GSU's Regina and Saskatoon offices will be closed on Sept. 30

Calculation of Severance on Job Elimination Arbitration - Sept. 29/30

At a member's request, GSU followed up on a job elimination notice and found the employer intended to pay substantially less severance pay to the affected member than called for by the union's interpretation of the collective agreement. The member filed a grievance and when resolution between the union and company could not be found, the grievance was referred to arbitration.

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

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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. 15 for their semi-annual meeting. Details and notice of meeting will be sent to officers soon. 

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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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Member did not receive an interview for a position

When a GSU member didn't receive an interview for a position they had applied for, they contacted staff rep Steve Torgerson to discuss the situation. Torgerson is pursuing discussion with the employer in an attempt to find a resolution.

Contacting GSU does not mean you are obligated to file a grievance.

Sometimes a brief comment, email or meeting is all that's needed to address a situation. GSU is here to assist members in any way we can, but we will not contact your employer, file a grievance or act on your behalf without consultation, direction and approval from you.

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.

Our path to reconciliation includes listening, learning, and creating opportunities for education and participation within GSU. Each month we will share a short piece of information that we hope will inspire you to learn more about the topic and ultimately contribute to a shared future of reconciliation.

Sept. 30 marks both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. Both events fall on the same day and are similar, but they are not the same. 

According the the Canadian Government's CANADA.ca website, the differences are as follow:

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation honours the children who never returned home, the survivors of residential schools and their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. On Sept. 30, 2022 Canadians are encouraged to commemorate, reflect, listen, learn more about the tragic history of residential schools, and advance reconciliation and the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 calls to action.

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. On Sept. 30, Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to honour the thousands of survivors of residential schools.

Here are several ways you can participate during the week of Sept. 30 and beyond 

• wear an orange shirt
• support the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour's campaign to make Sept. 30 a provincial statutory holiday to provide working people with the opportunity to use the day to learn, quietly reflect, or participate in reconciliation events in their communities
• find opportunities to learn more about Truth and Reconciliation, MMIWG and residential schools. And take that knowledge and be part of the reconciliation
• There are a number of Regina-based events, including Miyo-Wîcîwitowin Day at Mosaic Stadium. Tickets are free but attendees must pre-register. To register, go to wewalktogether.ca
• In Saskatoon, Tribal Chief Mark Arcand invites everyone to attend a free Pow Wow and concert at SaskTel Centre on Sept. 30. The Pow Wow will run from noon until 5:00 p.m. Survivors of the residential school system and their families will be honoured before a concert featuring Canadian country superstar George Canyon begins. It’s free admission for the entire day.

There is so much more to learn!

GSU is building a truth and reconciliation lending library. If you have resources you would recommend for our library or are interested in borrowing a book, contact staff rep Mason Van Luven at Mason@gsu.ca.

Local 1 & 2 (Viterra) proposals being gathered for bargaining

The Local 2 committee is finalizing a bargaining package in preparation for meeting with Viterra representatives. While bargaining dates are yet to be set to begin the negotiating process with the employer, we anticipate meeting in the fall. 

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 being signed today

Wording for the new collective agreement has been agreed upon, and GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson is heading to Yorkton today where union and company officials will sign the agreement. The next step will be the preparation of collective agreement booklets for members.

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

Local 5 (Western Producer) bargaining set for Oct. 4, 5 & 6 

The first set of bargaining dates with the employer are set for Oct. 4, 5 and 6. 

The bargaining committee comprises Michelle Houlden, Sharlene Lark, Laurie Michalycia and Donna Driediger (bargaining spokesperson and GSU staff).

Local 6 (Wild West Steelhead) new collective agreement is at the printer

The collective agreement booklets are expected back from the printers this week and arrangements are being made to have the agreements distributed to members. 

The agreement is always available online at GSU.ca

Don't hesitate to contact GSU staff reps Brian Lark or Steve Torgerson if you have any questions. 

Local 7 (Heartland Livestock Services/Northern Livestock Sales) prepares for bargaining 

Notice to bargain has been served and Local 7's bargaining committee members are meeting soon to review bargaining proposals and strategize in preparation for upcoming negotiations. 

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).

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

The employers of Local 16, Local 17 and Local 18 have confirmed their intention to bargain. 

GSU staff rep Brian Lark is coordinating bargaining dates with the employers' spokesperson. Lark is also planning to meet with the union bargaining committees to review the members' bargaining proposals. 

If you could use a bit of a emotional boost, try performing a random act of kindness. When you extend a kind gesture to others it elevates your mood, leaves you feeling optimistic and in control of your environment. There's also a chance you may create a wonderful chain reaction leaving the recipient of your act in the frame of mind to make a random act of kindness of their own.  

• How random acts of kindness can benefit your health
• 100 random acts of kindness