The bargaining committee comprises Michelle Houlden, Laurie Michalycia, Donna Driediger (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU staff) and Hugh Wagner (bargaining co-spokesperson/GSU staff).
Local 5 (Western Producer) members overwhelmingly reject employer offer
Tuesday Members’ Member – Feb. 21, 2023
The ballots were counted on Feb. 16 and the overwhelming majority of Local 5 members who cast ballots (95.83%) voted to reject their employer’s offer to settle agreement renewal collective bargaining with the Western Producer.
Twenty-four of the 30 members of Local 5 voted, and 23 voted to reject the employer’s offer. Union members voted on the heels of an employer effort to sell the offer at a staff meeting held the same day as it was communicated to the Local 5 bargaining committee. GSU has advised that in the union’s view the employer’s actions constitute an unfair labour practice.
GSU has submitted notice of a collective bargaining impasse to Saskatchewan’s Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety pursuant to section 6-33 of Part VI of the Saskatchewan Employment Act. Such notice normally leads quickly to the conciliation/mediation process provided in the Act.
In this instance, however, GSU has received notice that the employer is challenging the applicability of the Saskatchewan Employment Act basis an allegation that the bargaining relationship with the Western Producer is the result of a voluntary recognition as opposed to a certification order issued by the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (SLRB).
“GSU is contesting the employer’s position and will take legal steps to have the matter sorted out,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “The members of Local 5 have shown remarkable solidarity and determination in response and we will move forward together buoyed by their strong stance.”
Further updates will follow as developments occur.
Check your email for an important update
Feb. 17, 2023
An email update was sent to GSU Local 5 members at 3:45 PM on Feb. 17. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.
Members to Meet Feb. 16
Feb. 14, 2023 – Tuesday Members’ Memo
Local 5 members will meet on Feb. 16 to discuss the current state of negotiations between the parties. They will receive a report on the most recent offer by management and be given an opportunity to provide feedback.
We do not have a tentative settlement at this time but there will be discussion surrounding voting and the ability to move the process to impasse where a mediator may be appointed to assist the parties in finding a common resolution.
We encourage all members to attend this important meeting to ensure their voice is heard.
We’ve reached out to the employer about resuming bargaining
Jan. 17, 2023 Tuesday Members’ Memo
GSU has reached out to the employer to resume bargaining. We will provide an update when it occurs.
GSU’s bargaining committee will soon lose a member as long-term Local 5 member Sharlene Lark is moving on to different pastures and will no longer be an employee of WPP. In addition to being a bargaining committee member, Sharlene has served on your Local 5 executive as president and vice president where she always had the best interest of GSU members at heart. Sharlene will be missed and we thank her for her dedication to the service of the membership and we wish her well in her new endeavours.
Local 5 membership meets to evaluate, assess agreement renewal bargaining
Jan. 10, 2023 Tuesday Members’ Memo
Local 5 members will meet Jan. 11, 2023 to evaluate and assess the current standings of negotiations. Your GSU bargaining committee is committed to the process and appreciates the input from the membership.
Management and your committee last met on December 16, 2022 and no further dates have been set to resume bargaining.
Second round of negotiations held Nov. 18, 2022; next session set for Dec. 2
Nov. 18, 2022 email to Local 5 members
Your local 5 bargaining team met with company representatives on Nov. 18.
We have exchanged revised bargaining proposals but remain significantly apart on key issues. Because the bargaining is ongoing and we’re tentatively scheduled to meet again on Dec. 2, we’re not in a position to disclose details yet.
Please know we continue to push at the bargaining table for fair wages and good working conditions for our members. We have heard you speak and we ask for your continued support as we try to reach a settlement with your employer. We will update you when we have more concrete news to report.
Bargaining begins
The two sides met via video conference on Nov. 14. Your GSU Local 5 committee presented revised proposals to the employer who are considering same and will respond during the next bargaining session on Nov. 18.