We have five $2,000 scholarships for five GSU members, their spouses and dependents.

Detailed information on our scholarship program is available at gsu.ca.

Application Deadline is June 1!

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GSU member visitations continue - May/June

GSU staff reps are on the road checking in with as many GSU members as possible. This is your opportunity to ask questions and let us know how we can further assist you. Don't hesitate to contact your staff rep to arrange a visitation date and time that works for you. Learn more here.

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Local 6 (Wild West Steelhead) ratification meeting – May 18

Members will vote to accept or reject the recently bargained tentative settlement.

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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.

Brochure: PSUW 2022 Brochure

Register Online: SFL Prairie School for Union Women - Register

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Local 14 (Richardson) delegate meeting – TBA

A meeting of Local 14 delegates is being planned. Details will be available soon.

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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.

Brochure: SFL Summer Camp 2022

Learn More/Register Online: SFL Summer Camp

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SFL OH&S Conference – Sept. 14-16

This popular conference will be held at the Ramada Hotel in Regina.

If you are interested in attending, contact your GSU staff rep.

Brochure: SFL OH&S Conference brochure

Learn More/Register Online: SFL OH&S Conference

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Pressing Necessity arbitration scheduled

An arbitration of particular interest to Local 1 (Viterra) members is scheduled for June 22 via Zoom. The arbitrator will hear both union and employer arguments regarding why pressing necessity leave is or isn’t applicable to weather-related absences from work.

If the arbitrator decides in favour of the union, then we will proceed to sort through the individual circumstances of each grievor. If the arbitrator decides against the union, the matter ends there.

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.

Canada needs to put its money where its mouth is when it comes to mental health

By GSU staff rep Donna Driediger

In a recent survey by the Canadian Mental Health Association, 85 percent of Canadians said mental-health services are among the most underfunded in the health-care system. More than half of Canadians consider anxiety and depression to be an epidemic in Canada. Yet Canada dedicates only 7.2 percent of its health-care budget to mental health.

The survey accompanies a national policy paper which calls for new legislation to address unmet mental-health needs and bring mental health care into balance with physical health care. Eighty-six per cent of respondents agreed the government of Canada should fund mental health at the same level as physical health.

“Our universal health-care system is a point of pride for Canadians," states Dr. Patrick Smith, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association. "... the reality is we don’t have a universal health-care system, but a universal medical system that doesn’t guarantee access to some of the most basic mental-health services and supports.” 

Health care provided by addiction counsellors, psychologists, social workers and specialized peer support workers is provided in other G7 countries, but these services aren’t guaranteed through Canada’s public system.

The federal government is helping by supporting people in Canada and their mental health and wellbeing through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. If you or a loved one is struggling, you can access the Wellness Together Canada portal, or call 1.866.585.0445 or text WELLNESS to 741741 (adults) or 686868 (youth).

You can also reach out to GSU to help you in your workplace. If you are needing assistance, please contact Donna Driediger at Donna@gsu.ca.

Local 1 & 2 (Viterra) board of delegates meeting being planned

Bargaining is scheduled to begin this fall, so preparations are underway. More information will be available on this proposed meeting soon.

Local 4 (Grain Millers) scheduled for May 22, 23 and 24

This will be the third bargaining session between the parties.

If you have any questions please reach out to a member of your bargaining committee. 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).

Local 6 (Wild West Steelhead) members to vote May 18 on tentative agreement

GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson delivered copies of the memorandum of agreement to members last week. Members will have an opportunity to review the terms of the tentative agreement and ask questions before voting to either accept or reject the proposed settlement at tomorrow's ratification meeting. 

GSU bargaining committee members are Dan Grenier, Connor Hartley, Logan Farwell, Paul Kennedy (alternate), Brian Lark (GSU staff), Steve Torgerson (GSU staff/union bargaining spokesperson).

Self-acceptance is your total and unconditional acceptance of every aspect of yourself without exception. As you can guess, it's not as simple as it may sound, but there are a lot of benefits to be had if you can reach a point where you absolutely acknowledge, respect and find peace with who you are.

When you reach a high level of self-acceptance criticism is less likely to affect you, you aren't as quick to self-sabotage and you are more likely to accept your personal problems and struggles because you are in touch with reality.  

Learn more here:  

• Self-esteem and self-acceptance: What's the difference and why is self-acceptance so important?
• 10 ways to practice self-acceptance
• The benefits of self-acceptance and how to practice