Calendar Highlights & Upcoming Events | |
GSU New Officer Training - March 6, Regina | |
GSU has organized a one-day virtual training session for its recently elected officers, Local contacts, OH&S representatives, and other union delegates. Attendees will gain insights into their responsibilities as GSU officers, receive guidance on assisting colleagues in need at the workplace, and develop skills that contribute to creating a resilient and supportive work environment for GSU members. | |
GSU Executive Committee to meet March 8 | |
The GSU executive committee will be preparing for the upcoming Joint Executive Council meeting, discussing member education for 2024, and exploring organizing strategies to welcome new workers into the union. | | |
Joint Executive Council meeting - March 21, Regina | GSU's governing body will convene for their annual spring meeting in Regina where they will review and discuss the union's affairs. |
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Delegate Meetings for Locals 1 (Viterra), 14 (Richardson) and 15 (Nutrien) - coming soon | |
These groups of elected officers will be meeting separately to share information, insights and expertise, enhancing their collective ability to make decisions that represent and serve their members effectively.
If you are an elected delegate on one of these boards, watch your email in the coming weeks for additional information.
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Prairie School for Union Women - June 9–13, Regina, SK
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Earlybird registration deadline is May 3 | |
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The Prairie School for Union Women offers trade union women an intensive four days of learning and sharing in a supportive environment. The goals of the school are to develop women’s personal and leadership skills and to build solidarity among women workers.
Whether you are a woman who is a seasoned union advocate or just starting to get involved in your union, this school is open to you. This year, the school will be held in person in Regina from June 9 – 13 at the University of Regina
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International Women's Day is observed across the world every year on March 8 | |
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March 8 is a day to acknowledge and celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and girls, and to raise awareness on issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights and violence against women.
The labour movement has always fought for stronger wages, better working conditions and pay equity for its members. Many unions have developed strategies to combat racism, sexual violence and harassment in the workplace. But there’s still work to be done.
Women are still more likely to be the victims of violence and harassment, especially if they are young, persons with disabilities, a visible minority or a member of the LGBTQ2+ community. One in three women worldwide will be subjected to physical or sexual violence during her lifetime.
The theme of this year’s IWD is Invest In Women: Accelerate Progress, Show your Support for Women’s Rights.
Use the hashtags #IWD2024 and #InvestInWomen in your social media posts and use this day to celebrate the achievement of women in our workplaces, in our communities and in our friendships.
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Nutrien's planned policy change will forfeit employees' unused vacation time | |
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As the GSU staff rep primarily responsible for Local 15 (Nutrien) members, Mason Van Luven is examining some concerning changes that Nutrien is planning to make to its vacation policy.
Under the new policy, Nutrien will have the authority to remove any remaining vacation time Local 15 members have that exceeds 40 hours at the end of the year. This is a big problem because many Local 15 members bank time off when they work extra hours in the spring to finish jobs and make sure customers receive the services they need. Even though the company says members should use up their extra time off, members can find it challenging to do that within the calendar year, making it difficult to use their vacation.
"Asking employees to simply forfeit earned vacation time is not just a policy change—it's a breach of trust and a disregard for their dedication," said Van Luven. "Vacation entitlements were won through collective bargaining with Nutrien. They are a valuable commodity, and we're going to do everything we can to stop them from being thrown away by this new policy."
GSU strongly opposes Nutrien's proposed policy change. We’re currently reviewing collective agreement rights around vacation accrual and carryover, examining relevant Saskatchewan Employment Act (SEA) legislation, and consulting with our legal experts.
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Consulting with a GSU representative is a service 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 help. We are committed to offering the support you need, and we will never contact your employer to take action on your behalf without your approval or consent. | |
Conquering the Snow: Tips to stay safe as you dig your way out | |
March came in like a pride of lions. This past weekend saw most of Saskatchewan receive a lot of snowfall. Here are some safety tips to help you navigate the snow removal around your home and office. | |
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Choose the Right Shovel
Do you need a scoop shovel or a push snow shovel? Make sure to pick the right tool for the task at hand, and choose a shovel with a sturdy handle and a comfortable grip to make shoveling easier.
Warm-Up
Before starting, do some stretches and light exercises to warm up your muscles and prevent injuries.
Dress Properly
Wear warm, layered clothing, waterproof boots, gloves, and a hat to stay comfortable and safe from the cold. If you feel like you are too warm, remove some layers. If too cold, add a layer.
Pace Yourself
Take breaks and don't overexert yourself to avoid fatigue and strain. We often don’t allow ourselves enough time to complete the task and end up rushing or trying to “push” through the pain to get the work done. This is a sure way to injure yourself.
Lift with Your Legs
Bend your knees and use your leg muscles to lift snow instead of your back to prevent back injuries.
Push, Don't Lift
Push snow when you can instead of lifting it to reduce strain on your body. Pushing is an easier task than lifting for the back.
Consider Your Heart
If you have heart problems or are not used to physical activity, talk to your doctor before shoveling snow.
Stay Hydrated
Drink water to stay hydrated, even in cold weather. When working outside in freezing temperatures your body loses water content even if you are not sweating. We often associate dehydration a risk in the warmer months when we are working in the heat and sweating. In reality, we loose water all the time—even when just sitting at our desks.
Be Careful with Snowblowers
Read the instructions carefully before using a snowblower and keep children and pets away from the area. When you are outside shoveling, be aware if someone around you is using a snowblower. These machines are great at removing snow from the area, however, hidden in the snow there may be rocks or frozen ice chunks that get removed as well. These projectiles may have an unpredictable flight path or bounce and hit bystanders. So always use caution around power equipment.
Watch for Warning Signs
Look out for signs of frostbite and hypothermia, and seek medical help if needed. Often when removing snow, as we throw it off to the side the wind decides to blow it back into our faces. Our gloves may become wet from the snow or sweating, risking frostbite to our hands and fingers. As well, our footwear may become wet and risk our feet to frostbite.
Shoveling snow can be safe and easy if you follow these tips. Self and situation awareness are always beneficial to individuals completing any task. Remember to take it easy, dress warmly, and listen to your body to stay safe.
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Local 1 (Viterra Ops & Maintenance) & Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) executive grievances filed on pay, retro pay issues | |
Executive grievances were filed with Viterra on Feb. 26. Copies of the grievances and background information are available here.
We are currently working to coordinate meetings with the company to sign copies of the new agreement, and we'll keep members posted on any developments.
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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).
| Local 5 (Western Producer) bargaining impasse: Next bargaining date set for March 13 | |
GSU and WPP reconvened bargaining negotiations on Feb. 22. Progress is being made at the table and the next date set for bargaining is March 13.
GSU believes both sides are interested in finalizing negotiations and are moving in that direction. We remain optimistic and look forward to continued progression toward a new collective agreement for all Local 5 members.
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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) bargaining scheduled to resume March 26 | |
GSU's Local 6 negotiating committee met on Feb 13 to complete their bargaining package before they met with the employer on Feb 14. Both sides presented proposals and while progress was made, a tentative settlement was not reached.
The committee is look forwarding to fruitful dialogue when bargaining resumes on March 26.
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The bargaining committee comprises Connor Hartley, Logan Farwell, Kassie Freeland and Donna Driediger (lead negotiator/GSU staff).
| Local 9 (Trouw) agreement renewal bargaining continues by email | |
GSU bargaining committee members Jordan Jefferson, Kelly Swaretsky, Robert Macken and Mason Van Luven met with company representatives on Feb. 22 to continue agreement renewal bargaining. After a full day of negotiations, a handful of remaining items need to be put into contract language, and the committees have pivoted to bargaining by email.
"With a new mill expected to be commissioned by mid-2024, members are anxious to secure a contract", explained Van Luven. "Our goal is to start the ratification process in the coming weeks so as to provide an opportunity for members to ask questions, and when the time comes, cast a ballot—the best way to see if the offer is good enough".
The Company agreed to participate in the creation of a "FAQ" where members can submit their questions to Union Officers who will then compile the questions into a list for the Company to answer.
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Your GSU bargaining committee comprises Rob Macken, Kelly Swaretzky and Mason Van Luven (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU staff). Jordan Jefferson is serving as alternate.
| Local 19 (Prairie Co-op) little headway made in Feb. 28 and 29 bargaining sessions | |
GSU’s Local 19 (Prairie Co-op) bargaining committee engaged in virtual collective agreement renewal negotiations with their employer counterparts on Feb. 28 and 29. This marked their second encounter since their initial bargaining session on Feb. 14.
Last week’s sessions marked newly-elected GSU committee representative MacKenzie Walter’s first time attending a bargaining meeting. Her observation? "We went into negotiations prepared to bargain with our employer, but the last bargaining session felt like our counterparts were not."
The committee expressed that being outside the pandemic economy, it should be apparent that their costs to live in their community skyrocketed, and are slow to recover.
"When a company's cost increases, so do their prices. When certain suppliers experience the same, they follow suit. But when workers do it, it is frowned upon if not mocked by employers," explained GSU staff representative and bargaining committee spokesperson Mason Van Luven. "Employers fail to admit that when workers in our rural areas cannot support themselves, they can’t support the local economy they depend on for business. You can’t cut labour costs and expect increased returns year after year."
Local 19 members are asking for improved benefits, better pay and a compensation structure that factors in performance, annual increases, and movement through a range.
The current collective agreement expired Oct. 31, 2023.
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Your GSU bargaining committee comprises Colter Spence, Lindsay Hill, Jennifer Schmidt, Mackenzie Walter and Mason Van Luven (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU staff). | |
Support Saskatchewan Teachers | |
Lend your support to teachers by sending an email to the Education Minister, asking the government to sit down with the teachers and start bargaining on issues like class size and complexity.
You can learn more here about the teachers' goal of achieving long-term funding commitments that will improve the classroom experience for students.
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In our busy lives there are moments that shine brightly—a warm smile, a peaceful sunset, or a heartfelt conversation. These are "glimmers." Opposite of triggers, glimmers spark joy, peace, or gratitude.
Glimmers don’t need to be complicated. They can be as simple as seeing the first Robin of spring, taking a warm shower, or being greeted by your pet.
Start actively seeking out your glimmers and train your mind to notice them. You'll be amazed at how they seemingly begin to appear more frequently. It's like tuning your mind to a different frequency—one that is more attuned to the beauty and positivity that surrounds you.
Learn more here:
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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. | | | | |
