Author Archives: Grain and General Services Union

CPS NON-UNION EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATION VOTE: The deadline for returning your mail-in ballot is Monday, January 30

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The deadline for voting is only days away.

We urge employees at non-union CPS branches in Saskatchewan to vote to become part of the union so we can provide a strong collective agreement, dedicated GSU staff rep access, and our many other services to you and your fellow workers. We will always be stronger together.

The January 30 deadline for returning mail-in ballots is fast approaching. Please take the time to vote.

If you have any questions about GSU or the representation vote, call a GSU staff rep toll-free at 1.866.522.6686 (Regina office) or 1.855.384.7314 (Saskatoon office) or send us an email at gsu.regina@sasktel.net.

Additional information can be found here.

Background information:

  • On January 9 the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (SLRB) sent ballots by registered mail on the question of being represented by GSU. 
  • Those you hadn’t received their ballot by January 20 were encouraged to contact the SLRB at 1.306.787.2406 or 1.306.787.7210.

ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVED: sick leave for follow-up specialist appointment denied

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A GSU member was able to use sick leave for his child’s emergency health issue, but when a follow-up appointment was scheduled with a specialist in a major center, the union member’s request for sick leave to attend the appointment was denied. 

The member was familiar with the collective agreement and knew that there was some provision for leave in these situations, but he couldn’t remember exactly how the coverage worked. The member contacted GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson.

Steve explained how the Serious Illness Leave clause applied to the situation, and the member was able to access the required leave to attend the specialist appointment with his child.  

Do you need assistance addressing this issue or another problem in your workplace? Contact a GSU staff representative.

ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVED: taxable benefit which showed up on a pay stub

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A Local 15 (CPS) member recently contacted GSU staff rep Dale Markling with an inquiry about a taxable benefit which showed up on their pay stub. 

Dale contacted company management for clarification before advising the employee that the taxable benefit reflected gift cards that employees received for safety. The cards were considered to be income and employees were responsible for paying the tax on these amounts.

Do you need assistance addressing a similar issue or another problem in your workplace? Contact a GSU staff representative.

ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVED: Standy-by pay, call-in pay, and ability to make plans for the holiday season

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Recently GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner was contacted by a group of members working in a terminal elevator who were concerned about their ability to make plans for the upcoming holiday season. Wagner provided the following information to the members in question.

“Call-in pay is intended to address the kind of situation where an individual has left work and is called back or she/he is on a day of rest and is called into work. Anyone who has December 23 and/or 24 as a day of rest who is called in to load can claim call-in pay or overtime pay, whichever is the greater.

In addition, employees who have December 23, 24, 27, 28, 29 or 30 as scheduled days of rest may have a claim for standby pay if they are being asked to make themselves available to load on those dates.

If employees work on the 26th (which is a stat holiday) in addition to eight hours stat holiday pay, anyone who works that day is to be paid at the overtime rate of pay (time and a half). In addition, December 27 and January 2 are to be days off work in lieu of Christmas day and New Year’s day falling on a Sunday. As a result, employees who work those days are entitled to holiday pay for the day or to receive another day off in lieu plus overtime pay for those days.”

Wagner adds that if employees are on days of rest, statutory holidays or vacation and have not been assigned standby duty, they are under no obligation to make themselves available for a call-in.

Do you need assistance addressing this issue or another problem in your workplace?  Contact a GSU staff representative.

No problem is too small. Identifying problems as soon as they arise benefits everyone. Call us toll-free if you have a question or a problem you would like addressed. Call 1.866.522.6686 (Regina) or 1.855.384.7314 (Saskatoon).

ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVED: Major dental benefit claim rejected

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GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner was recently contacted by a GSU member who was having a problem with a major dental benefit claim that had been rejected by Manulife. The member was concerned that he would be several thousands of dollars out of pocket as a result of Manulife’s decision. 

The following day Wagner contacted the employer’s HR department who responded quickly by advising they would sort things out with the Manulife. By November 28 the problem was resolved when Wagner was advised the dental claim would be paid.

“Sometimes union members opt not to raise problems or file grievances because they don’t want to cause a fuss – but it’s fair to say that there are no results when problem isn’t raised with the employer,” Wagner said. “As this example illustrates, it pays to act.”

Do you need assistance addressing a problem in your workplace? 
Contact a GSU staff representative.

Do you have a Health Flex Spending Account credit carried over from 2015 into 2016?

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Several GSU agreements contain Health Flex Spending account directives, and December 31 is a common cut-off for using funds from the previous calendar year.

If you have a Health Flex Spending Account credit carried over from 2015 into 2016, be sure you use it up by December 31 as it won’t be carried over into 2017.

If you need help determining if you have a Health Flex Spending Account in your collective agreement, contact your GSU staff rep.

13 things you should never do at the office holiday party

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Office celebration

You may be among friends, but the office holiday party is a professional workplace function. Treated properly, it’s a great place for socializing, building work relationships with co-workers, and leaving a positive impression in the minds of your workplace superiors. If things get out of hand you may be remembered for oversharing personal revelations, vomiting in someone’s purse, or being fired. 

Prepare for success. Check out these 13 things you should never do at the office holiday 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.

WE’RE WORKING ON IT: members received Article 24, contacted by EI and told to pay back EI benefits received during layoff

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Some members from CPS who received Article 24 – notice of position elimination, have been contacted by EI and told that they must pay back EI benefits received during their layoff. This generally happens only when the member continues to collect EI after their six month layoff.

When employees request that their severance be paid out at the end of their six month layoff, the company sends a new record of employment to EI noting that the employee has received severance. If the employee has not ended their claim before they apply for severance, EI treats them as if they had the right to access severance from the start of the layoff and may send out a notice that all EI benefits must be repaid.

To avoid this situation, make sure to end your EI claim a day or two before you apply for severance.

Be aware that if you go past the six months on layoff, you may forfeit your right to receive severance.

The Union will be appealing the repayment for the employees involved. 

Do you need assistance addressing this issue or another problem in your workplace? Contact a GSU staff representative.

No problem is too small. Identifying problems as soon as they arise benefits everyone. Call us toll-free if you have a question or a problem you would like addressed. Call 1.866.522.6686 (Regina) or 1.855.384.7314 (Saskatoon).

ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVED: Sick leave – “How much information do I need to provide?”

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Another Problem Solved!

GSU staff reps routinely answer questions about sick leave, including how much information a member is required to share with their employer about the reason for the sick leave – particularly when the leave is for a very personal issue.

“I have advised members that the amount of information they need to provide is somewhat tied to the amount of time they are off,” said GSU staff rep Dale Markling. “The shorter the absence the less information the company is generally entitled to.”

If your have questions about sick leave or any other issue, don’t hesitate to contact your GSU staff rep.

No problem is too small. Identifying problems as soon as they arise benefits everyone. Call us toll-free if you have a question or a problem you would like addressed. Call 1.866.522.6686 (Regina) or 1.855.384.7314 (Saskatoon)

Congratulations to our 2016 scholarship and bursary recipients – learn more and read their essays here

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2016 Scholarship and Bursary recipients no background

Congratulations to our 2016 scholarship and bursary recipients who were selected to receive $2,000 from GSU’s scholarship and bursary program(s).

  • Kayla Friesen [dependant] – GSU scholarship
  • Jordyn Pelechaty [dependant] – GSU scholarship
  • Jenna Zimmer [dependant] – GSU scholarship
  • Trevor Dubois – GSU’s First Nations University of Canada bursary.

Learn more about our recipients and read their essay submissions here.

You can learn more about past scholarship and bursary recipients here.

LOCAL 15 VOTE UPDATE: Majority approves bargaining settlement between GSU and CPS

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REGINA, SK, June 10, 2016 – The polls have closed and the ballots have been counted in GSU Local 15 members’ vote on the tentative agreement renewal bargaining settlement between the union and CPS Canada. The majority of Local 15 members who returned their mail-in ballots have voted to approve the tentative settlement.

CPS management has been informed of the result of the GSU ratification vote.

Work will now begin to implement the settlement and finalize a new collective agreement covering unionized employees at Ag retail branches, the Nipawin seed plant and AG research and development operations.

“It’s a great exercise in democracy when employees vote on their terms and conditions of employment. This is a right only unionized employees have,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “Thanks to the GSU bargaining committee for their hard work and thanks union members for their support and participation in the vote.”

Wagner reports that with agreement renewal bargaining resolved, closer attention will be given to addressing the scope of the union’s bargaining unit with CPS in Saskatchewan.

GSU’s scholarship committee preparing to meet, choose this year’s scholarship recipients

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The June 1 deadline for receipt of scholarship applications has passed, and GSU staff are preparing the applications for submission to the scholarship committee.

In order to assist the scholarship committee in making their impartial decision, each eligible applicant’s essay is photocopied and all identifying items – such as names and location references – are removed. The essays are then assigned an identifying number and copies are forwarded to each GSU scholarship committee member.

Each committee member will have an opportunity to review applicant essays individually before meeting as a committee to discuss the essays and select scholarship recipients. When the scholarship recipients are chosen, the committee advises GSU staff of their decision and requests recipient names and contact information. Scholarship committee members personally notify recipients that they have been chosen and extend congratulations on behalf of the union and its members. It is anticipated that the committee will announce this year’s recipients in early July.

GSU’s 2016 scholarship committee comprises GSU president Jim Brown (Local 1), and GSU’s vice presidents Michelle Houlden (Local 5) and Brett North (Local 1).

Group of smart students in graduation gowns looking at camera

Group of smart students in graduation gowns looking at camera

 

SCHOLARSHIP FORMS: 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

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It takes a combination of hard work and educational funding for most students to achieve their goals.

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.
  • 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.
  • If there are no member scholarship applications, all five scholarships will be available to be awarded to eligible dependant applicants.
  • Students can apply every year.
  • Students will be awarded a maximum of one scholarship per lifetime.

Deadline for receipt of GSU scholarship applications is June 1, 2016.

Our scholarship committee will meet in June to determine the successful scholarship recipients and all scholarship applicants are advised of the committee’s decision shortly after it has been made.

Applicants may complete either the dependant or the member application form and return it to Grain and General Services Union with the following items:

  1. A letter of recommendation from a non-family member describing how the applicant’s participation in school, extra-curricular, and/or community activities make them a strong candidate for a GSU scholarship.
  2. A copy of a document from your training institute which confirms your registration.
  3. A two-page essay on the chosen topic for the year.

Scholarship application forms are available below or mailed directly to members upon request.  Availability of the forms will be announced is announced on the website, email, and GSU newsletter in March of every calendar year.

Related information:

Be sure to document problems you have in the workplace

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A member was having ongoing issues with a co-worker. With advice from staff rep Steve Torgerson, the member had been addressing the problem directly and keeping written notes about the problems that had occurred and how the problem had been dealt with. The member also continued to check in with GSU to relay events and document problems and progress with Steve.

It’s important to document problems you have in the workplace.

“Your memory gets fuzzy so it never hurts to keep track of things in writing or by documenting an incident in an email or phone call with your staff rep,” Torgerson advises. “Your notes or your staff rep’s notes may even be called as evidence to back up your story, and notes are given much stronger consideration than someone’s memory.”

If you want to discuss a workplace situation or learn more about how and when you should keep notes, contact your GSU staff rep.

Just want advice? GSU can help. If you need advice or ideas about how to handle a workplace situation, call your GSU staff rep. GSU toll-free:  1.866.522.6686 (Regina) or 1.855.384.7314 (Saskatoon). Contacting GSU doesn’t mean you are obligated to file a grievance and we won’t contact your employer or act on your behalf without consultation, direction, and approval from you.

SURVEY: Intimate partner violence and its impact in the workplace

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The Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS) is working with survivors, advocates, unions and employers to raise awareness of the impact of intimate partner violence (also known as domestic violence) on the workplace. As part of their project they are conducting a survey of Saskatchewan workers to explore their experience of intimate partner violence and it how it impacted them at work.

There is mounting evidence that the impact of intimate partner violence on workers and workplaces is significant.

In 2009, intimate partner violence (IPV) cost female employees $20,943,599.  The economic impact of IPV against females on the output of employers was estimated at $6,194,356. Further, the total economic impact of IPV against females on employers due to tardiness and distraction is estimated to be $44,858,528 (Zhang, Hoddenbagh, McDonald & Scrim, 2013).

The cost of violence against women in Canada – including health care, criminal justice, social services, lost wages and productivity – has been estimated at $4.2-billion annually, according to the Canadian Women’s Foundation” (Globe and Mail, January 2013).

Specific language on IPV is making its way into Occupational Health and Safety Legislation in some Canadian jurisdictions. Employers have a duty to safeguard their employees. There is an increasing recognition that employers should have a policy against IPV and should address the problem in employment contracts and workplace policies.

Saskatchewan has the unfortunate distinction of having the highest per capita rate of intimate partner violence, sexual assault and intimate partner homicide among the Canadian provinces.

It’s time for a culture shift. Will you be part of the change?

PATHS is asking workers in Saskatchewan to take part in their survey. It will take about 15 minutes to complete.

 The Survey Link is available here. 

If you have questions about the survey or would like to become involved in the PATHS project, contact Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan using the information below:

paths@sasktel.net
Phone : 306.522.3515
Fax : 306.522.0830
www.pathssk.org

Source: Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan