Grain & General Services Union

Grain & General Services Union Representing working people across Western Canada.

GSU staff representative Mason Van Luven successfully assisted a union member in reducing a disciplinary action from a w...
09/04/2026

GSU staff representative Mason Van Luven successfully assisted a union member in reducing a disciplinary action from a written warning to a verbal warning.

Van Luven argued that the employer misapplied the principles of progressive discipline by linking two unrelated infractions. Because progressive discipline relies on addressing incidents of a similar nature, treating the separate issues as a continuous violation was improper. The employer agreed with the contractual argument and converted the warning accordingly.

"This situation turned out the way it did because this is a union shop with a collective agreement outlining workplace rights for members," Van Luven said. "Without a union, there are no checks and balances on how a company does progressive discipline in the workplace."

___________

If you think joining a union might be right for you and your co-workers, contact us for a confidential, no-obligation chat.

As we celebrate GSU's 90 years of solidarity and strength, GSU general secretary Steve Torgerson continues to present ou...
08/28/2026

As we celebrate GSU's 90 years of solidarity and strength, GSU general secretary Steve Torgerson continues to present our 90th Anniversary Commemorative Coins to the people who have helped shape our history.

Earlier this month, Steve awarded past GSU vice president Michelle Houlden with a commemorative coin. Michelle was an active leader who also brought her creative talents to help build GSU's visual identity over her years in the union.

Learn more about our commemorative coin program on our web page at GSU.ca.

Ever look at your paystub and feel like something just isn't adding up? You don't have to figure it out alone—that’s exa...
08/26/2026

Ever look at your paystub and feel like something just isn't adding up? You don't have to figure it out alone—that’s exactly why we’re here.

When workplace issues come up, GSU staff reps help gather the facts, check your contract, and make sure your rights are protected. We recently helped two of our members get their time back:

Local 1 (Bunge): Banked time was incorrectly deducted instead of being coded as regular pay. Our rep, Mason Van Luven, stepped in with management, and the member had their banked hours fully restored and pay adjusted.

Local 15 (Nutrien): Time off was taken from banked time instead of proper Personal Leave. Mason reached out, the category was corrected, and every single banked hour was credited back.

No formal grievances. No endless red tape. Just quick, direct communication that got real results for our members.

Why join GSU?

Zero extra cost: These services are fully covered by your union dues. You'll never see a bill for our help.

Unlimited support: Seek advice as many times as you need.

No appointments required: Have a question? Just give us a call.

If you're thinking a union might be right for you and your co-workers, reach out today and see what having strong representation in your corner can do for you.

✈️ Did you know WestJet flight attendants don’t get paid while boarding passengers, running safety checks, or during gro...
07/29/2026

✈️ Did you know WestJet flight attendants don’t get paid while boarding passengers, running safety checks, or during ground delays? If the plane isn't moving between gates, they aren't getting paid.

That’s right—crucial hours of their shift are done completely off the clock. That’s why nearly 4,400 flight attendants (CUPE Local 8125) just voted 99.4% in favour of a strike mandate.

For people who’ve never worked in a union shop, it can be hard to understand unions and how a strike vote works. Reaching the point of walking on a picket line isn't a quick process, and making the decision to walk out is never done for fun. It means risking lost pay, taking on massive personal stress, and inconveniencing customers you care about.

The right to strike and the power of uniting as a group of workers are essential parts of belonging to a union. If an individual non-union employee asks management to pay them for unpaid hours, they can easily be ignored. Having coworkers banded together in a union changes that equation.

By coming together, workers pool their voices to demand fair treatment. WestJet flight attendants are proving that when workers stand together, they have the power to insist that every hour worked is an hour paid.

_____________________

👉 Curious about how a union could benefit you and your co-workers in your workplace? Send us message. All conversations are 100% confidential with zero obligation.

GSU Local 9 (Trouw - Chilliwack) members have voted to accept the tentative agreement with their employer.Following conc...
07/28/2026

GSU Local 9 (Trouw - Chilliwack) members have voted to accept the tentative agreement with their employer.

Following conciliation meetings held on July 16 and 17 in Chilliwack, Local 9 bargaining committee members Robert Macken and Jordan Jefferson—working alongside GSU staff representatives Mason Van Luven and Jordan Cousins—successfully reached a tentative settlement with company representatives, breaking the deadlock from April 21.

On July 26, the final day of the conciliation window, Local 9 members voted to accept the tentative agreement.

Work will now begin on incorporating the terms of the tentative agreement into the new two-year collective agreement.

Our 90th Anniversary Coin program is well underway, and the nominations keep rolling in! GSU President Jim Brown dropped...
07/21/2026

Our 90th Anniversary Coin program is well underway, and the nominations keep rolling in! GSU President Jim Brown dropped by the Regina office to sign the next batch of thank you cards that accompany each commemorative coin when it is awarded to one of our many GSU supporters.

Do you know someone—past or present—who has left a positive mark on GSU over the last nine decades? Reach out and nominate them to receive one of our coins.

👇 Learn more about the program and submit your nomination here:
https://gsu.ca/nominate-a-gsu-contributor-for-a-commemorative-90th-anniversary-coin/

At GSU, we look out for the details that keep our members safe. Recently, a Local 15 (Nutrien) member ran into an issue ...
07/17/2026

At GSU, we look out for the details that keep our members safe. Recently, a Local 15 (Nutrien) member ran into an issue when their work boots were worn out but they had already used their boot voucher for the year. Staff Rep Donna Labelle stepped in to help, confirming that under their collective agreement, Local 15 members are entitled to replacement boots if their boots deteriorate from regular, on-the-job use—even if the yearly boot voucher is gone.

Your safety shouldn't have a calendar deadline.

If your boots are no longer fit for work due to normal wear and tear, notify your manager immediately to request a replacement voucher—and if you run into any issues getting it, reach out to your GSU staff rep.

When a workplace has strong, established protections, it is incredibly easy to take them for granted. But there is a cat...
06/25/2026

When a workplace has strong, established protections, it is incredibly easy to take them for granted. But there is a catch.

When you walk into your workplace every day, certain things feel standard, like your wage structure, your health benefits, your scheduled breaks, and the protocols keeping you safe and employed. It is easy to assume these things exist simply because the company is 'one of the good ones.' The reality is that this consistency is maintained quietly in the background by your union.

You are participating in a unionized ecosystem without ever having to think about the union itself. GSU doesn't have physical union offices or staff representatives standing beside members on the shop floor, and there isn't always an elected officer or shop steward onsite at the workplace. Without these visible reminders that you are in a union shop, the collective agreement and the work behind the scenes keeping the system running becomes invisible.

Your membership is like a high-tech safety shield. You may not see a strong union presence when things are going smoothly, but it is constantly working to maintain the standard of your daily work life. The collective bargaining agreements, the behind-the-scenes advocacy, and protection baselines did not happen by accident—and they don't stay active by accident. They require continuous, often quiet maintenance that is most often conducted away from membership view.

The best part of an invisible shield? It is there the exact moment you need it. Whether you are facing an unfair disciplinary issue, need clarification on your contract rights, or require representation during a workplace dispute, you are never flying solo.

We do the heavy lifting in the background so you can work with peace of mind. But remember: the shield only stays strong because we stand together to power it.

________________

If you think joining a union might be the right move for you and your co-workers, reach out to us and ask for Steve. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

As we celebrate 90 years of solidarity, hard work, and collective strength, we are pleased to announce that we have offi...
06/18/2026

As we celebrate 90 years of solidarity, hard work, and collective strength, we are pleased to announce that we have officially begun awarding our 90th Anniversary Commemorative Coins.

This program was launched to look back at the people who have shaped GSU into the organization it is today. Whether their impact was epic or simply steady and kind, we want to celebrate those who built our union’s legacy. We are incredibly proud to announce our first two very worthy recipients.

HUGH WAGNER

A commemorative coin has been awarded to retired former GSU General Secretary Hugh Wagner. Hugh’s name is synonymous with the very fabric of our union, leading us through 48 years of dedication and service through good times and bad. His leadership, guidance, and unwavering commitment to working people made an immeasurable impact on our organization and province.

He's pictured (on the left) receiving his coin from GSU President Jim Brown at the June 2026 RWDSU Convention in Humboldt, SK.

ROB ASHTON

A coin was also awarded to Rob Ashton, former president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada. As an affiliate of ILWU Canada, GSU, its officers and staff worked closely with Rob throughout his leadership. Rob has been a steadfast ally, a fierce defender of the labour movement, and a true friend to GSU over the years.

Rob was presented with his coin at the Spring 2026 ILWU Canada convention in Vancouver. He's in the center of the photo after receiving his coin from GSU General Secretary Steve Torgerson on the left and GSU President Jim Brown on the right.

KEEP YOUR NOMINATIONS COMING!

We are accepting nominations throughout 2026. If you know someone—past or present—who has helped make GSU what it is today, please put your nomination in writing and send it our way!

Address

2334 McIntyre Street
Regina, SK

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+13065226686

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Grain & General Services Union posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Grain & General Services Union:

Shortcuts

Share

Category