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 About Us  About Unions NSWAbout UnionsWho's WhoInformation Centre What's Going On? Annual Reports   
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Mark Lennon - Senior Executive Officer
RSA Agreement
An early focus for Senior Executive Officer, Mark Lennon, in 1998 was the negotiation of a new Enterprise Agreement with Rail Services Australia (RSA). The RSA was established in 1996 following the break-up of the State Rail Authority into four separate entities. It has responsibility for maintenance of the rail network. Since its inception, RSA has been subject to the progressive competitive tendering of its work. In January this year, the Government announced a moratorium on the tendering process until 1 July, 1999, to allow RSA to place itself in a more competitive position. The decision by the Government placed additional emphasis on the EBA negotiations as the RSA sought to use the opportunity presented by the moratorium to improve its efficiency and lower costs. The negotiations began in February and continued throughout the year. RSA sought to introduce, through the EBA process, a new system of working that revolved around the concept of guaranteed pay. The concept was viewed with some skepticism by unions and membership, and, consequently, underwent several modifications, particularly to the system of rostering that will support the concept. As the year was closing, the negotiations were concluded between RSA and the unions and the agreement was to be voted on by members. SRAMark also had responsibility for other rail entities, including the SRA. His major responsibility in this area was the convening of meetings under the 72 hour notice provision of the dispute settling procedure. Many of these meetings concerned the implementation of the outcomes of the job and work redesign project. TAB PrivatisationThe early part of the year also saw Mark involved in the negotiation of a Memorandum of Understanding between the TAB and relevant unions which sought to protect the conditions of employees of the organisation upon its privatisation. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding helped reassure the staff of the TAB, as they made the transition to the private sector, that their conditions were secure. ICI BotanyAnother of Mark's responsibilities during 1998 was ICI Botany. This year saw the attempted registration of an employees' association for the Botany site under the provisions of the Workplace Relations Act 1996. The Labor Council was active in its opposition to the proposal and this saw Mark attend mass meetings on-site, on a number of occasions, to speak out against the proposal. In addition, Labor Council appeared in the registration proceedings before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission as one of the objectors. As the year was closing, it appeared that the attempts to establish an employees' association on the site had failed. Unions at ICI are to be congratulated for their efforts in ensuring members at Botany will continue to have effective representation. Police Officers' ClaimThe claim by the Commissioned Police Officers' Association for a 22% pay increase over three and a half years saw Mark supporting the claim on behalf of the Labor Council. With assistance from the Industrial Relations Commission, the issue was finally resolved with agreement to pay the 22% claim. The Commissioned Police Officers Association' is to be congratulated for its patience and measured efforts in achieving a most satisfactory outcome for their members. PowerChanges to staffing saw Mark take responsibility for industrial matters in Pacific Power, Delta Electricity and TransGrid in the middle of 1998. Activities at Pacific Power have revolved around the work of the award consultative committees. These committees have been considering a range of issues, including acting in higher grade and versatile working hours. Toward the end of the year, the work of a number of the committees was starting to provide innovative outcomes. The upcoming year will revolve around negotiations for a new Award for Pacific Power. These negotiations will include incorporating into the Award the results of the work of the consultative committees. The emphasis in TransGrid focused on the upcoming corporatisation of the organisation and the impact this is to have on employees' conditions. SuperannuationIn the field of public sector superannuation, Executive Officer Lennon was responsible for negotiations with the Premier's Department and Treasury for improvements in the Defined Benefit Scheme, taking over this role from Peter Sams. This process has been taking place for over twelve months. The outcome saw five major improvements to the scheme being passed by Parliament in the autumn session. In addition, this legislation saw the Government make provision for an offer of a conversion from the Defined Benefit Scheme to First State Super. This offer is to be made to contributors in early 1999. Forest Industry1998 saw the climax of the Regional Forest Agreement process for both the south-east and north-east forests in New South Wales. The outcomes of this process were encapsulated in the Forestry Bill 1998. Mark was involved in discussions with the Government over the Regional Forest Agreement, particularly in the south-east. The outcomes were not what the unions were seeking in both areas. Unions are concerned about the impact of the decisions in both areas on employment levels. We will continue to monitor the outcomes throughout the coming year. Other ResponsibilitiesOther responsibilities for Executive Officer Lennon throughout the year included board membership of Chifley Financial Services, ASSET Super, the Industrial Supplies Office, State Transit Authority and the Trades Hall Association. In addition, he continued to monitor the activities of the Australian Trade Union Program at Harvard Foundation.
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