Calendar Highlights & Upcoming Events | |
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. | |
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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.
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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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Local 1 (Viterra Operations & Maintenance) delegates meet, discuss concerns and new collective agreement | On April 29, our Local 1 Board of Delegates gathered in GSU staff rep Brian Lark’s Saskatoon office to discuss the challenges of Local 1 members in their workplaces, current issues with the employer, and the concerns around the impending company takeover by Bunge Ltd. | |
After preliminary introductions and greetings yesterday morning, GSU's elected delegates immediately dove into discussing Local staffing issues, hours of work, and their new collective agreement. Local 1 recently completed contract negotiations with their employer and, while that milestone marks the official end of bargaining, it also signals the beginning of enforcing the new collective agreement. Delegates learned the various ways that upholding the terms and conditions of the agreement benefits the members, strengthens their Local, and keeps the company accountable for its end of the deal.
Even though their workplaces vary in management, design, and how they're run, delegates found similarities in their workplace challenges and shared approaches they had seen work well in their own facilities.
Holding this meeting in GSU’s Saskatoon office was a first, and Lark was pleased with the change in venue and what the delegates were able to accomplish in one day.
“It is always good to get officers and members together, not only to discuss issues and concerns, but to talk about their achievements,” said GSU staff rep Brian Lark. “We’re quick to share our negative experiences, but we need to remember to share what we have achieved and what we are doing right. If a certain approach works well at one station, maybe it can work at another, so it’s important to get officers together to have an opportunity for those discussions.“
“When our elected representatives come together in person to network, share their concerns and learn ways to enforce their collective agreement rights, it’s an important step in helping everyone see they aren’t alone in their struggles,” Lark continued. “Speaking up and taking action matters, because while many GSU members are willing to come forward with an issue, many more are just suffering in silence. When members understand and enforce rights for themselves, it ultimately benefits and empowers everyone.”
If you are interested in learning more about your collective agreement and the steps you can take to enforce it, reach out to your GSU staff rep.
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GSU members, their spouses and dependents are eligible to apply | |
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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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Staff Rep Mason Van Luven attends North America's largest trade union biannual conference | |
GSU staff rep Mason Van Luven (back row, second from left), with the ILWU Canada delegation. | |
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GSU staff rep Mason Van Luven joined a delegation from ILWU Canada and their Young Workers’ Committee to attend North America's largest trade union biannual conference in Chicago, IL from April 19 to April 21. The conference explored labor advocacy.
Organized by Labor Notes -- a project dedicated to revitalizing the labor movement since 1979, this conference united thousands of trade unionists from throughout the world to explore labour advocacy and attend workshops and lectures aimed at empowering workers. Through discussions on workplace reform and grassroots unionism, Mason gleaned valuable insights into the importance of understanding workers' history, recognizing the existing unity within the working class, and overcoming divisions among workers. The conference highlighted the path to solidarity and strength through shared experiences and collective learning.
You can read Mason’s complete report on GSU’s web page here.
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Assisting members in addressing allegations of harassment, or witnessing harassment | |
GSU offers support and assistance to members who are experiencing harassment, have been accused of harassment, or have witnessed harassment in the workplace. In all instances, we take these situations seriously and address them promptly to ensure the safety and well-being of all our members, and to ensure they are treated fairly in harassment investigation processes.
We uphold and take very seriously our responsibility to protect and support every member of GSU.
Whatever problem you may be experiencing at work, don’t hesitate to contact your GSU staff rep for assistance. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
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Local 5 (Western Producer) - final adjustments being made to new collective agreement wording | Members recently voted to accept the terms of a memorandum of settlement. GSU and company representatives are currently making the final adjustments to the collective agreement wording in preparation for signing. After that, GSU will begin preparing collective agreement booklets for Local 5 members. | |
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.
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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 their employer counterparts on April 19 in Regina. Additional dates are set for April 30 and May 2.
The current agreement expires on April 27, 2024.
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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 | 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.
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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). | |
When something said or done leaves you feeling uneasy or unsettled, it's a signal to explore further. Take a moment to examine and understand the underlying implications. By delving into the deeper meaning, you open the door to personal growth and gain valuable insights into yourself and the situation. | |
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. | | | | |
