March 31, 2020  

Calendar highlights and upcoming events:

Joint Executive Council conference call meeting - April 3
The Joint Executive Council (JEC) is the governing body of GSU between policy conventions. They will be meeting by conference call to conduct the business that needs to be addressed following the cancellation of GSU's 2020 biennial policy convention. 

CANCELLED CLC/SFL Spring School - Moose Jaw, April 20 - 24, 2020 
Learn more about what you missed out on here.

CANCELLED Local 7 (Heartland) bargaining - April 2020
Your GSU Local 7 (Heartland) bargaining committee members are Heather Mackay, Tyler Sherwood, and GSU staff rep/committee spokesperson Donna Driediger.

Prairie School for Union Women - Waskesiu Lake, June 7 - 11, 2020 
This is a GSU-sanctioned event*. Learn more by contacting your staff rep or checking out the school brochure here.

Contact your GSU staff rep if you are interested in attending or learning more about an event.

*GSU members who sign up and are approved to participate in GSU-sanctioned events will have their time off work, wages, and expenses covered in accordance with GSU's expense policies (child care included). GSU staff will also assist you with arranging the time off with your employer.


 
 If you have concerns or problems as you deal with your employer's responses to Covid-19, don't hesitate to contact your GSU staff rep.

 
 The Government of Canada has released more details about economic programs to support Canadians during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

We expect that more specifics and details will continue to roll out. In the meantime, GSU has provided an outline and links to the programs and benefits. You can find it at gsu.ca or by clicking here. 

 
GSU Local 19 (Prairie Co-op) members vote to accept Memorandum of Settlement
       
Members of GSU Local 19 participated in the union's first ratification vote held under Covid-19 restrictions. Conference call and electronic voting on March 25 determined that 100 percent of the members voting were in favour of acceptance of the settlement as the basis of their new collective agreement. 

Local 19 bargaining committee members Devin Lipinski and Steve Torgerson were pleased with how willingly Local 19 members adapted to a different method of voting. 

"Safety of our members is important, and social and physical distancing made it necessary to conduct this vote a little differently than our normal process," said GSU staff rep and bargaining committee spokesperson Steve Torgerson. "We appreciate that the members of Local 19 were receptive and we thank them for helping to make things work in unusual circumstances."

Questions about the new agreement? Contact Steve at Steve@gsu.ca .



GSU council to meet, review union's finances, administration, union business

Members of the GSU's Joint Executive Council (JEC) will meet by conference call on April 3 to review the business of the union that would have been addressed at the GSU 2020 biennial policy convention if it hadn't been cancelled over Covid-19 precautions.

The JEC  is the governing body of the union which formulates policy and oversees the business of the GSU between policy conventions, and members of the council were scheduled to attend the union's 2020 policy convention March 19-21. Council members are elected by GSU members at their annual general meetings held in the last quarter of each calendar year.

The agenda for the meeting includes a review of the union's audited financial statements, union administration and other business, such as rescheduling the policy convention in 2021. 

You can learn more about the JEC and the elected council members here. 



 
Have you been accepted into university or tech school? 
Are you a GSU member, spouse or dependant of a GSU member? 

If your answer is YES, you are eligible to apply for a GSU scholarship.

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.


Deadline for receipt of applications is June 1, 2020.



5 tips for essential workers in their unionized workplace

Essential workers are hard at work in our communities, providing us with the food and services we need to help keep everyone safe during this challenging time. Many are working longer hours, spending less time with their families, and putting their own health at risk to ensure that everyone is taken care of.

A large proportion of GSU members are employed in businesses deemed essential and during the Covid-19 pandemic. And just like those in hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores, and so many other important positions, GSU members are in the workplace working hard and doing vital work while so many others are working at home or are at home as a result of closures, layoffs, and other responses to the pandemic.

Staying on the front lines can be difficult with all the talk about staying home, self-isolation, and keeping your family safe. The pressures people are experiencing are immense and can lead to anxiety, burn out and fatigue. 
  1. Make sure your workplace is following proper pandemic policies and guidelines. 
  2. Make sure your employer respects your right to rest and recuperation. 
  3. Rely on the rights you have in GSU's collective agreement with your employer. 
  4. Insist on your rights under OH&S legislation. 
  5. If you are having problems with your employer's response to your rights or if you have any questions, call GSU.
GSU is working hard to support members who are still working in the workplace and feeling vulnerable or worried.

Give us a call or send an email if you have questions, concerns, or need help.


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