Category Archives: general interest – GSU members
Congratulations to our 2021 GSU scholarship recipients
Our scholarship committee met last week to select this year’s GSU scholarship recipients. Congratulations to these five deserving students: Joel George – $2,000 Dependent Scholarship Taylor Quest – $2,000 Dependent Scholarship Leah Weinkauf – $2,000 Dependent Scholarship Mark Graeme – $2,000 Member Scholarship Amy … Continue reading
Renovations continue at the GSU Regina office building
The stucco work has come to a halt while we await the arrival and installation of new windows. Roughly 80 percent of the building has been covered in a scratch coat, with the final 20 percent awaiting window installation before … Continue reading
Too hot to work? Too cold to work? Here’s what you need to know about working in extreme conditions in Saskatchewan
GSU members can face many weather-related challenges, whether it’s working in a confined space in the heat of the summer months or diving into frigid water in the winter. If you work anywhere other than a climate controlled office, check … Continue reading
Grievance action results in pay boosts for several GSU members working in Local 1 (Viterra)
Persistence has paid off for several GSU members working in Viterra country operations and maintenance. They will soon see pay boosts as a result of GSU grievance action on their behalf. The grieving members questioned the fairness of their rates … Continue reading
Canada Day 2021 – What is the appropriate and respectful way to celebrate … or should we be celebrating at all?
There has been considerable debate about Canada Day celebrations. The tragic discoveries of unmarked graves at Canada’s Residential Schools sites has left many of us unsure how to appropriately and respectfully celebrate Canada Day, and if Canada Day … Continue reading
There have been staff responsibility changes at GSU. You can check them out here.
The retirement of GSU staff rep Dale Markling has spurred a number of changes to staffing assignments and a redistribution of responsibilities for member service locations for the remaining staff. A list of the current locals/sub-locals with locations and GSU … Continue reading
The newly-signed Local 15 (Nutrien) collective agreement booklets are being distributed to members
If you are a Local 15 (Nutrien) member you can expect to receive a copy of your newly-signed collective agreement booklet soon. GSU staff reps are working through their spring visitation schedule and they are distributing agreements as they go. … Continue reading
It’s our anniversary! Or is it our birthday? Either way, GSU is 85 years old
According to GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner, June 6 marked the 85th anniversary of GSU. “The union was founded by country elevator and Regina head office employees of Saskatchewan Wheat Pool in 1936 at the height of the Great Depression,” … Continue reading
Discovery brings sadness
“The discovery of the remains of 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School struck me with a profound sense of shock, sadness and shame,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “This is a horrific reminder of the genocide … Continue reading
GSU staff responsibilities reassigned as Dale Markling’s retirement draws closer
You will soon hear the voice of a different staff representative when you call GSU’s Saskatoon office for assistance. On June 7 our Saskatoon office and toll-free numbers will be rerouted to Regina where you can speak to staff representatives … Continue reading
Are you being pressured to take time off?
Recently a number of members have contacted GSU to inquire about their rights with respect to banked overtime. Apparently, the individuals were being pressured by local management to take time off instead of being paid out or waiting for a … Continue reading
Long-term GSU supporter, officer, and friend Brett North is retiring April 30
On April 30, 2021 GSU will be saying farewell to Brett North who is retiring as an Assistant Manager at Viterra’s Moose Jaw terminal after 29 years’ service. Brett recently stepped down as a GSU vice president after five years’ … Continue reading
Car loading, hours of work issues raised at WESTAC roundtable
GSU general secretary Wagner attended a virtual roundtable with Saskatchewan’s Ministers of Highways and Agriculture on March 31. The roundtable meeting was hosted by the Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC) and provided an opportunity for transportation industry players to present … Continue reading
April 7, 2021 is the day the average Canadian female worker’s earnings since Jan. 1, 2020 match their male co-worker’s earnings for the 2020 calendar year
It’s finally here. April 7 is Equal Pay Day in Canada April 7, 2021 is the day the average Canadian female worker’s earnings since Jan. 1, 2020 match their male co-worker’s earnings for the 2020 calendar year. You read that … Continue reading
The Saskatchewan government introduced a three-hour leave for employees to get COVID-19 vaccination
The Government of Saskatchewan announced that effective March 18, 2021, workers are entitled to three consecutive hours leave during work hours to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Workers do not lose any pay or other benefits while receiving their first COVID-19 … Continue reading