According to the Canada Agricultural Safety Association (CASA), the number of people being trapped in grain is on the rise in Canada. With that in mind, CASA developed their BeGrainSafe program to help farmers, their families, workers and first responders recognize and manage the safety risks of grain through prevention, education, rescue training and on-site workplace training.
The BeGrainSafe mobile training trailer was in Kiping, SK on Nov. 20 and 21 to provide training to local firefighters. Trainees gained valuable experience about the restricted breathing and crushing pressure of grain entrapment when they were harnessed in and sunk chest-deep in grain. They also learned important lessons about how to safely rescue someone who had been sucked down into grain.
The message was clear: once you are trapped in grain, you’re helpless. And grain isn’t the only material you need to worry about. Danger lurks with any free moving matter you can stack up, including fertilizers, gravel, sand, and more. In fact, anything that can come through an auger or conveyor belt poses significant danger. Check out the video above and learn more about the BeGrainSafe program here.
Shout out to the employers of GSU’s Local 1 (Viterra) and Local 14 (Richardson Pioneer) for being among the safety-sponsors of the Nov. 20 and 21 firefighter training in Kipling.
GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner is continuing to press Viterra management to take concrete steps to address hours of work issues stemming from 134 railcar loading programs.
“In some instances, problems with design, staffing and railway performance combine to create nearly impossible situations for affected union members,” Wagner said. “I am continuing to urge operations management to be much more proactive and respectful of employees’ welfare. In the meantime, I urge union members to stick together and assert their rights under the collective agreement.“
Wagner is also continuing to raise the question of wage rates being paid to operations employees in a number of so-called work streams.
“The so-called pay for performance system should be done away with in favour of a more equitable, predictable and transparent approach to recognizing employee contributions to the success of the enterprise,” Wagner said. “GSU leaders will continue to shine a light on the problems, but ultimately it’s going to take a big collective push to come up with a better pay system.”
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.
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.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world around us has become challenging and unusual. People find themselves thrust into situations for which there is no playbook. And so it was for a group of GSU members who were exposed to possible virus infection at their workplace.
Uncertain as to the appropriate response to the situation that also included public health protocols, the union members contacted GSU staff representative Steve Torgerson who helped navigate the situation to the right place.
“It was definitely an interesting and informative week,” one of the members commented. “Was really glad to have Steve and the GSU there for us.”
If you have a workplace problem and need advice, contact your GSU staff rep.
Under GSU’s collective agreements with various employers, provisions exist for modest periods of paid leaves of absence to enable employees to attend to personal or family emergencies, support, or care situations without suffering a loss of pay. Depending on the circumstances, the leave may be provided by the employer as additional paid time or the absence might be charged to an employees accrued sick leave.
The type of paid leave applicable to a situation depends on the circumstances and the wording of the collective agreement. However, the common thread running through the various forms of paid leave is that the trigger is usually an event or set of circumstances requiring the employees presence and/or preventing their attendance at work.
Although the collective agreements and policies vary from employer to employer, generally speaking paid time away from work for rest and recuperation is covered by earned vacation or banked overtime. There is no other pool of general purpose paid days off work unless the collective agreement or an employer policy specifically allows for same.
When in doubt check your collective agreement and follow up with a GSU staff rep.
GSU is currently engaged in discussions with at least one employer in relation to employees who were unable to get to work as a result of the severe snow storm that hit southwest and west-central Saskatchewan on Nov. 9.
The volume of snow and the wind conditions that accompanied that storm made travel virtually impossible in some locales, resulting in employees being unable to attend work for all or part of the day. It appears that a number of affected employees were advised by their employer to make up for the lost time by drawing on banked overtime or vacation. They were not offered the option of using pressing necessity leave to cover the lost time.
GSU is pursuing the matter with the employers who have pressing necessity leave clauses in the collective agreement.
The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is upon us and it is more prevalent than the first wave in the prairie provinces. GSU members passed through COVID’s first wave relatively unscathed as there were only a handful of reported instances where union members were required to take steps in response to potential exposure or risk of same.
The second wave is another matter as the spread of the virus is beginning to make its presence felt in many communities and workplaces. The first course of action is prevention, and GSU members are urged to take the utmost precautions to avoid being exposed, contracting, or spreading the COVID-19 virus.
“We all know the steps to take and the things to avoid, but since most GSU members continue to be on the job providing essential services, the option of staying home or working from home is not in the equation,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “We urge every union member to make workplace safety their top priority. Make sure your employer is sparing no effort to protect everyone at work all of the time.”
Preventative steps only work as long as everyone in the community does their part. We know that not everyone is equally concerned about the very real risk the virus poses. As a result, there will be instances when GSU members are required to self-monitor, isolate, seek treatment, or care for a family member.
Pay cheque uncertainty can add to the stress and worry of dealing with COVID-related health issues. GSU staff reps are available to provide assistance to union members who run into problems as they adapt to the curves the pandemic throws their way.
“Our collective agreements contain a variety of pay protection measures for members, and governments have also introduced emergency measures to assist workers to weather the storm,” said GSU president Jim Brown. “However, there is no precise template that offers clear instructions on what to do if someone is confronted with missing work as a result of the pandemic. The response depends on the facts of the particular situation.”
“GSU assisted a lot of members during the first wave and we encourage every member who encounters a workplace problem in the second wave to have a discussion with their employer and to follow-up by contacting GSU if they aren’t satisfied that the direction they’ve been given is correct,” Brown added. “Assistance and reassurance from your union are as close as the phone or email.”
Marc was a member of GSU Local 16 (Lake Country Co-op) working as a summer student. He is currently enrolled at the University of Saskatoon working toward his Bachelor of Education degree.
Congratulations on being chosen as a GSU scholarsip recipient, Marc. We wish you every success and good fortune in your future endeavours.
On behalf of the members, officers, and staff of Grain and General Services Union, we extend congratulations to our five $2,000 GSU scholarship recipients:
Tyler Buenneke – Dependent Scholarship recipient Son of Local 1 (Viterra) member Mark Buenneke
Dayne Patterson – Dependent Scholarship recipient Son of Local 15 (Nutrien) member Robert Patterson
Alexis Wood – Dependent Scholarship recipient Daughter of Local 2 (Viterra Office) member Sheila Tran
Ty Nikolejsin – Member Scholarship recipient Local 15 (Nutrien) member
Marc Rapin – Member Scholarship recipient Local 16 (Lake Country Co-op) summer student.
You can learn more about our GSU scholarship program here.
Thank you to GSU president Jim Brown, GSU vice president Brett North, and Joint Executive Council member/Local 15 president Brian Cowan for serving as our 2020 scholarship committee.
The arrival of the snow and cold weather can trigger seasonal layoffs for some GSU members.
There are a lot of factors to consider if you are facing layoff. Our organizer can help you formulate a plan, gather documents, store relevant information, record important dates of EI claims, and more.
Posted Nov. 17 FINALLY – here’s how to log-in and make the changes in your Sunlife RSP account.
All Local 15 Members currently have their pension plan set at a contribution rate of 5% and matched by the Company at 7.5%. If you would like to increase your contribution 1% to receive the additional 1.5% from the Company you will need to do this by adding a 1% RSP through Sunlife. To do this depends on if you already have a RSP account setup with Sunlife.
If you don’t already have a RSP account setup through Sunlife then you will have to contact Sunlife and speak to a representative that you want to open and RSP account and put 1% into it. Call Sunlife toll free 1-866-733-8612 – Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Once again, you will need your Sunlife access and ID and password.
If you already have an RSP you can log in to Sunlife.ca to add your 1% to your RSP. If you already contribute 1% or more you will already receive the 1.5X matching contribution and won’t need to make any changes.
Just a reminder that if you are a Local 15 member, you have until end of day Nov. 18 to log into your account and add 1% from your paycheque to an RSP if you want to the increased pension contribution to be effective beginning with the Nov. 8 to Nov. 21 pay period.
POSTED Nov. 16, 2020 – 2:40 p.m.
We are waiting to hear back from Nutrien HR representatives.
POSTED Nov. 16, 2020 – 10:00 a.m.
It would seem the three steps below are not working for GSU members and they are being told Sunlife is unable to help or make changes.
GSU staff rep Dale Markling has reached out to Nutrien HR to find a solution so you can make the necessary changes in your accounts.
Once we have found a workable solution we will share it with all members by email. Updates will continue to be posted here.
POSTED Nov. 13, 2020 – 4:26 p.m.
We have received a message from Nutrien HR that says employees who are having difficulties getting everything set up should contact Sunlife. Sunlife is the expert on the investments and on their systems, and they will be able to assist employees through the process.
Contact Sunlife directly by:
Chat Live now OR Call toll free 1-866-733-8612 – Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Once again, you will need your Sunlife access and ID and password.
We will continue to post here if other problems arise. Please accept our apology for the confusion.
POSTED Nov. 13, 2020 – 4:18 p.m.
Once again, we are hearing from members who are experiencing problems logging into the Sunlife site and making the required changes. Unfortunately GSU staff reps don’t have access to the Sunlife page set up for Nutrien employees, so we can’t share screenshots and instructions are getting lost in translation.
The latest information we have from Nutrien HR is it appears the problem is that the Pension amounts are fixed until some time in December. Accordingly, when Local 15 members log in to their Sunlife account, they should:
1. Select payroll contributions, and then 2. Select RSP (not Pension) 3. Add 1% RSP to their payroll contributions.
This will cause the Company to match that with their own 1.5%. (In other words, the effect of the pension and the RSP is 6% from the employee and 9% from the Company. This can all be rolled into one pension contribution in December when the freeze on pension changes is lifted.)
We will continue to post here if other problems arise. Please accept our apology for the confusion.
This information was emailed to Local 15 members on Nov. 13. If you are a Local 15 member and you didn’t receive these emails, we do not have your email address. Please contact us to be added to our email list.
November 13, 2020
FROM: Dale Markling, GSU staff rep
TO: GSU Local 15 (Nutrien) members
Greetings,
The following information has been confirmed with Nutrien Ag Solutions’ human resources representatives. Please review the items below and don’t hesitate to contact your GSU staff representative if you have any questions.
PENSION: Act by Nov. 18, receive up to 9%; Do nothing, receive 7.5%
Under the recently ratified Memorandum of Settlement, you can receive an increased pension contribution of 1.5x to a maximum of 9% if you log in to your Sunlife.ca account by end of day Nov. 18 and add an additional 1% deduction from your paycheque to an RSP. You must log in by Nov. 18 in order for the increased pension contribution to be effective beginning with the Nov. 8 to Nov. 21 pay period. (INFORMATION ON SIGNING IN TO YOUR SUNLIFE ACCOUNT IS AVAILABLE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST.)
If you don’t make any changes by Nov. 18, the pension contribution beginning with your Nov. 8 to Nov. 21 pay period will be based on the 5% you are currently paying, and you will continue to receive 7.5% until you make changes.
The current system freeze is anticipated to be off by early December, and when that occurs you will once again be able to change your contributions to each investment vehicle, investment, and raise or lower your contribution amount.
WAGE INCREASES
Your wage increase will take effect on Dec. 11.
As reported in our October 2020 bargaining report to members, the wage increases in the settlement are aggregate increases of:
· 2% in the first year – paid Dec. 11, 2020 (retroactive to March 29, 2020)
· 2% the second year – paid the 8th pay period of 2021
· 2% the third year – paid the 8th pay period of 2022
· 2.25% the fourth year – paid the 8th pay period of 2023
· 2.5% in the final year – paid the 8th pay period of 2024.
RETROACTIVITY PAYMENTS
You will receive your 2020 retroactivity pay (from March 29, 2020 forward) on Dec. 11, 2020.
From Dec. 11 forward, your new rate of pay will be reflected on each pay stub.
ACCESSING YOUR SUNLIFE.CA PENSION ACCOUNT
In response to member questions, I spoke to company representatives and this is the information you will need to make changes to your Pension Account.
Use your current User ID and your Password to log-in to your existing Sunlife account at www.sunlife.ca using the bright yellow SIGN IN button. If you have problems signing in, Sunlife online help is available here or by calling 1.866.733.8612 Monday through Friday between 8AM and 8PM EST.
If you do not have a Sunlife account set up, you will need to call 1.866.733.8612 Monday through Friday between 8AM and 8PM EST. Make sure you have your employee ID available. Sunlife online help is also available here.
Once you are in your account, elect payroll contributions, then RSP (not Pension), and add 1% RSP to your payroll contributions.
If you are having problems once you have logged into your Sunlife account, use the LIVE CHATbutton for immediate assistance from a Sunlife representative.
I hope this information helps those who require assistance. If you continue to have problems signing into your Sunlife account, please contact human resources as GSU reps do not have the confidential employee information you will require.
Ty was a member of GSU Local 15 (Nutrien) working in seasonal application support for Nutrien Ag Solutions. He is working toward his Agribusiness diploma through the University of Saskatchewan.
Congratulations on being awarded a GSU scholarship, Ty. Best wishes for a bright future and success in your future endeavours.
On behalf of the members, officers, and staff of Grain and General Services Union, we extend congratulations to our five $2,000 GSU scholarship recipients:
Tyler Buenneke – Dependent Scholarship recipient Son of Local 1 (Viterra) member Mark Buenneke
Dayne Patterson – Dependent Scholarship recipient Son of Local 15 (Nutrien) member Robert Patterson
Alexis Wood – Dependent Scholarship recipient Daughter of Local 2 (Viterra Office) member Sheila Tran
Ty Nikolejsin – Member Scholarship recipient Local 15 (Nutrien) member
Marc Rapin – Member Scholarship recipient Local 16 (Lake Country Co-op) summer student.
You can learn more about our GSU scholarship program here.
Thank you to GSU president Jim Brown, GSU vice president Brett North, and Joint Executive Council member/Local 15 president Brian Cowan for serving as our 2020 scholarship committee.
Effective Friday, November 6, all people in Regina and Saskatoon are required to wear non-medical masks in indoor public spaces to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
GSU staff will continue working within GSU offices and they are available to help you by email, phone and video calls, so don’t hesitate to contact us. If you need to make an appointment for an out-of-office meeting with a union staff member, please let us know.
Alexis is the daughter of GSU Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) member Sheila Tran. She is attending Saskatchewan Polytechnic where she is enrolled in the Victim Services Coordination applied certificate program.
Congratulations on being awarded a GSU scholarship, Alexis. We wish you all the best in your studies and future endeavours.
On behalf of the members, officers, and staff of Grain and General Services Union, we extend congratulations to our five $2,000 GSU scholarship recipients:
Tyler Buenneke – Dependent Scholarship recipient Son of Local 1 (Viterra) member Mark Buenneke
Dayne Patterson – Dependent Scholarship recipient Son of Local 15 (Nutrien) member Robert Patterson
Alexis Wood – Dependent Scholarship recipient Daughter of Local 2 (Viterra Office) member Sheila Tran
Ty Nikolejsin – Member Scholarship recipient Local 15 (Nutrien) member
Marc Rapin – Member Scholarship recipient Local 16 (Lake Country Co-op) summer student.
You can learn more about our GSU scholarship program here.
Thank you to GSU president Jim Brown, GSU vice president Brett North, and Joint Executive Council member/Local 15 president Brian Cowan for serving as our 2020 scholarship committee.
