Calendar highlights and upcoming events: |
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Why is International Women's Day important?
Because 72 countries won't allow women to open bank accounts.
Because more than 250 million women alive today were married before their 15th birthday (many against their will).
Because there are fewer women in leadership positions in the USA than there are men named John.
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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.
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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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Local 4 (Grain Millers) bargaining set to begin March 22 |
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Local 4's bargaining committee will be sitting down with company representatives to introduce and exchange bargaining proposals on 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) prepares for bargaining
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GSU members met March 3 in Lucky Lake to discuss their upcoming negotiations and elect their bargaining committee and a bargaining alternate. Another meeting will be arranged soon to review bargaining proposals and prepare a bargaining package.
The Local 6 agreement with their employer expired at the end of February. Dates have not yet been scheduled to meet employer representatives and begin negotiations.
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 rescheduled to March 23
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After the conciliator-requested postponement of the originally scheduled March 3 conciliation, GSU's bargaining committee is preparing to meet employer representatives from Advance on March 23. If a settlement is not reached on March 23 it is likely the conciliator’s term of appointment will run out around March 28 or a little later.
Once the Minister of Labour and Workplace safety advises that the conciliator has reported out of the process, the bargaining impasse enters a 14-day cooling off period under the terms of the Saskatchewan Employment Act. If a settlement is not reached by the end of the cooling off period, strike or lockout action becomes legal. Members of Local 8 will meet before the end of the cooling off period to vote on their course of action.
When both sides last met, the union position on wage increases was at least three percent per year higher than the employer’s proposals over the life of a three-year agreement. 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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Local 14 (Richardson) bargaining resumes March 9
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GSU Local 14's bargaining committee last met with Richardson International representatives on Feb. 16.
“When we meet management again on Wednesday the union bargaining committee will be working to hammer out a tentative settlement subject to approval or rejection by Local 14 members,” said GSU general secretary and union bargaining spokesperson Hugh Wagner.
A dditional 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 staff/union bargaining spokesperson Hugh Wagner.
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Enter our ticket draw and two tickets to the March 19 Saskatchewan Rush game could be yours |
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It's time to give away two Rush tickets to one lucky GSU member. Enter our draw by answering the following question:
- If you owned your own sports team, what sport would they play and what would your team name be?
Get your answer to us at gsu@gsu.ca by 12:00 noon on March 14 to be entered to win.
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Thank you GSU members! We see you, we hear you! |
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If you were one of the many GSU members who made time to complete our membership survey, we extend our hearty THANK YOU to you.
Your responses were honest, interesting and informative, and we're assessing how we can take your feedback and improve our services for you.
Congratulations to survey prize winner Craig Spetz (Local 15 - Nutrien)
We pulled Craig's name out of the hat and we're sending a set of Bose headphones his way. Thank you to everyone who entered to win.
The survey may be over, but we are always interested in what GSU members have to say
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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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We're fielding questions on vacation plans, changes and usage |
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The past year has been challenging with COVID restrictions and Mother Nature putting a damper on work. Some members saw their work location switch from office to home, others worked short-staffed when fellow members lost their jobs and many members worked under the looming fear of layoff due to a lack of work. In many cases members were taxed trying to take holidays in 2021 and, as a result, they carried hours forward into 2022.
When groups of employees have large banks of unused time, we start getting calls from members who are feeling pressured to take time off. Circumstances vary from employer insistence that time be used to appeals to help the company get through hard times and encouragement to show your loyalty by using up some time. It’s also not unusual for GSU staff reps to hear concerns from members being asked to use up time off to help reduce the likelihood of job loss resulting from a lack of work.
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Your time off needs to be mutually agreed upon |
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All GSU collective bargaining agreements contain language that specifically references “mutual agreement” in regards to time off. When you submit your plan for time off, the company can accept or reject your proposal. The same is true on the other side. The company can approach you and ask you to take the time off and you have the right to refuse.
Whether you use your time off to go sightseeing, camping, help out with harvest or take a sunny winter vacation, you have the right to take time off at a time when it works for you. If you are having problems exercising this right or you have questions or concerns regarding your vacation time off usage or any other workplace issue, don’t hesitate to contact your GSU staff rep. We are always willing to help.
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Our services are provided to you as part of your union dues and their 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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How to be more confident when you're anything but |
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Do you lack confidence? If so, what is it holding you back from doing?
A lack of confidence can sabotage you by making you second guess your skills, your abilities, your relationships and your contribution in the workplace. It can keep you from speaking in groups, pitching your ideas in a meeting or taking on new challenges and opportunities.
Fortunately, self confidence can be learned.
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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