Editor: The following article from GSU legal counsel Ronni Nordal provides valuable information for GSU members

“Do I still have to hire her if she’s pregnant?”

Do employees still need assistance protecting their rights in 2017? You bet they do.

Recently I received a cold call (an inquiry from someone who is not a client). The person calling was a small business owner and before I could explain that I represent employees – not employers – he blurted out his question:

“Last Week I offered someone a job and sent them the formal job offer. Yesterday she told me she was pregnant. Do I still have to hire her?”

My response: “YES. To revoke the employment offer would be discrimination.”

This employer was adamant that he had been lied to, as during the interview he asked whether “there were any health conditions he should know about” and the potential employee replied “no”. The employer felt he had been lied to and should not have to hire the person.

Response from me: “If the potential employee had told you she was pregnant, would you have hired her?”

Employer response: “No.”

It may be 2017, but employees still need assistance in having their rights protected – particularly employees with disabilities.

Ronni Nordal, LL.B. 
NORDAL LeBlanc Law Office 
nordalleblanc.ca

The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) has issued a public condemnation against the recent violence in Charlottesville and confirmed that Canada’s unions stand in solidarity with the victims of this deliberate and hateful violence.

If you consider yourself to be a hat aficionado, we want to hear from you. Colour, style, rise … tell us what takes a hat from good to great.

Have a look at the hats on the website below and let us know what styles catch your eye. If you have design suggestions, send us those, too. 

You can email your style preferences, favourite product numbers and other design suggestions to gsu.regina@sasktel.net. 

GSU staff reps regularly assist members who have been asked to learn a new skill or take on extra duties, responsibilities, or a higher-paid job.

“It’s great when your manager sees how valuable you are to the company and provides you with an opportunity to become an even more valuable employee,” said staff rep Steve Torgerson. “It can be a good experience if you go into it with your eyes open and clear expectations, so there are a number of considerations and questions that need to be answered before employees agree to take on extra duties.”

If you have been asked to take on new responsibilities, consider the following:

• What training will you need to perform the new task? How long will you be performing these extra duties? Discuss expectations and come to an agreement with your manager about what will be taking place.
• Some additional duties or added responsibilities may not be appropriate. Always review and work through your annual objectives or goal setting with your manager.
• Can you do the extra work and still perform your job fully and effectively? Make sure you can always do your job to the best of your ability. Better to do your job at 100 percent than piling on extra duties and doing everything at 85 percent. 
• Do the extra duties fall within the job description of your current job, or should you expect Temporary Performance of Higher Duty (TPHD) pay as set out in your collective agreement?

Whether extra goals are added to your expectations for the year or you are being asked to take on additional tasks or responsibilities, talk to your manager and have a written record of what is expected.

If you need assistance or have questions, contact your GSU staff representative.

GSU staff reps will answer your questions and offer advice so you can talk to your manager effectively. At your request, your staff rep can also assist by working with the company to ensure that your best interests are looked after. 

Your inquiry will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. GSU staff rep services are provided to you as part of your union dues and there is no additional charge for assisting you. Contact information for our staff reps is available here. 

Contest entries:

First summer jobs:

My first summer job was washing dishes at the local restaurant. The best thing about my job besides finally getting a pay check was all the free food I would get.

My first summer job was working for a farmer. There were two good things about this job. #1 – His tractor had a cab back in 1969. #2 – If I remember right I was making $4.00 per hour!

My first summer job was yard maintenance. My brother and I did it all, grass cutting (we would haul the clippings home and feed them to the horses), shovel the manure and sell it back to them for the gardens. Worked, sowed, weeded gardens and flower beds. Trimmed hedges and cut trees, raked leaves. The best part of the job was we didn’t have to learn anything as we did it all the time at home and we got to spend the summer together. Worst part of the job was having to work while your friends were out having fun in the sun!

My first summer job was working in a food booth at the Western Development Museum’s “Those were the days” in the summer. Worst thing about the job was the heat from the summer and the food being cooked in the booth.  Best thing was eating the funnel cakes!

My first summer job was at the family farm sweeping out grain bins. The best thing about this job was that I got to work with my family. The worst thing about this job was that I had to work with my family.

My first ‘summer’ job was at the Hudson’s Bay Mining & Smelting Company (HMB&S) in Flin Flon, as an Electrician’s helper. This was in June, 1969 after high school.  Pay was $2.34(?) / Hr.  Pretty good wages at that time. Made enough to pay for the following year tuition at University, and residence, as well.

First summer job was roofing. Worst thing about the job was the heat; best thing was when it was over.

My first summer job was working as a waitress. The best part about it was the friends I made while working there, the worst part about it was cheap tippers lol

My firs summer job was working at a drive in, cooked food and served ice cream. The best part about it was that I got one free ice cream every day that I worked, and the worst thing about it was having to get a ride into work cause I wasn’t quite old enough to drive!

First Summer Job? Vet clinic
Best thing? Working with animals and learning about their anatomy
Worst thing? Washing surgical equipment/ livestock pens

Favourite holiday destination:

The best place to vacation in Saskatchewan is a little lake somewhere south nowhere. Its got it all, great fishing, a nice beach, wild blueberries, you name it. Unfortunately, not even free rider tickets could convince me to tell you what its called or where to find it.

What can you expect in the WaterFront e-news? Check out the headlines from their latest issue:

1)   Watch: World’s largest container ship maiden voyage.

2)   Swedish dockworkers dispute with APMT continues.

3)   Cabotage still an issue in Australia.

4)   Broke sailors adrift in UAE waters.

5)   Seafarer dead after tanker sinks.

6)   Manitoba unions fight wage freeze in court.

7)   2 Vietnamese sailors beheaded by kidnappers. 

8)   Modern Slavery “Alive and Kicking”.

9)   Container accident kills worker.

10) The Fight for $15.