Are you having problems obtaining your employment insurance benefits?

Have you been assessed a penalty or over-payment?

Do you want to appeal a decision made by the Canada Employment & Insurance Commission?

The  Unemployed Workers Help Centre (UWHC) is a non-profit organization providing information and advocacy services on Employment Insurance. Their services are open to everyone in need and no fees are charged for any service.

Funding is provided by grants from the Government of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan trade unions – like GSU. 

Contact the UWHC or your GSU staff rep to get assistance with your EI benefits or to learn more.

When you attend your annual general meeting, you will vote on this resolution to continue or cease additional dues paid into the GSU Defense Fund:

“Be it resolved that the additional dues being paid into the GSU Defense Fund by members/employees represented by GSU shall continue until Dec. 31, 2020, subject to review by the members of the union at the 2020 annual Local and Sub-Local meetings.”

What is the GSU Defense Fund?

The primary purposes of the GSU Defense Fund is to ensure and provide for the continued operation of GSU and to provide strike/lockout pay to members of GSU in the event they strike or are locked out.

GSU members pay additional dues of 1 percent of regular pay to a maximum of $10 per member per month. These additional dues will continue to be paid into the GSU Defense Fund until suspended by the Joint Executive Council or discontinued by a vote of the members of the union.

The GSU Defense Fund is required to maintain a minimum operating balance of $2.5 million. At the end of the second quarter of 2019, the assets of the GSU Defence Fund stood at $4.6 million.

Contact your GSU staff rep to learn more about the Defense Fund, or read more here.

GSU members, officers and staff attended the 64th annual Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) convention in Saskatoon Oct. 23, 24 and 25.

The SFL represents nearly 100,000 unionized workers across Saskatchewan in nearly every sector imaginable, and convention is an opportunity for members from many unions to gather and hear inspiring speakers; debate resolutions; participate in campaigns, marches, and reconciliation exercises; and even squeeze in time for socializing and fundraising.

In addition to resolutions and the usual business of convention, the year’s agenda included the KAIROS Blanket Exercise, Winning Pharmacare in a Minority Government, Minister of Labour Hon. Don Morgan’s address, Panel on Precarious Work, and more. 

(Top L-r) GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner, ILWU secretary treasurer Bob Dhaliwal, RWDSU chief shop steward Devinder Bains, GSU president Jim Brown, and GSU vice president/SFL vice president Brett North.

(Bottom) Members of GSU’s delegation seated at GSU’s table on the convention floor.

Things are constantly changing and presenting us with opportunities to learn something new. It seems there is no end to Facebook upgrades; new ways to listen, watch and read; and the barrage of  updates and upgrades for your smart phone. Processes and equipment are constantly changing at work, too, and it’s important to challenge yourself to keep learning in your workplace so you stay relevant and current.

Stimulating your mind by learning new things also makes you more interesting, it fights boredom, and it can even make you less likely to get dementia.

Learn more here:    The top 7 benefits of learning a new skill

This article has been printed for entertainment purposes. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of GSU, its members, officers, or staff

It’s that time of year. If you haven’t received your annual general meeting notice yet, you will be receiving it soon.  

We’ll admit AGMs may not always be the most exciting way to spend an evening, but it’s important that members attend their meetings and exercise their rights in order for the union to run smoothly.  

Here’s what you can expect.

We’re probably going to feed you. 

We try to do whatever is most convenient for the members, and quite often that means a lunch or supper meeting. We have no problem conducting meeting business over a pizza or around the table of your favourite local restaurant.

You’ll get a say in things that directly affect you. 

We’ll be asking for your input on local issues and whether GSU members should continue to pay into the GSU Defense Fund. You’ll discuss where your Community Connection funding should be allocated and how your Local should spend its annual dues rebate on members. We’ll also ask you to select a coworker we can count on to share important information with you and who you know will keep us in the loop about questions or issues you are facing in your workplace. 

You’ll choose delegates to join their peers, union staff, and guests at the Moose Jaw Temple Gardens & Spa.

Spoiler alert – we’ll soon be announcing that the 2020 GSU Biennial Policy Convention is being held at the Moose Jaw Temple Gardens & Spa. 

Conventions are the perfect opportunity to make the changes you want in the union, learn more about your rights as a union member and meet other people who share your interests. You’ll hear exciting guest speakers and be entered for prizes at our Mock Casino Night social. All union members are welcome to attend so ask us about becoming a delegate, if you are interested.

Watch your email for your notice. 
If there is a meeting date and time that works well for you and your co-workers, let your rep know. And if you have something specific you would like addressed at your meeting, tell your staff rep.
Contact your GSU staff rep for more information.

GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner was asked for banked overtime clarification  when local management began suggesting to employees they were obliged to use up or be paid any banked overtime above 40 hours. 

Wagner raised the matter with HR to confirm the understanding between GSU and Viterra that employees can carry up to 80 hours in their overtime bank before being required to take time off work or be paid for the banked time. Viterra HR confirmed the 80-hour banked time understanding. 

“Every so often the local understanding about the rules and the give and take covering various working conditions needs to be refreshed, ” said Wagner. “When an issue arises, contact your union representatives. We’re always happy to help.”

Identifying problems as soon as they arise benefits everyone, and sometimes a brief comment, email, or meeting is all that’s needed to address a situation. Call your GSU staff rep when you have questions or think there is a problem to be fixed. 

• Local 5 (Western Producer)
  Members met in early October and finalized their proposals. Oct. 22, 28, and 29 are scheduled for negotiations with company representatives.
   
• Local 6 (Wild West Steelhead) 
  Notice to bargain will be served in November. Members will be putting together their proposals at their next meeting.
   
• Local 7 (Heartland)
  Notice to bargain has been served. There are no dates scheduled for bargaining.

• Local 15 (Nutrien)
  Elected representatives met Sept. 19 and finalized their bargaining proposals package. Notice to bargain has been served to the Company.  No bargaining dates have been scheduled.  
  
  
• Local 16 (Lake Country Co-operative)
  The new collective agreement has been signed by the Company and the Union. 
  
  
• Local 17 (Discovery Co-op)
  The members voted to accept the company’s final offer and the terms of the agreement are being implemented. The highlights of the settlement include a 1.25% increase in each of four years retroactive to Nov. 1, 2018 and a $1,500 lump sum payment to each employee.
  
  
• Local 18 (Lloydminster & District Co-operative Association)
  The new collective agreement has been drafted for review, approval, and signature by the parties.

Bargaining updates and information will be shared in our Tuesday Members’ Memos and here, on our web page.

Three members recently received significant improvements to their annual salaries as a result of action taken on their behalf by GSU. 

A member challenged the equity of their rate of pay compared to another employee hired after them into the same job classification at a significantly higher rate of pay. The member raised their objection in early spring 2019 which led to representations by GSU and the eventual upward adjustment of their salary. 

Two other members were part of a GSU grievance action challenging the salary grade assigned to their job classification after a Company reorganization and transfer of a substantial amount of new work to the employees. The grievance was advanced to arbitration and was well underway when the employer and GSU agreed to resolve the matter, resulting in a substantial upward adjustment of the two members’ annual salaries. 

“These cases prove the value of raising issues with your union and following through with determined action,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “Each intervention on behalf of a union member is governed by the facts and collective agreement rights at play. The first step toward a successful outcome occurs when union members are willing to assert their rights – either collectively or as individuals – to equitable treatment by employers.”

No problem is too big or small!

Identifying problems as soon as they arise benefits everyone. It’s easier to solve problems when they are small, but we help out with big problems, too.

Call us when you think there is a problem to be fixed.

These services are provided to you as part of your union dues. There is no additional charge for assisting you.

If you are constantly placing high demands on yourself, your stressful life may start to feel normal. However, if you are finding yourself easily irritated, constantly fatigued, and the simplest things have become a challenge, you may be far more stressed than you realize.

Check out these 12 telltale signs of stress and see how you rate.

This article has been reprinted for entertainment purposes. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of GSU, its members, officers, or staff.

GSU members are preparing for their year-end performance evaluations*. 
If done properly, these reviews can be an equally useful tool for you and your employer to assist in your workplace development and provide you with a performance rating that will determine your yearly salary increase. 

Make sure that your performance review is being completed correctly, fairly, and with your input to give your employer all the necessary information they should have from you.

Check out these five ways to make your performance evaluation work for you. 

If you have questions about your upcoming review, contact your GSU staff rep.

*These reviews are a company process and GSU has no input into how they are developed, implemented, or used.

GSU’s executive committee approved a $5,000 donation in support of the strike by members of Unifor at seven Saskatchewan Crown Corporations. 

“We support our sisters and brothers in Unifor as they strive to convince their employers and the provincial government to do the right things by agreeing to wage increases that reflect the cost of living and ending their constant efforts to undermine full-time jobs at the Crowns,” said GSU president Jim Brown. 

“The Crown Corporations belong to all of us and when the employees are paid decent wages – as well as having decent working conditions – our entire community benefits,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. ” We have the best services and the best overall prices for these services in Canada. Unifor members at the Crowns are major contributors to our good fortune. Our provincial government should show the respect they deserve.”  

When workers decide to strike, it’s not a decision they make lightly.

Don’t be duped into thinking a strike is a selfish action by people who don’t care about their workplaces, their employers, and those they serve. Withholding labour is often the last resort for workers seeking resolution to bargaining or workplace issues. 

Striking isn’t an easy choice. It means losing pay – perhaps even necessitating borrowing money from friends and family to keep up with bills and obligations. It means picket lines, inconveniencing customers, and missing deadlines, and that’s tough when you are a conscientious worker who enjoys their job. Striking is never something that is done without serious consideration by union members and their elected officers.

We urge all GSU members to support the striking Unifor members in their communities and respect picket lines wherever they appear.

A Local 15 member who retired in April was frustrated with slow replies about his pension options under the former Viterra Pension Plan for GSU members.

After three months of waiting, the member contacted GSU and general secretary Hugh Wagner raised the delays with Nutrien HR. The response from HR was very prompt, and although there were still some hurdles to overcome, the retired GSU member received the information he required. He has since selected his pension options.

Don’t hesitate to contact your staff rep if you have a problem. 
They may not have magic wands, but often your union rep can make things happen.

Elected officers from 15 GSU locals gathered in Regina on Sept. 26 for their semi-annual meeting.  This group, the Joint Executive Council (JEC), serves as the governing body of the union between policy conventions.

As always, there was a full agenda for the one-day meeting. GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner and GSU accountant Debbie Head lead members through a financial update and Wagner also presented an administration update and his Autumn 2019 General Secretary’s Report. In addition, the union’s constitution was reviewed and updated, a new Conflict of Interest Policy was adopted, and  plans for GSU’s 2020 convention at the Temple Gardens and Spa in Moose Jaw were discussed.

Succession planning for GSU leadership and staff was also on the agenda. After a thorough discussion, the meeting directed the GSU Executive Committee and staff to begin preliminary work and prepare for a report and discussion at the upcoming GSU policy convention.

Council members also selected Local 1 (Viterra Operations/Maintenance) member Darryl Knelson as a director on the GSU Defense Fund Board of Directors and welcomed GSU’s newest staff member, Debbie Head, to her first council meeting and to the union.

Are you interested in becoming a member of the Joint Executive Council? Learn more here, or contact your GSU staff rep for more information.

Society is a swath of many unique people and personalities, and it’s inevitable that you will run into people in your circle who just make things unbearable. Whether it is your team, your church, or your workplace, if you aren’t ready to leave or directly confront the problem, you need to find a way to cope and make the best of a situation without letting it bring you down or turn you into someone you don’t want to be.

As a GSU member, you can contact your staff rep for confidential advice or assistance. In your life outside work, you may need to find other ways to cope and stick it out (at least for now). 

These helpful coping mechanisms are directed toward work environments, but they are also valuable tools outside work for making the best of things when you aren’t ready to take the next step of communicating, confronting, or quitting: 11 tips for staying sane in a toxic workplace.

This article has been printed for entertainment purposes. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of GSU, its members, officers, or staff.

Past president of GSU, Henry Lamontagne passed away on May 25, 2019.

Henry worked for Sask Wheat Pool for over 37 years in the province’s southeast corner. He retired in 1990 after being the Manager in Gerald for 35 years.  

Henry was a family man, and he and his wife Dianne had three children: Shelly, Sheldon, and Brent. They were a close family and enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing. Henry loved outdoor activities and was an avid curler, snowmobiler, and golfer. He worked tirelessly in his community, on boards, and in his church. 

Henry had a strong social conscience and was very involved in Grain and General Services Union. He was an elected executive member for seven years, he was involved in collective bargaining, agreement enforcement, employment equity and shaping union policy. Henry was always thoughtful, unflappable, and dedicated to the wishes of the members of his union. He became president of GSU in 1986 and served until 1989.  

When Henry pushed his chair back, took off his glasses, and said “Now, just a minute here,” you knew someone was about to be straightened out. He never shied away from calling out BS. With a keen mind and solid principles, Henry kept the conversation on track.

Henry was 88 years old. He was laid to rest after a service on June 1, 2019, in Gerald, SK.

Grain and General Services Union was built by strong, honest, and dedicated members like Henry and the support and strength of family, like his wife Diane and his family. His council, strength, fairness and friendship will be missed.