Spring membership visitations will wind down in June

If they haven't done so already, your GSU staff reps will be checking in with you soon. You can expect to receive the Annual Report of GSU's Joint Executive Council, have an opportunity to discuss local and sub-local issues, share your concerns and ask any questions you may have.

Watch your email for updates.

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Saskatchewan Federation of Labour Education Opportunities

SFL Summer Camp

Shekinah Retreat Centre (Near Waldheim, SK)

August 19-25, 2023

GSU will sponsor up to three campers who are dependents of GSU members. Contact your staff rep to learn more.

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GSU staff rep Donna Driediger has been assisting a member who is on long-term disability.

The member has been away from the workplace for over 15 years and they recently contacted GSU to have commuted value calculations prepared as they near age 65 and a mandatory exodus from disability.

"You may be away from the workplace on disability, but GSU is still here to assist you," Driediger said. "Members on long-term disability are still active members, and we will do whatever we can to assist them with their claim and employment-related concerns."

If you need advice or ideas about how to handle a workplace situation, call your GSU staff rep.

Our services are provided to you as part of your union dues. There is no additional charge for assisting you.

The June 1 deadline for receipt of applications is this Thursday!



Have you, your spouse or your dependent(s) been accepted for secondary education? If so, you are eligible for a $2,000 GSU scholarship.

Here's how to apply:

• fill out an application form (you can find them here)
• send us your letter of acceptance from your university or trade school
• send us your two-page essay (Don't fret about perfect grammar and layout - we're looking for content and understanding of the topic, not properly executed footnotes)
• a letter of reference from someone in your community.

That's it! A copy of your grades is not required. If your school has accepted you into their program, that's good enough for us. But, hurry - the deadline for receipt of applications is June 1.

Application forms, our 2023 essay topic and everything else you need to know about our scholarship program is available here.

The scholarship competition is open to GSU members, their spouses, and dependent children who have not previously won.

Scholarship applicants must be enrolled in a diploma, degree, or certificate program at a community college, university, trade school, or technical institute as a full-time student in any country.

Learn more here.

Local 1 (Viterra Ops & Maintenance) & Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) committee meet company representatives May 30 in Regina

When the Local 1 Board of Delegates met on May 25, they selected two additional members to join the existing bargaining committee. The goal was to bring a broader perspective to the table and strengthen the bargaining committee.

The two new members of the GSU bargaining committee are:

• Dale Lysitza - Customer Account Representative II from Lloydminster, and
• Broc Goodwin - Maintenance Technician from Moose Jaw.

"Thank you to everyone who volunteered and was willing to step up and represent members," said GSU general secretary and bargaining spokesperson Steve Torgerson. "And thank you to everyone in Local 1 and 2 who participates in the bargaining process by attending meetings, sharing bargaining updates, and talking to coworkers and bargaining committee members. You are making your Local stronger."

Your GSU Local 1 and 2 bargaining committee is meeting their management counterparts today in Regina. Watch your email for updates. Not on the update list? Contact staff rep Mason Van Luven at Mason@gsu.ca and ask to be added.

You can read previous updates on the VITERRA BARGAINING page on GSU's main web page under the Bargaining menu tab. Contact Mason@gsu.ca to be added to our bargaining update email list.

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 Kruger with assistance from GSU staff representatives Mason Van Luven and Steve Torgerson (GSU bargaining committee spokesperson). Don't hesitate to contact your bargaining committee with any questions or concerns you may have.

Local 5 (Western Producer) bargaining impasse: mediation begins June 6 & 7; continues July 26 & 27

Mediation is scheduled for June 6 and 7, and again July 26 and 27. Mediator Kevin Eckert will assist the parties in an effort to reach a negotiated settlement.

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

Local 7 (Heartland Livestock Services/Northern Livestock Sales) - your new collective agreement is online at GSU.ca

The new collective agreement has been signed and is available under the COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS menu tab at GSU.ca. It is also being formatted into a booklet layout for distribution to members.

Contact Mason@gsu.ca if you have any questions about your new agreement.

Local 16 (Lake Country Co-op) - the new collective agreement will soon be ready for distribution to members

GSU staff rep Brian Lark has incorporated amendments made during the recent round of bargaining into the wording of a new collective bargaining agreement. The agreement has been sent to Lake Country Co-op representatives for review. Pending any updates or changes that need to be made, the new collective agreement should be in the hands of members soon. 

Local 17 (Discovery Co-op) - new collective agreement will soon be ready for distribution

The final adjustments are being made to the new collective bargaining agreement. We anticipate that it won't be long until the wording is finalized and ready to share with members of GSU Local 17.

Local 18 (Lloydminster & District Cooperative Association) members vote in favour of memorandum of agreement

On May 25, members of Local 18 voted in favour of accepting the proposed memorandum of agreement. Steps will now be made to incorporate the changes into the collective agreement and distribute copies to members.

You are enough

Do you carry a constant nagging feeling that you aren't enough?

We are surrounded by social media and influencers living seemingly perfect lives, and our own expectations and those of others often rest heavily on our shoulders. It’s easy to feel guilty for not achieving what we identify as perfection in every aspect of life.

Nobody is flawless and perfection is an unattainable ideal. The person you are RIGHT NOW is more than enough. Be mindful of the harm you are doing to yourself by comparing yourself to others.

Do yourself a favour by releasing guilt and self-criticism. Focus on self-compassion, self-kindness and acceptance of everything you are and what you have been able to achieve. In short, give yourself a break.

Learn more here:

• You are enough! 10 things that don't define your worth
• How to stop feeling guilty
• Self-Appreciation: What it is, and seven ways to appreciate yourself