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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

On the first Monday in September we celebrate the social and economic achievements of workers and their contribution to the strength, prosperity and well-being of Canada.

In a non-Covid year you will find Labour Day events such as parades, picnics, entertainment in the park, and other social activities. This year will be noticeably different.

Let’s use this Labour Day 2020 to reflect on the contribution of our frontline workers and the struggles of all working people who have helped us navigate our way through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Happy Labour Day!

GSU collective agreements with Nutrien expired Dec. 31, 2019. Your GSU Local 15 bargaining committee members are Brian Cowen, Curtis Cousins, Lynn Shaw, GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson, and GSU staff rep/bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling.

GSU Local 15 (Nutrien) bargaining committee spokesperson checks in with company

Source: Sept. 1 Tuesday Members’ Memo

On Aug. 31, GSU Local 15 bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling reached out to company representatives to check if any dates had come available to resume bargaining before the end of September. Markling hasn’t received a reply yet, but he is hopeful earlier dates may be available for the two sides to meet and work toward an acceptable settlement.

GSU collective agreements with Nutrien expired Dec. 31, 2019. GSU Local 15 bargaining committee members are Brian Cowen, Curtis Cousins, Lynn Shaw, GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson, and GSU staff rep/bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling.

LOCAL 15 / NUTRIEN BARGAINING HISTORY:

Nutrien, Local 15 (Nutrien) bargaining committee to meet Sept. 30, Oct. 1

Source: July 28 Tuesday Members’ Memo

Your GSU bargaining committee will meet with management on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, but the return to the bargaining table isn’t happening as quickly as the union would prefer.

“I expressed our committee’s concern over the delay of nearly three months before we return to bargaining, but accepted the dates and urged the company to consider dates to meet before the end of September,” said GSU bargaining committee spokesperson Dale Markling. “We’re ready to work toward a bargaining settlement and available to meet sooner if company management finds time in their calendar.”

Members will be updated on the result of the meetings.

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Members soundly reject company’s final offer

Source: Dale Markling’s July 3, 2020 email to Local 15 members

All ballots received in GSU’s Regina office by 12:00 noon were counted by GSU Local 15 (Nutrien) bargaining committee members Lynn Shaw and Dale Markling. The vote was supervised by GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner and staff representative Steve Torgerson. 

The members have soundly rejected the company’s final offer presented on June 5, 2020. 

“77 percent of the ballots rejected the company’s final offer,” Shaw said. “The members have clearly told us the company’s proposal to eliminate our guarantees on sick leave, our pension plan, and paid leaves is not acceptable.”

“We have heard the members and will take direction from them,” Markling added. “We thank the members for their vote of confidence.”

“I will be serving Nutrien notice that their final offer has been rejected and we wish to get back to the bargaining table to try and find a resolution the members can accept,” Markling said. “The members want a settlement, but they are not prepared to give up the guarantees the collective agreement currently provides.”

After notice is served to Nutrien, it is GSU’s hope the parties can continue to meet and reach a tentative settlement to take to the members for a vote. Failing a negotiated settlement, either party is able to declare an impasse and request conciliation. If the conciliation fails to produce a settlement after the 60-day conciliation period, the parties would be in a legal strike or lock-out position following a two-week cooling off period.

This information was shared with Local 15 (Nutrien) members by email on July 3. If you are a Nutrien member and did not receive our email, you are not in our database. If you would like to be included in GSU emails, send your address to us at gsu@gsu.ca.

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Local 15 bargaining committee email to members, Members to vote on “final offer”

Source: GSU bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling’s June 8 email to members

On June 8, 2020 Local 15 bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling emailed members with an update on the most recent bargaining sessions with Nutrien representatives held June 2 and June 5.

At the June 5 bargaining meeting Nutrien representatives presented our GSU committee with a so-called final offer. While the union committee had significant concerns about the content of the offer, they felt it was important to take the offer to members for a vote. 

Details of the offer and information on the voting process are being finalized and will be communicated to Local 15 members soon.

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Bargaining set for June 2 and 5

SOURCE: May 29 email from Dale Markling to GSU Local 15 (Nutrien) members

On May 29, GSU bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling sent an email to Local 15 members advising that the union and company had set June 2 and June 5 for resuming bargaining. The two sides will be meeting by video conference.

If you didn’t receive this email, please send an email to gsu@gsu.ca and let us know you would like your current email address added to our database.

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May 20 email update from GSU bargaining spokesperson, Dale Markling

Source: GSU web page, May 21, 2020

• Did you receive yesterday’s update?

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GSU proposes return to GSU/Nutrien bargaining table

Tuesday Members’ Memo – May 5, 2020

GSU and Nutrien last met for collective agreement renewal bargaining on Feb. 19. While the parties are close to agreement in many respects, there are significant differences in a few key areas. 

The Covid-19 pandemic and related restrictions have delayed the bargaining, but GSU bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling has contacted the company about returning to the bargaining table via a video format or in person. 

GSU is waiting for Nutrien’s reply.

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Major obstacles remain in Nutrien bargaining

SOURCE: Tuesday Members’ Memo, Feb. 25, 2020

The Nutrien and GSU bargaining committees met in Regina on Feb. 18 and 19 to continue bargaining. The two sides were unable to reach a settlement despite the GSU committee’s best efforts. 

The main obstacles are:

• company proposals to remove Sick Leave, Short Term Disability, Pension, and Paid Personal Leave days from the collective agreement,
• union proposal to provide a fair minimum increase in wages to all employees who meet an acceptable level of performance.

If you have questions or comments, contact a member of your GSU bargaining committee.

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Major gap between the two sides in Nutrien bargaining

SOURCE: Tuesday Members’ Memo, Feb. 4, 2020

The Nutrien and GSU bargaining committees met in Regina on January 28 and 29. While some progress was made in narrowing the issues, there is still a major gap between the two sides. 

Nutrien has created an obstacle in the bargaining over its insistence on removing collective agreement coverage of significant aspects of employment conditions and benefits and proposing instead that they be dealt with as company policy. 

On wages, the parties are not far apart with respect to percentage increases, but the big difference is whether the aggregate approach should continue versus GSU’s proposals that everyone is eligible for a guaranteed annual increase in addition to performance based movement towards the top of one’s pay range.

Bargaining dates in February are being considered for continuation of bargaining.

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Sign-off on some non-monetary proposals

SOURCE: Tuesday Members’ Memo, Jan. 14, 2020

On Jan. 7 and 8, the GSU Local 15 (Nutrien) bargaining committee met with the company representatives for their second set of negotiations. 

GSU bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling reports that the two parties signed off on some non-monetary proposals and the company intends to present their full monetary package to the union committee when they meet again on Jan. 28 and 29.

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Nutrien bargaining gets underway with an exchange of proposals

SOURCE: Tuesday Members’ Memo, Dec. 17, 2019

On Dec. 13, GSU’s Local 15 bargaining committee met with company representatives to begin collective agreement renewal bargaining. According to GSU bargaining committee spokesperson Dale Markling, the two sides exchanged proposals and there was good discussion when both sides sought clarification on the other party’s proposals.  

Bargaining is set to resume on Jan. 7, 8 and continue Jan. 28 and 29 in Regina. 

Using Statistics Canada data, roughly 3% of workers in Saskatchewan earn the minimum wage – that equates to roughly 16,200 workers. Women make up 65% of this population.

And 20% of Saskatchewan workers earn less than $15/hour, totaling roughly 96,000 people.

For a population of 463, 700 employees, that equates to over 1 in 5 workers who earn less than $15/hour in Saskatchewan.

The Fight for 15 is comprised of low wage workers and labour advocates who recognize the need for all workers to make a decent wage.

Follow these links to learn more:

• Fight for 15 (SK)
• Fight for 15 and Fairness