GSU staff reps are nailing down dates and locations for annual general membership meetings

Our AGMs will begin in October. Watch your email inbox for your meeting notice.

If your Local or Sub-Local has a meeting date or time in mind, reach out to your GSU staff representative.

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Joint Executive Council meeting - Oct. 11 & 12, Regina, SK

The Joint Executive Council is the governing body of GSU between policy conventions. A meeting of the council is scheduled for Oct. 11 & 12 in Regina.

If you have business which would be properly addressed by Council, reach out to your GSU staff representative.

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Steward Training 2 - Nov. 8 & 9, 2023, Regina, SK

This training is available and will be shared with our GSU officers who have completed Course 1. If you haven't completed Course 1 but think we should make an exception and include you, contact your GSU staff rep.

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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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Be Thankful, Be Safe this coming holiday weekend

By GSU staff rep Brian Lark

This weekend is the Thanksgiving long weekend in Canada. On Friday, everyone will be rushing out the door to prepare for spending time with family and friends. Whether your holiday takes you away from home or this is your year to host the gathering, there will be a lot of people on the road as you make last-minute trips to the store to grab meal items, fuel up the vehicle and purchase the always important road trip snacks.

Let’s all take time to plan and arrive safely at our destinations.

We have a lot to be thankful for this weekend and need to make sure we arrive safely to spend those precious moments with our loved ones. Allow for traffic delays and leave in plenty of time. Try to be proactive and do your shopping on Wednesday or Thursday to beat the rush in the stores and at the pumps.

After a well-deserved visit and holiday celebration, make your journey home just as safe.

A long day traveling and eating can lead to fatigue and unsafe conditions on the way home.

It is October and the weather can turn quickly making road surfaces slick, so be aware and be sure to drive with caution. In the event of poor weather, be sure to drive for the road conditions of the moment and not what they were last month.

Most of all this weekend, be thankful!

Be thankful to have friends and family who care about you. Thankful for a job to support you and your family and thankful for GSU. GSU is here for you all year long and we will continue to work for you and with you to improve your working relationships with your employer.

I am thankful for GSU. Back when I was a member, I understood the importance of the union. When I became an out-of-scope manager I was thankful for GSU because I knew they had my employees’ best interests in mind. Now, as a staff rep, I am thankful for GSU. This union has offered me the chance to help people, make a difference in their lives, and ultimately make a difference in mine.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Torgerson checks in with ILWU Canada, attends board meeting

Last week GSU general secretary Steve Torgerson was in Vancouver to attend meetings with International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada representatives. As an affiliate of ILWU Canada, GSU has a seat at their executive board.

This relationship has been and valuable for GSU and ILWU, as our members load prairie grains on rail cars and ILWU Canada members receive the grain and load it on ships to the end customers. Working together as workers in this grain pipeline is vital to ensuring working people are best represented in this important economic stage.

"I was proud to attend my first ILWU Canada executive Board meeting in person, bring greetings on behalf of our membership and share stories of our struggles and successes," Torgerson said. "I can state that the solidarity and support of the ILWU Canada family is with GSU, just as we unwaveringly support them." 

Advocating for workplace accommodations for members

GSU staff rep Brian Lark is helping members who are facing challenges advocate for accommodations at their workplaces.

“These members want to work, but they are hindered by circumstances beyond their control,” said Lark. “A workplace accommodation can help them bridge the gap and get the work done. Meeting the needs of the individual and the business is not always easy, and that's where we can help.”



When there are problems in the workplace there are many factors to consider. We will work with you to find answers to your questions, recommend what course of action is best to follow, and work with you to find solutions that work for you.

These services are provided to you and paid for by your union dues. There is no additional charge for assisting you and no limit on the times you can seek assistance.

ILWU Canada Young Workers Conference 2023 - “We are all Leaders”

The WE ARE ALL LEADERS mug artist is Sam Wallman.

You can Order your own mug here: samwallman.com/store/

Local 1 (Viterra Ops & Maintenance) & Local 2 (Viterra Head Office): Notice of Dispute filed, waiting for appointment of conciliator/dates

GSU’s Local 1 and 2 bargaining committees returned to the bargaining table on Sept. 11, hoping to hear a counteroffer to their August 31 proposal. Instead, the company indicated they wouldn't be providing another offer or negotiating unless the union’s committee made major concessions.

At the direction of the GSU Local 1 (Operations) Board of Delegates and the Local 2 (Regina Head Office) Executive Committee, GSU filed a Notice of Dispute with the Federal Minister of Labour, stating that bargaining has stalled. The next step is conciliation, which is comparable to bargaining with the assistance of a Federally-appointed conciliator. Members will be kept up-to-date as dates are announced and the process unfolds.

The Local 1 Board of Delegates and Local 2 Executive Committee have begun work to organize their Locals. This includes sharing information from their Sub-Locals with GSU staff and getting their members the information required so they will be ready should we find ourselves in a lockout or strike position.

In the meantime, members are encouraged to continue assisting the bargaining committee by doing what they have been doing so well: Keeping the pressure on their managers by telling them what we need from these negotiations.

“It is even more important now to keep talking to your co-workers, talk to your newer staff and help them understand what has been going on in the previous years,” said GSU general secretary and bargaining committee spokesperson Steve Torgerson. “Understand that you all have value and contribute to the success of the company and deserve to be treated with respect. Continue to support each other at work and keep speaking with a unified voice.”

As conciliation proceeds, your elected officers and GSU staff reps will be in close touch with members.

You can read additional details in past Bargaining Updates which are regularly sent to GSU Local 1 and 2 members. 

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

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), 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. 15 & 16

Bargaining will resume Nov. 15 and 16 with both sides agreeing to get back to the bargaining issues. We look forward to fruitful dialogue between the parties and an opportunity to work collaboratively to negotiate a settlement for all involved.

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

Local 16 (Lake Country Co-op) - final wording of the new collective agreement is approved, the agreement is signed

Lake Country Co-op and GSU representatives have completed their review, final wording has been agreed upon and the new collective agreement has been signed. The new collective agreement is on our web page and we are formatting it into booklets for distribution to members. 

Local 17 (Discovery Co-op) - the new collective agreement is now available on our web page

The agreement has been signed and it's available on our web page at GSU.ca. We'll be also be formatting the new collective agreement into new collective agreement booklets for Local 17 members soon.

Local 18 (Lloydminster & District Cooperative Association) - new collective agreement wording being finalized

On May 25, members of Local 18 voted in favour of accepting the proposed memorandum of agreement. Steps have been made toward incorporating the changes into the collective agreement. Once wording is finalized and agreed upon, we will make copies of the agreement and distribute them to members.



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

With their collective agreement set to expire on Dec 31, 2023, Local 19 will be our last Co-op local to round out what has been nearly two consistent years of negotiations with Federated Co-operatives Limited and other Co-ops across Saskatchewan, headed by GSU staff representative Brian Lark. Local 19 will benefit from the lessons learned and the priorities shared at those tables as we gear up for negotiations that will likely center on the cost of living. 

In the coming months, GSU staff rep Mason Van Luven is planning to engage with the members of Local 19 to assess their priorities, hear from them, and elect bargaining committee members.

Your worth isn't tied to physical or material items

Your worth is not based on milestones or markers of success that you or others may be fixated on. You are more than your weight, job, financial situation, appearance or any other material achievements.

Growth, goals and progress are great, and they contribute to being a well-rounded happy person. Celebrate your achievements but don’t get caught up in comparisons. You are worthy NOW, just as you are.  

Learn more here:

• You are worthy
• 13 reasons why you are worthy
• Reminders that you are worthy. You wouldn't be this hard on someone else!

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.