Category Archives: general interest – GSU members

GSU vice-president Michelle Houlden recently attended the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour/Canadian Labour Spring School. This is her report.

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“Many thanks to GSU for sending me to this incredible course.”

Greetings,

My mind is still spinning after spending a week studying labour law through the SFL/CLC spring school in Moose Jaw. It was a course I’d been wanting to take for a long time, and after going through another tough collective bargaining process, I seized the opportunity to learn more when I saw it in the list this year.

Effective representation happens on so many levels, whether you’re a new shop steward who can refer members to the right part of their contract, an executive who can attend a grievance or disciplinary hearing or on the bargaining team. At each level, we do the best job we can with the tools we have, but learning more about the laws that set out our rights and responsibilities can really help to sharpen those tools.

I learned a lot about the duty to accommodate workers when they’re dealing with mental or physical illnesses or addictions. How laws have been adapted through test cases like the SFL’s challenge to Bill 6 that eventually saw the Supreme Court decide that the right to strike is protected by Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. How the duty of fair representation must be met. And how changes to the trade union act – now the Saskatchewan Employment Act – have impacted organized labour and working people.

Many thanks to GSU for sending me to this incredible course. I think it makes me a better shop steward and union member. It makes me appreciate all the hard work GSU does to defend our rights in the workplace and I was proud to represent you in class this week. A big shout out to fellow GSU member Larry Hubich, one of the course facilitators, and our own lawyers, Ronni Nordal and Dan Leblanc, who were co-facilitators along with Crystal Norbeck. It’s a lot of material and a short time to talk about it all, and you made it fun and fascinating. Your passion for helping working people was contagious and I think we all left wanting to do more in our workplace and in our communities.

Spring school is an invaluable learning opportunity, one of many educational opportunities offered through GSU, the SFL and the CLC. If you haven’t checked out what’s available, I urge you to do so, there’s bound to be something that you’d like to learn more about.

That reminds me, if there are any young GSU workers interested in attending an upcoming young workers’ conference offered by the SFL, there’s still time to register! And don’t forget about the Prairie School for Union Women in Waskesiu, or the SFL youth camp at Watrous at the end of August for teens aged 13-17. Go to www.sfl.sk.ca/events for more information.

In solidarity,
Michelle Houlden
GSU Local 5 / GSU Vice-President

Joint Executive Council’s 2016/2017 annual report to GSU members has been released

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View or download your PDF copy of the report here: 2017 Annual Report of the JEC

I am pleased to release the 2016/2017 Annual Report of GSU’s Joint Executive Council (board of directors) which was adopted by the Council at its 2017 annual meeting held in Regina on March 31. The annual report includes GSU’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The 2016/2017 Annual Report is posted here, on our GSU web site. Members wanting to receive a hard copy of the Annual Report can arrange for same by email to gsu.regina@sasktel.net or by calling toll-free to 1.866.522.6686.

Questions regarding the Annual Report or financial statements can be directed to me at gsu.wagner@sasktel.net or by phoning the toll-free number above.

I encourage thorough review of the Annual Report and financial statements. Your questions are welcome.

Sincerely,

GRAIN & GENERAL SERVICES UNION

Hugh Wagner
General Secretary

Congratulations to Samantha Skrudland, GSU’s 2017 First Nations University of Canada bursary recipient

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We are pleased to announce that Samantha Skrudland has been chosen as our 2017 First Nations University of Canada bursary recipient.

You can learn more about Samantha and her career aspirations, below. GSU staff representatives Steve Torgerson will be attending the First Nations University of Canada Scholarship Luncheon on April 11 when Samantha is presented with her bursary cheque. 

This GSU bursary is open to an Aboriginal student enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours at the First Nations University of Canada. Applicants must have successfully completed a minimum of 30 credit hours (not including ENGL 90/91 and AMTH 001/002/003 classes) to a maximum of 60 credit hours in any area of study leading to a degree. Financial need, leadership, participation and involvement in on-campus and student activities are considered in the selection of recipient.

Dear Grain and General Services,

My name is Samantha Skrudland and I currently reside in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. I would like to extend a huge thank you and my gratitude for being awarded the Grain and General Services Bursary. Because of your generosity, I am now able to put the bursary towards my educational aspirations. As of April 2017, I will have successfully completed my second year of the Elementary Indigenous Education Degree Program.

Student funding is limited for undergraduate students. By receiving this award, I have gained a tremendous amount of financial support that would have rather been hard to make up for. With this generous bursary, I will be able to pay both my Fall 2017 tuition, as well as it will assist me with my living expenses.

I am of Métis descent and I am a member of the Métis Nation, Local 7. Currently, I am enrolled in the Indigenous Elementary Education Degree Program at the First Nations University of Canada at the Prince Albert Campus. I enrolled into post- secondary school to pursue my passion for teaching. In two years, I will complete school and obtain my bachelors in education. Upon establishing myself as a teacher in Prince Albert, I aspire to receive my teaching certificate in Special Needs Education and aim to receive employment working with First Nations youth with Special Needs around Prince Albert and Area. Once I have gained experience, I aspire to pursue a Masters of Education. By becoming an educator, I am aiming to inspire youth today to be excited about learning within the classroom and create a space that accepts all different types of learners.

Thank you once again,

Samantha Skrudland”

 

March 21 – International Elimination of Racial Discrimination Day

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Everyone is entitled to human rights without discrimination, and everyone has an obligation to combat racial discrimination.

March 21 is the international day for the elimination of racial discrimination and it is the perfect time to make a personal commitment to do your part to eliminate racism.

What can you do? Check out these simple ways to make a big difference in the fight against racism.

Labour movement applauds bill that supports victims of domestic violence

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On March 15, Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) representatives were at the Saskatchewan legislature to witness the introduction of a private member’s bill that would see necessary supports put into place for victims of domestic violence.

“The SFL has worked a long time with community organizations and the national labour movement to fight for more supports for victims of domestic violence in the workplace,” said Lori Johb, Secretary-Treasurer of the SFL and Chair of the SFL’s Women’s Committee, “we hope the provincial government will agree to pass Bill 603 – An Act to Provide Critical Supports for Victims of Domestic Violence,” she added.

If passed, the bill will allow victims of domestic violence to take paid and unpaid leave from work. Such leave can be taken to seek medical attention for the victim or their child, to obtain services from a victim services organization, to obtain counselling, to relocate, and to seek legal or law enforcement assistance.

The bill requires accommodation by employers to protect workers if an employer becomes aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, that domestic violence that would likely expose a worker to physical injury may occur in a workplace.

Bill 603 also allows the termination of tenancy – breaking leases – for victims of domestic violence that believe their safety, or the safety of their child, is at risk.

“These additional supports are so desperately needed for victims of domestic violence in Saskatchewan,” said Johb, “if passed, Saskatchewan will become a leader in Canada on this important topic,” she added.

Saskatchewan has the highest rates of domestic violence by intimate partners amongst all Canadian provinces, and victims of domestic violence are often forced to leave their homes quickly to escape dangerous situations. Furthermore, financial stability and a supportive work environment are vital for a victim of domestic violence.

Legislation that supports victims escaping circumstances of domestic violence has already been enacted in Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta.

Happy International Women’s Day!

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IWD 2017

#Be Bold For Change!

International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

We still have a long way to go to achieve gender parity in Canada. 

In fact, there are only five countries that have closed 80% of the gap or more (Canada is not one of them). Learn more here.

The Birth of an Activist: The Early Years of SFL President Larry Hubich

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Larry Hubich

Larry Hubich has served as the president of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour for the past 15 years. Prior to taking on the SFL’s top position, Hubich worked for GSU as a staff representative and as a computer programmer at Saskatchewan Wheat Pool.

 Learn more about Larry Hubich and his life before the SFL here.

The worst passwords of 2016

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123456

Major data breeches in 2016 exposed log-in information and passwords for millions of people. A number of companies made the best of a bad situation by evaluating the passwords and compiling lists of the most commonly used – and worst – passwords leaked over the internet in 2016. 

Tied for top honour for a sixth straight year on Splash Data’s worst password list are the passwords “password” and “123456”. Fellow contenders “passw0rd” and “password1” ranked slightly lower at numbers 18 and 25, respectively, and Star Wars received two nods with “solo” and “princess” cracking the top 15 at numbers 13 and 9. 

Don’t make a hacker’s job easy. 

Make sure your passwords are secure by using a variety of numbers, symbols, and upper- and lower-case letters. Make it a point to update your passwords regularly and use unique passwords for each site to decrease the chance of having multiple accounts hacked or your identity stolen. 

Check out 25 of the worst passwords for 2016 and learn more about how to keep your on-line identify safe: Worst passwords of 2016.

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.

SaskTel sale proceeds may only eliminate a quarter of the province’s operating debt, says author

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As Saskatchewan’s $1.2 billion provincial deficit soars, the government is talking about possible wage freezes and job cuts for public-sector workers. 

There are also whispers about selling SaskTel. Legislation proposed by the Saskatchewan Party last autumn would allow the government to sell up to 49 per cent of a company without it being considered privatization.

Author Simon Enoch has evaluated the desirability of privatization and whether Saskatchewan would fare better under a privately-owned or publicly-owned telecom.

Read Enoch’s findings here:  Behind the numbers: Brad Wall, SaskTel, and the terrible horrible no-good, very bad idea.

What to do if you’re about to be investigated or disciplined by your employer

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call your staff rep

If you are called into an investigation meeting by your employer you should ask if this could result in discipline. If the answer is yes, you have the right to have a union representative present. 

If you request to be accompanied by a union representative and the employer refuses to grant your request, they do so at the risk of jeopardizing the integrity of their investigation. 

The benefit of having a union representative present during an investigative meeting or a disciplinary meeting is that the employee has an advocate and a witness present. 

“There have been many times when the employee has said something and the employer has taken it out of context or the wrong way,” said GSU staff rep Dale Markling. “Having a union representative present tends to lead a reduction in tension and create a more civil atmosphere. Employees report they have found meetings with a union representative present to be much more about fact finding and much less of an inquisition.”

If you have questions or you think you might require union representation, contact your GSU staff rep. Your inquiry is confidential and there is no additional charge for having a staff rep attend a meeting with you. 

Legislation could enable government to sell 49 percent of a crown corporation

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Are you concerned about privatization of our Crown corporations?

The recent sale of publicly-owned liquor stores was accompanied by musings on the part of Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and the introduction of legislation which would enable the government to sell up to 49 percent of a crown corporation without submitting the proposal to a province-wide vote.

“It’s difficult to fathom how the sale of any of our crown corporations would provide us with better services or prices or profits than Saskatchewan people have benefited from for generations, ” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “Many GSU members will recall Saskatchewan Wheat Pool’s experiment with partial privatization and which resulted a financial collapse, the loss of hundreds of jobs, the formation of Viterra, and eventually the takeover by transnational commodities giant Glencore PLC.”

If the potential for privatizing our crown corporations concerns you, communicate your views to government.

  • Visit the www.ownyoursaskatchewan.ca web site to quickly and easily send an electronic letter to your MLA and your city/town council.
  • Attend the Rally for Saskatchewan being held March 8 in Regina. The rally will begin at Regina’s Legislative Building at 12:00 noon. More information will be available soon.

GSU president named finalist for 2017 Safe Worker Award

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GSU president Jim Brown is one of three finalists nominated for the 2017 Safe Worker Award sponsored by the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB). The winner of the award will be announced at the annual WCB Compensation Institute being held at TCU Place in Saskatoon on March 20, 2017.

“Recognition of Jim’s steadfast work and commitment to safe and healthy workplaces is long overdue,” said GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner. “He’s served as a worker representative on Viterra’s central OH&S Committee for many years where he has actively agitated for worker safety.”

In addition to being president of GSU, Jim is a member of GSU Local 1 (Viterra) and has worked for his employer for nearly 30 years. He currently works at Viterra’s terminal elevator in Balgonie.

Congratulations, Jim.

CPS NON-UNION REPRESENTATION VOTE: Results, ballots counted February 3

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Results of the Representation Vote 

On February 3 the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (SLRB) counted the ballots cast by CPS non-union operations employees on the question of being represented by GSU.

GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner attended the counting of the ballots as the union’s scrutineer. He reports that the majority of ballots cast were against being included in the union bargaining unit and being represented by GSU.

Although disappointed with the results of the vote, GSU accepts and respects the decision of the majority. We appreciated the opportunity to present the case for union representation.

We welcome continued communication and the possibility to work for your support in the future.

 

Background information can be found on GSU’s web page here and elsewhere on GSU’s web page.

We grieve the tragic loss of Canadian lives in Quebec City

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As we grieve the tragic loss of Canadian lives at a Quebec City Mosque, let us remember that Canada is a nation of people from elsewhere, save and except of the original inhabitants. We should always stand against hatred, intolerance and the violence borne in the darkness of ignorance, bigotry and prejudice. What we have accomplished for ourselves we want for all others regardless of their faith, the colour of their skin or their origins.