Category Archives: CPS|Agrium

CPS NON-UNION REPRESENTATION VOTE: Results, ballots counted February 3

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Results of the Representation Vote 

On February 3 the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (SLRB) counted the ballots cast by CPS non-union operations employees on the question of being represented by GSU.

GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner attended the counting of the ballots as the union’s scrutineer. He reports that the majority of ballots cast were against being included in the union bargaining unit and being represented by GSU.

Although disappointed with the results of the vote, GSU accepts and respects the decision of the majority. We appreciated the opportunity to present the case for union representation.

We welcome continued communication and the possibility to work for your support in the future.

 

Background information can be found on GSU’s web page here and elsewhere on GSU’s web page.

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.

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).

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.

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:

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.