WE’RE WORKING ON IT: STIP update – Here’s what has taken place since the STIP was withheld by Viterra in March

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Here’s what has taken place since the STIP was withheld by Viterra in March

Tuesday Members’ Memo – May 9, 2023

  • In March 2023, Viterra announced the Short Term Incentive Plan (STIP) for 2022 would be paid to eligible members of Local 1 and 2. A few days later, they changed their mind and said that they wouldn’t pay the STIP until bargaining had been resolved.
  • GSU filed an Unfair Labour Practice (ULP) with the Canada Industrial Relations Board on April 3. Viterra had 15 days to reply, which they did on April 26, giving GSU a further 10 days to reply, which we did on May 5.
  • We await the reply from the Canada Industrial Labour Relations board regarding the next step in the process.

We will keep members up-to-date as we move through the ULP process. If you have questions about this process, let us know.

We’re working hard to keep the pressure on Viterra to pay the 2022 STIP.

If you have thoughts about how we can keep the pressure on, share them with your elected representative or your GSU staff representative.

Unfair Labour Practice filed, Local 1 & 2 (Viterra) petitions delivered to HR

Tuesday Members’ Memo – April 12, 2023

This March, Viterra announced the Short Term Incentive Plan (STIP) for 2022 would be paid to eligible Local 1 and 2 members. A few days later, they changed their mind and said that they wouldn’t pay the STIP until bargaining has been resolved.

Since the 2022 STIP has no bearing on current bargaining taking place to negotiate new collective agreements in the Locals, GSU and Local 1 and 2 members and their GSU staff representatives began looking into all options to have the STIP paid out, including legal and direct action.

Members spoke up and signed a petition asking Viterra to honour their commitment to pay the STIP and not to try to use this as a tool to influence bargaining. Copies of the signed petitions were provided to Viterra Human Resources and GSU clearly stated its position that withholding of the STIP is an unfair labour practice and interference in the bargaining process.

When March 31, 2023, passed and Viterra did not release members’ STIP, GSU filed an unfair labour practice with the Canada Labour Relations Board. In its application, GSU pointed to the statutory freeze in place as a result of bargaining that we believe the company violated.

“Getting the STIP released will not be done by petitions or legal action alone, but by the combination of those and the actions and constant voice of members speaking up and saying “No, I won’t work longer than 12 hours until you release our STIP,” “Pay us our STIP,” and “Live up to the values that Viterra is supposed believe in,” said GSU general secretary and Local 1 and 2 bargaining committee spokesperson Steve Torgerson.

If you and your co-workers want to do something to show the company you think they need to release the STIP, talk to your staff representative.

 

Local 1 & 2 (Viterra) looking into options to have STIP paid out

Tuesday Members’ Memo – March 21, 2023

In the last 10 days, Viterra has announced the Short Term Incentive Plan (STIP) for 2022 would be paid to eligible members of Local 1 and 2 members and, a few days later, changed their mind and said that they wouldn’t pay the STIP until bargaining has been resolved.

Members of Local 1 and 2 are not happy with this decision, and GSU agrees with them.

The 2022 STIP has no bearing on the current bargaining taking place to negotiate new collective agreements. GSU and Local 1 and 2 members are looking into all options to have the STIP paid out, including legal and direct action.

Members are also speaking up and signing a petition asking Viterra to honour their commitment to pay the STIP and not to try to use this as a tool to influence bargaining.

With GSU you have access to specialized services that could be difficult to obtain on your own. A GSU staff rep has access to information and can help gather all the facts and identify whether your rights have been violated.

These services are provided to you and paid for by your union dues. There is never an additional charge for assisting you.