Dayne is the son of GSU Local 15 (Nutrien) member Robert Patterson. Dayne is registered at the University of King’s College where he is taking one year to complete his Master of Journalism.

Congratulations on being selected as a scholarship recipient, Dayne. We are happy to contribute toward your continued education and we wish you success in your future endeavours.

On behalf of the members, officers, and staff of Grain and General Services Union, we extend congratulations to our five recipients of a $2,000 GSU scholarship:

Tyler Buenneke – Dependent Scholarship recipient
Son of Local 1 (Viterra) member Mark Buenneke 

Dayne Patterson – Dependent Scholarship recipient
Son of Local 15 (Nutrien) member Robert Patterson 

Alexis Wood – Dependent Scholarship recipient
Daughter of Local 2 (Viterra Office) member Sheila Tran 

Ty Nikolejsin – Member Scholarship recipient
Local 15 (Nutrien) member 

Marc Rapin – Member Scholarship recipient
Local 16 (Lake Country Co-op) summer student. 

You can learn more about our GSU scholarship program here.

Thank you to GSU president Jim Brown, GSU vice president Brett North, and Joint Executive Council member/Local 15 president Brian Cowan for serving as our 2020 scholarship committee.

After meeting with Nutrien management for a total of 11 days spanning from Dec. 13, 2019 to Oct. 1, 2020, your GSU bargaining committee reached a tentative settlement subject to ratification.

Your Local 15 bargaining committee recommends acceptance of this tentative settlement.   

Microsoft Teams meetings

In order to provide members with as much information as possible before they vote, we recently held two meetings via Microsoft Teams video conferencing. The teams video meetings were held as follows:

Thursday, October 15 – 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Monday, October 19 – 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  

Mail-in ballot

In recognition of COVID-19 public health guidelines, we are conducting the vote on the Memorandum of Settlement by postal ballot.

Your ballot, a copy of the bargaining report, a copy of the memorandum of settlement and an explanatory cover letter have been sent to you by mail. If you do not receive your information package by Oct. 23, contact the GSU office.

All ballots received at the GSU Regina office by 12:00 noon on Monday, Nov. 2 will be counted. The unmarked envelopes will be opened by GSU bargaining committee members in attendance to scrutinize the count.

GSU members and Nutrien will be advised of the results when the count is completed. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we utilize this alternative process to provide you with information and enable you to participate in this important vote.

Reports

• GSU Local 15 and Nutrien Ag Solutions – Oct. 1, 2020 Memorandum of Settlement [PDF]
• Local 15 bargaining settlement report [PDF]

If you are having problems opening the documents above, update your Adobe Reader or download the new free Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.

On Oct. 15 and 16, an arbitrator heard a GSU member’s seniority grievance over an employer’s selection decision in filling a vacancy to a position within the union bargaining unit.

The arbitration hearing in Regina was attended by the union member as well as GSU staff representative Donna Driediger and general secretary Hugh Wagner who acted as counsel for the union. Employer representatives and counsel were also in attendance.

Arbitration is one of the culminating steps to grievances submitted on behalf of union members in relation to workplace issues where there are allegations of violation of members’ rights under their collective agreements.

Final and binding grievance arbitration is a process for resolving workplace issues that is available only to workers represented by unions. GSU has a long history of providing grievance arbitration access at no cost to workers represented by the union.

If you need assistance or clarification on your rights, don’t hesitate to contact your GSU staff rep.

Need assistance? Just want advice? GSU can help. If you have questions about a problem or workplace issue, call us. Our services are provided to you as part of your union dues and there is no additional charge for assisting you.

The Works International Visual Arts Society has a project in Edmonton that is catching attention of passersby as little handmade dandelions are popping up in unusual locations throughout the city.

One purpose of the exhibit is to remind people that like the dandelion, they too can be persistent and resilient, and pop up to thrive in places that are hard for them to be. That message is particularly important in 2020 when we have been pushed into uncertain times and unusual situations.

So when you are struggling, remember the resilient, persistent dandelion. If a little yellow flower can break through the cracks and thrive, so can you.
The exhibit runs in Edmonton before moving on to another location. Learn more about the exhibit here:

• Are you seeing dandelions in unusual places in Edmonton? Here’s why
• The Exhibit: Monique Martin | Context Is Everything

This article has been printed for entertainment purposes. The views and opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of GSU, its members, officers, or staff.

SOURCE: Tuesday Members’ Memo – Oct. 13, 2020

A socially-distanced semi-annual meeting of GSU’s Joint Executive Council (JEC) was held in Regina on Oct. 8. Seven council members also participated remotely through Zoom.

The agenda of the meeting included reports on collective bargaining, GSU finances, the GSU Defense Fund, proposed amendments to the union constitution, union administration and the general secretary’s autumn report to members of the union.

The Council meeting approved resolutions to the 2020 annual meetings of GSU locals and sub-locals which propose to continue the additional dues being paid into the GSU Defense Fund and to amend the union’s constitution by moving GSU’s biennial policy convention to odd numbered years beginning with the March 2021 policy convention.

In addition, the Council unanimously approved a resolution to be submitted to the 2021 policy convention whereby the general secretary position would cease to be filled by election and would instead be filled by recruitment and hiring subject to approval by the JEC.

Council members also discussed potential processes for conducting annual meetings of GSU locals and sub-locals while adhering to public health orders and COVID-19 pandemic guidelines.

GSU’s Joint Executive Council is the union’s governing body between policy conventions and is comprised of elected representatives from GSU Locals.

A member’s position was reviewed and upgraded to reflect the greater level of responsibility that had become part of the job.

When general secretary Hugh Wagner inquired whether the upgrade would result in a raise for the affected member, the employer initially replied that since the employee’s current rate of pay was above the minimum salary of the new and higher grade, there would be no pay increase. Wagner advised the employer that recognition of the greater responsibility of the employee should translate into a pay increase, and that to not do so contradicted the so-called pay for performance system.

After a brief period of reconsideration, the employer advised GSU that the employee in question would receive a pay increase to coincide with the assignment of a higher salary grade to the position.

If you need assistance or clarification on your rights, don’t hesitate to contact your GSU staff rep.

Need assistance? Just want advice? GSU can help. If you have questions about a problem or workplace issue, call us. Our services are provided to you as part of your union dues and there is no additional charge for assisting you.

GSU’s Local 15 bargaining committee is happy to report that as a result of the bargaining session with company representatives on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 a tentative settlement has been reached.

A report has been sent to Local 15 members.

A password to the Memorandum of Settlement was included.

Bargaining session results in tentative settlement for Local 15 (Nutrien)

SOURCE: Tuesday Members’ Memo – Oct. 6, 2020

GSU’s Local 15 bargaining committee has reached a tentative settlement with Nutrien Ag Solutions (Canada) Inc. The two sides met in Regina on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, resulting in a memorandum of settlement.

Both parties are recommending ratification of the settlement.

A copy of the memorandum of settlement has been shared with GSU Local 15 members, and a full bargaining report, video conference meetings, and a mail-in ballot are being arranged. Details of the settlement will not be shared outside the Local until a ratification vote has been held later this month.

“On behalf of our bargaining committee, I want to thank Local 15 members for their support and patience through this process. It has been a long haul through bargaining to reach a tentative settlement. The members’ rejection of the initial company offer and our committee’s resolve to stand fast for guarantees sent a message that the company heard,” said Local 15 president Brian Cowan. “Our bargaining committee feels this contract will provide stability to Local 15 members for the long term, and provide a framework for future contracts.”

“If you are working too many hours or too many days in a row, check your collective agreement to find your maximum weekly work hours,” advises staff rep Steve Torgerson. “And if you aren’t on call, you don’t have to answer your phone or volunteer to work.”

“Working too much, being tired and overworked is a health and safety issue, so using the Employee and Family Assistance Plan or a company fatigue policy is also an option.”

If you need assistance or clarification on your rights, don’t hesitate to contact your GSU staff rep.

Need assistance? Just want advice? GSU can help. If you have questions about a problem or workplace issue, call us. Our services are provided to you as part of your union dues and there is no additional charge for assisting you.

Staff rep Donna Driediger helped a member who was having trouble getting overtime paid appropriately when the workplace manager didn’t think it was fair that unionized staff received overtime pay when out-of-scope staff did not. 

Donna contacted company representatives and was able to resolve the situation with the member receiving their overtime pay and with clarification in the workplace going forward regarding collective agreement rights on overtime.

Need assistance? Just want advice? GSU can help. If you have questions about a problem or workplace issue, call us. Our services are provided to you as part of your union dues and there is no additional charge for assisting you.

GSU’s executive committee met in Regina Sept. 18 as preparations begin for GSU’s fall season of annual Local and Sub-Local meetings. The meeting was attended by president Jim Brown, vice presidents Michelle Houlden and Brett North, and general secretary Hugh Wagner.

The business of the meeting included:

• an update on GSU finances,
• review of the draft autumn 2020 general secretary’s report,
• plans for the GSU’s Joint Executive Council (board of directors) meeting on Oct. 8,
• the annual resolution on whether to continue the additional dues being paid into the GSU defense fund,
• a resolution to amend the union constitution by re-assigning policy conventions to odd-numbered years beginning in March 2021, and
• plans for the union’s 2021 policy convention. 

The president and two vice presidents are the three voting members of the executive committee. The committee meets as frequently as required to conduct the business of the union between meetings of the Joint Executive Council and policy conventions of union delegates.

Learn more about the Joint Executive Council here.

Executive committee, general secretary to meet Sept. 18

GSU’s executive committee will be meeting with general secretary Hugh Wagner in Regina next week. GSU’s president Jim Brown (Local 1 – Viterra) and two vice-presidents Michelle Houlden (Local 5 – Western Producer) and Brett North (Local 1 – Viterra) constitute the executive committee of the GSU.

One of the executive committee duties is to oversee the business of GSU and formulate policy between meetings of the Joint Executive Council. The executive committee is entitled to exercise the authority of the Joint Executive Council between meetings of the Council and such actions are carried out on an interim basis until they are confirmed at the Council’s next meeting.

Dates for the autumn meeting of the Joint Executive Council will be discussed on Sept. 18.

It’s time for your annual general membership meetings.

In addition to the usual union business – such as electing someone to represent workers in your Local – we’ve also got some constitutional amendments for your consideration and we need you to vote on whether you want to continue paying dues into the GSU Defense Fund.

The way we hold membership meetings will be different this autumn, and we’re busy figuring out exactly how to take care of business while keeping everyone safe during Covid.

If you have thoughts or suggestions on what type of meeting would work well for you, or if you have suggestions for agenda items at your meeting, contact your GSU staff rep.

The semi-annual meeting of the Joint Executive Council (JEC) is scheduled for Oct. 8 in Regina.

Your elected council members will have the option of tending to union business during a socially-distanced meeting in Regina or attending the meeting through video conference.

The meeting agenda will include the following items:

1.     Minutes of the April 3, 2020 meeting.
2.     Business arising from the minutes.
3.     Administration and financial update.
4.     General Secretary’s fall 2020 report.
5.     GSU leadership and succession planning.
6.     2021 convention planning.
7.     Annual membership meetings.
8.     Other business.

If you have items that you would like the council to address, please contact a member of the council or your GSU staff representative.

Tuesday Members’ Memo – Sept. 15, 2020

Bargaining meetings to conclude a new collective agreement for GSU Local 6 (Wild West Steelhead) members continues today in Lucky Lake.

When the parties last met there was significant distance between the two positions with the company wanting a number of concessions and the members wanting improvements to language, benefits and wages.

Bargaining will resume on Oct. 20.

Bargaining begins today in Lucky Lake

Tuesday Members’ Memo – Sept. 1, 2020

Bargaining got underway today in Lucky Lake, SK.

More bargaining dates are expected to be announced soon.

Still waiting for confirmation of dates to begin bargaining

Tuesday Members’ Memo – Aug. 25, 2020

We’re still waiting for confirmation on dates, but planning to meet Wild West Steelhead management for bargaining during the week of Aug. 31 to Sept. 4.

Bargaining meeting to be held June 29 for Local 6 (Wild West Steelhead) members

GSU web post – June 25, 2020

The heading pretty much says it all.

There will be a membership meeting on the evening of Monday, June 29, in Lucky Lake to finalize the bargaining proposals and elect a bargaining committee. Notice will be posted at the workplace advising of the details.

Read the Board’s decision here:
September 11 2020 SLRB 218 18 Reasons for Decision

In a decision released on Sept. 11 the Saskatchewan Labour Relation Board (SLRB) has ruled that Nutrien’s Ag Retail Outlets in Fielding, Kincaid and Norquay are in GSU’s bargaining unit. The SLRB decision also means that except for Ag Retail Managers all of the employees at the three locations are in the union bargaining unit.

GSU filed an application with the SLRB on Oct. 31, 2018 to include the three locations in the union bargaining unit. Nutrien opposed the application and the matter was heard by a panel of the SLRB on Dec. 5 and 6, 2019.

“Although it has taken quite a bit of time to get to this point, we are very pleased with the outcome,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “GSU has said the disputed locations are in the union from the get go and it’s always good to be vindicated.”

“While there is always a possibility the employer will seek to appeal the SLRB decision at the Court of Queen’s Bench, it is my sincere hope that Nutrien accepts the decision and moves on with GSU to implement the order,” Wagner said.

GSU will be communicating with the employees at the three locations. The full decision of the SLRB can be read on GSU’s web page by clicking here.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, contact your GSU staff rep.

GSU reps are often asked about postings and applying for jobs, and they offer the following advice.

• If you haven’t heard back about an application for a position, it’s okay to take an active role in the process by following up with an email a week or so after the job closes to check if you are getting an interview.
• If you get an interview it’s alright to show you are engaged and interested by asking your questions about the new role or the location.
• If you don’t get the job, it doesn’t hurt to follow up with a call or email asking what you can work on so you are in a better position to get the next position you apply for.

GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson has additional advice. “Even if it is an internal job, participate just as you would if the interviewer doesn’t know you. And always be polite.”

No question or concern is too small to raise with your GSU staff rep. If you have a topic you would like to see addressed in the Tuesday Member’s Memo, let us know at gsu@gsu.ca.