Local 1 (Viterra Operations & Maintenance), Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) bargaining surveys - Deadline this Friday, July 22.

GSU members in Local 1 and 2 will need to complete their survey and get it back in our hands by July 22 to be entered in our draw to win a FitBit Versa.

See the related story and survey links in the bargaining updates, below.

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SFL OH&S Conference – Sept. 14-16, Regina

This popular conference will be held at the Ramada Hotel in Regina. Contact your GSU staff rep if you are interested in attending.

Brochure: SFL OH&S Conference brochure

Learn More/Register Online: SFL OH&S Conference

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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.

Brochure: 2022 SFL Convention Call Guide

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Appropriate notice for a change to work schedule

GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson is assisting GSU members who felt their schedule had been changed without an appropriate amount of notice. Steve reviewed the change and found that the members were correct and appropriate notice had not been given. 

Steve brought the issue to the attention of company representatives who are now reviewing the matter. Direct discussions are also taking place between the manager and the members and we are hopeful a resolution can be reached soon. 

Our services are provided to you as part of your union dues and there is never an additional charge for assisting you. Contact information for GSU staff representatives is available on our web page at gsu.ca.

Your time off was awesome, but are you fit for work?

By GSU staff rep Brian Lark

Summer is here and with it comes leisure time with friends and family, concerts, weekends at the lake and BBQs in the back yard. We love to get together and enjoy good times, good food and cold beverages.

Make sure that the enjoyment is done in time to allow you to be fit for work on your next shift.

Fit for work means well rested, with a clear mind and body free of impairment by drugs and alcohol. Whether it’s too many wobbly pops or a crying baby, if you are feeling the affects of last night you could be fatigued.

Fatigue is a leading problem when it comes to mishaps at work. Mistakes can cost companies lost product and damage to equipment, but they also cause injury and death to employees, customers and innocent bystanders. Watch out for each other to ensure everyone is fit for work. If you see a co-worker excessively yawning, sluggish, or repeatedly dosing off, report it to your manager. And if you can smell alcohol/drugs or see the affects of impairment in your co-workers report it to your manager, too.

A co-worker who is dealing with extreme stress at home isn’t in the right mind to be at work. Workers need a clear mind free of distraction so they may concentrate on the task at hand at work. Stress can make you unfit for work and lead to the same mistakes and consequences as those caused by impairment and fatigue.

Safety is the responsibility of everyone in our workplaces and it is our duty to keep ourselves and others safe. 

Ensure you and your co-workers are fit for work so everyone can work safely. At the end of the day, we all want to go home in the same condition we arrived (if not better).

If you have concerns about your health and safety in the workplace, don't hesitate to contact Brian Lark or one of our other GSU staff reps.

Local 1 & 2 (Viterra) bargaining survey & contact infromation

Viterra bargaining committees are currently conducting a bargaining survey. The survey was emailed to Local 1 members on July 7 and Local 2 members on July 8. 

Please help us ensure that every member has an opportunity to identify their bargaining priorities by sharing the following link(s) with your coworkers:

Complete and submit your survey by July 22 and your name will be entered in our draw for a FitBit Versa. 

And if you haven't already done so, please complete the bargaining contact form so you can follow the bargaining process and receive regular updates. 

We've also created a VITERRA BARGAINING page on GSU's main web page where we'll be posting the information you need, so make sure you check the page regularly.

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.

Local 4 (Grain Millers) bargaining scheduled for July 20 & 21

GSU's bargaining committee will meet their management counterparts for bargaining this Wednesday and Thursday in Yorkton.

GSU's bargaining committee comprises Brandon Allin, Carter MacKay, Ryan McNabb, Glen Wlasichuk, Brian Lark (GSU staff) and Steve Torgerson (bargaining spokesperson and GSU staff).

Local 5 (Western Producer) bargaining 

The GSU Local 5 bargaining team will meet in mid-August to begin a full cost analysis of their bargaining package and to discuss potential strategies when meeting with the company. Updates will be issued as additional information is available. In the meantime, you are welcome to contact anyone on the bargaining team or your staff rep if you have questions or concerns.

Negotiations committee members are Michelle Houlden, Sharlene Lark, Laurie Michalycia and Donna Driediger (GSU staff and bargaining spokesperson).

Sometimes getting knocked down gives you the motivation to get back up, try harder and do better. Even if a proverbial kick in the pants simply shoves you off your comfortable center point, it may be the catalyst you need to regroup, reassess and make a positive change. 

Learn more here:

• Every kick in the pants in a boost up