Job posting: GSU General Secretary

The Joint Executive Council of Grain and General Services Union (ILWU Canada) has approved advertising for recruitment to the position of general secretary, the chief executive officer of the union, which will be vacated with the retirement of the current incumbent at the end of March 2023. A copy of the job description for the position can be viewed and downloaded here or by using the link at the bottom of this posting.

This is an out-of-scope position which will be covered by an employment contract. The salary range and benefit information is provided along with the job description. Competitive benefits and working conditions are provided.

Interested candidates are asked to submit their applications and resumes to GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner at Hugh@gsu.ca.

The deadline for submitting applications is Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

Following the close of the application period, GSU’s Executive Committee will conduct interviews with selected candidates. 

The hiring/recruitment committee is charged with the responsibility of making a hiring recommendation to the JEC.

Related:

• GSU general secretary job description (as at July 27, 2022)

Delegates from GSU Local 14 met in Regina on June 22 and 23 for a post-bargaining debrief, union education and the delegates annual meeting.

The first session of the meeting focused on agreement renewal bargaining and the recent settlement with Richardson Pioneer wherein a majority of Local 14 members narrowly accepted a final offer from the employer. The delegates had a frank discussion about the recent bargaining experience and the response by members at their locations. Based on the discussion, the meeting began to lay out a plan for strengthening members’ engagement and representation over the balance of the new collective agreement term as well as building a foundation for a strong collective bargaining response to issues confronting members.

Day two of the meeting focused on building capacity for delegates and GSU to offer improved representation to Local 14 members. The annual meeting portion of the gathering resulted in the election of Jerid Clark (White City) and Curtis Shiels (Melville) to be Local 14’s representatives on GSU’s Joint Executive Council (board of directors).

On the afternoon of June 23, delegates from Locals 1 (Viterra Operations and Maintenance) and Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) joined the assembly for a joint education session focused on conflict resolution and effective communication.

“Meetings such as this are an integral part of GSU’s commitment to workplace democracy,” said GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson. “Gathering representatives from the various locations and Locals to share their experiences and get to know one another is vital to maintaining a representative and responsive union.”

Working in the heat and humidity can have serious consequences.

Working with high temperature is not limited to work outside. Working indoors near a heat source without adequate ventilation could also put you at risk for heat-related medical conditions. Whether you are outside or inside, the hotter and more humid your surroundings the more breaks you need to take.

There are different levels of risk when working in higher temperatures and they all have their own symptoms. 

Heat rash
Heat rash and sunburn are the entry level medical concerns when working outside. A heat rash is often a cluster of small red bumps/blisters. They often form on the neck, chest, groin area or the creased in the elbow. The remedy is to stay in a cool dry place, keep the rash dry and use baby powder to sooth the rash.

Sunburn
We have all experienced a sunburn or know someone who has. Sunburns can range from a reddening of the skin to blisters. The area will be warm to the touch and can be extremely painful. If you do get burned stay out of the sun as much as possible and cover the skin if you have to work outside. Apply cool cloths or take a cool bath to help remove the heat. Once the skin is cooled down put on a moisturizing lotion and do not break open the blisters. Open sores can become infected and lead to different complications.

Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion symptoms include profuse sweating, cold, pale, clammy skin; a fast weak pulse, and often nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, tiredness or weakness, dizziness, headache and even fainting spells. If you or someone you are observing exhibit these symptoms, move to a cool place out of the sun. Loosen tight clothing (untuck shirt, undo a couple of buttons, loosen belt and boots) and use cool cloths or a cool bath to bring down body temperature. Sip water but avoid drinking lots of water at once as it will add to the nausea feelings. You should seek medical attention if you vomit, symptoms get worse or last longer than an hour.

Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is the most serious condition from working in high temperature areas. The body will be exhibiting fever like symptoms. A body temperature of 103 degrees or higher. Skin is hot, red, and damp to dry. You stop sweating and exhibit a fast strong pulse. Headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and fainting spells. If you experience these symptoms immediately call 911. Move the person to a cooler place and try to lower the temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath. Do not give them anything to drink the body will not accept it in this condition and the person will vomit.

Use these tips to keep yourself safe:

• Put on clothing to keep the skin covered.
• Use a high-SPF sunscreen on any exposed areas and wear a hat to help shield your body and head from the sun.
• Drink lots of cool or room temperature water to keep hydrated. Ice cold water may cause stomach cramps and coffee will increase internal body temperature so neither are a preferred choice of fluids during heat exposure.
• Alcohol and sugary drinks are also not a wise choice as they are diuretics and increase dehydration.
• Take breaks away from the heat, preferably in the shade or inside an air-conditioned building.

Click the table below to see a larger-size Canada OH&S table regarding high temperature work and humidity rating.

Unite Here – local 41 members who work at the Super 8 in Moose Jaw have been locked out since March 3 and they need  our help and support.

 The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour and the Moose Jaw and District Labour Council are sponsoring a solidarity picket on June 23 at 4:30 p.m. at the Super 8 – 1706 Main Street N. in Moose Jaw.

Your attendance and sharing of this post with others will be greatly appreciated.

The 2021/2022 Annual Report to GSU members by the union’s Joint Executive Council (board of directors) is available to be read and/or downloaded.

• 2021/2022 Annual Report of GSU’s Joint Executive Council

The Annual Report contains important information for GSU members about the business of your union, including the 2021 audited financial statements. GSU prides itself on practicing democracy and transparent administration on behalf of the union’s members.

Reports were recently distributed to members during our spring visitations, but members wanting a hard copy of the report can call 1.866.522.6686 or send an email request to gsu@gsu.ca.

If you have questions, comments or concerns about this report, don’t hesitate to contact a Joint Executive Council member or your GSU staff representative.

GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner will attend the annual meeting of the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (SLRB) in Regina on May 25.

The SLRB was first established in 1944 to administer the Trade Union Act of Saskatchewan which was the first comprehensive legislation in Canada recognizing the right of workers to belong to and be represented by the union of their choosing. The SLRB is a quasi-judicial body comprised of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson and twenty part-time board members. Wagner is one of the ten part-time SLRB members representing workers along with another ten part-time board members representing employers.

Currently the SLRB is primarily responsible for administering Part VI of the Saskatchewan Employment Act which replaced the Trade union Act in 2014. Amongst its mandates the SLRB has exclusive jurisdiction to certify unions as the collective bargaining representative of workers whose employment falls under provincial jurisdiction in Saskatchewan.

The annual meeting of the SLRB oversees the board’s role in carrying out its mandates. Wagner was first appointed to the SLRB in 1995.