza (Lloydminster) and Broc Goodwin (Moose Jaw); Local 2 – Sheila Tran, Howard Wilson and Kaylee Kruger with assistance from GSU staff representatives Mason Van Luven and Steve Torgerson (GSU general secretary and 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: Bargaining set to resume Nov. 20

As a result of scheduling issues, bargaining has been rescheduled to Nov. 20.

The bargaining committee comprises Laurie Michalycia, Donna Driediger (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU staff) and Steve Torgerson (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU general secretary).

Local 6 (Wild West Steelhead) members prepare for bargaining in early 2024

When Local 6 members gathered at their Oct. 18 annual general meeting, they also discussed their expiring collective agreement and upcoming bargaining slated for early 2024.

Members in Local 6 work at a fish processing plant in Lucky Lake, SK. This business is a fully-integrated producer controlling all stages of production from egg incubation to finished, boneless fillets ready for the consumer. Members work both inside and outside the facility in roles such as divers and processors.

This group is looking forward to a productive round of bargaining in 2024.

Local 9 (Trouw) agreement renewal bargaining begins Nov. 21 and 22

The Local 9 (Trouw) collective agreement is set to expire at the end of 2023. The first agreement-renewal-bargaining session is scheduled for Nov. 21 and 22 in Chilliwack when GSU Local 9 bargaining committee members will sit across the table from employer representatives to begin negotiating the terms of a new collective agreement. Depending on developments, Nov. 29 has also been set aside as a potential bargaining day.

As a result of recent changes to GSU staff rep responsibilities, GSU general secretary Steve Torgerson will accompany staff rep Mason Van Luven to this first round of negotiations to ensure a smooth transition and transfer of responsibility for Local 9 and its members to Van Luven.

GSU’s bargaining committee is comprised of Robert Macken, Kelly Saretzky and GSU staff rep Mason Van Luven. Jordan Jefferson has been elected to serve as an alternate when required.

Local 19 (Prairie Co-op) - current collective agreement expires Dec. 31, 2023

GSU staff rep Mason Van Luven will be engaging with Local 19 members to assess their priorities, hear from them, and elect bargaining committee members before meeting with the company in the new year.

The current collective agreement will expire on Dec 31, 2023.

Don't overextend yourself trying to make everyone else happy

Trying to please everyone is an admirable but unattainable goal (even for a dog).

Each person carries their own expectations and preferences, and spending too much of your time and energy trying to keep everyone happy will inevitably lead you to exhaustion and unnecessary stress. Instead, focus on simply doing your best and staying true to yourself, your needs and values. Accept that while you may not be able to please everyone, your efforts will be valued by those who appreciate you and your intentions.

While you are running around being a good human, remember that you deserve happiness and fulfillment. Life is short, and taking time for your own well-being and finding joy in the things that bring you happiness is essential. (This also means maintaining a healthy work and life balance, but that’s a whole new story!) 

Learn more here:

• How I am breaking up with trying to make everyone happy
• How to make everyone happy (Hint: You can't)

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.