AGMs are nearly complete

Our Local/Sub-Local meetings will be complete Dec. 15. Thank you to everyone who participated.

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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 is the Moose Jaw Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa.

Learn more here.

Members who are interested in being a delegate to GSU’s 2023 convention in Moose Jaw are asked to follow up by contacting their Local executive committee members, a GSU staff representative or by sending an email to GSUconvention@gsu.ca.

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Work requirements cause vacation cancellation concerns

GSU staff rep Brian Lark was contacted by a member who was concerned that their long-standing approved vacation time would be cancelled due to work requirements.

Brian contacted human resources who advised that while management had indicated that it would be greatly appreciated if employees were flexible with their vacation wherever possible, no approved vacation had been cancelled and employees would be allowed to use their vacation time as planned.

“In this fast-paced environment with labour shortages, the pressures at work are even greater so it’s important to take time to enjoy your time away from work,” Lark said. “Time with family and friends and an opportunity to relax is needed to help reset our mental states to help prepare us to go back to work refreshed and ready to take on the challenges ahead.”

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.

Have you used your Health Flex Spending Account or other health benefits? It’s time to check your account.

The point of using your health benefits isn’t just to use up the money – it’s to make sure that you are getting the medications, treatments and help you need to feel and be your best mentally and physically. Self-care is important and it needs to be a priority.

Check your collective agreement for details on your account, and – as always – don’t hesitate to contact your GSU staff rep if you need help sorting things out. The services we provide to you are included in your union dues, and there is no additional charge for assisting you.

Local 1 (Viterra Operations & Maintenance) & Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) bargaining resumes tomorrow

Bargaining continues Dec. 14 and 15 in Regina.

A bargaining update will be sent to members following this session.

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) 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).

Local 5 (Western Producer) bargaining scheduled for Dec. 16

Your Local 5 bargaining committee met with the employer on Dec. 2. Unfortunately, the employer did not come with any changes to their wage proposal and your committee stood strong. We advised that the members of Local 5 are the revenue earners for the Western Producer and the need to keep up with inflation rates is imperative. 

We are hopeful there will be some significant movement on behalf of the employer during our next session on Dec. 16. 

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



Local 7 (Heartland Livestock Services/Northern Livestock Sales) bargaining to continue Dec. 20

Dec. 20 has been set for the second round of bargaining. The union committee had hoped for an earlier resumption of negotiations and they are ready to continue addressing the significant gap in monetary and non-monetary issues between the parties.

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

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.



Local 16 (Lake Country Co-operative) to begin Jan. 31

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) bargaining continues Dec. 13 and 14

Local 17’s bargaining committee are meeting their management counterparts by video conference today and tomorrow. The first session took place Dec. 7 and 8.

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) bargaining scheduled in March

The first bargaining session will take place March 28, 29 and 30. At the company's request, bargaining will take place through virtual conferencing.

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

During the busy holiday season you may find yourself hit with a flurry of invitations and requests that pull you in different directions and give you immediate anxiety.

It's important to remember that invitations are simply that - an opportunity to do something. An invitation is not a direct order and it is something that you can decline.

Before immediately agreeing to a request, consider how much of a commitment you are signing onto and how heavily accepting will weigh on you. If you will be miserable dreading the event or sacrificing something you need (or want) to do in order to attend, you should probably be saying no.

Saying no is a part of life. It's good practice to support your own goals, wants and needs, and remember that you are not obligated to say yes to every request that comes your way.

Learn how to say no, here:

• How to politely decline an invitation
• How to say no to others (and why you shouldn't feel guilty)
• The power of saying NO