Author Archives: Grain and General Services Union

Majority of Local 14 (Richardson) members approve settlement

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Ten membership meetings were conducted between November 28 and December 3 to give GSU Local 14 members an opportunity to vote on the terms of a tentative agreement renewal bargaining settlement with Richardson International. The ballots have been counted and a majority of 89.19 percent of Local 14 members who voted have approved the bargaining settlement.

Sixty-six members voted to approve the settlement while eight members voted to reject and three members abstained from voting. 83.7 percent of eligible members participated in the ratification process.

Thanks to everyone who participated.

Work will now begin to assemble and print an amended and renewed collective agreement.

The details of the settlement will be summarized in the next Tuesday Members’ Memo.

Tentative bargaining settlement reached, GSU Local 14 (Richardson) and Richardson International Limited

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GSU’s Local 14 (Richardson) bargaining committee has reached a tentative bargaining settlement with Richardson International Limited for the amendment and renewal of the collective agreement covering country operations and maintenance employees that expires on December 31, 2018.

The bargaining settlement is subject to approval by members of GSU Local 14.
The Local 14 bargaining committee is recommending approval.

Information is available to GSU Local 14 members in the following link, using the password provided in GSU’s Nov. 26 email or by contacting your GSU staff rep:

http://gsu.ca/collective-agreements/richardson-pioneer/moa/

We are working to schedule ratification meetings for Local 14 (Richardson) members to review and debate the proposed settlement and cast a secret ballot to approve or reject the proposed settlement. Watch your email for meeting dates and times.

 

 

 

WE’RE WORKING ON IT: Work schedules for weekend loading

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GSU staff representative Donna Driediger has been working with members from Viterra to clarify their working schedule for weekend loading.

“It is not unreasonable for members to know what options the Company has for having members work overtime on weekend loading – this is also so members know what they will be expected to do,” says Driediger.

Members are wanting to clarify what their status is for weekend rail loading, either scheduled to work, on standby, or neither which means working is optional.

Driediger has reached out to the Company with questions that should help clear the situation up moving forward and help these members find a better balance to their work and family lives.

Have a question or concern? No problem is too small.

Identifying problems as soon as they arise benefits everyone. It’s easier to solve problems when they are 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.

BARGAINING UPDATE: Richardson, Viterra (Nov. 13)

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Updated Nov. 13, 2018

GSU and Richardson International Bargaining

GSU Local 14’s bargaining committee met with Richardson International representatives on Nov. 1 and 2. Bargaining proposals were exchanged and some progress was made in resolving a number of issues. Bargaining is scheduled to resume on Nov. 19 and 20.
A further update will be issued following the Nov. 19 and 20 meetings.

GSU and Viterra Bargaining

GSU Locals 1 and 2 bargaining committee is scheduled to meet with Viterra representatives on Dec. 5 and 6.

“It’s taken some time to nail down bargaining dates,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “When we meet GSU’s committee will be presenting union members’ bargaining proposals as well as pressing for expedited results.”

An update will be issued following the meetings with Viterra management in December.

Congratulations to Rodney Kennedy and Lori Harris who each won two tickets to the Riders’ playoff game

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Lori Harris (Nutrien – Maymont) and Rodney Kennedy (Richardson – Assiniboia) will be in the stands to watch the Riders take on the Bombers this Sunday. 

Congratulations to Rodney and Lori, and thanks to everyone who entered our contest.

Watch our Tuesday Members’ Memo for GSU updates and contests. 

GSU has sent three grievances to arbitration

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The first grievance is in relation to Local 9 (Trouw) members who did not receive their work performance evaluations in a timely manner. The members in question are seeking adjustments to their rates of pay. 

The second grievance is on behalf of a Local 1 (Viterra) union member whose employment was suspended without pay for three weeks. The grievance seeks to reverse the suspension. 

The third grievance referred to arbitration alleges discrimination and violation of the human rights of a Local 1 (Viterra) union member whose employment was terminated. 

The role of GSU is to help our members.

If you have questions about a workplace issue or if you are experiencing problems in the workplace, call a GSU staff rep toll-free at 1.866.522.6686. We will work with you to find answers to your questions, recommend a course of action to follow, and work with you to find the solutions that are best for you. You are not obligated to file a grievance and we will not contact your employer or act on your behalf without consultation, direction, and approval from you.

These services are provided to you as part of your union dues. 

Confronting inappropriate comments at work

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Harassing, inappropriate or unwanted comments or behaviours can have a significant and long lasting negative consequences to a workplace. It can take a heavy toll on the member who is receiving the negative comments or behaviours, but it can also affect other members who know about or witness inappropriate conduct. 

If you witness or are the subject of inappropriate or unwanted comments or behaviours at work, contact your GSU elected officers and union staff for assistance and guidance. 

Learn more here.

 

ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVED: Submitting a claim to insurance provider

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A member called staff representative Steve Torgerson with questions about their benefit plan. The member was hired eights months ago and wasn’t sure how to claim for prescription medicine or how to submit a claim. 

Steve walked the member through submitting a claim to their insurance provider and provided the member with a contact to ask about getting a copy of the benefit plan information. 

It is valuable to fully understand your full medical benefit plan through work. Whether you need to use them now or not knowing what you have is the first step in utilizing your benefit plan to its fullest.

Do you need assistance with a problem or question in your workplace?

Contact a GSU staff representative. This service is provided to you as part of your union dues, and there is no additional charge for assisting you.

Arbitrator to hear grievance on termination of employee’s extended health benefits while on LTD – Sept. 12, 13 & 14

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A policy grievance filed on behalf of all of the members of Local 8 (Advance) and an individual member’s grievance will be heard by an arbitrator on September 12, 13 and 14. The grievances challenge the employer’s termination of an employee’s extended health benefits while he was on LTD.

“Termination of an employee’s extended health benefits while he or she is on LTD imposes a hardship at a time when the individual and their family can least afford it,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “This is a case that potentially affects all Local 8 members working for Advance Tank Production and Advance Tank Centres. We will make a strong argument to protect vulnerable employees.”

Local 8 will be represented at the arbitration by Local president Doug Murray and GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner.

We’re giving away tickets to the Riders’ Sept. 15 home game against the Redblacks

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Enter to win two tickets to the game by submitting your answer to the following:

Summer is a fond memory and the kids are back in school. When you were in school, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

Send your answer to gsu@gsu.ca by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 10 and you will be entered in our draw. We’ll announce two winners of two tickets in our Sept. 11 Tuesday Members’ Memo.

Good luck!

8 simple steps to winning over everyone in the workplace

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Love them or not, we all have co-workers. We may not agree with their politics, enjoy their punny sense of humour, or appreciate their half-full coffee cups in the office sink, but it’s in everyone’s best interest to co-exist and work together toward a common goal of getting the job done and doing it right. 

There are some steps you can take to be the co-worker everyone likes.

Learn more here: 8 ways to win over everyone in the office, according to experts

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

Returning to work after an extended absence?  Review your rights with your GSU staff rep

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GSU members returning to work from an extended absence as a result of illness or injury are encouraged to contact a GSU staff rep before finalizing the terms of their return.

Most often the return to work process works very well and there are no hassles. Occasionally,  misinformation and misunderstandings related to returning employees’ medical or other limitations have led to complex and difficult-to-resolve issues. GSU staff reps can help as a guide and source of advice and advocacy to help prevent return to work administrative complications.

Employers have a duty to accommodate that includes but is not limited to health related work restrictions. 

From GSU’s perspective, employers are obliged to notify the union when they’re dealing with a union member in relation to a return-to-work scenario or a duty-to-accommodate situation. Unfortunately, management doesn’t always think to involve the union and this has led to some challenging problems that have been difficult to sort out after the fact.  

A quick call to your GSU staff rep about rights and responsibilities can help avoid hassles down the road.

 

“Taking time to know your rights is never a bad investment of time,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner.

Congratulations to our Labour Day Classic ticket winners – Julianne Popel (Local 14 – Richardson) and Jeff Seabrook (Local 1 – Viterra)

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Can the Riders carry their winning streak over to this weekend’s Labour Day Classic? According to the answers GSU members submitted to GSU’s contest question, they have no doubt the Riders will be the victor when they take on the Bombers this weekend. 

Congratulations to Jeff Seabrook (Local 1 – Viterra) and Julianne Popel (Local 14 – Richardson) who each won two tickets and will be in the stands to cheer the Riders on to a win. 

Go, Riders, go!