GSU staff rep Brian Lark assisted a member when the employer wanted to extend their probationary period.

“There are reasonable reasons to extend probation periods but there can also be unreasonable extensions implemented by employers,” GSU staff rep Mason Van Luven said. “Probationary employees are dues-paying union members, and they have full access to the assistance of a staff representative. If they are questioning an extension to their probationary period or another workplace issue they should give us a call.”

Our services are provided to you as part of your union dues and there is never an additional charge for assisting you or a limit on the times you can seek advice. Contact information for GSU staff representatives is available on our web page at GSU.ca.

Twenty-one GSU delegates joined 340 delegates from other unions as they attended the 66th convention of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour held in Regina from October 26 to 28.

Convention activities began on the evening of Oct. 25 with delegate registration and the KAIROS Blanket Exercise which is designed to be an interactive teaching tool exploring the historic and contemporary relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the land we now call Canada. On Oct. 26 the formal convention agenda kicked off with the call to order, greetings from various dignitaries, the president’s address and secretary-treasurer’s report. The convention agenda also included presentations focusing on contemporary issues and challenges confronting working people in Canada.

Central to the convention was the debate on a variety of policy resolutions focused on improving the circumstances of working people across the province. Delegates also took time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Saskatchewan’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, including the pioneering leadership of Bob Sass.

GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner and Jackie Lazar (COPE 397) were awarded the Larry Hubich Lifetime of Service Award for their contributions to the labour movement and tireless advocacy for working people.

The theme of the convention was, “Speaking Up” for labour rights and better working conditions for workers in all sectors. Delegates put the theme in action by speaking up at a demonstration in support of the labour movement’s agenda which was held at the Saskatchewan Legislature on Oct. 27.

Lori Johb (SEIU West) was elected to her third term as SFL president and Kent Peterson (CUPE Saskatchewan) was elected to his second term as secretary treasurer. Delegates also voted overwhelmingly to change the SFL constitution to provide for biennial as opposed to annual conventions going forward.

On Oct. 1 Saskatchewan’s minimum wage increased to $13 per hour and moved from second last place to a last place ranking in Canada.

With the country’s lowest minimum wage is it any wonder that employers in some sectors are having difficulty in recruiting workers? Undesirable working conditions are also major factor in quite a number of sectors, so all-in-all it’s time employers stepped up their game.

As calculated by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the new minimum wage in Saskatchewan is a around $3.50 per hour lower than a living wage. Much more needs to be done to improve the lot of wage earners in the face of rising costs of living and declining standards of living.

Band aids won’t fix low wages in Saskatchewan and Canada.

We need consistent long-term solutions and securing the right to bargain over wages and working conditions by joining as union is one of them.

Employers who are committed to scheduled wage increases of 2 to 3 percent need to do a reality check and boost wages by considerably more to retain employees. There’s a significant shift underway in the labour market and employers who aren’t ahead of the curve will end up crying for workers.

Related:

• GSU Local 4 (Grain Millers) settlement breaks the mould, sets new high-water mark

It’s September and everyone is back at school, including our five scholarship recipients.

Each year 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.

Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients and thank you to GSU scholarship committee members Jim Brown (GSU president), Michelle Houlden (GSU vice president) and Sheila Tran (GSU vice president) for their work reviewing scholarship essays and selecting our recipients.

Labour Day is a day to celebrate workers. Join your local Labour Day celebrations in Regina, Saskatoon and Moose Jaw!

Regina – Labour Day Family Picnic

Join the Regina and District Labour Council, the Saskatchewan Building Trades, Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, and Regina trade unions to celebrate Labour Day! Free food, entertainment, and fun. Bring your family and friends!

Date: Monday, September 5
Time: 11:30 AM- 3:30 PM
Location: Pat Fiacco Plaza (City Square Plaza) on the North side of Victoria Park in downtown Regina.
Click here for more information   [Facebook link]

Saskatoon – Labour Day BBQ

Join the Saskatoon and District Labour Council for a free community BBQ.

Date: Monday, September 5
Time: 11:30 AM- 1:30 PM
Location: Victoria Park (by Riversdale Pool), Saskatoon

Moose Jaw – Labour Day BBQ

Join the Moose Jaw and District Labour Council for a free community BBQ.

Date: Monday, September 5
Time: 11:30 AM until the food runs out
Location: 1402 Caribou Street, Moose Jaw
Click here for more information   [Facebook link]

GSU’s executive committee met Aug. 31 to review union administration, finances and applications received for the general secretary position. They also discussed arrangements for the autumn 2022 Joint Executive Council meeting and the 2023 GSU biennial policy convention.

The executive committee is comprised of Jim Brown (president), Michelle Houlden (vice president) and Sheila Tran (vice president). The executive committee is responsible for overseeing GSU administration and finances between meetings of the union’s Joint Executive Council (board of directors). GSU’s general secretary is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the union and reports to the executive committee.

GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner will attend a roundtable meeting this evening with Saskatchewan’s new Minister of Highways and Transportation, Hon. Jeremy Cockrill.

Hosted by the Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC), the meeting will also include senior executives from BHP Canada Inc., Canpotex, CN Rail, Great Western Railway, South West Terminals, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Viterra as well as the president and vice president of WESTAC. The purpose of the meeting is to bring different perspectives to the Minister in relation to strategic issues in the supply chain network.

“GSU has been a member of WESTAC since 1978 and it provides the union with a unique opportunity to represent the interests of union members in a forum of senior transportation leaders and government policy makers,” said Wagner. “President Jim Brown and I are GSU’s representatives to WESTAC and we’ve used the many opportunities it provides to present the case for a more worker-friendly transportation system in western Canada.”

WESTAC is comprised of representation from the governments of the four western provinces, Transport Canada and an array of business and union representatives from significant actors in the supply chain system.

When someone does us wrong, there is definitely temptation to seek revenge or a find a way to get even. But what about when someone does right by us? 

Everyone enjoys being appreciated or acknowledged for something they have done for the benefit of others. So whether it’s your neighbour, co-worker, fellow committee or family member, make the time to *get even* with someone who has made an effort to make your life a little bit better or easier. The subject of your appreciation will feel happy and appreciated when they hear from you, and you will likely find that brightens your day, too. 

 Job posting: GSU General Secretary

The Joint Executive Council of Grain and General Services Union (ILWU Canada) has approved advertising for recruitment to the position of general secretary, the chief executive officer of the union, which will be vacated with the retirement of the current incumbent at the end of March 2023. A copy of the job description for the position can be viewed and downloaded here or by using the link at the bottom of this posting.

This is an out-of-scope position which will be covered by an employment contract. The salary range and benefit information is provided along with the job description. Competitive benefits and working conditions are provided.

Interested candidates are asked to submit their applications and resumes to GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner at Hugh@gsu.ca.

The deadline for submitting applications is Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

Following the close of the application period, GSU’s Executive Committee will conduct interviews with selected candidates. 

The hiring/recruitment committee is charged with the responsibility of making a hiring recommendation to the JEC.

Related:

• GSU general secretary job description (as at July 27, 2022)

Delegates from GSU Local 14 met in Regina on June 22 and 23 for a post-bargaining debrief, union education and the delegates annual meeting.

The first session of the meeting focused on agreement renewal bargaining and the recent settlement with Richardson Pioneer wherein a majority of Local 14 members narrowly accepted a final offer from the employer. The delegates had a frank discussion about the recent bargaining experience and the response by members at their locations. Based on the discussion, the meeting began to lay out a plan for strengthening members’ engagement and representation over the balance of the new collective agreement term as well as building a foundation for a strong collective bargaining response to issues confronting members.

Day two of the meeting focused on building capacity for delegates and GSU to offer improved representation to Local 14 members. The annual meeting portion of the gathering resulted in the election of Jerid Clark (White City) and Curtis Shiels (Melville) to be Local 14’s representatives on GSU’s Joint Executive Council (board of directors).

On the afternoon of June 23, delegates from Locals 1 (Viterra Operations and Maintenance) and Local 2 (Viterra Head Office) joined the assembly for a joint education session focused on conflict resolution and effective communication.

“Meetings such as this are an integral part of GSU’s commitment to workplace democracy,” said GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson. “Gathering representatives from the various locations and Locals to share their experiences and get to know one another is vital to maintaining a representative and responsive union.”

Working in the heat and humidity can have serious consequences.

Working with high temperature is not limited to work outside. Working indoors near a heat source without adequate ventilation could also put you at risk for heat-related medical conditions. Whether you are outside or inside, the hotter and more humid your surroundings the more breaks you need to take.

There are different levels of risk when working in higher temperatures and they all have their own symptoms. 

Heat rash
Heat rash and sunburn are the entry level medical concerns when working outside. A heat rash is often a cluster of small red bumps/blisters. They often form on the neck, chest, groin area or the creased in the elbow. The remedy is to stay in a cool dry place, keep the rash dry and use baby powder to sooth the rash.

Sunburn
We have all experienced a sunburn or know someone who has. Sunburns can range from a reddening of the skin to blisters. The area will be warm to the touch and can be extremely painful. If you do get burned stay out of the sun as much as possible and cover the skin if you have to work outside. Apply cool cloths or take a cool bath to help remove the heat. Once the skin is cooled down put on a moisturizing lotion and do not break open the blisters. Open sores can become infected and lead to different complications.

Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion symptoms include profuse sweating, cold, pale, clammy skin; a fast weak pulse, and often nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, tiredness or weakness, dizziness, headache and even fainting spells. If you or someone you are observing exhibit these symptoms, move to a cool place out of the sun. Loosen tight clothing (untuck shirt, undo a couple of buttons, loosen belt and boots) and use cool cloths or a cool bath to bring down body temperature. Sip water but avoid drinking lots of water at once as it will add to the nausea feelings. You should seek medical attention if you vomit, symptoms get worse or last longer than an hour.

Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is the most serious condition from working in high temperature areas. The body will be exhibiting fever like symptoms. A body temperature of 103 degrees or higher. Skin is hot, red, and damp to dry. You stop sweating and exhibit a fast strong pulse. Headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and fainting spells. If you experience these symptoms immediately call 911. Move the person to a cooler place and try to lower the temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath. Do not give them anything to drink the body will not accept it in this condition and the person will vomit.

Use these tips to keep yourself safe:

• Put on clothing to keep the skin covered.
• Use a high-SPF sunscreen on any exposed areas and wear a hat to help shield your body and head from the sun.
• Drink lots of cool or room temperature water to keep hydrated. Ice cold water may cause stomach cramps and coffee will increase internal body temperature so neither are a preferred choice of fluids during heat exposure.
• Alcohol and sugary drinks are also not a wise choice as they are diuretics and increase dehydration.
• Take breaks away from the heat, preferably in the shade or inside an air-conditioned building.

Click the table below to see a larger-size Canada OH&S table regarding high temperature work and humidity rating.

Unite Here – local 41 members who work at the Super 8 in Moose Jaw have been locked out since March 3 and they need  our help and support.

 The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour and the Moose Jaw and District Labour Council are sponsoring a solidarity picket on June 23 at 4:30 p.m. at the Super 8 – 1706 Main Street N. in Moose Jaw.

Your attendance and sharing of this post with others will be greatly appreciated.