Local 1 (Viterra Country Operations/Maintenance) visitations – Aug. 22 through Sept. 2

In an effort to leave no stone unturned, GSU staff reps are hosting a series of Zoom meetings and hitting the highway to check in with Local 1 members. Information gleaned from these final efforts to gather bargaining proposals and feedback will be shared with the Local 1 and 2 (Viterra Head Office) board of delegates when they meet this fall.

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GSU executive committee meeting – Aug. 31

GSU’s executive committee will meet on Aug. 31 to review union administration, finances and applications received for the general secretary position.

The executive committee is comprised of Jim Brown (president), Michelle Houlden (vice president) and Sheila Tran (vice president). The executive committee is responsible for overseeing GSU administration and finances between meetings of the union’s Joint Executive Council (board of directors). GSU’s general secretary is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the union and reports to the executive committee.

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SFL OH&S Conference – Sept. 14-16, Regina 

This popular conference will be held at the Ramada Hotel in Regina. Contact your GSU staff rep if you are interested in attending. In addition to covering your wages, hotel and approved incidentals as outlined in our expense policy, GSU will assist with your leave of absence request. 

Brochure: SFL OH&S Conference brochure

Learn More/Register Online: SFL OH&S Conference

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66th Annual SFL Convention - Oct. 26-28, Regina 

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour is anticipating an in-person convention at Regina's Queensbury Downs this October. The COVID-19 situation will be monitored prior to convention and attendees will be notified in advance of the convention if any health measures are required in order to attend.

Contact your GSU staff rep if you are interested in learning more or attending. In addition to covering your wages, hotel and approved incidentals as outlined in our expense policy, GSU will assist with your leave of absence request. We have limited spaces available and several have already been claimed, so don't wait to long to throw your hat in the ring if you are interested in attending.

Brochure: 2022 SFL Convention Call Guide

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Local 4 (Grain Millers) members vote to accept tentative agreement

The July 21 tentative settlement between GSU's Local 4 bargaining committee and employer representatives was voted on during two membership meetings held Aug. 17 and 18. After ballots were counted, results were reported to members that 89 percent of those voting had voted in favour of accepting the tentative settlement. The employer was notified of the vote results and work is underway by union and company representatives to incorporate the settlement terms into the wording of a new collective agreement.

Details of the settlement can be found here.

GSU will prepare and print collective agreement booklets for distribution to members as soon as the wording of the new collective agreement has been finalized and signed by union and company officials. Don't hesitate to contact your GSU bargaining committee members or GSU staff reps if you have any questions about the new agreement.

Congratulations and thank you to GSU Local 4 bargaining committee members Glen Wlasichuk, Ryan McNabb, Brandon Allin, Carter MacKay, Tyler Chorneyko, Brian Lark (GSU staff) and Steve Torgerson (bargaining spokesperson and GSU staff) for their successful conclusion of these negotiations.

POSITION: General Secretary

We're recruiting to fill the position of GSU's general secretary (the chief executive officer of the union) which will be vacated with the retirement of the current incumbent at the end of March 2023. 

A copy of the job description for the position can be viewed and downloaded here.

This is an out-of-scope position which will be covered by an employment contract. Competitive benefits and working conditions are provided.

Position details, the job description, salary and more are available on our web page, GSU.ca.

Deadline for receipt of applications is Aug. 31, 2022.

Canadian Labour Congress wants to hear about your experience with new technology on the job

The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) advocates on behalf of working people for better work, employment, social programs and quality of life.

From retail-giant Amazon’s extensive employee tracking system, to companies tracking their remote workers’ keyboard activity, there's no denying that technology has had profound impacts on how employees interact with their employers. To better understand how technological change is affecting work, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) wants to hear from workers about their experience with new technology on the job.

If you are currently in paid work, or have been in paid work in the last 12 months, the CLC is inviting you fill out a short confidential survey at this link.

The survey is strictly anonymous and for research purposes only.

You will not be asked for your name and no identifying information will be recorded. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete.

Your answers will help ensure workers in Canada remain supported, with access to high-quality, decent jobs that allow their families and communities to thrive.

Local 1 & 2 (Viterra) proposals being gathered for bargaining

GSU staff reps are currently on the road in the final stage of gathering proposals and feedback for upcoming negotiations. Local 1 and 2 union officers can expect to hear more soon about dates for a board of delegates meeting to review bargaining proposals and prepare a bargaining package. 

GSU bargaining committee members are Local 1 – Jim Brown (Balgonie), Wilfred Harris (Carnduff), Shannon Antonenko (Lloydminster), David Barrett (Gull Lake) and Travis Brewer (Saskatoon); Local 2 – Sheila Tran, Howard Wilson and Kaylee Kruger with assistance from GSU staff representatives Mason Van Luven and Steve Torgerson (GSU bargaining committee spokesperson).

As bargaining proceeds, check out the VITERRA BARGAINING page on GSU's main web page where information on bargaining will be available.

Local 5 (Western Producer) prepares for bargaining 

The negotiation committee met Aug. 17 to review communication, costing and analysis in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Negotiations committee members are Michelle Houlden, Sharlene Lark, Laurie Michalycia and Donna Driediger (GSU staff and bargaining spokesperson).

Locals 6 (Wild West Steelhead) agreement now posted at GSU.ca

The terms of the tentative settlement have been incorporated and we anticipate signing of the new collective agreement will be complete in the next couple of weeks. Shortly after, we will be printing new collective agreement booklets for distribution to the members. In the meantime, check out the new March 1, 2022 to Feb. 28, 2024 collective agreement here.

Don't hesitate to contact GSU staff reps Brian Lark or Steve Torgerson if you have any questions. 

Local 7 (Heartland Livestock) prepares for bargaining 

The Local 7 bargaining survey is now closed. GSU staff rep Mason Van Luven recently toured each site to review the results of the survey with members, set the focus the Local's bargaining priorities, and to nominate members to the bargaining committee. 

The Local's bargaining proposal package is being drafted and the newly elected bargaining committee will be announced soon. 

Locals 16 (Lake Country Co-operative), 17 (Discovery Co-op), 18 (Lloydminster & District Cooperative Association)

GSU staff rep Brian Lark has visited GSU members in these locals in preparation for negotiations with their employer(s) this fall.

Locals 14 (Richardson) agreement wording finalized, booklets to be printed and sent to members in September

The final wording of the Jan. 1, 2022 - Dec. 31, 2025 collective agreement is complete and the booklets are being prepared for print. In the meantime, view or print the new agreement from GSU's web page at GSU.ca.

The average head weighs 10 to 12 pounds. That's taxing on your neck and particularly so when you spend considerable amounts of time looking down at a phone, computer, or work you are doing with your hands.

Do you find yourself suffering with rounded shoulders, reduced flexibility and pain in your neck, shoulders and back? Check out the links below to see if you are a victim of tech neck (or text neck), and see what you can do to ensure it gets better rather than worse.

• What is Tech Neck?
• Text Neck symptoms and diagnosis
• Tech Neck prevention and treatment