August 9, 2022

Calendar highlights and upcoming events:


Local 4 (Grain Millers) bargaining meeting, vote – Aug. 17, Yorkton

A tentative settlement has been reached and members will have the opportunity to attend an August 17 meeting to hear the bargaining report and vote on acceptance or rejection.


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SFL OH&S Conference – Sept. 14-16, Regina

This popular conference will be held at the Ramada Hotel in Regina. Contact your GSU staff rep if you are interested in attending. In addition to covering your wages, hotel and approved incidentals as outlined in our expense policy, GSU will assist with your leave of absence request. 


Brochure: SFL OH&S Conference brochure

Learn More/Register Online: SFL OH&S Conference


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66th Annual SFL Convention - Oct. 26-28, Regina 

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour is anticipating an in-person convention at Regina's Queensbury Downs this October. The COVID-19 situation will be monitored prior to convention and attendees will be notified in advance of the convention if any health measures are required in order to attend.


Contact your GSU staff rep if you are interested in learning more or attending. In addition to covering your wages, hotel and approved incidentals as outlined in our expense policy, GSU will assist with your leave of absence request.  We have limited spaces available and several have already been claimed, so don't wait to long to throw your hat in the ring if you are interested in attending.


Brochure: 2022 SFL Convention Call Guide


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Preparations underway for arbitration hearing on Sept. 29 and 30

General secretary Hugh Wagner is preparing for the arbitration of a Local 7 member's grievance challenging their employer's calculation of severance pay in the aftermath of eliminating their job.


The member in question was notified in mid-May that their job was to be eliminated effective at the end of the month along with the closure of the employer's Regina head office. When GSU followed up on the job elimination notice it soon became clear that the employer intended to pay substantially less severance pay to the affected member than called for basis the union's

interpretation of the collective agreement. Subsequent communication with the employer did not resolve the disagreement and grievance action was commenced on behalf of the affected employee. The grievance action also did not resolve the disagreement over the amount of severance pay owing to the employee. Accordingly, the grievance was referred to arbitration which is scheduled to be held on Sept. 29 and 30. Hugh Wagner will serve as counsel for GSU at the arbitration hearing.


The ability to take a workplace issue or dispute to a formal grievance process, including union representation for the employee(s) affected, is unique to workplaces where employees are unionized. GSU has processed thousands of grievances on behalf of union members over the years and has recovered millions of dollars in monies owing to workers as well as upholding members' rights at work.


"This is vital work on behalf of union members that is paid for by their union dues,” Wagner said. “There are no additional costs to members who avail themselves of the grievance procedure provided by their collective agreements."


The results of the arbitration of this dispute will be reported once the arbitrator has issued a decision.

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.

POSITION: General Secretary

We're recruiting to fill the position of GSU's general secretary (the chief executive officer of the union) which will be vacated with the retirement of the current incumbent at the end of March 2023. 


A copy of the job description for the position can be viewed and downloaded here.


This is an out-of-scope position which will be covered by an employment contract. Competitive benefits and working conditions are provided.


Position details, the job description, salary and more are available on our web page, GSU.ca.

Local 8 (AEA/Advance) selects vice president

Members of AEA/GSU Local 8 have elected Scott Weisenberger as their new vice president replacing Steve Holliday who decided not to run again when his term of office expired.


Welcome to Scott and a hearty thank you to Steve for his hard work and loyal service on behalf of the members of Local 8 and GSU.

Local 1 & 2 (Viterra) bargaining - Bargaining survey closed

The information received in the recent bargaining surveys is being compiled for review by the board of delegates who are expected to meet in September. GSU staff reps are currently conducting member visitations, meetings and Zoom calls to ensure that members have had multiple opportunities to share their thoughts on what should be included in the bargaining proposal package. 

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.


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

Local 4 (Grain Millers) - Memorandum of Settlement reached 

A membership bargaining update and vote meeting is being held in Yorkton on Aug. 17.


GSU's bargaining committee comprises Brandon Allin, Carter MacKay, Ryan McNabb, Glen Wlasichuk, Brian Lark (GSU staff) and Steve Torgerson (bargaining spokesperson and GSU staff).

Local 5 (Western Producer) bargaining 

The negotiation committee will be meeting on Aug. 17 to discuss the upcoming negotiations. A bargaining survey was conducted in the spring, but members who have additional information they would like to bring to the committee's attention they should feel free to reach out to any committee member.

 

Negotiations committee members are Michelle Houlden, Sharlene Lark, Laurie Michalycia and Donna Driediger (GSU staff and bargaining spokesperson).

Locals 16 (Lake Country Co-operative), 17 (Discovery Co-op), 18 (Lloydminster & District Cooperative Association)

GSU staff rep Brian Lark has visited GSU members and he is beginning preparations for bargaining this fall.

Are you using words that don't exist?

Many of us are guilty of using words that don't actually exist, such as irregardless, supposably and alot.


Check out the following articles to see if you have been taking liberties with the English language. 

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.