Author Archives: Grain and General Services Union

We’re at the Labour Law Review Conference, keeping our skills sharp for members

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GSU staff representatives Donna Labelle and Mason Van Luven attended the 31st Annual Saskatchewan Labour Law Review in Saskatoon on October 22–23, 2025. This two-day event, hosted by the Centre for Labour-Management Development, dove into the year’s biggest labour law developments, including remote work rights, balancing seniority with accommodation duties, and grieving work-related injuries.

Keeping up with these developments allows Donna and Mason to bring up-to-date expertise to their work, helping GSU make informed decisions and provide the guidance and support our members rely on.

Whether it’s understanding the latest arbitration awards or navigating complex work-related challenges, when our staff know the latest, you get stronger representation.

Welcome GSU’s newest staff representative – Jordan Cousins

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We’re excited to welcome Jordan Cousins to GSU as our new staff representative.

After interviews on October 9 and 10, the hiring committee recommended Jordan to the Joint Executive Council, which approved his hiring.

Thanks to everyone who applied or took part in the process.

Jordan will start part-time while wrapping up other commitments and will be full-time in the Regina office before the end of the year. You may see him at meetings or spot his name popping up here and there as he settles in.

Join us in giving Jordan a warm welcome to GSU.

GSU’s governing body – the Joint Executive Council – met in Regina

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On October 17, the Joint Executive Council (JEC) met in Regina, SK, bringing together elected representatives from each Local to review union business and ensure members’ voices remain central in all decisions. Meeting twice each year, the Council plays a key role in guiding GSU’s direction and maintaining transparency across the organization.

During this meeting, Council members reviewed financial statements and approved the General Secretary’s report for distribution to members, including a motion to continue contributing additional dues to the GSU Defense Fund in 2026. This motion will be voted on by members attending the current GSU membership meetings taking place this autumn. They also reviewed the hiring committee’s recommendation and appointed Jordan Cousins to fill GSU’s staff representative vacancy.

Council members received updates on actions taken on resolutions from the 2025 GSU biennial convention, the impending implementation of GSU’s new Union365 customer relations management (CRM) system, changes to the scholarship policy to provide additional access for GSU members, and Local and organizing reports. Additional updates on union initiatives and other matters affecting members were also discussed.

Council meetings provide an important opportunity for council members to share insights from their Locals, coordinate on union priorities, and ensure the collective interests of GSU members continue to be represented effectively.

Local 10 (Trouw Westlock) members vote, accept first collective agreement

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GSU Local 10 members at Trouw Nutrition in Westlock, Alberta, voted on September 29 and 30 to accept their newly negotiated— and first—collective agreement.

Work is now underway to finalize the terms of the settlement into the formal document, which will be signed by union and company representatives. Once completed, GSU will prepare collective agreement booklets for members.

Thank you to Local 10’s bargaining committee members Andrew Kipling, Steve Lantz, and Michelle Monk for their hard work and dedication throughout the process. Congratulations to all Local 10 members on reaching this important milestone in their journey as a new local.

Local 15 (Nutrien) members: Get ready for a ratification vote—town halls coming soon

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On September 26, Local 15’s bargaining committee reached a tentative agreement with the Company. The agreement now requires a membership ratification vote, which will be completed by Friday, November 7, 2025.

We emailed an update, including the tentative agreement, to Local 15 members on October 3, 2025. In addition to in-person ratification meetings, virtual town halls will be available for members who cannot attend in-person meetings, and e-ballots can be requested after attending a town hall or speaking with union staff.

If you are a Local 15 member, watch your email for updates. You can also learn more about the agreement and the ratification process here.

For questions, contact your Staff Rep or email Mason@gsu.ca.

Tentative settlement for members of Local 15 (Nutrien)

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Negotiations last Friday between GSU’s Local 15 bargaining committee and company representatives has resulted in a tentative tentative agreement.

When a tentative agreement is reached, it must be voted on by the Local’s members to determine acceptance or rejection. In this instance, the Local 15 Board of Delegates will meet on Oct. 2 to review the agreement and determine the voting process. After that meeting, the voting procedures will be shared with members, and arrangements will be made to schedule Sub-Local ratification meetings.

Local 15 members should monitor their email for an official meeting notice, and contact their elected representative or GSU staff representative with any questions or concerns.

Background information is available here.

Sept. 30 is a day to Reflect, Learn and Honour

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September 30 is a time to reflect on the legacy of residential schools and honour Survivors, their families, and communities. We encourage everyone to pause in the spirit of truth and reconciliation—seek out events in your community, attend a gathering, or take part in learning opportunities. Wearing an orange shirt is a simple way to show support and solidarity.

Every action helps us move toward understanding and healing.
Check out these events

  • SaskTel Centre, Saskatoon – Sept. 28-30 
    The Saskatoon Tribal Council is hosting the annual Every Child Matters Powwow at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon Sept. 28-30. Free admission.
    👉 Event details

  • Wanuskewin Heritage Park (near Saskatoon) – Sept. 30
    A full day of gathering and learning, including ceremonies, storytelling, beading, bannock baking, teachings, and performances. 9:30AM to 5:00 PM.
    👉 Event details

  • MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina – Sept. 30
    Special programming, including tours of Indian Theater: Native Performance, Art, and Self-Determination since 1969 and hands-on art activities. 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM.  Free admission.
    👉 Event details

  • P.A Historical Museum, Prince Albert – Sept. 30
    Wear orange to show support. 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Prince Albert Historical Museum, 10 River Street East. Free admission.
    👉 Event Details

  • Temple Gardens Centre, Moose Jaw –  Sept. 30
    Moose Jaw Co-op National Day for Truth & Reconciliation — Indigenous presenters, teachings, community vendors.9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Temple Gardens Centre.
    👉 Event Details

 

BARGAINING: Looking beyond the hourly wage

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Monetary considerations are a priority when GSU locals are entering or actively involved in bargaining, but our bargaining committee members are focused on more than just wage increases. They’re working to protect the full value of collective agreements—including benefits, pensions, and shift differentials—that also make a real difference in your wallet and your workplace.

“We have to look at the full picture. Focusing only on your hourly rate or comparing your pay to casual workers or competitors can make you miss other parts of your contract that have real monetary value,” says staff representative Mason Van Luven. “Those workers often don’t have sick leave, overtime, or health and dental coverage, so their pay cheques don’t go as far when they have to cover those costs themselves.”

Local 10 (Trouw – Westlock) members reviewing first draft of their first collective agreement, ratification meetings scheduled

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The bargaining committee for Local 10 has reviewed the first draft of the proposed new collective agreement. Following their review, the draft was sent to Local 10 members for their review and feedback.

GSU staff rep Mason Van Luven notes, “A careful review is important because we are agreeing to an entirely new contract, not just updating an existing collective agreement.”

Ratification meetings have been scheduled for Sept. 29 and 30, where members can ask questions and vote to accept or reject the proposed agreement.

Background information is available here.

Local 4 (Grain Millers) conciliation dates set for Oct. 23 & 24

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A federal conciliator has been appointed to assist with the bargaining impasse between Local 4 and Grain Millers. Conciliation dates have been set for October 23 and 24 in Yorkton.

Local 4’s executive committee has scheduled an information meeting on October 7, followed by a strike vote on October 7 and 8. All members are encouraged to stay informed and attend the meeting to learn the details and ask any questions before casting their vote.

Background information is available here.

Executive Committee meets, maps out course for Fall, Winter

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On September 11, GSU’s Executive Committee met to identify priorities for the months ahead, including:

  • preparations for the Joint Executive Council meeting on October 17,
  • a review of the union’s finances,
  • updates to the GSU scholarship program, and
  • progress reports on bargaining across all GSU locals.

The committee members also reviewed the General Secretary’s Annual Report and approved it for presentation to the Joint Executive Council for final approval and distribution to members at annual membership meetings this fall.

Congratulations to our 2025 GSU scholarship recipients

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We’re proud to introduce the five students who have each been awarded a $2,000 GSU Scholarship this year:


Tyler Buenneke
Dependant Scholarship

Tyler, the son of Local 1 (Bunge) member Mark Buenneke, is studying at the University of Saskatchewan and working toward a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.


Cole Marcinkoski-Gould
Dependent Scholarship

Cole (GSU Local 4 (Grain Millers) member Clint Hamilton) is attending Lakeland College’s Vermilion Campus, where he’s enrolled in the two-year Animal Science Technology diploma program with a Beef Major.


Darby McCormack
Dependent Scholarship

Darby, the son of GSU Local 1 (Bunge) member Carolyn McCormack, is attending Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas, where he is enrolled in a two-year Animal Science program.


Sebastian Pacleb
Dependent Scholarship

Sebastian, the son of GSU Local 1 (Bunge) member Jazel Pacleb, is enrolled in the University of Saskatchewan’s three-year Biomedical Sciences program.


Matthew Rapin
Member Scholarship

Matthew, a GSU member who worked as a summer student with Local 16 (Lake Country Co-op), is pursuing a four-year Kinesiology program at Camosun College in Victoria, BC.

We’re excited to support these students as they continue their studies and wish them every success.

Details and application forms for our 2026 scholarship program will be launched in March 2026. Watch for updates then.

Career Opportunity: We’re hiring! GSU Staff Representative

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The Executive Committee of Grain and General Services Union (ILWU Canada) has approved advertising a staff representative vacancy in Saskatchewan (Regina/Saskatoon). The objective is to fill the position by early autumn 2025. A copy of the job description for the GSU staff representative classification is attached to this posting and it can also be viewed and downloaded here: 

GSU staff reps are unionized and are covered by the terms of the collective agreement between GSU and the Independent Union Services Union (IUSU). The salary range for staff reps is $8,108.03 to $9,908.85 per month. Competitive benefits and working conditions are provided via the GSU/IUSU collective agreement.

Interested candidates are asked to submit their applications and resumes to GSU general secretary Steve Torgerson at Steve@gsu.ca.

The deadline for receipt of applications is Monday, September 22, 2025.

Following the close of the applications period, a recruitment committee approved by GSU’s Joint Executive Council (JEC) will conduct interviews with selected candidates. 

The recruitment committee is charged with the responsibility of making a hiring recommendation to the JEC.

Download a printable version of this posting as a PDF here.

Leaving your union job for an out-of-scope position may mean leaving key protections behind.

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For many workers, the line between in-scope and out-of-scope work isn’t always clear on the shop floor. You spend long hours collaborating on projects and sharing lunches, so when a new opportunity comes along that takes you out of the bargaining unit, it’s easy to accept it without fully realizing how it could affect your role and protections.

“A common issue arises when former members move to work just outside the scope of the collective agreement,” explains GSU staff representative Mason Van Luven. “Someone might leave the unit, realize the new role isn’t what they expected, and find that the rights and protections they had under the collective agreement no longer apply. Employers often don’t extend the same protections to out-of-scope workers as they do to members.”

It’s important to think carefully about what you could lose by leaving the bargaining unit—things like transparent pay, representation, and other protections that matter in both good times and bad.

This reflects a long-standing challenge between unions and employers. We advocate for rules that reduce arbitrariness and ensure workers have basic protections, while employers often resist extending them. A new position may come with higher pay, but it can also mean giving up important protections such as notice, severance, and representation—protections that make a real difference when things don’t go as planned.

The Hidden Workers behind Everything We Buy

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Who’s Looking Out for Seafarers?

Every day, goods from around the world arrive in Canadian ports. But behind every shipment of grain, oil, or consumer products are the crews who sail those massive ships — seafarers. They spend months away from home, working long hours in tough conditions, often with little chance to step on shore.

A recent article in The Tyee (read it here) shines a light on these workers and the challenges they face. It reminds us that global trade isn’t just about containers and cargo — it’s about people.

Who’s helping them?

Seafarers don’t always have the protection of a union, and enforcing international labour laws on the open sea is difficult. That’s where groups like the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) step in. The ITF, along with Canadian unions like the ILWU and charities such as the Mission to Seafarers, carry out ship inspections, support crews, and make sure basic rights aren’t ignored.

Why does this matter?

Seafarers sometimes accept these jobs because the pay is better than what they could earn at home. But higher wages often come with big trade-offs: isolation, long contracts, and fear of speaking up about unsafe or unfair treatment. It’s a reminder that decent pay doesn’t always mean decent work.

Questions for us to think about

  • How can unions, like GSU, show solidarity with workers who don’t have a union to protect them?

  • What more could be done to hold global shipping companies accountable?

  • Are there struggles seafarers face that feel familiar to us in our own workplaces?

This story highlights an important truth: no matter where we work — at sea, in factories, in offices, or in fields — the challenges of fairness, dignity, and respect at work connect us all.