It’s September and everyone is back at school, including our five scholarship recipients.

Each year 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 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.

Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients and thank you to GSU scholarship committee members Jim Brown (GSU president), Michelle Houlden (GSU vice president) and Sheila Tran (GSU vice president) for their work reviewing scholarship essays and selecting our recipients.

Labour Day is a day to celebrate workers. Join your local Labour Day celebrations in Regina, Saskatoon and Moose Jaw!

Regina – Labour Day Family Picnic

Join the Regina and District Labour Council, the Saskatchewan Building Trades, Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, and Regina trade unions to celebrate Labour Day! Free food, entertainment, and fun. Bring your family and friends!

Date: Monday, September 5
Time: 11:30 AM- 3:30 PM
Location: Pat Fiacco Plaza (City Square Plaza) on the North side of Victoria Park in downtown Regina.
Click here for more information   [Facebook link]

Saskatoon – Labour Day BBQ

Join the Saskatoon and District Labour Council for a free community BBQ.

Date: Monday, September 5
Time: 11:30 AM- 1:30 PM
Location: Victoria Park (by Riversdale Pool), Saskatoon

Moose Jaw – Labour Day BBQ

Join the Moose Jaw and District Labour Council for a free community BBQ.

Date: Monday, September 5
Time: 11:30 AM until the food runs out
Location: 1402 Caribou Street, Moose Jaw
Click here for more information   [Facebook link]

GSU’s executive committee met Aug. 31 to review union administration, finances and applications received for the general secretary position. They also discussed arrangements for the autumn 2022 Joint Executive Council meeting and the 2023 GSU biennial policy convention.

The executive committee is comprised of Jim Brown (president), Michelle Houlden (vice president) and Sheila Tran (vice president). The executive committee is responsible for overseeing GSU administration and finances between meetings of the union’s Joint Executive Council (board of directors). GSU’s general secretary is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the union and reports to the executive committee.

GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner will attend a roundtable meeting this evening with Saskatchewan’s new Minister of Highways and Transportation, Hon. Jeremy Cockrill.

Hosted by the Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC), the meeting will also include senior executives from BHP Canada Inc., Canpotex, CN Rail, Great Western Railway, South West Terminals, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Viterra as well as the president and vice president of WESTAC. The purpose of the meeting is to bring different perspectives to the Minister in relation to strategic issues in the supply chain network.

“GSU has been a member of WESTAC since 1978 and it provides the union with a unique opportunity to represent the interests of union members in a forum of senior transportation leaders and government policy makers,” said Wagner. “President Jim Brown and I are GSU’s representatives to WESTAC and we’ve used the many opportunities it provides to present the case for a more worker-friendly transportation system in western Canada.”

WESTAC is comprised of representation from the governments of the four western provinces, Transport Canada and an array of business and union representatives from significant actors in the supply chain system.

When someone does us wrong, there is definitely temptation to seek revenge or a find a way to get even. But what about when someone does right by us? 

Everyone enjoys being appreciated or acknowledged for something they have done for the benefit of others. So whether it’s your neighbour, co-worker, fellow committee or family member, make the time to *get even* with someone who has made an effort to make your life a little bit better or easier. The subject of your appreciation will feel happy and appreciated when they hear from you, and you will likely find that brightens your day, too. 

 Job posting: GSU General Secretary

The Joint Executive Council of Grain and General Services Union (ILWU Canada) has approved advertising for recruitment to the position of general secretary, the chief executive officer of the union, which will be vacated with the retirement of the current incumbent at the end of March 2023. A copy of the job description for the position can be viewed and downloaded here or by using the link at the bottom of this posting.

This is an out-of-scope position which will be covered by an employment contract. The salary range and benefit information is provided along with the job description. Competitive benefits and working conditions are provided.

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

The deadline for submitting applications is Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

Following the close of the application period, GSU’s Executive Committee will conduct interviews with selected candidates. 

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

Related:

• GSU general secretary job description (as at July 27, 2022)

Delegates from GSU Local 14 met in Regina on June 22 and 23 for a post-bargaining debrief, union education and the delegates annual meeting.

The first session of the meeting focused on agreement renewal bargaining and the recent settlement with Richardson Pioneer wherein a majority of Local 14 members narrowly accepted a final offer from the employer. The delegates had a frank discussion about the recent bargaining experience and the response by members at their locations. Based on the discussion, the meeting began to lay out a plan for strengthening members’ engagement and representation over the balance of the new collective agreement term as well as building a foundation for a strong collective bargaining response to issues confronting members.

Day two of the meeting focused on building capacity for delegates and GSU to offer improved representation to Local 14 members. The annual meeting portion of the gathering resulted in the election of Jerid Clark (White City) and Curtis Shiels (Melville) to be Local 14’s representatives on GSU’s Joint Executive Council (board of directors).

On the afternoon of June 23, delegates from Locals 1 (Viterra Operations and Maintenance) and Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) joined the assembly for a joint education session focused on conflict resolution and effective communication.

“Meetings such as this are an integral part of GSU’s commitment to workplace democracy,” said GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson. “Gathering representatives from the various locations and Locals to share their experiences and get to know one another is vital to maintaining a representative and responsive union.”

Working in the heat and humidity can have serious consequences.

Working with high temperature is not limited to work outside. Working indoors near a heat source without adequate ventilation could also put you at risk for heat-related medical conditions. Whether you are outside or inside, the hotter and more humid your surroundings the more breaks you need to take.

There are different levels of risk when working in higher temperatures and they all have their own symptoms. 

Heat rash
Heat rash and sunburn are the entry level medical concerns when working outside. A heat rash is often a cluster of small red bumps/blisters. They often form on the neck, chest, groin area or the creased in the elbow. The remedy is to stay in a cool dry place, keep the rash dry and use baby powder to sooth the rash.

Sunburn
We have all experienced a sunburn or know someone who has. Sunburns can range from a reddening of the skin to blisters. The area will be warm to the touch and can be extremely painful. If you do get burned stay out of the sun as much as possible and cover the skin if you have to work outside. Apply cool cloths or take a cool bath to help remove the heat. Once the skin is cooled down put on a moisturizing lotion and do not break open the blisters. Open sores can become infected and lead to different complications.

Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion symptoms include profuse sweating, cold, pale, clammy skin; a fast weak pulse, and often nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, tiredness or weakness, dizziness, headache and even fainting spells. If you or someone you are observing exhibit these symptoms, move to a cool place out of the sun. Loosen tight clothing (untuck shirt, undo a couple of buttons, loosen belt and boots) and use cool cloths or a cool bath to bring down body temperature. Sip water but avoid drinking lots of water at once as it will add to the nausea feelings. You should seek medical attention if you vomit, symptoms get worse or last longer than an hour.

Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is the most serious condition from working in high temperature areas. The body will be exhibiting fever like symptoms. A body temperature of 103 degrees or higher. Skin is hot, red, and damp to dry. You stop sweating and exhibit a fast strong pulse. Headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and fainting spells. If you experience these symptoms immediately call 911. Move the person to a cooler place and try to lower the temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath. Do not give them anything to drink the body will not accept it in this condition and the person will vomit.

Use these tips to keep yourself safe:

• Put on clothing to keep the skin covered.
• Use a high-SPF sunscreen on any exposed areas and wear a hat to help shield your body and head from the sun.
• Drink lots of cool or room temperature water to keep hydrated. Ice cold water may cause stomach cramps and coffee will increase internal body temperature so neither are a preferred choice of fluids during heat exposure.
• Alcohol and sugary drinks are also not a wise choice as they are diuretics and increase dehydration.
• Take breaks away from the heat, preferably in the shade or inside an air-conditioned building.

Click the table below to see a larger-size Canada OH&S table regarding high temperature work and humidity rating.