Calendar highlights and upcoming events: |
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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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GSU scholarship application deadline – June 1
We have five $2,000 scholarship for five GSU members, their spouses and dependents. Detailed information on our scholarship program is available at gsu.ca.
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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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Attending GSU-approved union education without a loss of pay |
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GSU staff rep Donna Driediger assisted a member who wanted to attend a non-GSU, labour-focused educational during work hours without losing pay.
“Your collective agreement outlines the ability and access for union leave,” Driediger explains. “This leave is in place for a variety of circumstances including allowing GSU members to attend labour-focused events in our towns, provinces and country.”
The member had approached GSU requesting permission to attend a labour education event. When GSU approved the request, the member approached their employer.
“When you are accepted by GSU for a GSU-paid union leave, it is always subject to the operations of your employer,” Driediger added. “Most times there are no concerns granting members the leave to attend GSU-approved union functions. At GSU's request, the employer simply covers your wages and benefits as though the member had been at work, and they bill GSU for that amount.”
Watch for union education opportunities and contact your GSU staff rep if you see one that interests you. And when you are considering whether you should attend a union function or event, keep union leave in mind and know that you don't need to use your vacation days to attend.
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April 28 is the National Day of Mourning for workers injured or killed on the job. In acknowledgement of this important day, our April newsletters will be taking a look at violence in the workplace.
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We expect to feel safe at work, but workplaces can be a site of aggression, tension, harassment, and even violence.
Acts of violence can be present in a wide variety of situations. They can be physical or psychological, and they can come as a direct interaction with the aggressor or indirectly as a bystander or observer.
Over the month of April , we will look at these four distinct types of situations regarding violence in the workplace and the harmful effects that they have on workplaces and employees.
Type 1: Criminal Intent
Type 2: Customer/Client
Type 3: Worker on Worker
Type 4: Personal Relationship.
Week One/Type 2: Customer/Client
A common type of violence experienced in our places of employment are caused by customers or clients of the business. Customers come in disgruntled with the company and they look to take it out on the employees. There are things you should do if you find yourself in this type of situation.
- Don’t isolate yourself with the customer in an office or room that has no safe way for you to escape if needed.
- Take someone else with you if you do need to move to a private office.
- Keep a physical barrier between you and the angry customer. These barriers can be a desk, counter or even a vehicle depending on your location.
- Be sure to stay calm, listen to understand and above all don’t escalate the situation. An upset customer often just wants to be heard, have the problem listened to and see a willingness to correct how they were “wronged” by the company.
As employees we need to remember that if the issue is with a procedure or process of a company we work for, it has nothing to do with us personally and we shouldn’t get defensive. If we become defensive we risk increasing our volume, stiffening our tone and escalating the situation.
Words we use and the way we say them may come off as condescending and that’s not helpful. If the customer feels they are not being respected or heard, they may get frustrated and start to get louder, more vulgar or even turn to physical attacks. Physical attacks can be throwing objects in the room or off the desk. In some instances, these physical attacks can lead to personal assaults such as being hit by a flying object thrown at you or in your direction, or by a slap or punch.
Angry people don’t think clearly. They move forward on emotion and often regret decisions made in a fit of frustration. If you can’t calm the situation down, ask for help from co-workers. They can either help to de-escalate the situation or call the authorities. Once the situation has been de-escalated be sure to make your manager and HR aware of the situation and, if needed, involve law enforcement.
We have all been frustrated or angry with a situation or company. The employees we encounter in these moments deserve to the same safe environment that we do as employees ourselves. As customers and employees we need to remember that if we don’t keep calm, the situation can escalate quickly.
Until next week, stay safe in the workplace.
Next week: Worker-on-Worker Violence in the Workplace.
Don't hesitate to contact your GSU staff rep is you are struggling as a result of violence in the workplace. All calls and contact are strictly confidential. We will assist you in any way we can, but we will not contact your employer, file a grievance or act on your behalf without consultation, direction and approval from you.
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GSU president, general secretary attend ILWU Canada convention
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GSU president Jim Brown and general secretary Hugh Wagner represented GSU at 36th Convention of International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada which was held in Vancouver from March 29 to April 1 inclusive.
"The ILWU Canada convention always has a full agenda and this year was no different," said Brown. "A wide variety of transportation as well as workplace issues were considered and debated by the 118 delegates over three-and-a-half days."
"It is impressive how active and engaged ILWU convention delegates are as they tackle union business with enthusiasm, "Wagner said. "Equally important is the growing diversity reflected by the delegates and the attention devoted to including young workers."
GSU affiliated with ILWU Canada on May 1, 1995 and over the years a strong leadership bond has developed between the unions as we work together on promoting the interests of working people.
"The challenge to the next generation of GSU leaders will be to grow and build on the relationship with ILWU Canada," said Brown. "We thank the elected officers and delegates of ILWU Canada for the hospitality and friendship."
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Congratulations to Sara Irving - our Rush ticket contest winner |
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We have sent two tickets for the Rush's April 16 game to Local 1 (Viterra) member Sara Irving. Last week Sarah entered our contest by listing swamp pop as something she thought tasted awesome as a child, but considerably less awesome as an adult.
Congratulations, Sara, and thank you to everyone who entered our Rush ticket contests last week and this season. Your answers to our contest questions are always insightful, entertaining and appreciated.
Watch for more contests in the future.
Contest rules are available here.
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Local 4 (Grain Millers) bargain underway |
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Bargaining got underway March 22, 23 and 24 in Yorkton with both sides introducing their bargaining proposal package.
"Over the three days there was good discussion, and progress was beginning to be made," reports bargaining committee member and GSU staff rep Brian Lark.
Bargaining dates have been confirmed for April 25 and 26 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 set for April 27, 28, 29
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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. Bargaining has been rescheduled for April 27, 28 and 29.
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 members voting on strike action today
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Members of AEA/GSU Local 8 are holding a special membership meeting April 12 to vote on authorizing strike action in support of their demand for better wage increases from Advance Tank Production/Advance Tank Centres.
A mediation meeting on March 23 failed to bring about a settlement as the employer proposed a two-year agreement with a 2 percent wage increase in the first year and a $500 signing bonus in lieu of retroactivity followed by a 2.5 percent wage increase in the second year.
The union bargaining committee responded by proposing a two-year agreement with a 4.5 percent wage increase in the first year fully retroactive to Nov. 1, 2021 and followed by a 4.0 percent wage increase in the second year effective Nov. 1, 2022. The mediation session ended without any further exchanges and the mediator reported out of the process.
The secret ballot vote on strike action will be counted at the April 12 meeting and reported to the members of the Local. If strike action is approved, the employer will be invited to return to the bargaining table to improve on their offer. If an acceptable settlement isn’t achieved in a reasonable amount of time, strike action by union members or a lockout by the employer can commence following 48 hours’ notice to the other side.
An update will be issued after today's vote.
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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Alone time looks different for everyone. It might mean researching a topic that interests you, heading out on a road trip, having total control over the TV, or simply buying groceries with no one else accompanying you to share their opinions and your shopping cart.
Having time to yourself is good for building your ability to rely on yourself and it's good for your emotional health. It's also a time to reflect, recharge and sort out who you are, what's important to you, and where you might like to be in the future.
It's not selfish. It's self-care. Make a point of spending some quality time with and for yourself.
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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