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).