We are in the final week of annual general membership meetings

Thank you to everyone who made attending their meeting a priority. YOU are the union, and your active participation is the driving force behind GSU's strength and direction. Your involvement makes a difference and ensures a better future for all members.

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GSU members are seeking opportunities for engagement with fellow members

With members meeting frequently for board meetings, in-person and online bargaining updates, votes, and collective agreement negotiations, there has been a growing enthusiasm among the GSU membership for member engagement. As more members actively participate in GSU, their interest in further involvement has surged.

"Members are inquiring about creating new opportunities to connect with fellow members in their Locals and seeking ways to encourage those not currently engaged to become more involved," said GSU staff rep Brian Lark. "It's always a bit tricky when our members are scattered all over the province, but where there is a will there is a way - particularly when it's the members who are initiating the change."

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. Contacting GSU does not mean you are obligated to file a grievance. We are here to assist you in any way that we can, but we will not contact your employer, file a grievance or act on your behalf without consultation, direction and approval from you.

Defense Fund board of directors meet

GSU's five-member Defense Fund board of directors meets several times every year to conduct the business necessary to manage the fund. 

When the board met last week on Dec. 6, in addition to their regular business, they received an update from general secretary Steve Torgerson about current collective bargaining negotiations and the potential need for the Defense Fund in any dispute. Torgerson advised that while there were currently no requests from any Locals for the board to consider, the results of a ratification vote underway in Locals 1 and 2 (Viterra) may lead to elected officers of those locals making requests for strike pay and assistance. 

This GSU Defense Fund has its roots in the 1990s when members directed that a strike fund be set up to assist GSU members who were locked out or on strike. The same mandate is in place for the fund today, and your board of directors is committed to building and growing the Defense Fund so it is ready to support any GSU members who need assistance. 

The next scheduled meeting of the board will be in March 2024 with the option of meeting earlier should they be required to address a request from a Local.

Local 1 (Viterra Ops & Maintenance) & Local 2 (Viterra Head Office): Ballots on company's Nov. 17 final offer to be counted this Friday

Following the strike vote conducted in November, Local 1 and 2 members have been taking a serious look at the company's Nov. 17 final offer and seeing if it stacks up.  

Local 1 and 2 ratification vote meetings on the company's final offer will be competed by mid-week. Mail-in ballots continue to arrive at GSU's Regina office in advance of the Dec. 15 noon deadline for receipt of ballots. That same afternoon, one member from each Local will be in the GSU office to count the ballots. 

Following the results of the ratification vote, the Local 1 Board of Delegates and the Local 2 Executive Committee will meet to determine the next steps. 

Our goal remains to secure the best collective agreement for our members.

"The high turnout to meetings and members' participation shows their strong commitment to improving their collective agreement," said GSU bargaining spokesperson Steve Torgerson. "Local 1 and 2 members stand united for real change that they can rely on."

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to a bargaining committee member or your GSU staff reps.

For detailed information, review a copy of Viterra's November 17, 2023, Final Offer and GSU's November 24, 2023, Report on the Final Offer and the Nov. 24 (#34) and Nov. 25 (#35) bargaining updates sent to members. All updates are available under the Bargaining/Viterra Bargaining tab on our web page at GSU.ca.

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 Yanoshewski 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: New dates being sought in 2024 to continue bargaining

Due to scheduling conflicts of The Western Producer, our previously arranged bargaining dates in November were canceled. Dates have now been secured for January 25 and Feb. 8.



A scheduled hearing with the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (SLRB) took place Nov. 27 to 30. This hearing was a pivotal one and a critical step in safeguarding the rights and interests of GSU Local 5 members.

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

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.

The bargaining committee comprises Connor Hartley, Logan Farwell, Kassie Freeland and Donna Driediger (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU staff).

Significant progress made in Local 9 (Trouw) agreement renewal bargaining

GSU general secretary Steve Torgerson and staff representative Mason Van Luven were in Chilliwack for the first round of bargaining on November 21 and 22. Significant progress was made but a final deal wasn't reached. Both sides are looking at their schedules for available dates to meet again before the year ends.

Among the key issues at the table was how to adapt the current collective agreement to cover the new mill being constructed next to the existing one. The aim is to ensure a smooth transition to the new facility with minimal stress and uncertainty for Local 9 members.

The Local 9 (Trouw) collective agreement is set to expire at the end of 2023.

Your GSU bargaining committee comprises Rob Macken, Kelly Swaretzky and Mason Van Luven (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU staff).Jordan Jefferson will serve as alternate.

Local 19 (Prairie Co-op) - Notice to bargain has been served, bargaining dates have been set

GSU staff rep Mason Van Luven has been engaging with Local 19 members to assess their priorities and elect bargaining committee members before meeting with the company February 14 and 15.

The current collective agreement expired Oct. 31, 2023.

Life is about diverse and enriching experiences, not mastery

Do you do things you're not great at just because you like them or you are seizing an opportunity to make memories? That's fantastic!

Doing different activities and pursuing different interests isn't just about mastering them. Think about all the great experiences you've had trying different things. They teach you, shape you, and make you more interesting.

It's not just about winning or being really good at something. Get out there, enjoy life and make some memories. Whether you're awesome, not-so-great or still learning, just go for it.

Learn more here:

• Why I know longer need to be the best at everything I do
• 10 ways to create happy memories

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.

Disclaimer: Things change rapidly. We strive for accuracy, but for the most up-to-date details, please contact your GSU staff representative with any questions or concerns.