October 12, 2021
Calendar highlights and upcoming events:
GSU membership meetings are underway
Looks like we will be using Zoom for a majority of our membership meetings again this year. If you have a preferred date and time for your meeting, let us know.

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Local 14 (Richardson) delegates conference call meeting - Oct. 13
Delegates will review the results of the Local 14 bargaining survey before preparing a bargaining package to present to company officials later this year. See related story, below.

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Local 14 (Richardson) delegates to meet, review bargaining priorities, and elect bargaining committee
Delegates representing GSU Local 14 (Richardson Pioneer) will meet via Zoom on Wednesday afternoon to review bargaining priorities identified by members and assemble bargaining proposals to raise with company management.
 
The collective agreement between GSU and Richardson expires on Dec. 31, 2021. Notice to bargain the amendment and renewal of the collective agreement was served by GSU at the beginning of September.
 
“Union members have pointed to a number of key areas to address in bargaining with the employer and it won’t surprise anyone that wage increases are at the top of the list,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “The delegates meeting on Wednesday will sort out the issues and put together a series of bargaining proposals as well as elect a bargaining committee to meet with company representatives.”
 
“We hope to begin meeting with our counterparts in Richardson management in the near future," Wagner said. "We’ll provide update reports to members as the bargaining proceeds.”

Congratulations to Local 15 (Nutrien) member Lynn Shaw who won last week's draw for two Rider tickets.

The Riders' didn't pull off a win, but at least the game was entertaining to watch.
We're arguing that an employer action constitutes a double penalty, and that violates the employee's rights

Preparations are underway for the arbitration of a GSU member’s grievance in response to being penalized when 2021 annual wage increases were distributed by Viterra. The arbitration will take place on Nov. 16 and 17.
 
In this instance the grievor received a written reprimand for an alleged mistake in procedure in 2020. The reprimand was grieved but not taken to arbitration. However, the grievor was dinged again when their performance was evaluated for the purposes of determining the 2021 wage increase. The grievor and GSU are arguing that Viterra’s actions constitute a double penalty in violation of the employee’s rights.
 
As mentioned, this matter will be heard by the arbitrator on Nov. 16 and 17. Following the hearing the arbitrator will weigh the evidence and arguments in reaching a decision whether to uphold or reject the grievance. GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner will act as counsel for the union.
 
The arbitrator’s decision will be reported here when it is received.

If you need some advice about how to approach management with a problem, don't hesitate to call your GSU staff rep. No problem is too small and sometimes a brief comment, email, or meeting is all that's needed to address a situation. Call us when you think there is a problem to be fixed.


Your new GSU reps reported for work today
(L-r) GSU staff representatives Mason Van Luven, Brian Lark, and Steve Torgerson.
Brian and Mason were in GSU's Regina office bright and early this morning after enjoying the Thanksgiving long weekend. They will spend the week learning about the union membership structure, loading up their computers, familiarizing themselves with office processes and the duties they will be performing as GSU's newest staff reps.

Staff rep Steve Torgerson has been charged with mentoring Brian and Mason. You can reach GSU staff reps or any staff member by using their first name in front of @gsu.ca. Don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

Complete contact information for all GSU staff members is available on our web page at gsu.ca.
Can you tolerate other people's opinions?
How did you fare at your turkey-day gathering last weekend? Were there any heated discussions about sensitive issues or were people able to avoid the topics that might trigger a family feud?

There are lots of things to disagree about, and if you are comfortable with your own opinion on a topic you will find you are less sensitive and reactive to sentiments that don't match your own. If that isn't enough to keep you from charging headfirst into the fray to share your thoughts, it's time to consider some additional coping mechanisms.

Learn more 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.