September 8, 2020

Calendar highlights and upcoming events:
GSU Local 6, Wild West Steelhead bargaining - Sept. 8 & 9

Bargaining continues in Lucky Lake, SK. Additional bargaining dates are expected to be announced soon.

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Last chance to register!
Are you interested in attending OH&S video webinars in September?

Learn more here.

GSU members who sign up and are approved to participate in GSU-sanctioned events will have their time off work, wages, and expenses covered in accordance with GSU's expense policies (child care included). GSU staff will also assist you with arranging the time off with your employer.

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Nutrien, Local 15 (Nutrien) bargaining - Sept. 30, Oct. 1

Members will be updated on the result of the meetings.

GSU collective agreements with Nutrien expired Dec. 31, 2019. Your GSU Local 15 bargaining committee members are Brian Cowen, Curtis Cousins, Lynn Shaw, GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson, and GSU staff rep/bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling.

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Autumn 2020 membership meetings

In addition to the usual union business we've got some constitutional amendments for your consideration and we need you to vote on whether you want to continue paying dues into the GSU Defense Fund.

The way we hold membership meetings will be different this autumn, and we're busy figuring out exactly how to take care of business while keeping everyone safe during Covid. If you have thoughts or suggestions on what type of meeting would work well for you, contact your GSU staff rep.

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Don’t be afraid to take an active role in your hiring process

GSU reps are often asked about postings and applying for jobs, and they offer the following advice.

  • If you haven’t heard back about an application for a position, it’s okay to take an active role in the process by following up with an email a week or so after the job closes to check if you are getting an interview.
  • If you get an interview it’s alright to show you are engaged and interested by asking your questions about the new role or the location.
  • If you don’t get the job, it doesn’t hurt to follow up with a call or email asking what you can work on so you are in a better position to get the next position you apply for.

GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson has additional advice. “Even if it is an internal job, participate just as you would if the interviewer doesn’t know you. And always be polite.”

No question or concern is too small to raise with your GSU staff rep. If you have a topic you would like to see addressed in the Tuesday Member’s Memo, let us know at gsu@gsu.ca.

GSU Local 15 (Nutrien) bargaining committee ready to resume bargaining

GSU bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling hasn't received a reply to his Aug. 31 email asking company representatives if dates had come available to resume bargaining before the end of September.

Markling remains hopeful earlier dates may be available for the two sides to meet and work toward an acceptable settlement.

Bargaining is set to resume Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

GSU collective agreements  with Nutrien expired Dec. 31, 2019. GSU Local 15 bargaining committee members are Brian Cowen, Curtis Cousins, Lynn Shaw, GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson, and GSU staff rep/bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling.

Executive committee, general secretary to meet Sept. 18

GSU's executive committee will be meeting with general secretary Hugh Wagner in Regina next week. GSU’s president Jim Brown (Local 1 - Viterra) and two vice-presidents Michelle Houlden (Local 5 - Western Producer) and Brett North (Local 1 - Viterra) constitute the executive committee of the GSU.

One of the executive committee duties is to oversee the business of GSU and formulate policy between meetings of the Joint Executive Council. The executive committee is entitled to exercise the authority of the Joint Executive Council between meetings of the Council and such actions are carried out on an interim basis until they are confirmed at the Council's next meeting.

Dates for the autumn meeting of the Joint Executive Council will be discussed on Sept. 18.


Thank you to everyone who submitted a GSU scholarship application

The Sept. 1 GSU scholarship application deadline has passed and applications have been sent to the GSU scholarship committee for consideration.

It is expected that scholarship recipients will be announced by Oct. 15, 2020.
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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.