Category Archives: general interest – GSU members

Need help with an Employment Insurance claim? Contact your staff rep or the Unemployed Workers’ Help centre

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A member was having problems with their Employment Insurance claim. Staff rep Steve Torgerson assisted the member and worked to make sure the claim form had been submitted correctly. After determining all was in order, Steve turned to Mark Crawford at the  Unemployed Workers’ Help Centre.  As an expert in EI, Mark was able to move the appeal process along, and ultimately the member’s EI claim was accepted. 

Click here to learn more about the many EI and advocate services provided by the UWHC. Government and labour union funding ensures that there is no charge for Saskatchewan residents who use these services.   

GSU helps sort things out.

GSU can help advocate on your behalf, whether it’s with company management, insurance companies, or government agencies like EI and workers’ comp. Our  services are provided to you as part of your union dues and there is no additional charge for assisting you.

Do you have questions or concerns?  Contact information for GSU staff is available here.

Staff rep Dale Markling answered a member’s questions about their merit increase

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That’s the whole story. A member phoned with questions and one of our staff reps answered them. 

Just want advice? GSU staff reps can help.

No problem is too small. If you need advice or ideas about how to handle workplace situation, call your GSU staff rep. 

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

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

Contact information for GSU staff is available here.

Women had to work three months and 10 days into 2018 to earn the same amount made by a man in 2017

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Nationally, women in Canada make 74 cents for every dollar earned by a man per year. That means on average, women had to work three months and 10 days into 2018 to earn the same amount made by a man in 2017.

Statistics Canada pegs the gap as being even wider for women belonging to minority groups, with Indigenous women facing a 57% gender pay gap; women with disabilities facing a 46% gap; immigrant women facing a 39% gap; and racialized women facing a 32% gap.

Unions, collective bargaining, and pay equity measures significantly reduce the wage gap for women. 

According the the Canadian Labour Congress, on average, women with unions earned $6.65/hour more than women without unions . 

Click here to learn more about equal pay equity in Canada and how you can help close the gender pay gap.

Convention delegates set union’s course for the next two years

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GSU members, officers, staff, and guests gathered in Humboldt from March 22 to 24 for GSU’s biennial policy convention. Most notably, convention delegates:

  • adopted the Joint Executive Council’s annual report and GSU’s audited 2017 financials statements, and authorized distribution of same to GSU members,
  • authorized establishing a family crisis benefit for union members, and
  • defeated a resolution that would see additional membership dues being paid into the GSU Defense Fund reduced from $10 to $5 per member per month effective July 1, 2018.

GSU’s general secretary, president, vice presidents, and Defense Fund board of directors are elected at GSU biennial policy conventions. Congratulations to the following newly-elected officers:

  • Hugh Wagner will remain as GSU’s general secretary,
  • GSU president Jim Brown, vice presidents Michelle Houlden and Brett North were re-elected, and
  • Ron Gerlock, Wilfred Harris, Brian Lark, Dennis Piasta and Sharlene Tetrault were re-elected and will return as Defense Fund Directors for another two-year term.

“As expected, convention was productive, informative and entertaining,” said general secretary Hugh Wagner. “Our convention delegates spurred some great discussion, suggestions, and they have positioned us to move forward.”

If you have questions or would like more information about the convention, contact your GSU staff rep.

Join us in wishing GSU’s Dorothy Merk well in her upcoming retirement

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There is a changing of the guard in GSU’s office administration. After nearly 27 years with the union, Dorothy Merk is retiring from her position of Executive Assistant effective January 31.

“Dorothy’s dedication to GSU is inspiring,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “Her commitment to serving GSU members and her work ethic are second to none. I wish Dorothy a very long and happy retirement. She will be missed.”

Support Tim Horton’s workers and the Fight For $15 this Friday, Jan. 19

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In support of the Canada-wide Day of Action to Stand With Tim Hortons Workers and the Fight for 15, Saskatchewan Fight for 15 asks that you support their petition blitz on January 19 by coming out and helping them collect signatures urging the Sask. government to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour. 

Learn more here: fightfor15sk.ca

A Quick FYI: 

  • When Ontario’s minimum wage increased to $14 on January 1, 2018, Tim Hortons began to cut workers’ paid breaks, reduce access to basic drug and dental benefits, eliminate uniform and drink allowances, and even cut employees’ hours of work.
  • In 2016, Tim Hortons generated US $3 billion in revenue for its parent company Restaurant Brands International (RBI).
  • In Saskatchewan, 96,000 workers earn less than $15 an hour – 20% of the work force. Most of them work for large companies, not small mom-and-pops.

Regina Event – Friday, Jan. 19

There are three sites/times: 

  • Team 1, outside Cornwall Centre, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Meeting outside the BMO at 1800 Scarth Street at 9:30. Find Aina Kagis (306.527.2014) for materials when you arrive.
  • Team 2, UofR campus, 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Meeting in the Riddell Centre. Find Nick Day (306.526.8708) for materials when you arrive. 
  • Team 3, outside Cornwall Centre, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Meeting outside the BMO at 1800 Scarth Street at 5:00 p.m. Find Nick Day (306.526.8708) for materials when you arrive. 

Saskatoon Event – Friday, Jan. 19

  • Midtown Plaza – 201 1 Ave S, Saskatoon (outside front doors) ~ 8:30 a.m. -10:00 a.m.

Join Women’s Day Marches in Regina and Saskatoon this Saturday, Jan. 20

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There is still so much work to do to protect and advance the rights of women, and the rights of all vulnerable citizens in our province, our country and worldwide.

Join with women and human rights groups from across the world! On Jan. 20,  join the marches in Saskatoon and Regina to show that the progress made in 2017 was not enough.

Information on the marches is available here:

Join us for GSU’s policy convention March 22 – 24 in Humboldt

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GSU’s Joint Executive Council convenes a policy convention of GSU delegates once every two years prior to May 31.  This gathering of union members and officers is the co-ordinating and governing representative body of GSU and its decisions are made by majority vote.

The policy convention considers the business of GSU, including resolutions submitted by the Locals, members, the Joint Executive Council, and by the delegates at convention. Resolutions, policy statements, and reports adopted by the policy convention become the policy of GSU. 

GSU’s president, two vice-presidents, and general secretary are elected at the policy convention.

In addition to the business of convention you’ll have opportunities for socializing, getting to meet great people, and having some fun. 

If you have questions about the convention – or if you are interested in attending, running for office, or learning more about the union – contact your GSU staff representative.

Challenge your perspective on poverty. Can you MAKE THE MONTH?

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Can you MAKE THE MONTH? Check out the United Way‘s Poverty Simulator. 

Make the Month is a digital poverty simulation that aims to help Canadians understand and experience what it’s like to have to make your paycheque last the month. This interactive tool prompts individuals to make difficult life choices, and shows Canadians the day-to-day reality of those living paycheque-to-paycheque.

GSU annual meetings complete for 2017

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October and November are a very busy time for GSU elected officers and staff reps as the annual meetings of the union’s locals and sub-locals are held throughout Saskatchewan.

The 2017 round of annual meetings reviewed GSU operations, finances, the GSU Defense Fund and the union’s bargaining calendar for 2018. A major feature of most of the meetings was beginning to identify priorities for agreement renewal bargaining. The last two meetings will be held this week.

“The 2017 annual meetings provided one of many opportunities for GSU members to participate in building the union’s bargaining agenda with their employers,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “Union members spend a big part of their lives in the workplace and they are the ones who are best placed to say what should be changed in the collective agreements GSU bargains.”

“Like any democracy, GSU works best when members participate,” said Wagner. “Thanks to everyone who took the time to attend their 2017 annual union meeting.”

Claim your health spending credit by Dec. 31

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Health spending accounts are a provision in several GSU collective agreements.They may have different names – such as health spending account, health flex account, or health flex spending account – but they all cover different additional health benefit costs that occur throughout the year.

Contact your GSU staff rep if you are unsure if your agreement has a health account or if you need clarification on your account coverage.

Joint Executive Council approves staff rep hiring

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GSU’s Joint Executive Council (GSU’s board of directors) held a conference call meeting on Nov. 30 to receive the report and recommendation of the committee assigned to conduct the recruitment to the staff representative position advertised on Oct. 31.After hearing and discussing the recruitment committee’s report, the Council approved a motion to hire Ms. Donna Driediger as GSU’s next staff rep.

Donna has previously worked for GSU in an administrative capacity and most recently as a staff rep from 2004 to 2009. She left GSU in 2009 to accept a similar position with her current employer, the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses. Donna is expected to re-join GSU’s ranks at the end of January 2018.

“The Joint Executive Council and I ask GSU members to join with us in extending a hearty welcome to Donna,” said general secretary Hugh Wagner. “We look forward to working with Donna again and drawing on her considerable and varied experience in representing union members.”

GSU Defense Fund directors meet, receive fund update

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The board of directors of GSU’s Defense Fund met by conference call Nov. 30. The meeting included an update on the value of the Fund, which is currently $4,153,000. The assets of the Fund consist of $3,798,000 invested with RBC Dominion Securities and $355,000 on deposit with Affinity Credit Union in Regina.

The board of directors approved a motion to transfer $250,000 from Affinity Credit Union to be invested with RBC.

The next meeting of the board is tentatively scheduled for January 12, 2018 when they intend to review the investment strategy for the Defense Fund.

SFL partners with Hillberg and Berk to offer Burgundy Sparkle Ball earrings

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The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour has partnered with Hillberg & Berk, and proceeds from the sale of these earrings directly supports survivors of domestic violence through the members of the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS)

Looking for a special sparkly gift this holiday season?

These special edition earrings are $70 per pair and available for purchase at the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour office at 220-2445 13th Avenue, Regina. You can also call 306.525.0197 (SFL office) or 306.287.7423 (Lori) to order or learn more.

Single purchase and large orders welcome.

View this information as a printable PDF