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

When we announced our t-shirt winner in our Aug. 11 Tuesday Members’ Memo, we also snuck in a little contest.

The first five members to reply and let us know they had read the contest article received a surprise gift of a GSU clear tote bag, a mask, and a buff in the mail. Congratulations to Glenda Hunter-Craig (Local 1 – Viterra), Kaylee Kruger (Local 2 – Viterra), Heather Mackay (Local 7 – Heartland), Leanne Ulmer (Local 14 – Richardson), and Local 1 (Viterra)’s Brett North who shocked himself when he broke his streak of never winning anything.

Thank you to everyone who replied. You may not have been one of our first five to reply, but we always appreciate hearing from you.

Progress has been made in the division of household duties between couples, but often the responsibility for childcare still falls on the shoulders of the female head of the household. With the uncertainty surrounding the return to school, limited options for childcare, and in some cases no option to return to pre-Covid employment, some women will not be returning to work.

That has experts suggesting the economy will suffer, dubbing it a potential pandemic “shecession”.

Read the complete story here: Pandemic threatens to wipe out progress made by working mothers

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.

GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner is currently working to clarify and correct payroll issues for union members who are trying to make sense of the information on their pay stubs. 

“It’s a good practice to examine your pay stub to make sure you are receiving the correct rate of pay and that deductions are consistent,” Wagner said. “Mistakes do happen, and when they do it’s best to address them as quickly as possible.” 

“Sometimes an individual inquiry can reveal systemic problems that affect large numbers of people on employer’s payroll, “said Wagner. “Sorting things out is one of the services GSU provides to members. We get answers and all members have to do is call or email.”

Contacting GSU does not mean you are obligated to file a grievance. We’re here to assist you but we won’t contact your employer or file a grievance on your behalf without consultation, direction, and approval from you.

These services are provided to you as part of your union dues. There is no additional charge for assisting you.

Aug. 5, 2020 Workers and the labour movement in Alberta had been anticipating an assault on their rights since Jason Kenney’s United Conservative Party (UCP) won Alberta’s provincial election in 2019. The assault arrived with the introduction of Bill 32. Bill 32 effectively moves Alberta laws back to when workers had fewer rights. The changes tip the scales dramatically in favour of employers and aim to silence critics of the government. The Bill takes a shot at non-unionized workers with changes to the employment standards laws, and it reduces the bargaining power of union workers and their unions by making it extremely difficult for unions to advocate on behalf of their members. Changes brought about by Bill 32 will very likely be challenged in the courts as they appear to be blatant violations of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as they pertain to the freedom of association. You can expect to hear more about opposition to Bill 32 in the coming weeks and months. Read the complete story and learn more here.

Barring a last minute settlement, members of ILWU Canada working for grain inspection firm SGS in Prince Rupert will either be on strike or locked out today.

On Aug. 1, union members held a strike vote and voted 100 percent in favour of strike action in support of their effort to bargain a first collective agreement with SGS. Many GSU members will be familiar with SGS which provides grain inspection services to terminal elevators on the prairies. Although there are a host of unresolved issues, one of the key elements of the dispute is SGS’ effort to impose an hourly wage of $16.

“I’ve spoken to ILWU Canada president Rob Ashton and offered GSU’s support to the striking workers,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “At the moment it’s not clear how this dispute will affect grain handling on the prairies or in Prince Rupert, so we will monitor the situation closely.”
“There is also the high probability of dispute between ILWU Canada and SGS at the Port of Vancouver for many of the same reasons ” Wagner said.

“When GSU members have been in a dispute with one of our employers, ILWU Canada has been quick and ready to help, including generous financial support and honouring GSU picket lines at the Port of Vancouver.”

Aug. 11, 2020

Last week we asked you to enter our contest to win a GSU shirt and mask by telling us what positive had come out of the pandemic for you. We weren’t surprised that every answer we received pointed to time with family, self-reflection, appreciation for what we have, and an opportunity to spend time on things that had been put aside.

Congratulations to Local 14 (Richardson) member Shirley Walters-Cousins for being the lucky winner of our draw.

Aug. 4, 2020

The cooler winds of autumn will soon be here, so it’s a good time to give away a long-sleeved GSU shirt and mask.

Enter our draw by answering the following question:

What is a positive that has come out of the pandemic for you?

Send your answer to us at gsu@gsu.ca by 9:00 a.m. on Aug. 11 and you will be entered in our draw. Good luck!

Contest rules are available here.

By GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner

It seems to be somewhat cyclical, but with the steady ramping up of grain shipments from terminal elevator locations GSU is receiving an increasing number of complaints about excessive demands being placed on employees.

The source of complaints is not every location and not every company has the same approach, but more and more GSU members are growing fed up with the pressure to produce more and more without any extra help or relief. Understaffing and poor planning are chronic problems and the impact hits workers the hardest.

While it might seem like somewhat of a broken record, we advise members to use the rights they have under their collective agreements to refuse to work excess hours. I understand the pressure from management and the desire not to leave co-workers dangling, but until people act collectively to say NO, the system won’t change.

GSU has bargained protections into collective agreements. We’ll back members who rely on their rights, but we need members to step forward.

Are you experiencing difficulties in the workplace?

Contact your GSU staff rep. Contacting GSU does not mean you are obligated to file a grievance, and we will not contact your employer or act on your behalf without consultation, direction and approval from you.

Our services are provided to you as part of your union dues. There is no additional charge for assisting you.

Call us toll-free at 1.866.522.6686.

Every autumn GSU members and officers look forward to attending the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) convention. The convention location rotates between Saskatoon and Regina, providing GSU members throughout Saskatchewan access to topical speakers, presentations, debates, and the opportunity to meet new GSU delegates and catch up with old friends.

On June 16 the SFL’s Executive Council passed a motion to postpone the 2020 SFL Annual Convention until such time the Saskatchewan Medical Health Officer says it’s safe to hold large gatherings. As a result, there will be no SFL convention call sent out to GSU members this year.

“Safety of our members is a priority and I think the SFL’s decision was a wise one,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “GSU is also closely monitoring the latest health advisories and conducting its meetings and union business accordingly.”

People have a tendency to put unpleasantness behind them and move on, so to speak. Quite often this is the reaction when a worker is issued a warning, reprimand, or short suspension for an alleged workplace infraction.

“If a worker doesn’t think a disciplinary penalty is fair they should challenge it – even if it is a relatively light punishment,” says GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “At the very least union members should work with their GSU representative to make sure that their response to the accusation and penalty is on the record.”

“What seemed like a small thing a month ago or a year ago can come back to haunt if a more serious issue arises at a later date,” Wagner added. “Quite often a person’s whole record is taken into account when an employer considers the severity of a penalty, and that small thing from before is added to the pile.”

Wagner advises that the first thing to do when being handed a workplace disciplinary penalty by your employer is to ask to have the assistance of a union representative. Even if the worker considers the punishment to be deserved and fair they should still seek the assistance of their union representative. These services are provided to all members as part of union dues and there is no additional charge for assistance.

“Don’t let small things add up and become big things down the road,” Wagner says.

Do you have a question about an issue in your workplace?

Contacting GSU does not mean you are obligated to file a grievance. We are here to assist you in any way we can, but we won’t contact your employer or act on your behalf without consultation, direction, and approval from you.

Contact us with your questions or when you think there is a problem to be fixed. It’s easier to solve problems when they are small and sometimes a brief comment, email or meeting is all that is needed to address a situation and work things out.

The GSU Defense Fund board of directors met by conference call on July 27. The primary purpose of the meeting was to review the Fund investments.

GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner reported that the market value of the Fund assets was $4,742,462 as at June 30. The lion’s share of the investments are with RBC Dominion Securities ($4.5 million) with the balance in a cash account at Affinity Credit Union. Reflecting market volatility, the RBC portfolio is down by slightly more than 3 percent on a year-to-date basis.

The five directors of the GSU Defense Fund are Dennis Piasta (Local 14 – Kindersley), Ron Gerlock (Local 8 – Regina), Wilfred Harris (Local 1 – Carnduff), Darryl Knelsen (Local 1 – Fairlight) and Barb Healey (Local 14 – Edenwold).

The directors plan to meet again following the end of the third quarter.

Do you have questions about the GSU Defense Fund?
Contact general secretary Hugh Wagner at Hugh@gsu.ca

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) is offering three occupational health and safety webinars for union members in mid-September.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 16 – 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.Protecting Our Members: Using OH&S Committees Effectively During COVID-19

THURSDAY, SEPT. 17 – 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Protecting Workers Mental Health During COVID-19

FRIDAY, SEPT. 18 – 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Rights and Responsibilities during COVID-19.

Don’t miss out! Register now.

These webinars are open to all SFL affiliates and they are expected to fill up quickly.

GSU members interested in learning more or participating in any or all of the webinars are asked to contact general secretary Hugh Wagner by email at Hugh@gsu.ca.

GSU members who sign up and are approved to participate in GSU-sanctioned events will have their time off work, wages, and expenses covered in accordance with GSU’s expense policies (child care included). GSU staff will also assist you with arranging the time off with your employer.

When your sick leave extends to the point where the insurance company gets involved, it’s important to constantly track where things are at and keep in contact with the insurance company.

“Things can slide off the rails quickly if you aren’t tracking and following-up on your claim,” said GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson. “Whether it is keeping a record of correspondence, tracking your appointments or following up with your doctor, it’s important to keep good records and stay in touch with your insurance company so you don’t put your claim in jeopardy.”

View or print our Sick Leave Organizer for GSU members here.

Need help or want advice? Sometimes just a brief phone call, email, or meeting is all that is needed to address a situation. Contacting GSU does not mean you are obligated to file a grievance and we won’t act on your behalf without authorization from you. Contact your GSU staff rep to learn more – gsu.ca.