Calendar Highlights & Upcoming Events | |
Joint Executive Council meeting - March 21, Regina | This Thursday, GSU's governing body will convene for their annual spring meeting in Regina. |
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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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In-vehicle surveillance cameras: Concerns have been raised, and we're on it | |
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GSU staff reps are examining the use of in-vehicle cameras in company fleets and the potential privacy violations for our affected members.
“While it's permissible for companies to install these cameras, we need to know they doing it the right way,” said staff rep Mason Van Luven. “We're looking into case law to find out the implications for members and to make sure their rights are protected.”
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Consulting with a GSU representative is a service provided to you and paid for by your union dues. There is never an additional charge for assisting you and there is no limit on the number of times you can seek help. We 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. | |
We are awarding five $2,000 scholarships | |
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Have you been accepted into university or tech school?
Are you a GSU member, spouse or dependent of a GSU member?
If your answer is YES, you are eligible to apply for a GSU scholarship.
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GSU is pleased to offer $2,000 scholarships to five students who demonstrate an ability and a passion to inspire positive change in their community.
The scholarship competition is open to GSU members, their spouses and dependents (even if they have previously been awarded a GSU scholarship).
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, download the forms or complete them online at GSU.ca.
Deadline for receipt of applications is July 1, 2024.
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GSU's Joint Executive Council - Learn more about the elected people who call the shots | |
Our Joint Executive Council is meeting this Thursday, making it a perfect time to remind everyone about the important work this group carries out. | |
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The Joint Executive Council (JEC) plays an essential role in GSU, serving as a governing body that oversees the union’s business and decision-making processes between biennial policy conventions. Comprising elected officers, the JEC is tasked with the responsibility of making decisions that set the direction for GSU and its members.
These officers are elected by members to represent their Locals or sub-locals (i.e. groups of workers employed by specific employers or organized based on geographic and workplace locations). JEC officers have firsthand knowledge of the challenges and considerations faced by workers within their respective Locals or sub-locals. By bringing this valuable insight to meetings, they ensure that the voices and concerns of members are effectively communicated and addressed. This direct representation ensures that the interests and priorities of members are given due consideration and accurately reflected in the decisions made by the JEC.
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If you have questions about the Joint Executive Council or how you can become a member, talk to your GSU staff rep. | |
Local 1 (Viterra Ops & Maintenance) & Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) - working toward signing the new collective agreement | |
Executive grievances were filed with Viterra on Feb. 26. Copies of the grievances and background information are available here.
We are working to coordinate meetings with the company to sign copies of the new agreement. When the agreement is signed. we'll start working on preparing agreement booklets for members.
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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): a tentative settlement has been reached | |
On March 13, GSU Local 5’s bargaining committee reached a tentative settlement with their employer counterparts.
The necessary documents are being finalized and will be 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 March 26 | |
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 March 26.
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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 | |
The Local 19 bargaining committee is planning a committee meeting to strategize for upcoming bargaining sessions scheduled for June 4th to 6th.
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 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). | |
Help Saskatchewan's teachers!
Lend your support to the teachers by sending an email to the Education Minister, asking the government to sit down with the teachers and get back to bargaining.
Learn more here.
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The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) provided 48-hours’ notice of a one-day provincewide strike on March 20, and a two-day withdrawal of extracurricular activities on March 21 and March 22.
“Government’s unwillingness to work with teachers in finding any path forward has forced this decision, which will impact students and communities both big and small across the province,” says STF President Samantha Becotte. “Teachers have done their part to avoid more job action. We have bargained in good faith, and we have been clear that our opening proposals are only a starting point for discussion. We invited government to take part in binding arbitration on the single issue of class size and complexity, but the education minister rejected the offer within hours. The refusal of Minister Cockrill and Premier Moe to compromise are to blame for the strike and students’ loss of extracurricular activities in the days to come.”
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Navigating the delicate balance of offering support without imposing cheerfulness can be challenging. While your intentions to uplift someone are undoubtedly sincere, it's important to recognize that individuals experiencing difficult times may not always be searching for immediate cheeriness. Instead of assuming what they need, a more effective approach involves directly asking how you can best support them.
You can express your willingness to listen and be there for them without pressure to put on a happy facade. Simple statements like, "I'm here for you if you need to talk," or "Let me know how I can help," convey empathy and support without invalidating their emotions.
Offering words of encouragement and validation can be uplifting without disregarding the validity of their feelings. Phrases like, "I'm impressed by your strength," or "You're doing your best, and that's admirable," acknowledge their struggles while affirming their resilience. By approaching someone with empathy, sensitivity, and a willingness to meet their needs, you can provide meaningful support while respecting their emotional state.
Learn more here:
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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. | | | | |
