Category Archives: general interest – GSU members

December 6 – National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

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On December 6, 1989, 14 women were murdered at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal, simply because they were women.

December 6 is recognized as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. On this day, we also commemorate missing and murdered Aboriginal women, trans-women, and every woman who has been harmed or lost to gender-based violence.

In addition to reflecting on why such a disproportionate amount of violence is aimed against the female gender, we must continue our work toward eliminating violence against women and girls.

 

Majority of Local 14 (Richardson) members approve settlement

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Ten membership meetings were conducted between November 28 and December 3 to give GSU Local 14 members an opportunity to vote on the terms of a tentative agreement renewal bargaining settlement with Richardson International. The ballots have been counted and a majority of 89.19 percent of Local 14 members who voted have approved the bargaining settlement.

Sixty-six members voted to approve the settlement while eight members voted to reject and three members abstained from voting. 83.7 percent of eligible members participated in the ratification process.

Thanks to everyone who participated.

Work will now begin to assemble and print an amended and renewed collective agreement.

The details of the settlement will be summarized in the next Tuesday Members’ Memo.

Tentative bargaining settlement reached, GSU Local 14 (Richardson) and Richardson International Limited

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GSU’s Local 14 (Richardson) bargaining committee has reached a tentative bargaining settlement with Richardson International Limited for the amendment and renewal of the collective agreement covering country operations and maintenance employees that expires on December 31, 2018.

The bargaining settlement is subject to approval by members of GSU Local 14.
The Local 14 bargaining committee is recommending approval.

Information is available to GSU Local 14 members in the following link, using the password provided in GSU’s Nov. 26 email or by contacting your GSU staff rep:

http://gsu.ca/collective-agreements/richardson-pioneer/moa/

We are working to schedule ratification meetings for Local 14 (Richardson) members to review and debate the proposed settlement and cast a secret ballot to approve or reject the proposed settlement. Watch your email for meeting dates and times.

 

 

 

8 simple steps to winning over everyone in the workplace

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Love them or not, we all have co-workers. We may not agree with their politics, enjoy their punny sense of humour, or appreciate their half-full coffee cups in the office sink, but it’s in everyone’s best interest to co-exist and work together toward a common goal of getting the job done and doing it right. 

There are some steps you can take to be the co-worker everyone likes.

Learn more here: 8 ways to win over everyone in the office, according to experts

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

Returning to work after an extended absence?  Review your rights with your GSU staff rep

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GSU members returning to work from an extended absence as a result of illness or injury are encouraged to contact a GSU staff rep before finalizing the terms of their return.

Most often the return to work process works very well and there are no hassles. Occasionally,  misinformation and misunderstandings related to returning employees’ medical or other limitations have led to complex and difficult-to-resolve issues. GSU staff reps can help as a guide and source of advice and advocacy to help prevent return to work administrative complications.

Employers have a duty to accommodate that includes but is not limited to health related work restrictions. 

From GSU’s perspective, employers are obliged to notify the union when they’re dealing with a union member in relation to a return-to-work scenario or a duty-to-accommodate situation. Unfortunately, management doesn’t always think to involve the union and this has led to some challenging problems that have been difficult to sort out after the fact.  

A quick call to your GSU staff rep about rights and responsibilities can help avoid hassles down the road.

 

“Taking time to know your rights is never a bad investment of time,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner.

ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVED: Local 1 (Viterra) employee requests payout of overtime

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A Viterra employee requested that some of their banked overtime be paid out.  The employee’s manager denied the payout of the entire portion and suggested that time off be used for the remainder.  

Staff rep Dale Markling had previously addressed the same problem when the employee was experiencing the same issue and got the overtime paid out, and Dale was contacted when the same issue began happening again. Dale contacted Human Resources at Viterra and within the week the employee’s request to have banked overtime paid out was granted. 

Under the Viterra Collective Agreement, employees have the right to request payout of their overtime.

Do you have a question about your collective agreement or a problem you are experiencing in the workplace?

Contact your GSU staff rep. Contact information is available here.

Send your teen to the SFL Summer Camp August 25-31 and you could win free registration

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The Annual Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) Summer Camp will be held on August 25-31 at Camp Easter Seal – Manitou Lake. This six-day camp focuses on issues relevant to young people and combines learning with cooperative recreation activities. 

Young people between the ages of 13 and 16 who are daughters and sons of union members are eligible to attend.

GSU will sponsor three GSU campers in 2018

On July 1 a draw will be made from all eligible GSU campers who are registered for camp, and up to three campers will be reimbursed for their camp fees. To be eligible for the draw campers must be the daughter or son of a GSU member.

Get information on the SFL summer camp or register your camper here.

CUPE Sask. is hosting an informational picket line outside Viterra’s head office this Friday in support of locked-out CUPE 5317 members

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Viterra has locked out 51 of its workers represented by CUPE Local 5317 at the Port of Montreal since January 30th.  The CUPE members were negotiating for the same working conditions as the vast majority of Port of Montreal workers.

CUPE Saskatchewan will host a demonstration and information picket in solidarity with CUPE Local 5317 members at the Viterra Corporate Head Office in Regina over the noon hour on June 8, 2018.

GSU members should feel free to come and go from their workplace as usual, but the attendance and support of fellow union members is appreciated.

Read the event poster here.

 

Defense Fund board of directors meets, approves transfer for legal expenses

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The GSU Defense Fund Board of board of directors met via conference call on May 24, 2018.

The purpose of the meeting was to receive an update on the value of the Fund’s assets and to consider a resolution adopted by delegates to the 2018 GSU convention to have the Fund cover up to $100,000 in GSU’s 2018 legal expenses.

The directors received a report that the Defense Fund has total assets of $4.2 million consisting of equities and fixed income investments with RBC Dominion Securities as well as money on deposit with Affinity Credit Union.

GSU’s administration anticipates that the union’s legal expenses incurred in defending members’ collective agreement rights will rise significantly in 2018 as a result of a higher number of grievances being referred to arbitration.

“In a normal year GSU’s operating budget can absorb the legal bills without too much difficulty, but with a higher number of grievances heading to arbitration it is anticipated that an additional $100,000 will be added to the union’s expenses,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner.

The Defense Fund directors considered the resolution from GSU’s convention and approved paying GSU’s 2018 legal bills up to a maximum of $100,000. Transfers from the Defense Fund to pay for GSU’s legal expenses will be made upon receipt of invoices for said services subject to review and approval by the directors.

Defense Fund directors are elected at GSU policy conventions. The current directors are Brian Lark (Local 1), Wilfred Harris (Local 1), Sharlene Tetrault (Local 5), Ron Gerlock (Local 8) and Dennis Piasta (Local 14).  

Congratulations to our RUSH league final ticket winners

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Congratulations to our RUSH league final Game 1 winners. Sounds like there will be some interesting cheers in the GSU seats this Saturday.

Winners of two tickets:

  • James Hajewich (Local 1 – Viterra)
    “The motto of the rush after each goal scored is pound your chest as a show of support for the team.  The cheer would be to stand up and pound your chest to the team song.”
  • Raelee Kearns (Local 2 – Viterra Head Office)
    “My cheer would be acting/dancing out to the “YMCA” song and replace those letters with “RUSH”.”
  • Perry Thiessen (Local 15 – CPS)
    “Go, Rush, Go”
  • Julie Usborne (Local 1 – Viterra)
    “My cheer would be! Give me an R    “R’,    Give me an U     “U”     Give me an S    “S”   Give me and H     “H”     What do have?    RUSH!  Louder  RUSH!!!!  GO RUSH GO!!! GO RUSH GO!!! GO RUSH GO!!!” 

Thanks to everyone who entered and played along.

We have a block of eight tickets to watch the Saskatchewan Rush take on the Rochester Knighthawks in a best-of-three series beginning May 26 in Saskatoon.

What does that mean to you?

We are giving away two tickets to four lucky GSU members. Get your answer to the following question back into our hands by noon on Wednesday, May 23 and your name will be entered in our draw.

If you could convince the other 7 GSU guests at the game to do a cheer at the game for the RUSH, what would that cheer be?

Send your answer to  gsu.regina@sasktel.net. 

Good luck in the draw! Go, Rush, go!

On April 28 each year we remember workers injured or killed on the job.

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As we enter a busy season for many GSU members, please do your part to help make your workplace safer. Ensure you have the proper training to do your job, and remember you have the right to refuse dangerous work.

If you have questions about your hours of work or safety in the workplace, contact the GSU office.

The Labour Councils around the province have organized events throughout Saskatchewan on April 28. Learn more here. 

We encourage all locals to support and attend the event in your area.

 

GSU scholarship application forms are now available

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2018 GSU scholarship forms and guidelines

2018 scholarship form guidelines [pdf]
2018 scholarship essay topic requirement information [pdf]
2018 scholarship form for dependants of GSU members  [pdf]
2018 scholarship form for GSU members or spouses of GSU members [pdf]

GSU is pleased to offer $2,000 scholarships to five students who demonstrate an ability and a passion to inspire positive change in their community.

The scholarship competition is open to GSU members, their spouses, and dependent children who have not previously won.

Scholarship applicants must be enrolled in a diploma, degree, or certificate program at a community college, university, trade school, or technical institute as a full-time student in any country. 

  • There are five $2,000 scholarships available:  three are dependant scholarships and two are GSU member scholarships.
  • If there are no member scholarship applications, all five scholarships will be available to be awarded to eligible dependant applicants.
  • Dependant scholarships are available for dependant children of GSU members. Applicants for dependant scholarships must be age 25 or younger.
  • GSU member scholarships are available for GSU members and spouses of members.
  • GSU members must have a signed union card on file with the union to be eligible for GSU scholarships.
  • Students can apply every year.
  • Students will be awarded a maximum of one scholarship per lifetime.

Learn more here.

Deadline for receipt of 2018 scholarship applications is June 15, 2018.

We’ve made some changes at GSU’s Regina office. Drop by and check them out.

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With recent staff retirements, a new hire, and directives from GSU’s recent biennial convention, a spring cleaning shake-up has hit GSU’s Regina office. If you haven’t been through the 2334 McIntyre Street location recently you will notice big changes the next time you stop in. 

Effective May 1, the first floor will be entirely occupied by NORDAL LeBlanc Law Office. GSU staff and equipment will be located on the second and top floors.

Have you been to our Regina or Saskatoon offices? 

Feel free to drop by, say hi, and have a look around if you are in the area.