Author Archives: Grain and General Services Union

CUPE Sask. is hosting an informational picket line outside Viterra’s head office this Friday in support of locked-out CUPE 5317 members

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Viterra has locked out 51 of its workers represented by CUPE Local 5317 at the Port of Montreal since January 30th.  The CUPE members were negotiating for the same working conditions as the vast majority of Port of Montreal workers.

CUPE Saskatchewan will host a demonstration and information picket in solidarity with CUPE Local 5317 members at the Viterra Corporate Head Office in Regina over the noon hour on June 8, 2018.

GSU members should feel free to come and go from their workplace as usual, but the attendance and support of fellow union members is appreciated.

Read the event poster here.

 

Defense Fund board of directors meets, approves transfer for legal expenses

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The GSU Defense Fund Board of board of directors met via conference call on May 24, 2018.

The purpose of the meeting was to receive an update on the value of the Fund’s assets and to consider a resolution adopted by delegates to the 2018 GSU convention to have the Fund cover up to $100,000 in GSU’s 2018 legal expenses.

The directors received a report that the Defense Fund has total assets of $4.2 million consisting of equities and fixed income investments with RBC Dominion Securities as well as money on deposit with Affinity Credit Union.

GSU’s administration anticipates that the union’s legal expenses incurred in defending members’ collective agreement rights will rise significantly in 2018 as a result of a higher number of grievances being referred to arbitration.

“In a normal year GSU’s operating budget can absorb the legal bills without too much difficulty, but with a higher number of grievances heading to arbitration it is anticipated that an additional $100,000 will be added to the union’s expenses,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner.

The Defense Fund directors considered the resolution from GSU’s convention and approved paying GSU’s 2018 legal bills up to a maximum of $100,000. Transfers from the Defense Fund to pay for GSU’s legal expenses will be made upon receipt of invoices for said services subject to review and approval by the directors.

Defense Fund directors are elected at GSU policy conventions. The current directors are Brian Lark (Local 1), Wilfred Harris (Local 1), Sharlene Tetrault (Local 5), Ron Gerlock (Local 8) and Dennis Piasta (Local 14).  

Congratulations to our RUSH league final ticket winners

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Congratulations to our RUSH league final Game 1 winners. Sounds like there will be some interesting cheers in the GSU seats this Saturday.

Winners of two tickets:

  • James Hajewich (Local 1 – Viterra)
    “The motto of the rush after each goal scored is pound your chest as a show of support for the team.  The cheer would be to stand up and pound your chest to the team song.”
  • Raelee Kearns (Local 2 – Viterra Head Office)
    “My cheer would be acting/dancing out to the “YMCA” song and replace those letters with “RUSH”.”
  • Perry Thiessen (Local 15 – CPS)
    “Go, Rush, Go”
  • Julie Usborne (Local 1 – Viterra)
    “My cheer would be! Give me an R    “R’,    Give me an U     “U”     Give me an S    “S”   Give me and H     “H”     What do have?    RUSH!  Louder  RUSH!!!!  GO RUSH GO!!! GO RUSH GO!!! GO RUSH GO!!!” 

Thanks to everyone who entered and played along.

We have a block of eight tickets to watch the Saskatchewan Rush take on the Rochester Knighthawks in a best-of-three series beginning May 26 in Saskatoon.

What does that mean to you?

We are giving away two tickets to four lucky GSU members. Get your answer to the following question back into our hands by noon on Wednesday, May 23 and your name will be entered in our draw.

If you could convince the other 7 GSU guests at the game to do a cheer at the game for the RUSH, what would that cheer be?

Send your answer to  gsu.regina@sasktel.net. 

Good luck in the draw! Go, Rush, go!

Local 7 bargaining committee reaches tentative settlement with Heartland Livestock Services 

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On May 10, the bargaining committee of GSU Local 7’s Heather MacKay, Larry Worobetz, and lead negotiator/staff rep Donna Driediger  reached a tentative agreement renewal bargaining settlement with Heartland Livestock  Services. The tentative settlement is subject to a membership vote.

A memorandum of agreement is being prepared and the settlement details will be provided to Local 7 members before they vote whether to approve or reject the tentative settlement.

The  bargaining committee will be  recommending members vote to approve the settlement which, among other things, provides for a two-year agreement with the equivalent of 2.5 percent wage increases to payroll in each year – including retroactivity  in the first year to January 1, 2018. 

Local 7 members are urged to watch their email for details about the settlement and ratification vote. 

ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVED: workplace mediation at a GSU-represented workplace

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Recently members at a GSU-represented workplace attended a workplace mediation meeting to address conflict between a number of union members and their manager. The mediation process resulted from grievance action taken by the union members in response to complaints they had about their manager.

“As a result of dialogue during the grievance process GSU, the grievors and the employer’s representatives agreed to give mediation a try,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “With the assistance of a mediator, all concerned participated and aired their differences and, while the experience is still fresh, I am reasonably optimistic that a renewed and forward-looking workplace relationship has been started” 

GSU members have access to a grievance process and it is intended to provide the means for resolving workplace disputes regardless of the subject. The decision to use the grievance procedure in GSU collective agreements is up to the employees involved in any given situation. Employees represented by GSU have access to union staff reps who will advise in relation to rights, responsibilities and the options available. The decision on whether to tackle an individual or group workplace problem through the grievance procedure rests with the union members involved.

Access to a grievance procedure free from discrimination, retaliation or retribution, and it is guaranteed to unionized workers by their collective agreement as well as federal and provincial labour legislation.

Just want advice? GSU can help.

If you need advice or ideas about how to handle a workplace situation, call your GSU staff rep.

Contact information for GSU staff is available here.

Congratulations Cameron Eytcheson (Local 1 – Viterra) and James Hajewich (Local 1 – Viterra) – our RUSH ticket winners

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Cameron Eytcheson (Local 1 – Viterra) and James Hajewich (Local 1 – Viterra) entered our draw and each won two tickets to the May 10 Rush playoff game.

In our May 1 Tuesday Members’ Memo we asked you to tell us what professional sports team you would love to own and why, and James and Cameron’s answers were pulled out of the hat to win tickets in our draw.

  • James says he would own the Dallas Cowboys. “The market value and marketing value is second to none, plus they are my favorite team since the 70s.”
  • Cameron would own the Edmonton Oilers, “… so I could get some better defense and turn the team into what it could be.”

Thanks to everyone who played along. Watch for upcoming chances to win Rider tickets and more.

EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY: Prairie School for Union Women – June 10-14 at Waskesiu Lake, SK

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June 10-14, 2018 – Waskesiu Lake, SK 

The Prairie School for Union Women offers trade union women an intensive four days of learning and sharing in a supportive environment. The goals of the school are to develop women’s personal and leadership skills and to build solidarity among women workers.  The school provides on-site child care and is committed to child-friendly attitudes. 

Whether you are a woman who is a long time activist or just starting to get involved in your union, this school is open to you. Enrolment for the 2018 School is limited to 150. Participants will be registered on a first-come first-served basis. 

GSU members who sign up and are approved to participate in GSU-sanctioned events – such as the Prairie School for Union Women – will have their time off work, wages, and expenses covered in accordance with GSU’s expense policies (child care included). GSU staff will also assist you with arranging the time off with your employer.

Interested in attending? Contact your GSU staff rep.

ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVED: steps to create, foster, and enforce a safe workplace

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A member was terminated following an investigation into complaints regarding their conduct at work. The member contacted GSU, consulted with staff rep Steve Torgerson, and filed a grievance.

When Steve researched and prepared for grievance hearings, he identified a reoccurring theme of a year-long failure by the employer to provide a safe workplace. In this case, the issue wasn’t the physical safety of workers in the workplace, but rather failure to create a safe environment for employees to confidently report issues to managers and trust they would be addressed.

The issue which ultimately resulted in the member’s termination seemed unavoidable in the existing workplace environment and resulted in job loss for the employee. It also brought to light that other employees didn’t feel safe at work or believe they had any recourse through their employer.

Ultimately, the grievance was resolved when the grievor accepted a sizable settlement from the company. The employee was pleased with the settlement, but it is perhaps just as important that the Company recognized their responsibility to ensure that all steps have been taken to create, foster, and enforce a safe workplace for all employees.

When there are problems in the workplace there are many factors to consider.

A GSU staff rep has access to information and can help gather all facts and identify whether your rights have been violated. Call us if you need advice or if there is a problem to be fixed.

Contact information for GSU staff is available here.

CLC/United Way post-secondary scholarship – Another scholarship opportunity for GSU members and their dependents

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The Canadian Labour Congress Young Workers Program and United Way Centraide Canada are offering a $2,500 post-secondary scholarship to a union members or their dependants.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Current union member, or the child/dependent of a union member, that is affiliated to the CLC (such as GSU);
  • Age 30 or under as of September 1, 2018;
  • Enrolled for September 2018 to enter their first year of full-time study at a Canadian public post-secondary institution: university program (leading to a degree) or college program (leading to a diploma or certificate);
  • Does not have any prior post-secondary studies; and
  • Currently enrolled or not more than two years out of secondary school.
Deadline for receipt of applications is June 1, 2018.

An application form and information are available here. 

On April 28 each year we remember workers injured or killed on the job.

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As we enter a busy season for many GSU members, please do your part to help make your workplace safer. Ensure you have the proper training to do your job, and remember you have the right to refuse dangerous work.

If you have questions about your hours of work or safety in the workplace, contact the GSU office.

The Labour Councils around the province have organized events throughout Saskatchewan on April 28. Learn more here. 

We encourage all locals to support and attend the event in your area.

 

GSU scholarship application forms are now available

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2018 GSU scholarship forms and guidelines

2018 scholarship form guidelines [pdf]
2018 scholarship essay topic requirement information [pdf]
2018 scholarship form for dependants of GSU members  [pdf]
2018 scholarship form for GSU members or spouses of GSU members [pdf]

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. 

  • There are five $2,000 scholarships available:  three are dependant scholarships and two are GSU member scholarships.
  • If there are no member scholarship applications, all five scholarships will be available to be awarded to eligible dependant applicants.
  • Dependant scholarships are available for dependant children of GSU members. Applicants for dependant scholarships must be age 25 or younger.
  • GSU member scholarships are available for GSU members and spouses of members.
  • GSU members must have a signed union card on file with the union to be eligible for GSU scholarships.
  • Students can apply every year.
  • Students will be awarded a maximum of one scholarship per lifetime.

Learn more here.

Deadline for receipt of 2018 scholarship applications is June 15, 2018.

We’ve made some changes at GSU’s Regina office. Drop by and check them out.

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With recent staff retirements, a new hire, and directives from GSU’s recent biennial convention, a spring cleaning shake-up has hit GSU’s Regina office. If you haven’t been through the 2334 McIntyre Street location recently you will notice big changes the next time you stop in. 

Effective May 1, the first floor will be entirely occupied by NORDAL LeBlanc Law Office. GSU staff and equipment will be located on the second and top floors.

Have you been to our Regina or Saskatoon offices? 

Feel free to drop by, say hi, and have a look around if you are in the area.

Staff rep Donna Driediger spoke to a member who was having concerns about whether or not to apply for a position in their area

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That’s the whole story. A member phoned with concerns and one of our staff reps helped talk things through and offer advice. 

Just want advice? GSU staff reps can help.

No problem is too small. If you need advice or ideas about how to handle workplace situation, call your GSU staff rep. 

Contacting GSU does not mean you are obligated to file a grievance. We are here to assist you, but we won’t 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, and their is no additional charge for assisting you.

Contact information for GSU staff is available here.

 

Need help with an Employment Insurance claim? Contact your staff rep or the Unemployed Workers’ Help centre

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A member was having problems with their Employment Insurance claim. Staff rep Steve Torgerson assisted the member and worked to make sure the claim form had been submitted correctly. After determining all was in order, Steve turned to Mark Crawford at the  Unemployed Workers’ Help Centre.  As an expert in EI, Mark was able to move the appeal process along, and ultimately the member’s EI claim was accepted. 

Click here to learn more about the many EI and advocate services provided by the UWHC. Government and labour union funding ensures that there is no charge for Saskatchewan residents who use these services.   

GSU helps sort things out.

GSU can help advocate on your behalf, whether it’s with company management, insurance companies, or government agencies like EI and workers’ comp. Our  services are provided to you as part of your union dues and there is no additional charge for assisting you.

Do you have questions or concerns?  Contact information for GSU staff is available here.

Staff rep Dale Markling answered a member’s questions about their merit increase

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That’s the whole story. A member phoned with questions and one of our staff reps answered them. 

Just want advice? GSU staff reps can help.

No problem is too small. If you need advice or ideas about how to handle workplace situation, call your GSU staff rep. 

Contacting GSU does not mean you are obligated to file a grievance. We are here to assist you, but we won’t 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, and their is no additional charge for assisting you.

Contact information for GSU staff is available here.