TMM: Scholarship deadline fast approaching, Shirley wins a shirt, Alberta workers under assault from Kenney's Bill 32

August 11, 2020

Calendar highlights and upcoming events:

Masks are in the mail

GSU staff reps were busy checking in with members and handing out our new masks throughout July. We didn't make it to see everyone before we ran out of masks, but our new shipment is here so we've packaged up masks and sent them to the sites we didn't reach.

If you haven't received your mask by next week, let your staff rep know and we will arrange to get a mask to you.

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Wild West Steelhead bargaining

Wild West Steelhead management and GSU's Local 6 (Wild West Steelhead) bargaining committee are working to secure bargaining dates in late August.

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GSU's 2020 scholarship program application deadline is Sept. 1.

If you paid union dues to GSU in 2020 that means you, your dependant children, and your spouse are eligible to apply for a $2,000 GSU scholarship.

Deadline for receipt of 2020 scholarship applications is Sept. 1.

Learn more and download the application forms here.

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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 committee to meet 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.

Related stories:

Members soundly reject company's final offer [July 3, 2020]
Bargaining history

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Alberta government's Bill 32 is an assault on worker rights

Aug. 5, 2020

Workers and the labour movement in Alberta had been anticipating an assault on their rights since Jason Kenney’s United Conservative Party (UCP) won Alberta’s provincial election in 2019. The assault arrived with the introduction of Bill 32.

Bill 32 effectively moves Alberta laws back to when workers had fewer rights. The changes tip the scales dramatically in favour of employers and aim to silence critics of the government. The Bill takes a shot at non-unionized workers with changes to the employment standards laws, and it reduces the bargaining power of union workers and their unions by making it extremely difficult for unions to advocate on behalf of their members.

Changes brought about by Bill 32 will very likely be challenged in the courts as they appear to be blatant violations of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as they pertain to the freedom of association.

You can expect to hear more about opposition to Bill 32 in the coming weeks and months.

Read the complete story and learn more here.

Congratulations to Shirley Walter-Cousins, our contest winner

Last week we asked you to enter our contest to win a GSU shirt and mask by telling us what positive had come out of the pandemic for you. We weren't surprised that every answer we received pointed to time with family, self-reflection, appreciation for what we have, and an opportunity to spend time on things that had been put aside.

Congratulations to Local 14 (Richardson) member Shirley Walters-Cousins for being the lucky winner of our draw.

Let's see who is still reading this post. Send your name to us gsu@gsu.ca by 9:00 a.m. on Aug. 18 and we'll send the first five replies a surprise.

Contest rules are available here.

Strike or lockout looming in ILWU Canada, SGS Prince Rupert dispute

Barring a last minute settlement, members of ILWU Canada working for grain inspection firm SGS in Prince Rupert will either be on strike or locked out today.

On Aug. 1, union members held a strike vote and voted 100 percent in favour of strike action in support of their effort to bargain a first collective agreement with SGS. Many GSU members will be familiar with SGS which provides grain inspection services to terminal elevators on the prairies. Although there are a host of unresolved issues, one of the key elements of the dispute is SGS' effort to impose an hourly wage of $16.

"I've spoken to ILWU Canada president Rob Ashton and offered GSU's support to the striking workers," said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. "At the moment it's not clear how this dispute will affect grain handling on the prairies or in Prince Rupert, so we will monitor the situation closely."

"There is also the high probability of dispute between ILWU Canada and SGS at the Port of Vancouver for many of the same reasons " Wagner said. "When GSU members have been in a dispute with one of our employers, ILWU Canada has been quick and ready to help, including generous financial support and honouring GSU picket lines at the Port of Vancouver."

12 things you should never keep in a hot car

Everyone knows that children and pets should never be left in a hot car. There are other items that will fare much better if you limit their time in a vehicle on a hot summer day.

You can check them out, here: 12 things never to leave in a hot vehicle

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.