Author Archives: Grain and General Services Union

Notice of Vote on Tentative Settlement of Agreement Renewal Bargaining – GSU Local 15 (CPS – Saskatchewan)

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The following information is available here as a PDF format.

 

NOTICE OF VOTE
On Tentative Settlement
of Agreement Renewal Bargaining
GSU Local 15 (CPS – Saskatchewan)

May 13, 2016

GSU Local 15 Members (CPS Saskatchewan),

This is notice that GSU members employed by CPS in Saskatchewan will soon be able to vote on the tentative settlement of agreement renewal bargaining reached on April 22, 2016 between the union and company.

The tentative settlement is subject to approval by GSU members and CPS.

Each union member is entitled to vote on the tentative settlement. The question on the ballot is as follows:

I have reviewed the terms of the April 22, 2016 tentative collective bargaining settlement between GSU and CPS and I approve same as the basis for renewing the collective agreement between the employer and my union. __X__

I have reviewed the terms of the April 22, 2016 tentative collective bargaining settlement between GSU and CPS. I reject same. ___X__

Recognizing that this is an extremely busy time of year for all members, a mail-in ballot system will be used to enable each member to vote on the tentative bargaining settlement.

GSU’s administration is sending settlement information, including copies of this notice, to each Ag retail branch and seed plant in the union bargaining unit. An information package will also be sent to Brian Cowan for distribution to members working in Ag R&D.

The GSU voters’ list will be based on the latest union dues remittance provided by CPS. A ballot and voting instructions will be mailed to the home mailing address of each member on the voters’ list.

When you receive your ballot via Canada Post please mark your choice and place the ballot inside the small unmarked envelope which you will also receive. Then place the envelope containing your ballot inside the larger self-addressed/postage-paid envelope and mail it to GSU.

The deadline for ballots to be returned will be three weeks from the date GSU mails the ballots to members on the voters’ list. The return deadline will be identified in the voting instructions accompanying the ballots mailed to members. It will also be announced by email and advertised on GSU’s web site.

Members who do not receive a ballot and voting instructions at their home are asked to call GSU toll-free at 1.866.522.6686 to rectify the situation.

GSU’s Local 15 bargaining committee is recommending approval of the April 22, 2016 tentative settlement with CPS. If a majority of members voting approve the tentative settlement, a renewed collective agreement will be finalized. If a majority of members voting reject the tentative settlement, the Local 15 bargaining committee will invite the Company to return to the bargaining table and/or serve notice of a collective bargaining dispute under the provisions of the Saskatchewan Employment Act.

Hugh Wagner, Bargaining Committee Spokesperson
ON BEHALF OF GSU LOCAL 15 BARGAINING COMMITTEE

BARGAINING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Carolyn Illerbrun, Brian Cowan, Brent Pelechaty, Lynn Woods-Nordin and Hugh Wagner

 

Questions? Comments? Concerns?
Contact a bargaining committee member directly by calling the GSU Regina office at 1.866.522.6686, or email bargaining committee spokesperson Hugh Wagner at gsu.regina@sasktel.net.

 

Background information:

Ballots counted – Locals 1 and 2 (Viterra) settlements approved

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The ballots cast by GSU members have been counted and the tentative agreement renewal bargaining settlements reached between Viterra and GSU on April 15, 2016 have been approved by a majority of union members who voted.

Steps will now be taken to amend the two collective agreements based on the terms of the bargaining settlement. As soon as that work is completed GSU will arrange for printing of collective agreement booklets for distribution to union members.

Thank you to all who voted and offered comments about the settlement. Thank you to GSU’s bargaining committee and staff for their hard work, and thank you to Viterra management for accommodating the GSU vote in the country operations and maintenance workplaces.

Background information:

LOCAL 15 (CPS) – Tentative settlement summary and report

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If an Article or section of an Article of the collective agreement is not mentioned in this report, it means there will not be any change to that Article or section as the case may be.

There are numerous grammatical and “housekeeping” changes to the collective agreement. These types of changes clarify the wording, but do not change rights.

There may be adjustments to the precise wording of some amendments to better capture the intent of the parties. Where these are occur, members will be informed.

A summary of the tentative agreement renewal bargaining settlement between GSU and Crop Production Services Canada covering Local 15 is available below.

Please note the tentative settlement is subject to approval by GSU members. Next week, GSU will announce details of the plans for conducting the vote on the tentative settlement.

 

Are you getting the most from your performance evaluation?

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Many GSU members have already participated or are getting ready for their year-end performance evaluation.

Make sure you are giving your employer all the necessary information they should have from you.

Take the time to fill out the comments section of your self evaluation. This is your opportunity to present your case and provide a basis for what is discussed during your review. Don’t be shy! List the things you have done, what you have accomplished, and how you have gone above and beyond for your employer.

Be specific.

For example, if you work in a grain elevator,

  • Did you load railcars to specifications?
  • Did you load to collect an incentive for your employer or avoid a penalty?
  • Did you pitch in and help get the project done time?
  • How many weekends or other days of rest did you work?
  • Was there a customer that you made incredibly happy?

Write it down in your comments, and keep extra examples with you when you sit down for your review.

Not sure what to include in your comments?

GSU vice-president Jim Brown offers this hint.

“Talk wi th your co-workers about filling in your comments and create a discussion in the workplace. Don’t be shy about asking them what they did and what they will be writing down,” Brown said. “A group discussion may help you recall some of your other contributions and achievements in the past year, and you may find your co-workers can remind you about times you went the extra mile and vice-versa.”

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Contact GSU as soon as you suspect you may have a grievance

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Recently one of our staff reps received a call from a member about a disciplinary action the member had received. Unfortunately it was past the the timeline in the collective agreement to file a grievance so our member was out of time to appeal the disciplinary action.

Don’t wait to contact the union with employment problems or problems in your workplace. It is important that members contact us prior to the timeline deadlines in their collective agreements.

Even if you aren’t sure you have a grievance or that you actually want to file one, talk to your GSU staff rep. Our staff reps can help you make an informed decision by explaining your options and the consequences of filing or not filing a grievance. In the end, whether you choose to file a grievance is a decision only you can make.

Check your collective agreement or contact your GSU staff rep for information on timelines for filing a grievance.

GSU helps sort things out. If you need advice or interpretation about the terms and conditions of your collective agreement, call your GSU staff rep. Contacting GSU does not mean you are obligated to file a grievance and we will not contact your employer or act on your behalf without consultation, direction, and approval from you.

Questions? Call our staff reps toll-free at 1.866.522.6686 (Regina) or 1.855.384.7314 (Saskatoon).

 

What do you know about March 8 – International Women’s Day?

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There are many reasons to celebrate the women of the world on March 8. The reasons we celebrate are as similar and as different as women themselves.

We celebrate to:

  • recognize that peace and social progress require the active participation and equality of women, and inequalities between women and men have serious consequences for the well-being of all people
  • acknowledge the contribution of women to international peace and security
  • reflect on the advancement and what is left to achieve in the struggle of women for their equality, peace, safety and development.

Read the following story online at www.internationalwomensday.com.

International Women’s Day 2014 Theme: INSPIRING CHANGE

Women’s equality has made positive gains but the world is still unequal. International Women’s Day celebrates the social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing world attention on areas requiring further action.

Inspiring Change is the 2014 theme for our internationalwomensday.com global hub and encourages advocacy for women’s advancement everywhere in every way. It calls for challenging the status quo for women’s equality and vigilance inspiring positive change.

The vast array of communication channels, supportive spokespeople, equality research, campaigns and corporate responsibility initiatives means everyone can be an advocate inspiring change for women’s advancement.

Each year International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. The first International Women’s Day was held in 1911. Thousands of events occur to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. Organisations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women’s groups, corporations and the media celebrate the day.

Some groups select their own International Women’s Day theme, specific to their local context. For example, the European Parliament’s 2013 theme was “Women’s response to the crisis” and their 2012 theme “Equal pay for work of equal value”.

The United Nations declares an annual theme*:

– 2013: A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women
– 2012: Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty
– 2011: Equal access to education, training and science and technology
– 2010: Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all
– 2009: Women and men united to end violence against women and girls
– 2008: Investing in Women and Girls
– 2007: Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls
– 2006: Women in decision-making
– 2005: Gender Equality Beyond 2005: Building a More Secure Future
– 2004: Women and HIV/AIDS
– 2003: Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals
– 2002: Afghan Women Today: Realities and Opportunities
– 2001: Women and Peace: Women Managing Conflicts
– 2000: Women Uniting for Peace
– 1999: World Free of Violence against Women
– 1998: Women and Human Rights
– 1997: Women at the Peace Table
– 1996: Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future
– 1975: United Nations recognizes International Women’s Day.

*Saskatchewan’s theme for 2014 is “Communities in Action:  Ending Violence Against Women and Girls”.

 

We can do it!

We can do it!

“An artist named J. Howard Miller first created the powerful “We Can Do It” image in 1942 as part of a defense industry campaign. That year, companies decided they were willing to hire women for their war production. To promote this, employers and government started a huge promotion to attract female workers.

In 1943, Norman Rockwell’s version of Rosie appeared in the Saturday Evening Post. Rockwell was the most popular illustrator in the USA, and when his drawing was published on the cover, millions of issues were sold all over the nation, boosting the Rosie myth. Soon the press picked up the story of Rose Hickey who was the record holder riveter at the TBM Avenger plant.”  ~ www.vector1.com