Calendar Highlights & Upcoming Events | |
Joint Executive Council's Annual report is being released this week | |
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The Joint Executive Council issues an annual report each year in the spring. This report contains important information for GSU members about the business of your union, including the 2023 audited financial statements.
Watch for your email copy of the report later this week. A copy will also be posted on the web page and a link to the report will be included in next week's Tuesday Members' Memo.
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Burger Night Fundraiser - Support Mason Van Luven and the ILWU Canada Young Workers' Committee - April 9, Regina, SK | |
Join us for a Burger Night Fundraiser hosted by GSU staff rep Mason Van Luven on April 9. The proceeds from this event will help Mason and the ILWU Canada Young Workers' Committee attend the 2024 Labor Notes Conference in Chicago.
The Date: April 9 - 6:00 p.m. start
Location: Tap Brewhouse, Regina
Tickets: $30
Enjoy delicious burgers and a beverage, participate in a silent auction, and check out fundraising items for sale (go-cups, an engraved ILWU cutting board, keychains, and personalized go-cups with laser engraving).
Contact Mason Van Luven at GSU's Regina office for tickets, to make a donation, or to learn more about the event.
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Local 5 (WPP) ratification vote meeting - April 3 | |
Members of Local 5 will vote on their tentative settlement. | |
AEA/GSU Local 8 membership meeting - April 18 | |
Presentation of bargaining proposals is on the agenda, so be sure to attend. | |
Local 15 (Nutrien) Board of Delegates meeting - April 18 | |
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With the current Local 15 collective agreement with the employer expiring at the end of 2024, Local 15’s elected officers are gathering virtually on Friday for some preliminary discussions and planning.
Are you a Local 15 member who is interested in the bargaining process and learning more about what is involved in joining the bargaining committee? Contact GSU staff rep Mason Van Luven for more information.
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Prairie School for Union Women - June 9–13, Regina, SK
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Earlybird registration deadline is May 3 | |
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The Prairie School for Union Women offers trade union women an intensive four days of learning and sharing in a supportive environment. The goals of the school are to develop women’s personal and leadership skills and to build solidarity among women workers.
Whether you are a woman who is a seasoned union advocate or just starting to get involved in your union, this school is open to you. This year, the school will be held in person in Regina from June 9 – 13 at the University of Regina
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Handing in your notice of resignation | |
GSU staff reps regularly field member inquiries about giving notice to an employer.
It is important to be prepared for what might follow. Our staff reps offer the following suggestions to members to facilitate smooth transition:
There is a possibility of Immediate Departure
Once you give notice of your intention to resign, there's a chance your employer may ask you to leave the workplace immediately. Be ready for this scenario and don't rely on being able to hang around to complete any projects or clean out your desk.
Organize your Personal Belongings
Even if you anticipate you’ll be allowed to work during your notice period, make sure that important personal items are already removed from your workplace and other items are accounted for and ready to go.
Access to Important Information
Make sure you have access to your essential personal information. If a company phone number or email is a primary contact or sign-in for things like your benefits and insurance, you need to make sure that is changed.
Aim for a Seamless Departure
As noted in our March 12 Tuesday Members' Memo, you never know what the future holds. Leaving your employment on a positive footing can favourably impact future references or even potential return to employment with your current employer.
If you would like some advice as you plan to leave your employment or any other employment issue, don't hesitate to reach out to your GSU staff rep.
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GSU representatives are committed to offering the support you need, and we will never contact your employer to take action on your behalf without your approval or consent. Our services are paid for by your union dues, there is never an additional charge for assisting you, and there is no limit on the times you can seek advice or assistance. | |
New in 2024: Previous recipients can apply for a GSU scholarship | |
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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.
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We're all political (whether we know it, or not!) | |
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No matter where we look, politics are front and centre.
We have a Provincial election on the horizon, slated for on or before October 2024, a Federal election set for on or before October 2025, and civic elections coming up this autumn. Our neighbours to the south are well into state presidential primary and caucus events, party conventions and presidential debates leading to their Nov. 5 election date.
Whether you're an avid follower of politics or not, and whether you choose to acknowledge it or not, the influence of politics spreads through our daily lives. There are many ways politics impact us and how each of us participate in political action, often without even realizing it.
For example:
- Every time you make a purchase and pay taxes, you're participating in political action by contributing to government revenue.
- When you attend a community meeting or discuss current events with friends and family, you're engaging in political discourse. (Public discourse is any public method or forum where people can voice their opinions and concerns regarding decisions and the decision-making process.)
- When you wear a ribbon or t-shirt to support a campaign, you are participating in political action.
We will be exploring politics and political action in our upcoming newsletters, not only highlighting the ways politics affects our daily lives, but also the power each of us holds as active participants in the process.
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GSU is non-partisan, but - as outlined above - we engage in political action. | |
Local 1 (Viterra Ops & Maintenance) & Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) - Executive Grievances heard at Step 2 | |
Collective Agreements
We will be printing booklets for members. As soon as they are available we will work with our elected delegates to get copies into members' hands.
In the meantime, you can view the agreements on GSU's web page at gsu.ca.
Executive Grievances on 4.5% increase and retro pay
The Step 2 hearing was held on March 27. The company has seven business days to provide us with their written response. Copies of the grievances and background information are available here.
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GSU bargaining committee members are Local 1 – Jim Brown (Balgonie), Wilfred Harris (Carnduff), Shannon Antonenko (Lloydminster), David Barrett (Gull Lake), Travis Brewer (Saskatoon), Dale Lysitza (Lloydminster) and Broc Goodwin (Moose Jaw); Local 2 – Sheila Tran, Howard Wilson and Kaylee Yanoshewski with assistance from GSU staff representatives Mason Van Luven and Steve Torgerson (GSU general secretary and bargaining committee spokesperson).
| Local 5 (Western Producer) ratification vote to be held April 3 | |
On March 13, GSU Local 5’s bargaining committee reached a tentative settlement with their employer counterparts.
The necessary documents are being finalized and distributed to Local 5 members for review prior to holding a ratification meeting on April 3.
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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) bargaining scheduled to resume April 16 | |
GSU's Local 6 negotiating committee met on Feb 13 to complete their bargaining package before they met with the employer on Feb 14. Both sides presented proposals and while progress was made, a tentative settlement was not reached.
The committee is look forwarding to fruitful dialogue when bargaining resumes on April 16.
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The bargaining committee comprises Connor Hartley, Logan Farwell, Kassie Freeland and Donna Driediger (lead negotiator/GSU staff).
| Local 9 (Trouw) agreement renewal bargaining continues by email | |
GSU bargaining committee members Jordan Jefferson, Kelly Swaretsky, Robert Macken and Mason Van Luven met with company representatives on Feb. 22 to continue agreement renewal bargaining. After a full day of negotiations, a handful of remaining items need to be put into contract language, and the committees have pivoted to bargaining by email.
"With a new mill expected to be commissioned by mid-2024, members are anxious to secure a contract", explained Van Luven. "Our goal is to start the ratification process in the coming weeks so as to provide an opportunity for members to ask questions, and when the time comes, cast a ballot—the best way to see if the offer is good enough".
The Company agreed to participate in the creation of a "FAQ" where members can submit their questions to Union Officers who will then compile the questions into a list for the Company to answer.
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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.
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Your GSU bargaining committee comprises Colter Spence, Lindsay Hill, Jennifer Schmidt, Mackenzie Walter and Mason Van Luven (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU staff). | |
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When you think about the relationships and people in your life, remember that who they are and how they make us feel are two different things. Sure, someone might be the life of the party, smart, and downright adorable, but if being around them leaves you feeling lonely, inadequate, sad, or stressed out, is the relationship really worth it?
Take a moment to think about the people you value. Do they value you back?
The best relationships are a two-way street, where both parties lift each other up. So, surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself and who truly appreciate you for who you are. Life is too busy and short to spend time nurturing relationships that leave you feeling awful. Add some fulfillment into your life by finding connections with people who bring out the best in both of you.
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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. | | | | |
