Author Archives: Grain and General Services Union

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.

Women had to work three months and 10 days into 2018 to earn the same amount made by a man in 2017

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Nationally, women in Canada make 74 cents for every dollar earned by a man per year. That means on average, women had to work three months and 10 days into 2018 to earn the same amount made by a man in 2017.

Statistics Canada pegs the gap as being even wider for women belonging to minority groups, with Indigenous women facing a 57% gender pay gap; women with disabilities facing a 46% gap; immigrant women facing a 39% gap; and racialized women facing a 32% gap.

Unions, collective bargaining, and pay equity measures significantly reduce the wage gap for women. 

According the the Canadian Labour Congress, on average, women with unions earned $6.65/hour more than women without unions . 

Click here to learn more about equal pay equity in Canada and how you can help close the gender pay gap.

Convention delegates set union’s course for the next two years

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GSU members, officers, staff, and guests gathered in Humboldt from March 22 to 24 for GSU’s biennial policy convention. Most notably, convention delegates:

  • adopted the Joint Executive Council’s annual report and GSU’s audited 2017 financials statements, and authorized distribution of same to GSU members,
  • authorized establishing a family crisis benefit for union members, and
  • defeated a resolution that would see additional membership dues being paid into the GSU Defense Fund reduced from $10 to $5 per member per month effective July 1, 2018.

GSU’s general secretary, president, vice presidents, and Defense Fund board of directors are elected at GSU biennial policy conventions. Congratulations to the following newly-elected officers:

  • Hugh Wagner will remain as GSU’s general secretary,
  • GSU president Jim Brown, vice presidents Michelle Houlden and Brett North were re-elected, and
  • Ron Gerlock, Wilfred Harris, Brian Lark, Dennis Piasta and Sharlene Tetrault were re-elected and will return as Defense Fund Directors for another two-year term.

“As expected, convention was productive, informative and entertaining,” said general secretary Hugh Wagner. “Our convention delegates spurred some great discussion, suggestions, and they have positioned us to move forward.”

If you have questions or would like more information about the convention, contact your GSU staff rep.

ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVED: Extended health and dental coverage while on long-term disability benefits

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Hugh Wagner and the Executive Committee of Local 8 are following-up on a grievance challenging a decision by Advance Tank Centres Ltd. to terminate the extended health and dental coverage of an employee who is on long-term disability benefits. The employer has also advised that management intends to terminate the employee on account of blameless absenteeism.

“This is a completely new situation to me,” Wagner said. “I don’t recall any previous occasion of an employee being cut off benefits and having their employment terminated simply for being absent from work because they are suffering from a total disability.”

Wagner advises that GSU has referred the grievance to arbitration and is waiting to hear from the employer about scheduling an arbitration hearing.

“The employer’s logic in this situation is breathtakingly baffling”, Wagner said. “I think our chances of success at arbitration are very good.”

GSU helps sort things out.

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 the facts and identify whether your rights have been violated, but we  won’t act on your behalf without your direction and approval.

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

Changes and updates to the $4+ million Defense Fund will be discussed at convention

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In addition to reviewing amendments and changes to GSU’s Defense Fund, GSU convention delegates will elect five of their peers to serve as the Defense Fund Board of Directors. (Learn more about the Defense Fund, the Board, and their responsibilities here.)

Would you like to be a Defense Fund director? Do you have changes you would recommend to the Defense Fund or defense fund dues structure?

Join us at convention or talk to your GSU staff rep.

Join GSU members, officers and staff at convention.

Come to convention and represent the hard-working members of GSU. It is union members who set the direction for the union, and convention is the place to tell us what we are doing well and to set sights on what we need to do in the future.

If you are interested in learning more or attending convention, contact your GSU staff representative .

Wages and expenses of GSU members in attendance will be covered by GSU.