TMM: Council meets, appoints Steve Torgerson as GSU's next general secretary

November 1, 2022

Calendar highlights and upcoming events:

AGMs are underway

Watch your email for your meeting announcement and get ready to receive the general secretary's report, vote on continuation of the additional Defense Fund dues deduction, elect your Local representatives and more.

Contact your GSU staff rep to learn more or to schedule your meeting.

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GSU biennial policy convention - March 23, 24 & 25, 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 will be the Moose Jaw Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa. You will hear more about that soon.

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Wagner receives lifetime service award

GSU delegates attend 66^th SFL convention

Twenty-one GSU delegates joined 340 delegates from other unions as they attended the 66th convention of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour held in Regina from October 26 to 28.

Convention activities began on the evening of Oct. 25 with delegate registration and the KAIROS Blanket Exercise which is designed to be an interactive teaching tool exploring the historic and contemporary relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the land we now call Canada. On Oct. 26 the formal convention agenda kicked off with the call to order, greetings from various dignitaries, the president’s address and secretary-treasurer’s report. The convention agenda also included presentations focusing on contemporary issues and challenges confronting working people in Canada.

Central to the convention was the debate on a variety of policy resolutions focused on improving the circumstances of working people across the province. Delegates also took time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Saskatchewan’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, including the pioneering leadership of Bob Sass.

GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner and Jackie Lazar (COPE 397) were awarded the Larry Hubich Lifetime of Service Award for their contributions to the labour movement and tireless advocacy for working people.

The theme of the convention was, “Speaking Up” for labour rights and better working conditions for workers in all sectors. Delegates put the theme in action by speaking up at a demonstration in support of the labour movement’s agenda which was held at the Saskatchewan Legislature on Oct. 27.

Lori Johb (SEIU West) was elected to her third term as SFL president and Kent Peterson (CUPE Saskatchewan) was elected to his second term as secretary treasurer. Delegates also voted overwhelmingly to change the SFL constitution to provide for biennial as opposed to annual conventions going forward.

Union representation during workplace accommodation discussions

When a member was having difficulty securing a workplace accommodation due to mental health issues, staff rep Donna Driediger insisted on attending the meeting with the employer and the member.

After the member supplied medical evidence to their employer - and a discussion took place between Human Resources, the member, Driediger and the supervisor - the member secured the needed accommodation and they are once again supported in their workplace.

If you are having difficulties with your employer accepting your physician's recommendations, let us help. Call GSU.

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.

GSU's Joint Executive Council meets, selects Steve Torgerson as next General Secretary

GSU’s Joint Executive Council (board of directors) held their semi-annual meeting on Oct. 25 in Regina where they received an update on union administration and finances. Updated financial control and asset policies were also approved.

Council members also discussed the scheduling and location for GSU’s 2023 policy convention. While it was decided to hold the convention at the Temple Gardens Hotel in Moose Jaw on March 30, 31 and April 1, 2023, subsequent communication with hotel management has resulted in selecting March 23, 24 and 25 as the convention dates.

The main item on the meeting agenda was the appointment of GSU staff representative Steve Torgerson as the next general secretary of GSU. Council members received a report on the recruitment process and voted unanimously to approve the executive committee’s recommendation to appoint Steve to the position when current general secretary Hugh Wagner steps down at the end of March 2023.

The general secretary succession process is in motion as Steve has the whole-hearted support of the elected officers and staff of GSU. The Council also approved the executive committee’s recommendation to move Mason Van Luven from his term position into a regular staff representative position at GSU.

“I am extremely happy with the decision that Steve Torgerson will be GSU’s next general secretary,” said Hugh Wagner. “Steve brings creativity and solid experience to the role. He is a tireless advocate for GSU members and an excellent choice for the job.”

The Joint Executive Council is GSU's governing body between policy conventions. You can learn more about the JEC here.

Local 1 (Viterra Operations & Maintenance) & Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) bargaining dates set

Three sets of dates have been set for bargaining:

November 16 & 17, 2022
November 24 & 25, 2022
December 14 & 15, 2022.

In preparation for negotiations, your bargaining committees will be meeting on November 8, 2022. Once each set of dates has passed we will send an update to all members.

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

Bargaining dates with the employer have been set for Nov 14 and 18. Updates will be provided after that date.

The first bargaining session between union and company representatives was held Oct. 4, 5 and 6 in Saskatoon.

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

Local 7 (Heartland Livestock Services/Northern Livestock Sales) bargaining set to begin next week

(L-r) The bargaining committee comprises Paige Lister (Moose Jaw), Lori Branton (Prince Albert), Melissa Little (Yorkton) and Mason Van Luven (bargaining spokesperson/GSU staff).

Bargaining got underway on Oct. 28 in Regina. The two sides will meet again Nov. 4 and the additional bargaining date of Nov. 18 has been tentatively scheduled to meet, if required.

"We are taking a practical and fair approach to improvements to your collective agreement and workplace by stating clearly what Local 7 members want and what we believe is reasonable," said GSU staff rep and union bargaining committee spokesperson Mason Van Luven. "We’re backing that up by providing examples of workplace experiences from our Local 7 members."

Bargaining proposals, a web page password and additional information were sent to Local 7 members by email on Oct. 31. You can learn more on GSU's web page under the BARGAINING menu tab at the top of the page.

Updates will be issued directly to members after each bargaining session and as new information is available. Contact Mason@gsu.ca if you are not receiving updates and would like to be added to the list.

Local 16 (Lake Country Co-operative), Local 18 (Lloydminster & District Cooperative Association)

Dates to begin bargaining have not been set for either Local.

Locals 17 (Discovery Co-op)

Local 17’s bargaining proposal package is ready and two sets of bargaining meetings have been confirmed. The committees will meet Dec. 7 and 8 followed by a Dec. 13 and 14 session.

At the company's request, bargaining will take place through virtual conferencing. Recognizing the value of being together to communicate and discuss proposals as they arise during the bargaining sessions, GSU’s committee plans to gather in person and meet with the company by virtual conferencing.

Your bargaining committee will share bargaining updates by email and text message, so make sure your contact information is on file so you can stay informed.

GSU’s bargaining committee comprises Ben Scott, Nathan Rafuse, and GSU staff representative/bargaining spokesperson Brian Lark.

Decide to be happy!

Is happiness a choice? It seems the answer is yes.

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.