Defense Fund Board of Directors - October (tentative)

Arrangements are being made to hold a meeting of Fund directors in October. Date to be announced. 

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Joint Executive Council meeting - Oct. 25, Regina

GSU's governing body will meet in Regina on Oct. 25 for their semi-annual meeting.

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GSU biennial policy convention - March 30, 31 & April 1, 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 being finalized.

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Inquiry about joining GSU

Staff rep Mason Van Luven has been chatting with someone who is interested in the benefits of being a GSU member and joining the union. 

"GSU represents a true cross-section of the workforce," Van Luven said. "Our members are grain handlers, accountants, salespeople, information technologists and welders to name a few. We're always happy to talk to workers in any field who want to learn more about GSU or joining a union."

No problem is too small! 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.

Increase to Sask. minimum wage moves us to last place ranking in Canada

By general secretary Hugh Wagner

On Oct. 1 Saskatchewan’s minimum wage increased to $13 per hour and moved from second last place to a last place ranking in Canada.

With the country’s lowest minimum wage is it any wonder that employers in some sectors are having difficulty in recruiting workers. Undesirable working conditions are also major factor in quite a number of sectors, so all in all its time employers stepped up their game.

As calculated by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the new minimum wage in Saskatchewan is a around $3.50 per hour lower than a living wage. Much more needs to be done to improve the lot of wage earners in the face of rising costs of living and declining standards of living.

Band aids won’t fix low wages in Saskatchewan and Canada.

We need consistent long-term solutions and securing the right to bargain over wages and working conditions by joining as union is one of them.

Employers who are committed to scheduled wage increases of 2 to 3 percent, need to do a reality check and boost wages by considerably more to retain employees. There’s a significant shift underway in the labour market and employers who aren’t ahead of the curve will end up crying for workers.

Related:

• GSU Local 4 (Grain Millers) settlement breaks the mould, sets new high-water mark

Local 1 (Viterra Operations & Maintenance) & Local 2 (Viterra Head Office)

Staff rep Steve Torgerson is working to schedule bargaining dates with the employer.

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, check out the VITERRA BARGAINING page on GSU's main web page where information on bargaining will be available.

Locals 4 (Grain Millers) agreement has been signed

Union and company officials have signed the new collective agreement. The next step is preparation of collective agreement booklets for distribution to members.

The agreement is always available to view or print from GSU's web page at GSU.ca.

Local 5 (Western Producer) bargaining  

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) prepares for bargaining 

The bargaining committee met on Sept. 28 to review bargaining proposals and strategize in preparation for upcoming negotiations. Mason Van Luven is scheduling membership meetings and working to confirm bargaining dates with the employer. 

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

Local 16 (Lake Country Co-operative), Local 18 (Lloydminster & District Cooperative Association)

Dates to begin bargaining have not yet been set for either Local.  

Locals 17 (Discovery Co-op)

Dec. 7, 8, 13 and 14 have been set to begin Local 17 bargaining. The committee is planning to meet Oct. 12 to review their bargaining proposal package.

The words in the title above came from Oprah Winfrey. And she's right.

If you constantly think about furthering your education, you will find opportunities to do so. If you beat yourself up for mistakes you made years ago, they will continue to plague you as you move along your path in life. If you notice good people doing good things everywhere you look, you will feel hopeful about the future of the world ... but making constant social comparisons will likely drag you down. 

Spend some time noticing the things you are focusing on and how thinking about them makes you act and feel. Being aware of what may be dragging your down - or lifting you up - will be a great first step toward making positive changes.  

Learn more here:

• What we dwell on is who we become
• 7 science-backed tips to think more positively and how it can benefit your health
• 'Headline stress disorder?' Take a break from the news