November 17, 2020

Calendar highlights and upcoming events:
GSU Local 5 (Western Producer) bargaining

Union and company representatives were scheduled to meet on Nov. 3 and Nov. 5, but those dates were cancelled when the company requested more time to prepare. Additional dates are being chosen and will be announced soon.

GSU Local 5 bargaining committee members are Sharlene Tetrault, Michelle Houlden, and GSU staff rep Dale Markling.

. . . . .
Local 6 (Wild West Steelhead) bargaining

Bargaining will resume in Lucky Lake on Nov. 19.

. . . . .
Autumn 2020 membership meetings - November

In addition to usual union business, we've got constitutional amendments for your consideration and we need you to vote on whether you want to continue paying dues into the GSU Defense Fund.

Watch your email for your meeting notice and contact your GSU staff rep if you have any questions.

. . . . .

Local 15 (Nutrien)

FINALLY - here's how to log-in and make the changes in your Sunlife RSP account

All Local 15 Members currently have their pension plan set at a contribution rate of 5% and matched by the Company at 7.5%. If you would like to increase your contribution 1% to receive the additional 1.5% from the Company you will need to do this by adding a 1% RSP through Sunlife.

To do this depends on if you already have a RSP account setup with Sunlife.

I don't have a RSP account setup - If you don't already have a RSP account setup through Sunlife then you will have to contact Sunlife and speak to a representative that you want to open and RSP account and put 1% into it. Call Sunlife toll free 1-866-733-8612 – Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Once again, you will need your Sunlife access and ID and password.

I do have a RSP account setup - If you already have an RSP you can log in to Sunlife.ca to add your 1% to your RSP. If you already contribute 1% or more you will already receive the 1.5X matching contribution and won't need to make any changes.

Just a reminder that if you are a Local 15 member, you have until end of day Nov. 18 to log into your account and add 1% from your paycheque to an RSP if you want to the increased pension contribution to be effective beginning with the Nov. 8 to Nov. 21 pay period.

Detailed information was sent to Local 15 members and is available on GSU's web page at gsu.ca.
Would you like a copy of GSU's Layoff Information and Organizer guide?

The arrival of the snow and cold weather can trigger seasonal layoffs for some GSU members.

There are a lot of factors to consider if you are facing layoff. Our organizer can help you formulate a plan, gather documents, store relevant information, record important dates of EI claims, and more.

If you would like a copy of our Layoff Information and Organizer guide, contact GSU staff rep Steve Torgerson.
On behalf of the members, officers, and staff of Grain and General Services Union, we extend congratulations to our five GSU scholarship recipients who will each receive $2,000:

Tyler Buenneke – Dependent Scholarship recipient
Son of Local 1 (Viterra) member Mark Buenneke
 
Dayne Patterson – Dependent Scholarship recipient
Son of Local 15 (Nutrien) member Robert Patterson
 
Alexis Wood – Dependent Scholarship recipient
Daughter of Local 2 (Viterra Office) member Sheila Tran
 
Ty Nikolejsin – Member Scholarship recipient
Local 15 (Nutrien) member
 
Marc Rapin – Member Scholarship recipient
Local 16 (Lake Country Co-op) summer student.
 
We have highlighted each of our scholarship recipients over the past five weeks, and Marc is our final recipient. You can learn more about our GSU scholarship program here.

A final congratulations to our five GSU scholarship recipients. Thank you to GSU president Jim Brown, GSU vice president Brett North, and Joint Executive Council member/Local 15 president Brian Cowan for serving as our 2020 scholarship committee.



Congratulations to Marc Rapin - recipient of a $2,000 GSU scholarship

Marc was a member of GSU Local 16 (Lake Country Co-op) working as a summer student. He is currently enrolled at the University of Saskatoon working toward his Bachelor of Education degree.

Congratulations on being chosen as a GSU scholarsip recipient, Marc. We wish you every success and good fortune in your future endeavours.
The benefits of Integrity
Cambridge Dictionary defines integrity as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change.

Integrity is what drives you to do the right thing - even when no one else is watching, and even though no one else will ever find out about what you have done. If you are true to your word, return to the store to pay for the thing your weren't charged for, or wait for the red traffic light when no one is around for miles, you are on the right track to being a person of integrity.

Acting with integrity will likely mean making some tough choices and sacrifices, but when you live your life with integrity you don't ever have to worry about what others see you doing. In fact, others will see you as trustworthy, dependable, and a leader. And who among us doesn't appreciate being respected?

Lean more about integrity here:


This article has been printed for entertainment purposes. The views and opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of GSU, its members, officers, or staff.