May 7, 2024

Local 14 (Richardson) Board of Delegates meeting - May 14

We're convening a virtual meeting of our Local 14 delegates to identify and address concerns and to ensure that members are feeling adequately represented and able to reach out to GSU officers and union staff for support when needed.

The current collective agreement remains in effect until the end of 2025, but it's important to use the time between agreements to observe, reflect and prepare for the future and address current issues in the Local.

Are you a Local 14 member who is interested in attending your Local's delegates meeting and representing fellow GSU members in your workplace? 

Contact GSU staff rep Donna Driediger to learn more. 

Saskatchewan Federation of Labour Kids Camp - Aug. 10 - 16, Shekinah Retreat Centre (Waldheim), SK

SFL Summer Camp is built on a foundation of trade union values: equality, fairness, justice, and for dignity and respect of all working people. We believe that people can achieve more acting together than they can do on their own. This popular camp welcomes campers who are between the ages of 13-16, and who are children of union members.

GSU will send up to two campers to this popular camp on a first-come basis. Learn more here if you think your camper may be interested, contact us for more information at gsu@gsu.ca.

ILWU Canada 37th Convention

ILWU Canada held their Convention in Surrey B.C. from April 23 to 26 and the GSU President and General Secretary attended to bring greetings.

As a member of GSU, you have the opportunity to shape the future of your workplace and community through conventions. ILWU Canada subscribes to this ideal as well.

These gatherings provide a platform for members to share experiences, ideas, and best practices that can help improve your working conditions and overall quality of life. By participating in union conventions, working people can help ensure that your union remains a strong and effective advocate for workers' rights and interests.

It was a privilege for GSU to send representatives to the ILWU Canada Convention; as an affiliated union for over 40 years, the connection between these great unions remains strong.

"Talking to the members from the grain workers, Local 333, reinforces the similarities of our work", said GSU President James Brown "They unload the rail cars we load and have to deal with the same employers. This is one reason why we need to be affiliated."

For decades, the relationship between ILWU Canada, which includes the affiliated unions of the Retails Wholesale Department Store Union and the Retail Wholesale Union in B.C, and GSU was based on the mutual belief that the working people of Cnada deserve better and working people need to organize to counter big business and governments.

It was a great convention, and I was grateful for all members of ILWU who welcomed us.' said Steve Torgerson, General Secretary. "I look forward to building on this relationship between our unions and seeing how we can become stronger, together."

GSU is offering $2,000 scholarships to five recipients

Every year, GSU offers $2,000 scholarships to five students who demonstrate a passion for driving positive change in their community. For the first time, if you have already won a GSU scholarship in the past you are encouraged to apply again.

Previously, recipients could only receive one scholarship per lifetime, but GSU's Joint Executive Council members voted to remove that restriction.

The scholarship competition is open to GSU members, their spouses, and dependents, regardless of previous scholarship awards. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a diploma, degree, or certificate program at any community college, university, trade school, or technical institute.

Learn more, download the forms or complete them online at GSU.ca.

Deadline for receipt of applications is July 1, 2024.

Local 15 files two Executive Grievances against Nutrien

On Friday, May 3, 2024, Local 15 filed two executive grievances with Nutrien.

These are for two separate reasons, but both relate to the company's making changes in policy and practice that affect members and not engaging with the union.

Nutrien changed its vacation policy, which may see GSU members lose any accrued vacation above the minimum amount set forth in the Saskatchewan Employment Act. GSU has advised the company that this is contrary to the collective agreement and will challenge this change to ensure members' rights are protected.

Also, as early as this Spring, Nutrien introduced new dash cameras in some company vehicles used by members. These cameras are inward-facing as well and will record the vehicles' users in various situations. GSU has raised a few questions early on but was advised the company would provide and explain the new cameras before they were installed. This did not happen, and now we have to use an executive grievance to have discussions and try to reach an understanding.

We will always try to work with companies to resolve issues, but if they refuse to talk we have to push back and advocate for all members.

Local 5 (Western Producer) agreement is on the web page

This week, the new collective agreement for Local 5 members was signed and came into full effect. The new agreement is on the GSU website, and work now begins on the booklets.

This was a protracted and difficult round of negotiations, and members were tested on their resolve. In the end members didn't flinch and held the line.

We rarely get everything we want in bargaining, but if we can keep moving ahead there will be another day to fight again. Local 5 members know that bargaining is not a sprint, but a race we keep running.

The bargaining committee comprises Laurie Michalycia, Donna Driediger (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU staff) and Steve Torgerson (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU general secretary).



Local 6 (Wild West Steelhead) members to vote to accept tentative settlement

On April 25, members working for Wild West Steelhead voted to accept the tentative settlement as reached between the parties during negotiations. 

Highlights of the settlement include:

• 3.5% wage increases in each year of their two-year agreement,
• increases to the dive premiums,
• a new premium for members who vaccinate fish.
• Members over the age of 65 will now have health benefits added as part of a bargained program that will be administered through the employer. 

Congratulations to GSU's bargaining committee who worked together and achieved a solid contract for the next two years. We look forward to working with you to enforce this new agreement. 

The bargaining committee comprises Connor Hartley, Logan Farwell, Kassie Freeland and Donna Driediger (lead negotiator/GSU staff).



Local 8 (Advance/AEA) agreement renewal bargaining underway

The Local bargaining committee met with the employer on April 29, and unfortunately, the company did not want to take the negotiations seriously. The Executive of Lcoal 8 decided that bargaining had reached an impasse at the end of the day. NOtice of impasse was sent to the Minister and company.

We are always hopeful that medication will work and that the company will come around, but members are not holding their breaths.

The current agreement expires on April 27, 2024.

The bargaining committee comprises Doug Murray, Doug Kampman, Doug Pederson, Scott Weisenberger and Steve Torgerson (committee spokesperson/GSU general secretary).

Local 9 (Trouw) draft Memorandum of Agreement prepared

This is what was in April 27. Mason has an update.

Items agreed upon in principle have been incorporated into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), which has been forwarded to the company for their review.

Your GSU bargaining committee comprises Rob Macken, Kelly Swaretzky and Mason Van Luven (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU staff). Jordan Jefferson is serving as alternate.



Local 19 (Prairie Co-op) committee to meet, strategize for June 4-6 bargaining session

On Feb. 28 and 29, GSU's Local 19 (Prairie Co-op) bargaining committee attended virtual negotiations to renew the collective agreement with their employer counterparts. This marked their second meeting following the initial bargaining session on Feb. 14.

Members of Local 19 are advocating for improved benefits, better pay, and a compensation framework that considers performance, annual adjustments, and progression through pay ranges.

The two sides will meet for their next bargaining session on June 4 through 6.

The current collective agreement expired on Oct. 31, 2023.

Your GSU bargaining committee comprises Colter Spence, Lindsay Hill, Jennifer Schmidt, Mackenzie Walter and Mason Van Luven (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU staff).

Some 135 years ago, workers were achieving monumental progress towards what we now recognize as an eight-hour working day. During that time, factory workers (and in many cases, children) endured gruelling 14-16 hour shifts days in appalling working conditions that would in often lead to a series of health issues and high mortality rates among the working class.

Today, we still have work to do. “So many struggle with higher prices, worsening work-life balance, and deteriorating working conditions. The reality is that employers always start out with the upper hand. It’s no wonder so many Canadians see the value of having a union to protect them,” explained Bruske. “But as part of a union, workers can negotiate better. A union card in your back pocket is your ticket to fairer wages, decent benefits, respect in your workplace, and financial security when you retire. That’s why the labour movement is seeing so much momentum and growth across the country.”

The following articles will help explain May Day, why it is still important, and its history in Canada. Sure, working people have made major gains in the past century and a half, but there is still work to do to ensure new and young workers are protected as they enter the workforce, that working people have pensions and real retirements and that working people come home safe and uninjured after work.

The position that working people have in our economy is central, and their concerns are valid and deserve to be addressed.

World Economic Forum

International Workers' Day: 3 ways trade unions are driving social progress

Canadian Labour Congress

Canadians Back Union to Deliver Worker Protections, Fairer Wages

Canadian Encyclopedia

International Workers' Day (May Day) in Canada

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.