On Dec. 5 and 6, 2019 the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (SLRB) held and concluded its hearing in a dispute between GSU Local 15 and Nutrien regarding the status of the Ag retail outlets at Fielding, Kincaid and Norquay. 

The dispute before the SLRB focused on whether the three Ag retail outlets and the employees at those locations will remain in GSU’s certified bargaining unit in Saskatchewan. The case arose in 2018 as Nutrien consolidated the operations of several unionized locations into new sites at Fielding, Kincaid and Norquay. GSU argued at the SLRB hearing that Nutrien just moved existing businesses to new locations. 

“Following the evidence and legal arguments, the SLRB panel reserved its decision,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “Hopefully we’ll know the outcome fairly soon.”  

GSU was represented at the SLRB hearing by Ronni Nordal (legal counsel) and Hugh Wagner. Staff reps Steve Torgerson and Donna Driediger also attended the hearing to observe the proceedings.

Archives:

Dec. 5/6: Sask. Labour Relations Board to hear GSU Local 15, Nutrien dispute

Dec. 4, 2019

On Dec. 5 and 6, 2019 the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (SLRB) will convene a long-delayed hearing in a dispute between GSU Local 15 and Nutrien regarding the status of the Ag retail outlets at Fielding, Kincaid and Norquay. 

The dispute to be heard by the SLRB is focused on whether the three Ag retail outlets and the employees at those locations will remain in GSU’s certified bargaining unit in Saskatchewan. The case arose in 2018 as Nutrien consolidated the operations of several unionized locations into new sites at Fielding, Kincaid and Norquay. As GSU sees it, Nutrien just moved existing businesses to new locations. 

“GSU’s assertion is that all of the work consolidated into the new sites comes from the union bargaining unit and should remain in the union bargaining unit, thereby continuing the collective agreement coverage and rights for the employees,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “After hearing the evidence of GSU and Nutrien, the SLRB will decide the outcome of the dispute, although a decision is not expected until the new year.” 

This matter had been previously scheduled to be heard and was adjourned by the SLRB until Dec. 5 and 6. Members of GSU Local 15 (Nutrien) will be informed as soon as a decision is received.

GSU works hard to enforce the rights and benefits in your collective agreement. Identifying problems as soon as they arise benefits everyone, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions about a problem in your workplace.

The Saskatchewan Rush are ready for action at their first home game against the New England Blackwolves on Dec. 14. 

We have two tickets to the game and we are giving them away to one lucky GSU member. You can enter our ticket draw by sending us your answer to the following question:

The season of fantastic food is upon us. What is your favourite holiday food?

Optional: What is your least favourite holiday food?

Get your answer to us by 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 and you will be entered in our draw.

Good luck! 

GSU contest rules are available here.

A collective agreement is a contract that describes the terms and conditions of employment for employees in their workplace, the rights of employees, and the obligations of the employer. Collective agreements protect employees. GSU’s goal is to expand on and improve collective agreements through effective collective bargaining with employers. 

Bargaining is underway or set to begin shortly in a number of GSU Locals. Watch upcoming Tuesday Members’ Memos and the GSU web page at www.gsu.ca for bargaining updates. 

Local 19 – Prairie Co-operative bargaining – Melville, Nov. 25 & 26
Local 19 bargaining committee members are Colin Phillips (Strasbourg), Devin Lipinski (Cupar), and GSU staff rep/bargaining spokesperson Steve Torgerson. 

Local 5 – Western Producer – Saskatoon, postponed to Jan. 10
The sudden illness of a committee member on Nov. 26 postponed the scheduled Local 5 (Western Producer) bargaining session. The two sides have rescheduled to meet Jan. 10. GSU’s bargaining committee members are Sharlene Tetrault, Michelle Houlden, and GSU staff rep/bargaining spokesperson Dale Markling 

Local 15 – Nutrien – TBD
December dates are being rescheduled for early January. GSU’s 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 7 – Heartland Livestock – TBD
Previously scheduled December bargaining dates have been postponed. The Local 7 bargaining committee is comprised of Heather Mackay (Regina), Tyler Sherwood (Yorkton), and GSU staff rep/bargaining spokesperson Donna Driediger.

If you are unfamiliar with the bargaining process or you want to learn more about how bargaining works, check out this handy infographic from MGEU

GSU works hard to enforce the rights and benefits in your collective agreement. Identifying problems as soon as they arise benefits everyone, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions about a problem in your workplace.

Social media is wonderful for keeping in touch and sharing information, but social media also shares a lot information that is simply isn’t true. 

Do you remember 20 years ago, when people were surprised to hear that Canada had mischievous little house hippos wandering our homes at night (see video, below)? If technology in 1999 could make it look like a tiny hippo was bathing in your dog’s bowl, can you imagine what can be created in 2019?

It’s even easier than ever to create and publish printed fake news. Anyone can do it, and too many of us simply hit the share button without checking the facts, helping to perpetuate the lie.

Do you know how to tell the difference between fake news and the real thing? 

Learn more about how to tell what’s true online at www.BreakTheFake.ca. You can also print their handy guide, here.

The agreements have been approved and signed by both union and company officials.

Collective agreement booklets will be distributed to these Locals soon.

View the agreements here:

• GSU Local 16 – Lake Country Co-operative (Prince Albert)
• GSU Local 17 – Discovery Co-operative Limited (North Battleford)
• GSU Local 18 – Lloydminster & District Co-op Ltd.

If you have questions or comments about these collective agreements, contact GSU staff rep Dale Markling

We are counting on GSU members – like you – to come to convention, share your thoughts and experiences, and let us know what you think your union should be doing for its members.

Registration will open, soon. All members of GSU are eligible to attend, but space is limited. Contact your staff rep to learn more.

It’s time for the annual co-worker battle for office thermostat control. If you are among the chronically cold, there is a new study that will warm the frozen cockles of your heart.

Research on the effect of temperature on cognitive performance by gender found that when the office is warm, women perform better in math and verbal tasks, while the reverse effect was observed for their male co-workers. When looking at cognitive reflection tasks, researchers found temperature caused no measurable difference between the genders. 
Perhaps most interesting to those who want to increase the office temperature, the increase in female performance in response to higher temperature was significantly larger and more precisely estimated than the corresponding decrease in male performance.

What does this mean? It’s time to turn up the thermostat because gender-mixed workplaces may be able to increase productivity by keeping the temperature higher than current standards.

Need proof for your co-workers? Check out the study here.

Last week’s ticket contest asked GSU members which celebrity they would want to sit next to on a cross-Canada flight.

There were a lot of you interested in sitting down with Don Cherry to chat about his recent retirement. Having Garth Brooks as a seat buddy came in a close second, followed by a wide variety of answers ranging from fellow Canadians Ryan Reynolds, Keanu Reeves, Rick Hanson and John Candy to entertainers Willie Nelson and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to Theresa Caputo and Bill Murray.

Ultimately, it was Lindsay’s number that came up in our draw, winning her two tickets to Sunday’s CFL Western final to watch the Riders take on the Bombers. Here’s her entry:

“My celebrity pick would be WWE Superstar Roman Reigns.  I’ve been having a bit of a flashback to my youth lately and been checking out some wrestling.  Roman’s story caught my attention because he has recently overcome his second battle with Leukemia.  We all know that wrestling is an entertainment industry but it can also give these people a platform to do some good and that is what he has done during his battle and recover.  He is a huge advocate for raising awareness of leukemia especially childhood leukemia and cancer in general.  The smiles he brings to kids faces by granting celebrity wishes are too numerous to mention.  I would LOVE to be able to sit with him and talk about his journey.”

Congratulations, Lindsay. Have fun at the game!

Delegates to each GSU annual meeting are given an opportunity to use their $50 Community Connection  donation to support a worthy individual, group, or cause of their choice. They are also asked to consider how to use their Local/Sub-Local’s dues rebate for a team-building group event.

After a former co-worker lost his family home to fire last month, Local 4 (Grain Millers) decided to forgo a holiday party in favour of combining their Community Connection and dues rebate into one cheque for presentation to their former co-worker and his family.

Local 4 member Kent Worthington will be delivering a $1,500 cheque and well-wishes on behalf of his fellow members.

Get your answers in to gsu@gsu.ca by Thursday, Nov. 14 at 9:00 a.m. to be entered in our draw. Good luck!

Contest entry rules are available here.

Alberta is home to some of the largest licensed cannabis production and processing facilities in Canada, and those workers are reaching out to local unions for assistance navigating employment in this new agricultural industry. (Learn more here.)

Would GSU look at taking on new members who work for licensed cannabis growers in Saskatchewan? Of course.

“We’re always ready and willing to help workers who are looking for an advocate to help them improve their working lives and represent their interests with employers,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “If you know a worker who thinks a union might benefit their workplace, I would be happy to answer their questions.”  

Know someone who may be interested in joining GSU? Talking to us doesn’t obligate anyone to join the union. We will answer questions about joining a union and help workers decide if GSU would be a good fit for their work environment. All calls and inquiries are strictly confidential.

If you haven’t received your annual general meeting notice yet, you will be receiving it soon. Learn more here about what to expect at your meeting. 

Member convenience quite often means lunch or supper meetings.
We have no problem conducting meeting business over a pizza or around the table of your favourite restaurant. Contact your staff rep to learn more.

Are you having problems obtaining your employment insurance benefits?

Have you been assessed a penalty or over-payment?

Do you want to appeal a decision made by the Canada Employment & Insurance Commission?

The  Unemployed Workers Help Centre (UWHC) is a non-profit organization providing information and advocacy services on Employment Insurance. Their services are open to everyone in need and no fees are charged for any service.

Funding is provided by grants from the Government of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan trade unions – like GSU. 

Contact the UWHC or your GSU staff rep to get assistance with your EI benefits or to learn more.

When you attend your annual general meeting, you will vote on this resolution to continue or cease additional dues paid into the GSU Defense Fund:

“Be it resolved that the additional dues being paid into the GSU Defense Fund by members/employees represented by GSU shall continue until Dec. 31, 2020, subject to review by the members of the union at the 2020 annual Local and Sub-Local meetings.”

What is the GSU Defense Fund?

The primary purposes of the GSU Defense Fund is to ensure and provide for the continued operation of GSU and to provide strike/lockout pay to members of GSU in the event they strike or are locked out.

GSU members pay additional dues of 1 percent of regular pay to a maximum of $10 per member per month. These additional dues will continue to be paid into the GSU Defense Fund until suspended by the Joint Executive Council or discontinued by a vote of the members of the union.

The GSU Defense Fund is required to maintain a minimum operating balance of $2.5 million. At the end of the second quarter of 2019, the assets of the GSU Defence Fund stood at $4.6 million.

Contact your GSU staff rep to learn more about the Defense Fund, or read more here.

GSU members, officers and staff attended the 64th annual Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) convention in Saskatoon Oct. 23, 24 and 25.

The SFL represents nearly 100,000 unionized workers across Saskatchewan in nearly every sector imaginable, and convention is an opportunity for members from many unions to gather and hear inspiring speakers; debate resolutions; participate in campaigns, marches, and reconciliation exercises; and even squeeze in time for socializing and fundraising.

In addition to resolutions and the usual business of convention, the year’s agenda included the KAIROS Blanket Exercise, Winning Pharmacare in a Minority Government, Minister of Labour Hon. Don Morgan’s address, Panel on Precarious Work, and more. 

(Top L-r) GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner, ILWU secretary treasurer Bob Dhaliwal, RWDSU chief shop steward Devinder Bains, GSU president Jim Brown, and GSU vice president/SFL vice president Brett North.

(Bottom) Members of GSU’s delegation seated at GSU’s table on the convention floor.