Author Archives: Grain and General Services Union

GSU members and staff attended the annual Sask. Federation of Labour’s OH&S conference last week

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The act and regulations regarding OH&S were born in Saskatchewan 50 years ago.

Since then, Canada and many other countries have come to Saskatchewan to observe and adopt our laws and regulations regarding OH&S.

To learn more about GSU’s contribution CLICK HERE.

Among the GSU attendees staff rep Brian Lark who chose the Saskatchewan Employment Act and Regulations Regarding OH&S class.

“As great as it was to see so many safety-orientated people, it was disheartening to hear that a safe workplace didn’t always seem to be the main priority for all employers,” Lark said. “Too many participants confirmed that the employer didn’t always follow the rules and regulations when it came to safety, the committees, and the employee contributions to safety.”

“The right to safe workplaces is a right that we are all entitled to and one that we all must participate in,” Lark continued. “If you see unsafe work, say something. If you are involved in an unsafe situation, speak up. If you are unsure if your workplace has a committee or if you want to know more about the rules and regulations regarding safety in your workplace, ask a shop steward, your manager or Human Resources.”

“The only way to effect change is to hold ourselves and our employers responsible for safety. Saskatchewan was the birthplace of safety laws and regulations, but we continually lead the country in workplace injuries and fatalities,” Lark concluded. “We need to make safety top of mind for everyone and ensure all workers go home in the same or better condition than they arrived at work.” 

The newly-printed Local 14 (Richardson) collective agreements are now in the hands of GSU members

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The new collective agreement booklets have been printed and they were sent to GSU Local 14 members by bulk mail last week. If you have not received your agreement booklet – or if more booklets are needed at your workplace – don’t hesitate to contact your GSU staff representative.

The agreement is also available to view or print from GSU’s web page at GSU.ca.

Local 14 (Richardson) collective agreements are on their way to members

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The new Local 14 agreements have been mailed in bulk to members at their workplaces. Watch for yours by early next week.

Your collective agreement included information on working conditions such as hours of work and overtime pay, leave of absence provisions, vacations, general holidays, seniority, transfers, resignation, termination, protection against arbitrary disciplinary action, access to your personnel file and much more. Take an opportunity to familiarize yourself with your new agreement and don’t hesitate to contact a GSU staff rep if you have any questions.

 

Congratulations to our 2022 GSU scholarship recipients

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It’s September and everyone is back at school, including our five scholarship recipients.

Each year 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.

Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients and thank you to GSU scholarship committee members Jim Brown (GSU president), Michelle Houlden (GSU vice president) and Sheila Tran (GSU vice president) for their work reviewing scholarship essays and selecting our recipients.

GSU 2022 GSU scholarship recipients

 

dependent scholarship

Josephine Burgess-Leon

Dependent of GSU Local 9 (Trouw) member Roger Leon

Psychology Bachelor of Arts, University of Fraser Valley

dependent scholarship

Aden Kearns

Dependent of GSU Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) member Raelee Kearns

Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Regina

member scholarship

Jordyn Kramer

GSU Local 15 (Nutrien) member

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness, University of Saskatchewan

dependent scholarship

Orlin Pratt

Dependent of Local 5 (Western Producer) member
Sean Pratt

Bachelor of Commerce, University of Saskatchewan

member scholarship

Matthew Rapin

GSU Local 16 (Lake Country Co-op) member

Bachelor of Science, Keyano College

 

 

Happy Labour Day, workers! Join the labour-movement-sponsored celebrations in Regina, Saskatoon and Moose Jaw on Sept. 5

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Labour Day is a day to celebrate workers. Join your local Labour Day celebrations in Regina, Saskatoon and Moose Jaw!

Regina – Labour Day Family Picnic

Join the Regina and District Labour Council, the Saskatchewan Building Trades, Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, and Regina trade unions to celebrate Labour Day! Free food, entertainment, and fun. Bring your family and friends!

Date: Monday, September 5
Time: 11:30 AM- 3:30 PM
Location: Pat Fiacco Plaza (City Square Plaza) on the North side of Victoria Park in downtown Regina.
Click here for more information   [Facebook link]

Saskatoon – Labour Day BBQ

Join the Saskatoon and District Labour Council for a free community BBQ.

Date: Monday, September 5
Time: 11:30 AM- 1:30 PM
Location: Victoria Park (by Riversdale Pool), Saskatoon

Moose Jaw – Labour Day BBQ

Join the Moose Jaw and District Labour Council for a free community BBQ.

Date: Monday, September 5
Time: 11:30 AM until the food runs out
Location: 1402 Caribou Street, Moose Jaw
Click here for more information   [Facebook link]

GSU’s executive committee met Aug. 31

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GSU’s executive committee met Aug. 31 to review union administration, finances and applications received for the general secretary position. They also discussed arrangements for the autumn 2022 Joint Executive Council meeting and the 2023 GSU biennial policy convention.

The executive committee is comprised of Jim Brown (president), Michelle Houlden (vice president) and Sheila Tran (vice president). The executive committee is responsible for overseeing GSU administration and finances between meetings of the union’s Joint Executive Council (board of directors). GSU’s general secretary is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the union and reports to the executive committee.

It’s important to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st

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The most recent Regina Police Commission report shows that in 2022 more than 10 lives have been lost each month in Regina alone.

Take a careful look at the pictures of loved ones who have been lost – think of them, and think of those who are missing them (collage provided by the Canadian network of families Moms Stop The Harm).

Join today’s Regina event at the Mâmawêyatitân Centre, 3355 6th Avenue, Regina – 3PM to 5PM to Remember and to Prevent.

  • MEMORY PATH – display a picture of loved ones who have been lost (place a ribbon/flower in memory of those lost and remember)
  • PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL DANCERS, SINGERS, MUSICIANS
  • SHARE IN A MEAL (all welcome – no cost, donations welcome to be used for 2023 event)
  • NALOXONE TRAINING
  • EDUCATION AND AWARENESS TABLES
  • TAKE WHAT YOU NEED AND LEAVE THE REST TABLE

Wagner to attend meeting with Sask. Minister of Highways

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GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner will attend a roundtable meeting this evening with Saskatchewan’s new Minister of Highways and Transportation, Hon. Jeremy Cockrill.

Hosted by the Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC), the meeting will also include senior executives from BHP Canada Inc., Canpotex, CN Rail, Great Western Railway, South West Terminals, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Viterra as well as the president and vice president of WESTAC. The purpose of the meeting is to bring different perspectives to the Minister in relation to strategic issues in the supply chain network.

“GSU has been a member of WESTAC since 1978 and it provides the union with a unique opportunity to represent the interests of union members in a forum of senior transportation leaders and government policy makers,” said Wagner. “President Jim Brown and I are GSU’s representatives to WESTAC and we’ve used the many opportunities it provides to present the case for a more worker-friendly transportation system in western Canada.”

WESTAC is comprised of representation from the governments of the four western provinces, Transport Canada and an array of business and union representatives from significant actors in the supply chain system.

Remember to *get even* with those who do right by you

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When someone does us wrong, there is definitely temptation to seek revenge or a find a way to get even. But what about when someone does right by us? 

Everyone enjoys being appreciated or acknowledged for something they have done for the benefit of others. So whether it’s your neighbour, co-worker, fellow committee or family member, make the time to *get even* with someone who has made an effort to make your life a little bit better or easier. The subject of your appreciation will feel happy and appreciated when they hear from you, and you will likely find that brightens your day, too. 

GSU JOB POSTING: General Secretary

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 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:

MENTAL HEALTH: Struggling with stress and anxiety in 2022

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By GSU staff rep Donna Driediger

So many people are struggling these days. Post-COVID, many of us are still trying to remember or find what brings us joy.

The world has changed over the past 2.5 years. Things slowed down with the lock down and that shook many of us into new thought patterns. Parents who weren’t teachers before COVID were suddenly responsible for home-schooling. We weren’t chefs but were eating at home, sourcing COVID cookbooks and heading-up pioneer bread-making marathons during a yeast shortage. We started to think maybe this was the slow down we needed to put us in touch with what was important, but depression and anxiety rates are through the roof. Why?

As we try to regain our new normal the world is continuing to erupt around us. Wars, school shootings, convoys, abortion rights make it easy to feel doomed and like some of our politicians, media outlets and law makers are contributing to our feelings of frustration and being sidelined.

When we are scared, depressed, and fearful we are more easily manipulated. You can take back control.

As someone who struggles with depression, I encourage you to change your algorithm in your Facebook, TikTok, Twitter feeds and try to actively search out happy stories. Listen to upbeat music, turn off the news when it becomes too much and spend some time in nature. It doesn’t make everything go away, but it helps.

The services of Donna Driediger and our other staff representatives are provided to you as part of your union dues and there is never an additional charge for assisting you. Contact your GSU staff rep for assistance. 

 

WE’RE WORKING ON IT: Severance pay grievance moved to arbitration, date set

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An arbitration date has been set for Sept. 29 and 30 for the grievance of a member who is contesting the amount of severance pay they are entitled to under the collective agreement with their employer.

The employee’s position was eliminated at the end of May and a dispute arose as to the proper calculation of severance pay. The employee and GSU are arguing it should be substantially more than the amount offered by the employer. A grievance was filed and made its way through the grievance procedure without being resolved. Ultimately, GSU referred the grievance to arbitration where the dispute will be heard and the outcome decided by an arbitrator agreed to by the employer and GSU.

“Access to arbitration of employment disputes is unique to employees represented by a union,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “This is a service provided to members as part of the representation they receive by being unionized. GSU consistently makes very effective use of the grievance/arbitration process on behalf of employees represented by the union.”

Our services are provided to you as part of your union dues and there is never an additional charge for assisting you. Contact your GSU staff rep for assistance. 

Join us in welcoming Rebecca – our new accounting and payroll administrator at GSU

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GSU staff numbers went up by one when Rebecca Forness began work at our Regina office on July 4. Rebecca is filling a position formerly occupied by Debbie Head who left the union in February.

Working in a small office offers unique challenges and an opportunity to wear many hats that you don’t often find working for larger employers.

Rebecca will be responsible for administering GSU’s day-to-day financial operations and accounting systems, including bookkeeping, accounts payable and receivable, banking, payroll requirements and related reports as well as being our key point of contact in our annual financial audit. She is also tasked with processing dues payments, preparing year-to-date documents, financial projections as well as year-end financial statements.

GSU members submitting expense claims will also be assisted by Rebecca.

You can reach Rebecca at 306.522.6680 or Rebecca@gsu.ca.

Local 14 (Richardson) delegates hold post-bargaining debrief, plan for increased member involvement

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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.”

Local 1 and 2 (Viterra) members can expect to receive a bargaining survey, soon

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The current Local 1 (Operations/Maintenance) and Local 2 (Head Office) collective agreements with Viterra are set to expire Oct. 31. That means GSU members in these locals can anticipate our requests for input to help prepare for the upcoming negotiating process that determines their pay, rights and working conditions.

The first item Local 1 and 2 members can expect to receive is a bargaining survey. Elected officers at our June 23/24 delegates meeting are finalizing the survey and we anticipate sending it to members soon.

“If you are a GSU member working for Viterra, this is the perfect time to contact us with your preferred email address,” said GSU staff rep Mason Van Luven. “That way we can be certain everyone has an opportunity to participate in the survey and share their thoughts.”