Author Archives: Grain and General Services Union

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.”

GSU Defense Fund directors meet, receive fund update

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The board of directors of GSU’s Defense Fund met by conference call Nov. 30. The meeting included an update on the value of the Fund, which is currently $4,153,000. The assets of the Fund consist of $3,798,000 invested with RBC Dominion Securities and $355,000 on deposit with Affinity Credit Union in Regina.

The board of directors approved a motion to transfer $250,000 from Affinity Credit Union to be invested with RBC.

The next meeting of the board is tentatively scheduled for January 12, 2018 when they intend to review the investment strategy for the Defense Fund.

SFL partners with Hillberg and Berk to offer Burgundy Sparkle Ball earrings

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The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour has partnered with Hillberg & Berk, and proceeds from the sale of these earrings directly supports survivors of domestic violence through the members of the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS)

Looking for a special sparkly gift this holiday season?

These special edition earrings are $70 per pair and available for purchase at the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour office at 220-2445 13th Avenue, Regina. You can also call 306.525.0197 (SFL office) or 306.287.7423 (Lori) to order or learn more.

Single purchase and large orders welcome.

View this information as a printable PDF

Union members in Ontario to oversee cannabis sales at government’s retail stores, online service

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When the sale of marijuana becomes legal in Canada in July 2018, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s (LCBO’s) website and their 150 stand-alone stores will be the only places where cannabis can be legally sold in the province. Members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union will oversee all retail sales and online service through the government-run website. 

“When it comes to retail distribution, the LCBO has the expertise, the experience and the insight to ensure careful control of cannabis, to help us discourage illicit market activity and see that illegal dispensaries are shut down,” said Ontario’s Finance Minister, Charles Sousa.

According to the Ontario government, cannabis will be supplied by medical marijuana producers licensed by Health Canada and it will be priced competitively to curb black market sales. A boost in tax revenues is expected.

Items you just shouldn’t wear in the workplace

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If you want to be taken seriously by your employer and your co-workers, there are some definite no-nos around the office. Showing up for work with wet hair, fishnets, or sweatpants will never be career-enhancing moves.

Check out the following link for a little extra guidance:  Things you should never wear to work.

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.

Painting of No. 1 Pool graces GSU office foyer

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( L-r) GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner and president Jim Brown with GSU’s new painting of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool No. 1 elevator.
 

The Nordal LeBlanc Law Office is located on the first floor of GSU’s Regina office. As a token of friendship and appreciation for the warm welcome the firm has received at the office, GSU legal counsel and friend Ronni Nordal recently gifted a painting to GSU.

 “My sister, Paige Mortensen, took up art after her children were grown and she had retired from the paid work force.  This summer Paige created a batik painting of the first Saskatchewan Wheat Pool elevator in Saskatchewan – located in Bulyea, SK, near my farm.  The minute I saw the painting, I knew the perfect home for it was in the front entrance of GSU,” Nordal said. 

“Being from the Bulyea area, I was saddened when Saskatchewan Wheat Pool closed the wooden crib elevators and even more disappointed when it sold off the No. 1 elevator without recognizing its important place in the history of Saskatchewan. Paige’s painting commemorates the No. 1 Pool and it seems fitting to me that it is a part of GSU, as without GSU, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool elevators would not have played the significant role in life in rural Saskatchewan that they did.”

 We appreciate Ronni’s kind gesture and the work she has done for GSU and its members.

 More of Paige’s artwork can be seen at paigemortensen.ca or on Facebook under Paige Mortensen Art.