Congratulations to our 2018 scholarship and bursary recipients who were each selected to receive $2,000 from GSU’s scholarship and bursary programs.
Learn more about our recipients and read their essay submissions here.
A GSU member reached out to staff representative Donna Driediger with questions about using serious illness leave to tend to a family member, and if same would be charged against their earned sick leave credits.
Donna stated that in this member’s situation the collective agreement was clear that serious illness leave was separate the member’s sick leave credits would not used for the required leave.
Do you have questions about serious illness leave or using your earned sick leave credits?
If you need advice about your sick leave or any other workplace situation, contact your GSU staff rep. We will offer advice, work with you to find answers to your questions, and with your permission we can even act as an advocate on your behalf.
Contact information for GSU staff is available here.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Game 1 winners. Sounds like there will be some interesting cheers in the GSU seats this Saturday.
Winners of two tickets:
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!
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.
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.
Deadline for receipt of 2018 scholarship applications is June 15, 2018.
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.
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.
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.
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 .
GSU members, officers, staff, and guests gathered in Humboldt from March 22 to 24 for GSU’s biennial policy convention. Most notably, convention delegates:
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:
“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.