February 8, 2022
Calendar highlights and upcoming events:
GSU Shop Steward Training (online) - Feb. 24, 2022

This is our first education opportunity of the year. Contact GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson if you are interested in learning more about upcoming education opportunities.
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AEA/GSU Local 8 conciliation date set for March 3

On Jan. 27 Saskatchewan’s Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety appointed a conciliation officer who has 60 days to meet with the parties in an effort to settle the bargaining impasse between AEA/GSU Local 8 and Advance Tank Production Ltd. /Advance Tank Centres Ltd.

The conciliator was in touch with the parties and the first meeting date has been set for March 3.

“When we met management on December 16 the union position on wage increases was at least 3 percent per year higher over the life of a proposed three-year agreement,” Wagner said. “The union committee will continue to push for wage increases in line with the current trends in the rising cost of living.”

If a settlement is not reached on March 3, Local 8 could be well on its way to a strike or lockout since the conciliator's term of appointment runs out on or about March 28 and the parties will be in a legal strike or lockout situation by early to mid-April.

GSU bargaining committee members are Doug Murray (president), Steve Holliday (vice president), Dion Elliott (OH&S chair), Doug Kampman (secretary treasurer), Mason Van Luven (GSU staff), and bargaining spokesperson Hugh Wagner (GSU staff).


Bargaining to resume Feb. 16 with Richardson International

GSU’s Local 14 bargaining committee will resume agreement renewal bargaining with Richardson International management on Feb. 16. The parties last met on Jan. 12 although they have been communicating in the meantime.

The union bargaining committee used the break to consult with members at the locations. Members’ consistent response emphasized the importance of paid sick leave and wage increases for every employee in keeping with the rising cost of living.

“When we meet management on February 16 we will be guided by the views of Local 14 members and do our level best to bring about a settlement that addresses their concerns,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner.

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.
GSU is hiring a part-time accounting and payroll administrator in our Regina office.
We're looking for our next GSU staff member. If you have training and experience in accounting and payroll and enjoy working for a great group of union members in a small office environment, this may be the position for you.

Learn more here:



Are you a good match? Apply today!

Send your application in care of GSU Hiring Committee by email or mail.

  • Email: gsu@gsu.ca
  • Mail: 2334 McIntyre Street, Regina, SK S4P 2S2

Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, Feb. 25, 2022.
Personal Protective Equipment: Fit for Women?
By GSU staff representative Brian Lark

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) saves employees from injury, bodily harm and - in the extreme case - death. In order to do its job, PPE needs to be used and fitted correctly. 
 
Size Matters
 
PPE is often designed for men or it’s labeled as unisex. That means women who work in jobs with mandated personal protective equipment requirements are often fitted with equipment that is designed for men.
 
When it comes to fitting PPE, women are not small men
 
While women are generally physically smaller than men, it’s not as simple as providing PPE in a smaller size of equipment that is still fitted for men. Improper fitting PPE is a risk to safety, and that’s concerning.

CSA/CLC survey gathering input on PPE from women workers
 
The CSA Group is cooperating with the Canadian Labour Congress to conduct a research project entitled “Investigating the Challenges Canadian Women Face Regarding Work Mandated PPE.” As part of their project, they have compiled a survey regarding women and mandated PPE, and they are encouraging all women to complete the survey.



This survey is completely confidential. Results are being shared in an aggregated form by an independent research firm. The survey should take approximately 10 to 12 minutes to complete and it closes on Feb. 28, 2022.

Let's seek our similarities, not our differences
The global pandemic has driven people apart, leaving many feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, powerless, and having lost trust in leaders and those around us. Social media platforms have given us a window into the beliefs of those we choose to follow, and there we find the most vocal among us nudging (or pushing) us into an Us versus Them frame of mind.

We need to take a deep breath and reflect upon a time where we didn't know every single thought that was in someone else's head. We need to remember that while we may have strong differences, we also have much more in common than we think.

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.