Category Archives: general interest – GSU members

SFL leaders say workers not to blame for government mismanagement

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Leaders from Saskatchewan’s labour movement recently came together through a series of meetings to share information on what people are hearing from public employers. They say one thing has become clear: the provincial government is setting the stage to blame Saskatchewan workers for the government’s own budget mismanagement, waste, and lack of leadership.

“Janitors, teachers, and healthcare providers did not cause the government’s billion dollar deficit, so it makes no sense whatsoever for the premier to be bullying these, and other, public servants,” said Larry Hubich, president of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL).

In response to what they say are the provincial government’s attacks on working people, families, students, and communities, a rally is being organized.

“The Rally for Saskatchewan is an opportunity for everyone to come together and fight for what we value here in Saskatchewan: public Crowns and strong public services, world-class public healthcare, schools and teachers that have the resources they need to teach our kids, a seniors’ care system that is properly staffed, and a positive direction that believes in the promise of this province,” Hubich said. “Selling Crowns and public services will really hit families hard: prices will go up, services will suffer, and jobs will be lost – especially in small towns and rural Saskatchewan.That’s why we are involving local leaders in this effort. We hope town and city councils will defend their communities and call on the provincial government to stop its risky privatization schemes.”

People can share information about privatization and take action to protect our Crowns by sending a letter to their local town/city council/MLA by visiting: www.ownyoursask.ca.

CPS NON-UNION EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATION VOTE: The deadline for returning your mail-in ballot is Monday, January 30

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The deadline for voting is only days away.

We urge employees at non-union CPS branches in Saskatchewan to vote to become part of the union so we can provide a strong collective agreement, dedicated GSU staff rep access, and our many other services to you and your fellow workers. We will always be stronger together.

The January 30 deadline for returning mail-in ballots is fast approaching. Please take the time to vote.

If you have any questions about GSU or the representation vote, call a GSU staff rep toll-free at 1.866.522.6686 (Regina office) or 1.855.384.7314 (Saskatoon office) or send us an email at gsu.regina@sasktel.net.

Additional information can be found here.

Background information:

  • On January 9 the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (SLRB) sent ballots by registered mail on the question of being represented by GSU. 
  • Those you hadn’t received their ballot by January 20 were encouraged to contact the SLRB at 1.306.787.2406 or 1.306.787.7210.

ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVED: taxable benefit which showed up on a pay stub

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A Local 15 (CPS) member recently contacted GSU staff rep Dale Markling with an inquiry about a taxable benefit which showed up on their pay stub. 

Dale contacted company management for clarification before advising the employee that the taxable benefit reflected gift cards that employees received for safety. The cards were considered to be income and employees were responsible for paying the tax on these amounts.

Do you need assistance addressing a similar issue or another problem in your workplace? Contact a GSU staff representative.

ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVED: Standy-by pay, call-in pay, and ability to make plans for the holiday season

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Recently GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner was contacted by a group of members working in a terminal elevator who were concerned about their ability to make plans for the upcoming holiday season. Wagner provided the following information to the members in question.

“Call-in pay is intended to address the kind of situation where an individual has left work and is called back or she/he is on a day of rest and is called into work. Anyone who has December 23 and/or 24 as a day of rest who is called in to load can claim call-in pay or overtime pay, whichever is the greater.

In addition, employees who have December 23, 24, 27, 28, 29 or 30 as scheduled days of rest may have a claim for standby pay if they are being asked to make themselves available to load on those dates.

If employees work on the 26th (which is a stat holiday) in addition to eight hours stat holiday pay, anyone who works that day is to be paid at the overtime rate of pay (time and a half). In addition, December 27 and January 2 are to be days off work in lieu of Christmas day and New Year’s day falling on a Sunday. As a result, employees who work those days are entitled to holiday pay for the day or to receive another day off in lieu plus overtime pay for those days.”

Wagner adds that if employees are on days of rest, statutory holidays or vacation and have not been assigned standby duty, they are under no obligation to make themselves available for a call-in.

Do you need assistance addressing this issue or another problem in your workplace?  Contact a GSU staff representative.

No problem is too small. Identifying problems as soon as they arise benefits everyone. Call us toll-free if you have a question or a problem you would like addressed. Call 1.866.522.6686 (Regina) or 1.855.384.7314 (Saskatoon).

ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVED: Major dental benefit claim rejected

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GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner was recently contacted by a GSU member who was having a problem with a major dental benefit claim that had been rejected by Manulife. The member was concerned that he would be several thousands of dollars out of pocket as a result of Manulife’s decision. 

The following day Wagner contacted the employer’s HR department who responded quickly by advising they would sort things out with the Manulife. By November 28 the problem was resolved when Wagner was advised the dental claim would be paid.

“Sometimes union members opt not to raise problems or file grievances because they don’t want to cause a fuss – but it’s fair to say that there are no results when problem isn’t raised with the employer,” Wagner said. “As this example illustrates, it pays to act.”

Do you need assistance addressing a problem in your workplace? 
Contact a GSU staff representative.

Do you have a Health Flex Spending Account credit carried over from 2015 into 2016?

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Several GSU agreements contain Health Flex Spending account directives, and December 31 is a common cut-off for using funds from the previous calendar year.

If you have a Health Flex Spending Account credit carried over from 2015 into 2016, be sure you use it up by December 31 as it won’t be carried over into 2017.

If you need help determining if you have a Health Flex Spending Account in your collective agreement, contact your GSU staff rep.

SCHOLARSHIP FORMS: 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

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It takes a combination of hard work and educational funding for most students to achieve their goals.

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.
  • 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.
  • If there are no member scholarship applications, all five scholarships will be available to be awarded to eligible dependant applicants.
  • Students can apply every year.
  • Students will be awarded a maximum of one scholarship per lifetime.

Deadline for receipt of GSU scholarship applications is June 1, 2016.

Our scholarship committee will meet in June to determine the successful scholarship recipients and all scholarship applicants are advised of the committee’s decision shortly after it has been made.

Applicants may complete either the dependant or the member application form and return it to Grain and General Services Union with the following items:

  1. A letter of recommendation from a non-family member describing how the applicant’s participation in school, extra-curricular, and/or community activities make them a strong candidate for a GSU scholarship.
  2. A copy of a document from your training institute which confirms your registration.
  3. A two-page essay on the chosen topic for the year.

Scholarship application forms are available below or mailed directly to members upon request.  Availability of the forms will be announced is announced on the website, email, and GSU newsletter in March of every calendar year.

Related information:

Be sure to document problems you have in the workplace

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A member was having ongoing issues with a co-worker. With advice from staff rep Steve Torgerson, the member had been addressing the problem directly and keeping written notes about the problems that had occurred and how the problem had been dealt with. The member also continued to check in with GSU to relay events and document problems and progress with Steve.

It’s important to document problems you have in the workplace.

“Your memory gets fuzzy so it never hurts to keep track of things in writing or by documenting an incident in an email or phone call with your staff rep,” Torgerson advises. “Your notes or your staff rep’s notes may even be called as evidence to back up your story, and notes are given much stronger consideration than someone’s memory.”

If you want to discuss a workplace situation or learn more about how and when you should keep notes, contact your GSU staff rep.

Just want advice? GSU can help. If you need advice or ideas about how to handle a workplace situation, call your GSU staff rep. GSU toll-free:  1.866.522.6686 (Regina) or 1.855.384.7314 (Saskatoon). Contacting GSU doesn’t mean you are obligated to file a grievance and we won’t contact your employer or act on your behalf without consultation, direction, and approval from you.

SURVEY: Intimate partner violence and its impact in the workplace

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The Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS) is working with survivors, advocates, unions and employers to raise awareness of the impact of intimate partner violence (also known as domestic violence) on the workplace. As part of their project they are conducting a survey of Saskatchewan workers to explore their experience of intimate partner violence and it how it impacted them at work.

There is mounting evidence that the impact of intimate partner violence on workers and workplaces is significant.

In 2009, intimate partner violence (IPV) cost female employees $20,943,599.  The economic impact of IPV against females on the output of employers was estimated at $6,194,356. Further, the total economic impact of IPV against females on employers due to tardiness and distraction is estimated to be $44,858,528 (Zhang, Hoddenbagh, McDonald & Scrim, 2013).

The cost of violence against women in Canada – including health care, criminal justice, social services, lost wages and productivity – has been estimated at $4.2-billion annually, according to the Canadian Women’s Foundation” (Globe and Mail, January 2013).

Specific language on IPV is making its way into Occupational Health and Safety Legislation in some Canadian jurisdictions. Employers have a duty to safeguard their employees. There is an increasing recognition that employers should have a policy against IPV and should address the problem in employment contracts and workplace policies.

Saskatchewan has the unfortunate distinction of having the highest per capita rate of intimate partner violence, sexual assault and intimate partner homicide among the Canadian provinces.

It’s time for a culture shift. Will you be part of the change?

PATHS is asking workers in Saskatchewan to take part in their survey. It will take about 15 minutes to complete.

 The Survey Link is available here. 

If you have questions about the survey or would like to become involved in the PATHS project, contact Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan using the information below:

paths@sasktel.net
Phone : 306.522.3515
Fax : 306.522.0830
www.pathssk.org

Source: Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan

Are you getting the most from your performance evaluation?

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Many GSU members have already participated or are getting ready for their year-end performance evaluation.

Make sure you are giving your employer all the necessary information they should have from you.

Take the time to fill out the comments section of your self evaluation. This is your opportunity to present your case and provide a basis for what is discussed during your review. Don’t be shy! List the things you have done, what you have accomplished, and how you have gone above and beyond for your employer.

Be specific.

For example, if you work in a grain elevator,

  • Did you load railcars to specifications?
  • Did you load to collect an incentive for your employer or avoid a penalty?
  • Did you pitch in and help get the project done time?
  • How many weekends or other days of rest did you work?
  • Was there a customer that you made incredibly happy?

Write it down in your comments, and keep extra examples with you when you sit down for your review.

Not sure what to include in your comments?

GSU vice-president Jim Brown offers this hint.

“Talk wi th your co-workers about filling in your comments and create a discussion in the workplace. Don’t be shy about asking them what they did and what they will be writing down,” Brown said. “A group discussion may help you recall some of your other contributions and achievements in the past year, and you may find your co-workers can remind you about times you went the extra mile and vice-versa.”

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Contact GSU as soon as you suspect you may have a grievance

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Recently one of our staff reps received a call from a member about a disciplinary action the member had received. Unfortunately it was past the the timeline in the collective agreement to file a grievance so our member was out of time to appeal the disciplinary action.

Don’t wait to contact the union with employment problems or problems in your workplace. It is important that members contact us prior to the timeline deadlines in their collective agreements.

Even if you aren’t sure you have a grievance or that you actually want to file one, talk to your GSU staff rep. Our staff reps can help you make an informed decision by explaining your options and the consequences of filing or not filing a grievance. In the end, whether you choose to file a grievance is a decision only you can make.

Check your collective agreement or contact your GSU staff rep for information on timelines for filing a grievance.

GSU helps sort things out. If you need advice or interpretation about the terms and conditions of your collective agreement, call your GSU staff rep. Contacting GSU does not mean you are obligated to file a grievance and we will not contact your employer or act on your behalf without consultation, direction, and approval from you.

Questions? Call our staff reps toll-free at 1.866.522.6686 (Regina) or 1.855.384.7314 (Saskatoon).

 

What do you know about March 8 – International Women’s Day?

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There are many reasons to celebrate the women of the world on March 8. The reasons we celebrate are as similar and as different as women themselves.

We celebrate to:

  • recognize that peace and social progress require the active participation and equality of women, and inequalities between women and men have serious consequences for the well-being of all people
  • acknowledge the contribution of women to international peace and security
  • reflect on the advancement and what is left to achieve in the struggle of women for their equality, peace, safety and development.

Read the following story online at www.internationalwomensday.com.

International Women’s Day 2014 Theme: INSPIRING CHANGE

Women’s equality has made positive gains but the world is still unequal. International Women’s Day celebrates the social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing world attention on areas requiring further action.

Inspiring Change is the 2014 theme for our internationalwomensday.com global hub and encourages advocacy for women’s advancement everywhere in every way. It calls for challenging the status quo for women’s equality and vigilance inspiring positive change.

The vast array of communication channels, supportive spokespeople, equality research, campaigns and corporate responsibility initiatives means everyone can be an advocate inspiring change for women’s advancement.

Each year International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. The first International Women’s Day was held in 1911. Thousands of events occur to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. Organisations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women’s groups, corporations and the media celebrate the day.

Some groups select their own International Women’s Day theme, specific to their local context. For example, the European Parliament’s 2013 theme was “Women’s response to the crisis” and their 2012 theme “Equal pay for work of equal value”.

The United Nations declares an annual theme*:

– 2013: A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women
– 2012: Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty
– 2011: Equal access to education, training and science and technology
– 2010: Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all
– 2009: Women and men united to end violence against women and girls
– 2008: Investing in Women and Girls
– 2007: Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls
– 2006: Women in decision-making
– 2005: Gender Equality Beyond 2005: Building a More Secure Future
– 2004: Women and HIV/AIDS
– 2003: Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals
– 2002: Afghan Women Today: Realities and Opportunities
– 2001: Women and Peace: Women Managing Conflicts
– 2000: Women Uniting for Peace
– 1999: World Free of Violence against Women
– 1998: Women and Human Rights
– 1997: Women at the Peace Table
– 1996: Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future
– 1975: United Nations recognizes International Women’s Day.

*Saskatchewan’s theme for 2014 is “Communities in Action:  Ending Violence Against Women and Girls”.

 

We can do it!

We can do it!

“An artist named J. Howard Miller first created the powerful “We Can Do It” image in 1942 as part of a defense industry campaign. That year, companies decided they were willing to hire women for their war production. To promote this, employers and government started a huge promotion to attract female workers.

In 1943, Norman Rockwell’s version of Rosie appeared in the Saturday Evening Post. Rockwell was the most popular illustrator in the USA, and when his drawing was published on the cover, millions of issues were sold all over the nation, boosting the Rosie myth. Soon the press picked up the story of Rose Hickey who was the record holder riveter at the TBM Avenger plant.”  ~ www.vector1.com