The board of directors of GSU’s Defense Fund met April 5 to authorize steps necessary to support members of AEA/GSU Local 8 in the event their bargaining dispute leads to strike or lockout action.

Directors unanimously approved strike/lockout pay of 75 percent of members’ regular hourly wages plus payment of the premiums necessary to continue group insurance coverage during a strike or lockout at Advance Tank Production/Advance Tank Centres in Regina. To be eligible for strike/lockout pay, union members must be active participants in the actions of the union such as refraining from working for the employer during the strike or lockout and picketing the workplace at the times and places set by the Local union executive committee.

The directors’ meeting also gave approval to administrative steps to ensure ease of funds transfers and documentation expenditures.

The GSU Defense Fund has assets in excess of $5.7 million and is administered by an elected board of directors.

There is currently one vacant directorship on the board which is open for candidates from Locals 1, 2, 14 or 15. GSU members interested in serving as a director are urged to contact GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner at Hugh@gsu.ca.