Author Archives: Grain and General Services Union

The Path to Reconciliation: Treaties

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From the Tuesday Members’ Memo – Nov. 30, 2021

Our path to reconciliation includes listening, learning, and creating opportunities for education and participation within GSU. On the last Tuesday of each month we will be sharing a short piece of information in our Tuesday Members’ Memo that we hope will inspire you to learn more about the topic, and ultimately contribute to a shared future of reconciliation.

Treaties

Before Canada existed as a country, what is now Eastern Canada had a two-fold attraction to the land to the west. Like their neighbours to the south, Eastern Canada was keen to expand into the resource and land-rich Prairie Region, and they risked losing it to a rapidly expanding and aggressive United States. Opting for a different path, Central Canada chose a more diplomatic approach, and began the process of signing Treaties. 

Between 1871 and 1921, Treaties one through eleven were signed in rapid succession, forming formal contracts between two sovereign nations.

Before these Treaties were signed, several First Nations lived in what is now modern-day Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Montana, North Dakota, and Alberta. Each of which had a rich history of using Treaties for inter-tribal affairs that were used for trade, safe passage, alliances, and access to resources and shared ancestral land. These relationships were based on reciprocity, respect, and coexistence, and were reaffirmed with ceremonies and protocol. They were to be renewed with regular dialogue, and the original spirit and intent of the agreement were to persist generation after generation. When French, American, and English interests began to collide, potential hostility began to grow. To secure tactical alliances, and to protect their inherited claim to their land, First Nation people used their expertise with Treaties and invited the then English Government to begin a fruitful relationship. 

Stretching from Eastern Ontario to the North-West Territories, the Treaties are often mistaken as symbolic, when they are in fact contracts between two sovereign nations. In return for access to the land (intended for agricultural settlements), the government was to respect their traditions of hunting, fishing, trapping, and to supply medicine, clothing, agricultural supplies, and education. This also kept the United States from encroaching on now newly acquired Canadian-First Nation territory without unnecessary war and violence. 

Learn more here:

There is so much more to learn!

GSU is building a truth and reconciliation lending library. If you have resources you would recommend for our library or are interested in borrowing a book, contact staff rep Mason Van Luven at Mason@gsu.ca.

Have you used your Health Flex Spending Account or other health benefits? It’s time to check your account.

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The point of using your health benefits isn’t just to use up the money – it’s to make sure that you are getting the medications, treatments and help you need to feel and be your best mentally and physically. Self-care is particularly important as we all cope with the stresses of living and working through a global pandemic.

Check your collective agreement for details on your account, and – as always – don’t hesitate to contact your GSU staff rep if you need help sorting things out. The services we provide to you are included in your union dues, and there is no additional charge for assisting you.

WE’RE WORKING ON IT: Helping members sort through snow-day paystub issues

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GSU staff reps are fielding calls from members who reviewed their pay stubs and are questioning how their time was calculated.

Employees throughout Saskatchewan were sent home early or told not to come in when last week’s winter storm created treacherous conditions, led to road closures, and caused power outages. GSU members may have access to options like pressing necessity, family leave or personal leave clauses in their collective agreements that might offer a leave of absence to deal with emergent situations.

“Collective agreements vary between employers. It’s a good idea to check your collective agreement to see what it says about access to leave for situations like we experienced with last week’s storm, or when a family member needs urgent care or your water heater floods your basement,” said GSU staff rep Donna Driediger. “When you know what leave is available to you and when it can be accessed, you can make informed decisions. That will also help ensure your time is recorded as you intend it on your pay stub, and it will help you identify when it’s not paid out properly, too.”

If you have questions about how your work time was paid out during the blizzard, or what you may be entitled to for pressing necessity or personal leave in your collective agreement, don’t hesitate to reach out to your GSU staff rep. Our services are provided to you as part of your union dues and your inquiry will remain confidential.

 

WE’RE WORKING ON IT: How sick is too sick to be at work?

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Cold and flu season has arrived, and GSU staff reps are fielding inquiries about sickness, sick leave, and what makes you too sick to be at your workplace.

Three years ago you could haul your sniffling, coughing self into work and people would give you the side-eye and avoid you. COVID changed the way we view being sick at work, and lots of us have become hyperaware of our own health and the symptoms of illness displayed by others. In 2021, there appears to be a surging but sometimes unspoken preference that those who are obviously ill should stay away from the workplace as a precaution.

So how do you know when you are too sick to be at your workplace?

“There are a lot of factors to consider and it’s often a judgment call depending on the individual, their sick leave history, and the current situation,” said GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson. “There can also be slightly different advice based on the member’s collective agreement and their employer.”

“Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to check your collective agreement and to be aware of your accrued sick leave and what it can be used for,” Torgerson advises. “And, as always, no question is too small, so don’t hesitate to contact me or another GSU staff rep if you need clarification, have any questions, or concerns.”

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

WE’RE WORKING ON IT: Helping to straighten-out sick benefits

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An employee was off work as a result of a medical procedure. When they realized they weren’t fully aware of the employer’s process for claiming sick benefits before beginning their leave from work, they called general secretary Hugh Wagner at the GSU office.

Wagner contacted the employer and rectified the situation with a couple of phone calls.

“The experience is a reminder that greater emphasis should be given by employers to making administrative processes simple, transparent and seamless,” Wagner said. “Transparency in benefit plans is something employers generally don’t devote enough time or resources to as they tend to shuffle things off to third-party providers.”

GSU works to eliminate bureaucratic frustration and the stresses it can cause.

If you are experiencing difficulty with processes or paperwork regarding sick leave benefits or other issues, don’t hesitate to contact your GSU staff representative. No question is too small to ask, and our services are provided to you as part of your union dues.

 

Understanding land acknowledgements, their history, and their importance

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Our path to reconciliation includes listening, learning, and creating opportunities for education and participation within GSU. On the last Tuesday of each month we will be sharing information that we hope will contribute to a shared future of reconciliation.

Understanding land acknowledgements, their history, and their importance

TMM – Oct. 26, 2021

To kickstart the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour’s 65th Annual Convention, the Saskatchewan vice-president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Dodie Ferguson, hosted a workshop called “Making Land Acknowledgements Matter”. It was an impressive workshop that helped all participants better understand land acknowledgements, their history, and their importance.

If you have never participated in a land acknowledgement, they are formal statements made at the beginning of events taking place on land originally inhabited by or belonging to indigenous peoples. For example, a common one-breath land acknowledgement could be something like:

“As we gather here today, we acknowledge we are on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respect to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another.”

Land acknowledgements are meant to recognize and respect indigenous peoples as the original stewards of the lands on which we now live. These acknowledgements are not meant to place blame or make anyone feel guilty.

Though the statement is short, it serves an important purpose: it is a recognition of an intimate relationship between the place and people, and demonstrates an awareness of Canada’s history with and treatment towards Indigenous people. What we learned growing up or in school might contradict what is being taught today. As we uncover new information and learn more about an issue, the issue evolves. The challenging part is evolving with it.

Learn more about land acknowledgements here:

GSU is building a truth and reconciliation lending library. If you have resources you would recommend for our library or are interested in borrowing a book, contact staff rep Mason Van Luven at Mason@gsu.ca.

Oct. 20 is International Pronoun Day

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What is more important: How you see someone or respecting how they see themselves?

The third Wednesday of October is International Pronoun Day, and it’s an opportunity to consider how we use personal pronouns.

A personal pronoun refers to a person. Other than our names, personal pronouns are one of the main ways we identify and address people. The personal pronouns we often hear are she, her, hers, he, him, and his. It’s 2021, and in order to be a more inclusive society, they way we use personal pronouns is changing.

The way people look on the outside isn’t necessarily how they identify on the inside. And just like it’s hurtful to be repeatedly called by the wrong name or a nickname you don’t like or appreciate, it’s hurtful to be called by the wrong pronouns.

It may make you feel uncomfortable or awkward to address people with the pronouns they use, and that’s okay. For many people this is a new conversation and that can make us feel uneasy. Let’s listen, learn, and work toward an environment where everyone feels safe and included.

WE’RE WORKING ON IT: We think a double penalty constitutes a violation of employee’s rights

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We’re arguing that an employer action constitutes a double penalty, and that violates the employee’s rights

Preparations are underway for the arbitration of a GSU member’s grievance in response to being penalized when 2021 annual wage increases were distributed by Viterra. The arbitration will take place on Nov. 16 and 17.

In this instance the grievor received a written reprimand for an alleged mistake in procedure in 2020. The reprimand was grieved but not taken to arbitration. However, the grievor was dinged again when their performance was evaluated for the purposes of determining the 2021 wage increase. The grievor and GSU are arguing that Viterra’s actions constitute a double penalty in violation of the employee’s rights.

As mentioned, this matter will be heard by the arbitrator on Nov. 16 and 17. Following the hearing the arbitrator will weigh the evidence and arguments in reaching a decision whether to uphold or reject the grievance. GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner will act as counsel for the union.

The arbitrator’s decision will be reported here when it is received.

If you need some advice about how to approach management with a problem, don’t hesitate to call your GSU staff rep. No problem is too small and sometimes a brief comment, email, or meeting is all that’s needed to address a situation. Call us when you think there is a problem to be fixed.

GSU’s new staff representatives have reported for work

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(L-r) GSU staff representatives Mason Van Luven, Brian Lark, and Steve Torgerson.

Brian and Mason were in GSU’s Regina office bright and early Oct. 12 after enjoying the Thanksgiving long weekend. They will spend the week learning about the union membership structure, loading up their computers, familiarizing themselves with office processes and the duties they will be performing as GSU’s newest staff reps.

Staff rep Steve Torgerson has been charged with mentoring Brian and Mason. You can reach GSU staff reps or any staff member by using their first name in front of @gsu.ca. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

Complete contact information for all GSU staff members is available clicking Contact Us on the menu bar above. 

Three new directors elected to GSU Defense Fund

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Sharlene Lark (Local 5 – Western Producer), Bruce Thompson (Local 15 – Nutrien) and Lynn Shaw (Local 15 – Nutrien) were elected to the board of directors of the GSU Defense Fund by the Sept. 24 meeting of the union’s Joint Executive Council. They join Wilfred Harris (Local 1 – Viterra) and Doug Kampman (Local 8 – Advance).

The GSU Defense Fund is administered by an elected five-person board of directors. The directors are elected by delegates to GSU policy conventions. Between policy conventions, GSU’s Joint Executive Council elects directors to fill vacancies.

The market value of the Fund is currently estimated to be $5.3 million. With the exception of cash on deposit at Affinity Credit Union, all of the Fund’s investments are held with RBC Dominion Securities.

The Fund is invested conservatively with the primary objective being preservation of the principal while earning a positive rate of return.

The primary purpose of the GSU Defense Fund is to provide strike or lockout pay and benefits to GSU members. Subject to approval by the board of directors, financial resources from the Defense Fund can be deployed for purposes such as defending the union, keeping the union operational, or the legal costs of defending members’ collective bargaining and other collective rights.

The Fund’s finances are audited each year along with the independent annual financial audit of GSU.

Learn more about the GSU Defense Fund here.

WE’RE WORKING ON IT: Our first National Truth and Reconciliation Day and our plans going forward

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Sept. 30 was historic as we recognized our first Day for Truth and Reconciliation in our province and across Canada. It was a day for somber reflection as we honoured the victims and survivors of residential schools and considered how that legacy has affected Indigenous communities.

As part of our Sept. 30 reflections, GSU staff considered how GSU has participated in the truth and reconciliation process, and what we can do going forward.

Some of our plans for 2021 – such as holding the blanket exercise at the March 2021 GSU biennial policy convention and distributing orange shirts at the Sept. 24 Joint Executive Council meeting – were thwarted by COVID and the cancellation of scheduled in-person gatherings. We have been successful in beginning to incorporate land acknowledgements into GSU gatherings and we have encouraged member participation in the Truth and Reconciliation process by sharing information and links in several of our Tuesday Members’ Memo communications. GSU has also encouraged members and officers to attend training at the Canadian Labour Congress/Saskatchewan Federation of Labour’s annual Spring School, where a course on Turtle Island is a popular option.

We will continue working toward increased participation and education in the remainder of the year and the coming new year.

If you have suggestions or would like to be considered for GSU or labour-sponsored training opportunities that include truth and reconciliation education, contact Steve Torgerson at GSU’s Regina office.

If you need some advice about how to approach management with a problem, don’t hesitate to call your GSU staff rep. No problem is too small and sometimes a brief comment, email, or meeting is all that’s needed to address a situation. Call us when you think there is a problem to be fixed.

GSU’s Joint Executive Council (JEC) gather via Zoom for their autumn semi-annual meeting

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The union’s governing body originally planned to meet in person in Regina, but COVID’s fourth wave necessitated a last-minute switch to an online gathering.

The meeting agenda included a review of the minutes and directions from the 2021 GSU policy convention, reports on current administrative issues and union finances, recommendations from the staff representative recruitment committee (see top story, above) and adoption of the general secretary’s autumn report to union members.

The JEC meeting also approved conducting a membership vote on the annual resolution to continue the additional membership dues being paid into the GSU Defense Fund.

Sheila Tran (Local 2 – Viterra head office) was elected as a GSU vice president to replace Curtis Cousins (Local 15 – Nutrien) who stepped down in the aftermath of his job with Nutrien being eliminated.

“On behalf of the member of the Joint Executive Council, I want to extend thanks to Curtis for his service and for being willing to serve the members of GSU. We wish him well in his next chapter,” said GSU president Jim Brown. “At the same time, we are pleased to welcome Sheila to GSU’s executive committee and thank her for stepping forward to take on a new role.”

The JEC also elected three members to vacant seats on the board of directors of the GSU Defense Fund. A separate article on this subject will be carried in the next Tuesday Members’ Memo.

The meeting ended with a discussion of 2021 annual meetings this fall and whether the format would be in-person meetings, virtual meetings or a combination of the two. Ultimately it was decided that each Local and Sub-Local would have to make the decision that best suits their circumstances.

Learn more about the union’s governing body – the Joint Executive Council – here.

If you are interested in representing GSU members by becoming a JEC member, considering running for office at our upcoming membership meetings.
Contact Steve at the GSU office to learn more.

Joint Executive Council announces hiring of two staff representatives

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On Oct. 12, two new staff representatives will be joining the GSU staff.

The Sept. 24, 2021 meeting of GSU’s Joint Executive Council (JEC) unanimously approved the hiring of Brian Lark into the position of staff representative working out of the Saskatoon office.

Brian became a member of GSU in 2005 when he joined the country operations workforce of Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. His career continued with Viterra where he has held a series of increasingly responsible positions. Most recently, Brian was the terminal operations manager at Viterra’s facility in Raymore. Prior to taking his first terminal operations manager position with Viterra, Brian was active in GSU and served as a Local 1 (Viterra) delegate for a number of years.

In a move to further bolster GSU’s team, the Sept. 24 meeting of the JEC also unanimously approved the hiring of Mason Van Luven into a term staff representative position based in Regina for 18 months.

Mason is a graduate of the University of Regina with a Bachelor of Arts (honours) degree in political science. He has an impressive resume, including work for community non-governmental organizations and international aid organizations.

“We are very happy with the choice of Brian Lark to fill the vacancy in GSU’s Saskatoon office and we look forward to working with him in serving members of the union,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “We are also very happy to welcome Mason to the GSU team and look forward to working with him in serving members of the union.”

Lark and Van Luven will begin their duties with GSU on October 12 and are looking forward to their roles with GSU.

WE’RE WORKING ON IT: Questions from a GSU member who is preparing for retirement

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Staff representative Steve Torgerson assisted a member with questions about the many options and preparation that needed to be considered prior to their anticipated 2022 retirement.

 In addition to offering guidance and answering questions, Torgerson provided the member with a retirement guide.

 If you need some advice about how to approach management with a problem, don’t hesitate to call your GSU staff rep. No problem is too small and sometimes a brief comment, email, or meeting is all that’s needed to address a situation. Call us when you think there is a problem to be fixed.