Author Archives: Grain and General Services Union

ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVED: Can I collect Worker’s Compensation benefits after age 65?

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GSU staff rep Dale Markling recently assisted a member who was inquiring whether he was able to collect Worker’s Compensation benefits after age 65. 

The current rules provide that if an injured worker is under 63 years of age when she/he becomes eligible for WCB benefits,  then she/he can collect until the age of 65. If the injured worker is age 63 or older when she/he becomes eligible , then she/he is allowed to collect WCB benefits for a maximum of two years.

Would you like assistance with a claim or a potential claim?

Your GSU staff rep will help find answers to your questions. We can even advocate on your behalf, whether it’s with company management, insurance companies, or government agencies like EI and workers’ comp, but we won’t act on your behalf without your direction and approval. 

Contact information for GSU staff is available here.

Voters approve continuation of GSU Defense Fund dues

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As they have for more than 20 years, GSU members attending 2017 annual meetings considered, debated and ultimately voted on whether to continue the additional union dues of $10 per member per month being paid into the GSU Defense Fund.

Once again a majority approved the motion to continue the additional dues for another year and to vote again at the 2018 annual meetings of GSU locals and sub-locals. The margin of approval was in line with previous years as 76  percent of the voters approved the motion.

Support Tim Horton’s workers and the Fight For $15 this Friday, Jan. 19

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In support of the Canada-wide Day of Action to Stand With Tim Hortons Workers and the Fight for 15, Saskatchewan Fight for 15 asks that you support their petition blitz on January 19 by coming out and helping them collect signatures urging the Sask. government to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour. 

Learn more here: fightfor15sk.ca

A Quick FYI: 

  • When Ontario’s minimum wage increased to $14 on January 1, 2018, Tim Hortons began to cut workers’ paid breaks, reduce access to basic drug and dental benefits, eliminate uniform and drink allowances, and even cut employees’ hours of work.
  • In 2016, Tim Hortons generated US $3 billion in revenue for its parent company Restaurant Brands International (RBI).
  • In Saskatchewan, 96,000 workers earn less than $15 an hour – 20% of the work force. Most of them work for large companies, not small mom-and-pops.

Regina Event – Friday, Jan. 19

There are three sites/times: 

  • Team 1, outside Cornwall Centre, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Meeting outside the BMO at 1800 Scarth Street at 9:30. Find Aina Kagis (306.527.2014) for materials when you arrive.
  • Team 2, UofR campus, 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Meeting in the Riddell Centre. Find Nick Day (306.526.8708) for materials when you arrive. 
  • Team 3, outside Cornwall Centre, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Meeting outside the BMO at 1800 Scarth Street at 5:00 p.m. Find Nick Day (306.526.8708) for materials when you arrive. 

Saskatoon Event – Friday, Jan. 19

  • Midtown Plaza – 201 1 Ave S, Saskatoon (outside front doors) ~ 8:30 a.m. -10:00 a.m.

Join Women’s Day Marches in Regina and Saskatoon this Saturday, Jan. 20

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There is still so much work to do to protect and advance the rights of women, and the rights of all vulnerable citizens in our province, our country and worldwide.

Join with women and human rights groups from across the world! On Jan. 20,  join the marches in Saskatoon and Regina to show that the progress made in 2017 was not enough.

Information on the marches is available here:

ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVED: Clarification on Workers’ Comp benefits after age 65

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GSU staff rep Dale Markling recently assisted a member who was inquiring whether he was able to collect Worker’s Compensation benefits after age 65. 

The current rules provide that if an injured worker is under 63 years of age when she/he becomes eligible for WCB benefits then she/he can collect until the age of 65. If the injured worker is age 63 or older when she/he becomes eligible, then she/he is allowed to collect WCB benefits for a maximum of two years.

Do you have a question for your staff rep?

Your staff rep can assist you with problems regarding Workers’ Compensation, Employment Insurance, Retirement, Pension,  other benefits, and workplace issues. These services are provided to you as part of your union dues. There is no additional charge for assisting you.

ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVED: Long-term disability insurance claim – mistake leaves GSU member’s first LTD benefit at $0

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A Local 15 member’s long-term disability insurance claim (LTD) was accepted. However, the insurer mistakenly thought the member had other earnings in the first benefit pay period that were high enough to reduce his first LTD benefit to zero.

The prospect of zero pay caused the member considerable distress and he contacted the union. GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner immediately contacted the employer and provided the necessary background information about the LTD claim.

The mistake on the insurer’s part was corrected the same day and the member received his LTD payment soon after.

“Having to be on LTD benefits means someone is already undergoing additional stress, and uncertainty about benefit payments adds to the stress,” Wagner said. “GSU helps alleviate stress by assisting union members with employment-related issues – including sick leave claims, LTD insurance claims, WCB claims and EI benefit claims.”

 

Would you like assistance with a claim or a potential claim? 

Your GSU staff rep will help find answers to your questions. We can even advocate on your behalf, whether it’s with company management, insurance companies, or government agencies like EI and workers’ comp, but we won’t act on your behalf without your direction and approval. 

Contact information for GSU staff is available here.

Join us for GSU’s policy convention March 22 – 24 in Humboldt

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GSU’s Joint Executive Council convenes a policy convention of GSU delegates once every two years prior to May 31.  This gathering of union members and officers is the co-ordinating and governing representative body of GSU and its decisions are made by majority vote.

The policy convention considers the business of GSU, including resolutions submitted by the Locals, members, the Joint Executive Council, and by the delegates at convention. Resolutions, policy statements, and reports adopted by the policy convention become the policy of GSU. 

GSU’s president, two vice-presidents, and general secretary are elected at the policy convention.

In addition to the business of convention you’ll have opportunities for socializing, getting to meet great people, and having some fun. 

If you have questions about the convention – or if you are interested in attending, running for office, or learning more about the union – contact your GSU staff representative.

WE’RE WORKING ON IT: eligibility for sick leave benefits

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A GSU member contacted staff rep Lawrence Maier regarding eligibility for sick leave benefits. 

The member was deducted vacation and earned time off for overtime for a number of doctor and specialist appointments while dealing with a serious illness. 

The member gave permission for Lawrence to talk to management and attempt to resolve the matter. Management is reviewing the situation, and if a positive answer isn’t received soon, further action will be taken to provide the benefits that the employee has earned and deserves.

Contact a GSU staff rep with your questions and concerns. We will work with you to find answers to your questions, find solutions that work for you, and we won’t act on your behalf without your direction and approval. 

Contact information for GSU staff is available here.

Challenge your perspective on poverty. Can you MAKE THE MONTH?

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Can you MAKE THE MONTH? Check out the United Way‘s Poverty Simulator. 

Make the Month is a digital poverty simulation that aims to help Canadians understand and experience what it’s like to have to make your paycheque last the month. This interactive tool prompts individuals to make difficult life choices, and shows Canadians the day-to-day reality of those living paycheque-to-paycheque.

GSU annual meetings complete for 2017

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October and November are a very busy time for GSU elected officers and staff reps as the annual meetings of the union’s locals and sub-locals are held throughout Saskatchewan.

The 2017 round of annual meetings reviewed GSU operations, finances, the GSU Defense Fund and the union’s bargaining calendar for 2018. A major feature of most of the meetings was beginning to identify priorities for agreement renewal bargaining. The last two meetings will be held this week.

“The 2017 annual meetings provided one of many opportunities for GSU members to participate in building the union’s bargaining agenda with their employers,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “Union members spend a big part of their lives in the workplace and they are the ones who are best placed to say what should be changed in the collective agreements GSU bargains.”

“Like any democracy, GSU works best when members participate,” said Wagner. “Thanks to everyone who took the time to attend their 2017 annual union meeting.”

Claim your health spending credit by Dec. 31

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Health spending accounts are a provision in several GSU collective agreements.They may have different names – such as health spending account, health flex account, or health flex spending account – but they all cover different additional health benefit costs that occur throughout the year.

Contact your GSU staff rep if you are unsure if your agreement has a health account or if you need clarification on your account coverage.

ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVED: Layoffs and top-up

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Staff Rep Steve Torgerson recently assisted GSU members with questions about layoffs, top-up, and what that entails. 

GSU staff can provide additional assistance you may need regarding layoff or any other employment insurance claim. We can even help you with EI appeals.

Contact a GSU staff rep with your questions and concerns. We will work with you to find answers to your questions, find solutions that work for you, and we won’t act on your behalf without your direction and approval. 

Contact information for GSU staff is available here.

Hints for surviving your Christmas office party

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‘Tis the Season for office Christmas parties. Whether you are excited, disinterested, or obligated to attend, the following guidelines will help you navigate the office party. 

Learn more here: How to behave at the Christmas office party

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

ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVED: maternity leave issues

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An employee called the union office to discuss issues dealing with maternity leave. 

Each of the different collective agreements in GSU have their own provisions for maternity, paternity and adoption leave. It is always best to check in with your staff representative to determine what rights you have and the benefits that are included. In this employee’s case, the staff rep reviewed the provisions of the agreement and clarified some issues for the member. 

Contact a GSU staff rep with your questions and concerns. We will work with you to find answers to your questions and find solutions that work for you. Contact information for GSU staff is available here.

Joint Executive Council approves staff rep hiring

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GSU’s Joint Executive Council (GSU’s board of directors) held a conference call meeting on Nov. 30 to receive the report and recommendation of the committee assigned to conduct the recruitment to the staff representative position advertised on Oct. 31.After hearing and discussing the recruitment committee’s report, the Council approved a motion to hire Ms. Donna Driediger as GSU’s next staff rep.

Donna has previously worked for GSU in an administrative capacity and most recently as a staff rep from 2004 to 2009. She left GSU in 2009 to accept a similar position with her current employer, the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses. Donna is expected to re-join GSU’s ranks at the end of January 2018.

“The Joint Executive Council and I ask GSU members to join with us in extending a hearty welcome to Donna,” said general secretary Hugh Wagner. “We look forward to working with Donna again and drawing on her considerable and varied experience in representing union members.”