December 20, 2022

Calendar highlights and upcoming events:

The next Tuesday Members' Memo will be sent to members on Jan. 10, 2023.

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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 and 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.

GSU members vote in favour of continuing additional dues being paid into GSU Defense Fund

GSU’s annual meetings are complete, and when the votes were counted, a majority of 84.74 percent of voting members voted to approve the motion to continue the additional dues being paid into the GSU Defense Fund for another year.

“The Defense Fund is a valuable tool to support members when they are in the middle of a contract dispute with their employer,” said GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson. “It is also a reminder to employers that they can’t easily push GSU members around.”

Each employee working in a GSU bargaining unit pays additional dues of one percent of regular pay to a maximum of $10 per month into the GSU Defense Fund. The additional union dues are accumulated in the GSU Defense Fund where they are invested and held in reserve to pay strike/lockout pay, benefits continuation and strike/lockout administrative expenses in the event GSU members are engaged in a strike or lockout stemming from a collective bargaining dispute.

Strike or lockout pay from the GSU Defense Fund is currently set at 75 percent of a member’s regular pay provided they are active participants in strike or lockout actions sanctioned by GSU.

The Defense Fund currently has estimated assets of $5.1 million (market value) and is administered by a board of directors elected by delegates to GSU biennial policy conventions. The current directors of the GSU Defenses Fund are:

Wilfred Harris (Local 1 Carnduff),
Doug Kampman (Local 8 Regina),
Sharlene Lark (Local 5 Saskatoon),
Lynn Shaw (Local 15 Craik).

One position on the board is currently vacant.

If you have questions or concerns about the GSU Defense Fund or would be interested in sitting as a director of the GSU Defense Fund, contact your staff representative.

Ahhhh, the holidays. So much fun, family and friends ... or so much stress, burnout and depression.

By GSU staff rep Donna Driediger

We want to enter the Christmas season with joy and peace in our hearts but unfortunately for some, the holiday glow evades us and the season is accompanied by obligations, family feuds and other outside stressors that combine with the regular day-to-day struggles we may already be facing.

It's important during this time of giving to give yourself the gift of prioritizing your needs and your mental health. We need to carve out the time we need to fuel our soul and mind so we can take on each day and the challenges they bring to us. I know how easily I can become overwhelmed with ever-mounting pressures to have a clean house, a decorated tree, perfectly chosen gifts, hit all the holiday parties I'm expected to attend, and pay for all of it while continuing to work my day job - and do it all with a smile on my face. I can tell you, it ain't always there, but I try to keep in mind that the people in my world want joy and peace too, and they are navigating their own way through the season.

It's easier said than done, but if we all just ease off on the pressures and stop to really remember what it's all for, we will be better off for it.

Happy holidays my friends. 2023 is a fresh start.

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

Bargaining continued Dec. 14 and 15 with both days scheduled for presentations from the company. The main topics of discussion were grain and rail transportation, employee benefits review, sick leave and short term disability and Pay Equity. The discussion was necessary to understand the position of each side and where negotiations are headed in the New Year.

It is anticipated that the next set of bargaining dates will be scheduled soon.

A bargaining update was sent to members on Dec. 17.

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 recessed for 2022

Your Local 5 bargaining committee met with the employer on Dec. 16. Negotiations have recessed for the balance of 2022 and we are planning to hold a membership meeting early in the New Year to discuss the bargaining situation. Watch your email for a meeting date and time.

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 session held Dec. 20

The two sides met on Dec. 20. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.

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) committee reaches tentative settlement with their management counterparts

Your bargaining committee met with the company representatives on Dec. 13 and 14 with a focus on negotiating a renewed collective agreement that fairly compensates members for their work.

A tentative agreement was reached and a memorandum of agreement is being prepared. Details of the proposed settlement will be distributed to Local members and a ratification meeting will be scheduled for members to review the terms of the settlement and vote on acceptance or rejection.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact your bargaining committee members or GSU staff rep.

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.

See the good in all situations

"Some people could be given an entire field of roses and only see the thorns in it. Others could be given a single weed and only see the wildflower in it. Perception is a key component to gratitude. And gratitude a key component to joy."

Amy Weatherly

Make an effort to see the best in a situation. Learn how and why it's important here:

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.