Calendar highlights and upcoming events: |
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Joint Executive Council meeting – Regina, March 25
The union's governing body will be meeting to review the business of the union and the 2021 audited financial statements. . . . . .
CLC/SFL Spring School – May 2-6, 2022
Registration is now open for this annual labour school. GSU will sponsor up to three attendees on a first come, first served basis. Learn more here and contact your GSU staff rep to reserve your spot or learn more.
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Prairie School for Union Women – June 13-16
This annual school will be held with virtual options and in-person workshops at the Delta Bessborough in Saskatoon.
GSU will sponsor up to three attendees on a first come, first served basis. Learn more below and contact your GSU staff rep to reserve your spot or learn more.
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SFL Summer Camp – August 5-11
This year's summer camp will be held at the Shekinah Retreat Centre near Waldheim. Young people between the ages of 13-16 who are children of union members are eligible to attend. GSU will sponsor up to three GSU campers on a first come, first served basis. Learn more below and contact your GSU staff rep to learn more.
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Joint Executive Council (JEC) to review financials, consider process for selecting new GSU general secretary |
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GSU’s Joint Executive Council members (board of directors) have a packed agenda to get through when they attend their annual meeting in Regina this Friday.
Among other agenda items, the main purposes of the meeting are to receive and review the union’s 2021 audited financial statements, review union administration, approve a 2022 budget estimate, plan the union’s agenda for the next 12 months and adopt the 2021/2022 annual report to GSU members.
The meeting will also consider the process for selecting a candidate to replace Hugh Wagner as GSU’s general secretary when he steps down from the position at the union’s policy convention in March 2023.
The JEC is GSU’s governing body between biennial policy conventions of elected union delegates. Learn more here.
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Local 14 (Richardson) members are voting on company's offer |
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On March 22 GSU Local 14 members began voting on Richardson International’s offer to settle agreement renewal bargaining and renew the collective agreement between the union and the company.
Members can cast their ballots at ten meeting locations between today and March 31. Once the voting is complete, the ballots will be counted and the result will be announced.
An information meeting to explain the terms of the employer’s offer was held by Zoom on March 21. A bargaining report and information about the offer members will vote on was sent to Local 14 members via email and hard copy packages were mailed to each location. Members can also read and download the information on GSU’s web site.
“It is our sincere belief that union members should have the opportunity to weigh in on the matter and have the final say,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner.
An update will be issued once the voting is complete and the ballots have been counted.
Additional information on past bargaining sessions is available here.
GSU bargaining committee members are Jerid Clark, Curtis Shiels, GSU staff members Donna Driediger and Mason Van Luven, and GSU general secretary/union bargaining spokesperson Hugh Wagner.
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GSU staff rep Mason Van Luven has been assisting GSU members as they navigate uncomfortable conversations surrounding company policy.
"Discussions can be difficult when you don't see eye-to-eye with the people who are making or enforcing decisions - particularly if you are someone who shies away from conflict," Van Luven said. "In most instances, finding a way to respectfully discuss a situation invites the other party to speak honestly and respond respectfully, creating a mutually rewarding relationship."
If you are struggling to approach an uncomfortable workplace situation, don't hesitate to contact your GSU staff rep for assistance.
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Our services are provided to you as part of your union dues and there is never an additional charge for assisting you. Contact information for GSU staff representatives is available on our web page at gsu.ca.
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Local 4 (Grain Millers) bargain underway |
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Bargaining began today with GSU Local 4's bargaining committee meeting company representatives to introduce and exchange bargaining proposals. Bargaining is scheduled for March 22, 23 and 24 in Yorkton.
Members are encouraged to join Local 4's bargaining update group by sending their email or cell number to Steve@gsu.ca.
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).
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Local 6 (Wild West Steelhead) bargaining postponed by company
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The GSU Local 6 bargaining committee meeting scheduled for March 30 was cancelled when management advised they are no longer able to meet on the March 31 and April 1 dates they proposed.
The Local 6 agreement with their employer expired at the end of February.
GSU bargaining committee members are Dan Grenier, Connor Hartley, Logan Farwell, Paul Kennedy (alternate), Steve Torgerson (GSU staff) and Donna Driediger (GSU staff).
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AEA/GSU Local 8 conciliation begins March 23
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A bargaining conciliation meeting between AEA/GSU Local 8 and Advance will begins tomorrow morning in Regina. If a settlement is not reached on March 23 it is likely the conciliator’s term of appointment will run out by the end of March.
If the conciliation process ends without a settlement, a 14-day “cooling off period” commences when the Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety advises the parties to a dispute that the conciliator has reported out.
Strike or lockout action becomes legal following the end of the cooling off period and if there is no settlement of a new collective agreement by that time, members of Local 8 will meet on April 12 to vote on their course of action.
The main outstanding issue in the bargaining dispute is wage increases. The union committee will continue to push for wage increases in line with the current trends in the rising cost of living.
Updates from previous bargaining sessions are available here.
The AEA/Local 8 bargaining committee is comprised of Doug Murray (president), Steve Holliday (vice president), Dion Elliott (OH&S co-chair), Doug Kampman (secretary treasurer), Mason Van Luven (GSU staff rep) and Hugh Wagner, (union spokesperson and GSU general secretary).
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Jordan Hillrud won tickets to the March 26 Rush game |
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Last week we asked you to enter our draw by telling us what temperature needed to be hit before you would whip out your summer shorts.
Congratulations to our draw winner Local 15 (Nutrien) member Jordan Hillrud who - unlike member fellow GSU members - will be waiting until there is a double digit temperature that starts with +2 before his legs will be seeing sunshine.
Disappointed you didn't win tickets this week? Check back next week for another contest and chance to enter to win tickets to the Rush's April 9 game.
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GSU is pleased to offer $2,000 scholarships to five students who demonstrate an ability and a passion to inspire positive change in their community. |
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Scholarship applicants must be enrolled in a diploma, degree, or certificate program at a community college, university, trade school, or technical institute as a full-time student in any country.
The scholarship competition is open to GSU members, their spouses, and dependent children who have not previously won.
Deadline for receipt of applications is June 1, 2022.
Information and application forms are available at gsu.ca
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Do you have a difficult conversation you should be having, but are avoiding? Few of us have a natural ability to initiate a sensitive topic with friends, family, or co-workers, and it's even more intimidating to breach a difficult subject with a workplace superior.
Check out the links below for guidance and suggestions on how to reach out and have that much needed (but difficult) conversation.
Learn more here:
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.
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