Summer is here and it’s vacation season for those who love to be out in the heat and sunshine. As is the case every year, GSU is hearing from members who are having problems booking or receiving their requested vacation time.

“Confirmation of your vacation approval is important,” said GSU staff representative Steve Torgerson. “Don’t just assume your leave is approved. If you haven’t heard back from your supervisor, be sure to follow up and seek approval – even if that means sending an email reiterating confirmation of your vacation request or saying unless you hear otherwise you will assume it’s okay to take the requested time off.”

If you are having problems with your vacation request, contact us toll-free. We’d be happy to help you.

If you need some advice about how to approach management with a problem, don’t hesitate to call your GSU staff rep. No problem is too small and sometimes a brief comment, email, or meeting is all that’s needed to address a situation. Call us when you think there is a problem to be fixed. Our services are provided to you as part of your union dues and there is never an additional charge for assisting you.

Weather-related work interruptions on March 29 have resulted in confusion for GSU members working in Viterra grain handling facilities as their employer has told affected employees to use banked time or vacation to cover missed work. Employees who have contacted GSU do not think the employer’s response is fair or reasonable, and GSU agrees.

“The wild storm that blew through parts of Saskatchewan on March 29 caused a number of GSU members to miss work or leave work early as a result of treacherous driving conditions,” said GSU staff representative Dale Markling. “In one instance the employer closed the facility, but the common problem is Viterra’s position that affected employees should dig into their overtime bank or vacation time to cover the lost hours.”

“GSU doesn’t agree that it is right or reasonable for employees to be penalized for events beyond their control,” Markling said. “We will be arguing that Viterra should absorb the cost of the lost time and charge same to pressing necessity leave.”

A similar situation arose in November 2020 and GSU has an executive grievance going to arbitration over the question of using pressing necessity leave under the collective agreement between the union and Viterra. Dates for the arbitration are being scheduled.

Did you experience time loss as a result of the March 29 storm?

Members working for any of our employers who were hit with time loss as a result of the March 29 storm are urged to contact GSU  to provide the details of their situation.

Some Local 1 (Viterra) members have been the subject of employer boot inspections to assess the quality of their boots for working on concrete and snow. After the inspection, members are advised of boot options and how much extra they can expect to spend over the $175 boot allowance outlined in the collective agreement in order to get new boots. 

From what we understand, none of the new boot options from the employer are priced within range of the current boot allowance.

GSU staff rep Donna Driediger has reached out to the employer requesting confirmation of what happens next when an FOM or AOM advises an employee that their boots should be upgraded. Specifically, Driediger has asked whether a new pair of boots will be supplied, if an additional boot voucher will be issued to employees, or if a top-up for boots can be expected by Local 1 members who have been advised their boots are not meeting the mark. 

GSU is assisting a number of GSU members who are receiving a lower rate of pay than a new employee in the same job classification with less experience. The actions on behalf of the senior GSU members in question is based on the principles of equity and fairness and seeks to raise the senior employees’ rate of pay. In fulfilling pay equity principles an employer cannot reduce higher paid employees’ pay in order to reach an equitable standard. 

 Actions in favour of pay equity and fairness are possible for GSU members without a lot of red tape and complicated processes as a direct benefit of union representation and a collective agreement.

Identifying problems as soon as they arise benefits everyone. Contact your GSU staff rep when you think there is a problem to be fixed.

GSU staff rep Donna Driediger is monitoring a situation where GSU members are being asked to work outside the province.

Interprovincial travel is permitted for Saskatchewan residents, but public health recommends limiting interprovincial travel, if possible.

If you need advice about how to handle a workplace situation, call your GSU staff rep.

We will work with you to find answers to your questions, recommend what course of action to follow, and find the solutions that work for you. Our contact information is available here. 

GSU staff rep Dale Markling is assisting GSU members who filed grievances after a new employee was hired into the same position as the grievors, but at a higher rate of pay than existing employees at the location.

If you have a question about a workplace issue, call GSU

Contacting GSU doesn’t mean you are obligated to file a grievance. We will work with you to answer your questions, recommend what course of action is best to follow, and find the solutions that work for you.

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

GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson is assisting a member whose understanding of circumstances didn’t coincide with the understanding management had on the same situation. Unfortunately, nothing is in writing, and when there is nothing in writing, it’s harder to enforce.

The best way to ensure that things happen as you understand and expect is to ask for written confirmation or to confirm the understanding yourself in writing to the other party. Written confirmation doesn’t need to be elaborate. It can be as simple as an email or a text exchange.

Click here to see an example of a quick email confirmation and to learn more about why written confirmation is important. 

GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner is continuing to press Viterra management to take concrete steps to address hours of work issues stemming from 134 railcar loading programs.

“In some instances, problems with design, staffing and railway performance combine to create nearly impossible situations for affected union members,” Wagner said. “I am continuing to urge operations management to be much more proactive and respectful of employees’ welfare. In the meantime, I urge union members to stick together and assert their rights under the collective agreement.“

Wagner is also continuing to raise the question of wage rates being paid to operations employees in a number of so-called work streams.

“The so-called pay for performance system should be done away with in favour of a more equitable, predictable and transparent approach to recognizing employee contributions to the success of the enterprise,” Wagner said. “GSU leaders will continue to shine a light on the problems, but ultimately it’s going to take a big collective push to come up with a better pay system.”