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

Preparations are underway for the union's governing body to gather in Regina for their semi-annual meeting. Details and notice of meeting will be sent to officers soon. 

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Registration deadline is Sept. 26!

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.

Contact your GSU staff rep this week 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. 

Brochure: 2022 SFL Convention Call Guide

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GSU biennial policy convention - March 30, 31 & April 1, 2023

The Joint Executive Council convenes a policy convention 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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Interviews and final preparations for an arbitration

General secretary Hugh Wagner has been conducting interviews with the grievor and a former GSU staff in preparation for the Sept. 29 and 30 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 by 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. When grievance action did not resolve the disagreement over the amount of severance pay owing to the employee the grievance was referred to arbitration.

Hugh Wagner will serve as counsel for GSU at the arbitration hearing.

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.

Local 4 (Grain Millers) settlement breaks mould

The agreement renewal settlement ratified by GSU Local 4 members in August represented a sharp break from a trend of settlements dominating collective bargaining and wage increases generally for the last decade.

On general wage increases alone, the Local 4 settlement with Grain Millers in Yorkton set a new high watermark of 6 percent in the first year, 5 percent in the second year and 4 percent in the third year. The compound increase in pay is 15.75 percent over the life of the three-year collective agreement.

Added to the general wage increases are improvements to shift premiums, vacations, sick leave, a new safety eye wear allowance, dual ticket premiums and improvements to group health and insurance plans.

Altogether, the Local 4 settlement is testimony to the results possible through collective bargaining when union members are united and determined to stand their ground for better wages and employment conditions.

“From the get go, Local 4 members were determined to bargain hard toward their objectives,” said GSU staff representative and bargaining spokesperson Steve Torgerson. “Hats off to the members and the Local 4 bargaining committee for a job well done.”  

GSU members and staff attended the annual Saskatchewan Federation of Labour’s OH&S conference last week.

The seven courses offered covered information regarding the Act and regulations, effective OH&S committees, building psychologically healthy workplaces, the duty to accommodate, your rights in action, domestic violence in the workplace, and celebrating OH&S (a history re-cap and where we go from here).

Among the GSU attendees was staff rep Brian Lark who chose the Saskatchewan Employment Act and Regulations Regarding OH&S class.

“As great as it was to see so many safety-orientated people, it was disheartening to hear that a safe workplace didn’t always seem to be the main priority for all employers,” Lark said. “Too many participants confirmed that the employer didn’t always follow the rules and regulations when it came to safety, the committees, and the employee contributions to safety.”

“The right to safe workplaces is a right that we are all entitled to and one that we all must participate in,” Lark continued. “If you see unsafe work, say something. If you are involved in an unsafe situation, speak up. If you are unsure if your workplace has a committee or if you want to know more about the rules and regulations regarding safety in your workplace, ask a shop steward, your manager or Human Resources.”

"The only way to effect change is to hold ourselves and our employers responsible for safety. Saskatchewan was the birthplace of safety laws and regulations, but we continually lead the country in workplace injuries and fatalities,” Lark concluded. “We need to make safety top of mind for everyone and ensure all workers go home in the same or better condition than they arrived at work.” 

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.

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).

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

The collective agreement is at the printers and the new Local 6 booklets should be back in the office and ready for distribution within two weeks. In the meantime, check out the new March 1, 2022 to Feb. 28, 2024 collective agreement here.

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 on Sept. 28 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. 

Locals 14 (Richardson) agreement booklets have been sent to members

The new collective agreements have been sent in bulk to GSU Local 14 members at their workplaces. Please contact your GSU staff rep if you haven't received your copy or if additional copies are needed at your workplace. The agreement is always available to view or print from GSU's web page at GSU.ca.

Identify theft is becoming a big problem. Sharing your SIN number, leaving sensitive information in your dumpster and commenting on those super-fun social media quizzes put you and your hard-earned cash at serious risk. 

Learn more about simple steps you can take to protect yourself:

• Identity theft is on the rise in Canada - here's how to protect yourself
• Signs of a Scam
• Why you need to stop commenting on viral Facebook memes