AGMs are underway

Watch your email for your meeting announcement and get ready to receive the general secretary's report, vote on continuation of the additional Defense Fund dues deduction, elect your Local representatives and more.

Contact your GSU staff rep to learn more or to schedule your meeting.

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Defense Fund Board of Directors

We're still working to nail down an opportunity for the Defense Fund board of directors to meet.

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GSU biennial policy convention - March 23, 24 & 25, 2023

The Joint Executive Council convenes a policy convention of GSU delegates once every two years prior to May 31. The location of the 2023 policy convention will be the Moose Jaw Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa. You will hear more about that soon. 

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Preparing for Local 1 (Viterra Operations & Maintenance) arbitrations

GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner is preparing for two grievance arbitrations affecting members of Local 1. Dates have been tentatively selected and will be confirmed in the near future.

“Arbitration of workplace grievances is a right available only to unionized employees under both federal and provincial labour laws,” Wagner said. “While arbitrations occur infrequently, their availability makes administering collective agreements more effective and beneficial for union members.”

No problem is too small, so don't hesitate to reach out to us with your questions, observations or concerns. Our services are provided to you as part of your union dues and there is never an additional charge for assisting you or a limit on the times you can seek advice. Contact information for GSU staff representatives is available on our web page at GSU.ca.

Moose Hide Campaign stands up against violence towards women and children

Delegates at the recent Saskatchewan Federation of Labour convention were seen wearing a small patch of hide pinned to their clothing. By doing so, they were participating in the Moose Hide Campaign and committing to honour, respect, and protect the women and children in their lives. In addition, this patch demonstrates that the wearer commits to work to end violence against women and children.

The Moose Hide Campaign is an Indigenous-led grassroots movement of men, boys and all Canadians standing up to end violence against women and children. Women, girls and all genders are also very much welcome to support the campaign and its goals.

In joining the campaign as men and boys, a promise is made to:

• Stand up with women and children and speak out against violence towards them.
• Support each other as men and hold each other accountable.
• Teach young boys about the true meaning of love and respect and be healthy role models for them.
• Heal as men and support our brothers on their healing journey.

To learn more or order your own moose hide pin, visit moosehidecampaign.ca

Your three basic rights for working safely

By GSU staff rep Brian Lark

As an employees in Canada, you have a minimum of these three basic rights when it comes to Occupational Health and Safety:

1.      The right to know about health and safety.

2.      The right to participate in decisions that could affect your health and safety.

3.      The right to refuse work that could affect your health and safety or that of others.

These rights were born in Saskatchewan, and later were adopted by all provinces and the country. While Canadian occupational health and safety legislation guarantees these rights for all employees in Canada as a minimum, each province has the authority and ability to adapt and strengthen these rights in their jurisdictions. The Saskatchewan Employment Act and Regulations also guarantee these rights for all workers in Saskatchewan.

Check back next week as we examine the right to know about health and safety.

Local 1 (Viterra Operations & Maintenance) & Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) committees meeting today

(Above) COVID has certainly changed the face of meetings. This screenshot from staff rep Mason Van Luven's computer serves as the group photo of your Local 1 and Local 2 bargaining committees as they meet today.

We're just one week away from the first bargaining session, and your GSU bargaining committees are meeting today for a final preparation.

Three sets of dates have been set for bargaining: 

• November 16 & 17, 2022
• November 24 & 25, 2022
• December 14 & 15, 2022.

A bargaining update was emailed to Local 1 and 2 members on Nov. 4. If you didn't receive your update you can check it out on GSU's web page under the bargaining menu tab.

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 representatives Mason Van Luven and Steve Torgerson (GSU bargaining committee spokesperson).

As bargaining proceeds, watch your email for updates and check out the VITERRA BARGAINING page (on GSU's main web page under the Bargaining menu tab) for additional information.

Local 5 (Western Producer) bargaining - Nov. 14 & 18

Bargaining dates with the employer have been set for Nov 14 and 18. Updates will be provided after that date. 

The first bargaining session between union and company representatives was held Oct. 4, 5 and 6 in Saskatoon. 

The bargaining committee comprises Michelle Houlden, Sharlene Lark, Laurie Michalycia and Donna Driediger (bargaining spokesperson and GSU staff).



Local 7 (Heartland Livestock Services/Northern Livestock Sales) bargaining to resume Nov. 18

Bargaining got underway Oct. 28, but the scheduled Nov. 4 session was postponed. The two sides will meet again Nov. 18.

Bargaining proposals, a web page password and additional information were sent to Local 7 members by email on Oct. 31. You can learn more on GSU's web page under the BARGAINING menu tab at the top of the page.

Updates will be issued directly to members after each bargaining session and as new information is available. Contact Mason@gsu.ca if you are not receiving updates and would like to be added to the list.

The bargaining committee comprises Paige Lister (Moose Jaw), Lori Branton (Prince Albert), Melissa Little (Yorkton) and Mason Van Luven (bargaining spokesperson/GSU staff).



Local 16 (Lake Country Co-operative) dates set

The first bargaining session will take place on Jan. 31, Feb. 1 and 2.

Bargaining will take place through virtual conferencing. Recognizing the value of being together to communicate and discuss proposals as they arise during the bargaining sessions, GSU’s committee plans to gather in person and meet with the company by virtual conferencing. 

Your bargaining committee will share bargaining updates by email and text message, so make sure your contact information is up-to-date.

GSU’s bargaining committee comprises Ward Tolley, Kara Thevenot and GSU staff representative/bargaining spokesperson Brian Lark. 

 

Locals 17 (Discovery Co-op)

Local 17’s bargaining proposal package is ready and two sets of bargaining meetings have been confirmed. The committees will meet Dec. 7 and 8 followed by a Dec. 13 and 14 session. 

At the company's request, bargaining will take place through virtual conferencing. Recognizing the value of being together to communicate and discuss proposals as they arise during the bargaining sessions, GSU’s committee plans to gather in person and meet with the company by virtual conferencing. 

Your bargaining committee will share bargaining updates by email and text message, so make sure your contact information is on file so you can stay informed. 

GSU’s bargaining committee comprises Kristen Keating, Nathan Rafuse, and GSU staff representative/bargaining spokesperson Brian Lark.  



Local 18 (Lloydminster & District Cooperative Association)

Dates to begin bargaining have not been set. 

GSU’s bargaining committee comprises Christina Jones, Trent Herring and GSU staff representative/bargaining spokesperson Brian Lark. 

According to author James Clear, while no single instance will transform your beliefs, as you make changes and your votes build up, you are offering proof of your new identify.

The changes don't need to be huge. In fact each small step you take moves you closer to forming a positive habit and being the person you want to become. If you take photos, you are a photographer. When you write a song, you are a composer. What action will you take?

Learn more here:

• After this you will change how you do everything - James Clear [YouTube video]
• The most practical way to change who you are is change what you do [James Clear - Facebook]