|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
 About Us  About Unions NSWAbout UnionsWho's WhoInformation Centre What's Going On? Annual Reports   
|
|
|
Labor Council of NSW Annual Report 1998
The Labor Council is the peak body of trade unions in NSW with 75 affiliated trade unions, representing over 800,000 workers throughout NSW. This is the second of Labor Council's Annual Reports, published exclusively on the Internet. A HTML and PDF version can be found at http://council.labor.net.au/annual_report/. Below you will find links to the various sections of the report including an overview of the activities of the officers and departments of the Council. The report also includes additional information such as significant events of 1999, guest speakers to weekly Labor Council meetings, Scrolls of Honour, Motions of Condolence and a listing of 1999 office holders. Secretary's ReportThe Secretary, Michael Costa, reports on the activities of each of the officers of the Labor Council during 1999. The report is divided up into sections detailing the work of each officer. Michael Costa - Secretary
Organising Model1999 was an exciting and fruitful year for the Labor Council of New South Wales. Following a successful Executive Planning Day in April attended by the Executive and all major Labor Council affiliates, a decision was taken to adopt the organising model. The activities of the Council during 1999 were underpinned by this strategic reorientation. The Council and its officers have been actively involved in initiating and supporting campaigns that have an organising focus. It is pleasing to report that the Labor Council is well on the way to becoming the model Organising Peak Council. Of course, adopting the Organising model has not meant a withdrawal from traditional industrial servicing. Affiliates have continued to require the Labor Council to support them in wage campaigns and traditional industrial relations advocacy. State ElectionEarly in 1999 the Labor Council put significant resources into the successful campaign to re-elect the State Labor Government. The result of the election clearly shows that the people of New South Wales will not accept a Howard/Reith approach to industrial relations. The Conservative Opposition in New South Wales was unable to score any points against Labor on industrial relations. Industrial Relations SystemThe New South Wales Industrial Relations System has the broad confidence of all industrial players. The system continues to work well and I am sure will provide a model for a future Beazley Labor Government. However, there are significant areas of the current legislation that need to be developed to reflect the changing structure of the modern labour market. Of particular concern to the Council is the explosion of casualisation and sub-contracting through the activities of labour hire firms. The Labor Council has advanced a number of possible changes to the New South Wales Industrial Relations Act to regulate the activity of unscrupulous labour hire firms. In addition, we have canvassed the introduction, by majority agreement, in enterprise agreements of an agency fee. This proposal has generated much controversy, largely based on ignorance. The proposal makes great sense in an industrial relations system based on the complexities of Enterprise Bargaining. Whilst the Premier appears to have indicated his reluctance to accept the proposal, the Labor Council will continue to press for its introduction. Social AuditFollowing the State Election I sought on behalf of the Council to place firmly on the Government's agenda the need for a Social Audit. As a consequence during the year there has been much debate about what a Social Audit would encompass and why it was in the interests of Labor to undertake such an audit. This activity culminated in a successful conference held in conjunction with the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW and the National Council of Social Service, just before the ALP State Conference, which brought together people from diverse backgrounds to develop in detail the scope of the Social Audit. State Labor Advisory CouncilIt is pleasing to report that the Social Audit has been referred to the State Labor Advisory Council (SLAC), a new body established directly as a result of the Labor Council's agitation for more co-operative and sincere consultation between the industrial and political wings of the Labour Movement. The need for SLAC reflected the growing concern expressed by many public sector affiliates that the Government was not fully appreciative of the implication of many government decisions on public sector services and public sector workers. Of particular concern in this regard has been the policy of compulsory Competitive Tendering. Public Sector Wages NegotiationsThe State Budget caused additional problems for public sector workers in that it failed to acknowledge their legitimate claim for realistic wage movements. The Government chose not to explicitly budget for wage increases, which resulted in uncertainty and industrial tension within the public sector. This was not resolved until the very end of 1999 in negotiations co-ordinated by the Labor Council which led to a breakthrough on public sector wages. The Teachers' wage negotiations have not concluded and for almost all of 1999 the Government has refused to sit down and have proper discussions over the replacement of the Teachers' Award which expired at the end of June 1999. It is pleasing to report that as a direct result of the Labor Council's intervention these preliminary negotiations commenced at the very end of the year. It is hoped that the Government has learnt from its error of trying to bypass trade unions in wage negotiations. Trade Union UnityThe Labor Council played an important role in trying to reunify the trade union movement in the Hunter and on the South Coast. The integration process in the Hunter has proceeded successfully. During the year, the Labor Council co-sponsored a Strategic Planning Session for unions in the region which has provided a common focus for trade union activity. The trade union movement on the South Coast has experienced a number of difficulties over recent times in achieving a common focus. As a consequence of the Annual General Meeting of the South Coast Labor Council (SCLC), a number of unions disaffiliated from the SCLC and an attempt to create an alternate Peak Body for the region was initiated. The Body known as the Illawarra Council of Trade Unions (ICTU) applied to the Labor Council of New South Wales for affiliation. The Labor Council took the view that a single unified Peak Body was in the interests of the broader trade union movement. Following the efforts of Tom McDonald (former ACTU Vice President) and John Whelan, President of the Labor Council of New South Wales, a package of measures to resolve the difficulties and re-unify the movement was accepted. The Labor Council contributed the sum of $30,000.00, in the form of a loan, to the SCLC to assist the Council in meeting its financial liabilities. This loan is to become a grant on the successful implementation of the agreements that will lead to a unified SCLC. On behalf of the Labor Council of New South Wales and the trade union movement, I express our sincere thanks to Tom McDonald and John Whelan for their efforts in a satisfactory resolution of this difficult issue.
FinancesThe Labor Council's financial position as reported in the end of June 1999 accounts remains sound. The Labor Council has for a number of years chosen to subsidise affiliation to the Council by drawing on funds generated by Council assets to fund the operations of the Council. The Labor Council has deliberately run a deficit in its Management Account which has been offset by surpluses in its Property Account. Income from Sustentation Fees recorded a small increase of $13,903.00. Total income for the year was $1,365,194 as compared to $1,299,430 for the year ended 30 June 1998. Total expenditure for the Year was $2,068,731 as compared with $1,772,958 for the year ended 30 June 1998 - an increase of $295,773. The increase in expenditure was attributable to a one off rise in Industrial Campaign Expenditure not recovered of $66,680, and an increase in salary and wages of $121,037 due to an industrial officer transferring off a grant and onto the payroll, the employment of an additional senior industrial officer and salary increases. It is expected that in the year to June 30, 2000 a budget deficit on the Management Account of $837,930 will be greater than the budget net surplus from the Property and Currawong Accounts of $748,886. A deficit of $89,044. In the medium term it is desirable to return to a balanced position between all three accounts. Critical to achieving this outcome is the finalisation of the Currawong Management arrangement. The Management Fee of $200,000 per annum coupled with the reduction of the Currawong Account budgeted deficit of $51,455. means that the net impact on Labor Council's operating accounts of the Currawong Management arrangement will be $251,455. CurrawongIn respect of the Currawong site, the Labor Council agreed during the year to enter into a Management Contract for the re-development of the site. The key points of the Management arrangement are:
The Council resolved hat the Trustees be authorised to enter into a Management Agreement and Development Agreement with the Foundation, subject to the certification by the Labor Council's Finance Committee that its audit of the final terms of the Development and Management Agreement reasonably and substantially meet the key terms of the Agreements distributed to Labor Council delegates. Legal advice has been obtained that the arrangements proposed by the Agreements do not infringe the provisions of Rule 45 of the Labor Council Rules. Radio Station 2KYThe management and staff of Radio Station 2KY continue to produce excellent results both in terms of funds generated and quality of programming. During 1999 2KY maintained its position as Australia's premier Race Broadcasting Station. The Racing Radio Network has been further expanded with the installation of ten additional high power FM transmitters relaying the 2KY Racing Radio program to northern New South Wales. These new transmitter installations have improved the audience coverage for the Racing Radio program, which also continues to broadcast on 110 high and low power FM transmitters throughout NSW. Under the direction of General Manager Barrie Unsworth the rollout of the country racing network is almost complete with 15 installations in the southern part of the state due for completion in the next few months. During the year, narrowcast licences were obtained for Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Taree, Gloucester, Muswellbrook, Murrurundi, Tamworth, Gunnedah, Canberra, Queanbeyan, Cooma, Jindabyne, Thredbo, Bombala, Yass, Goulburn, Eden, Moruya, Narooma, Batemans Bay, Nowra and Bowral. High power transmitters are currently being installed at these locations. The major AM narrowcast licences for Newcastle and Wollongong were renewed for a further 5 years. The station has maintained its revenues in the face of increasing competition for advertising from other media operators such as pay TV and SKY Channel. This has been achieved by active support of 2KY advertisers with outside broadcasts at various advertisers' venues such as clubs, hotels, racecourses and commercial premises. In September 1999 2KY embarked on a major program change by presenting "The Big Sports Breakfast" from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. weekdays. This program complements the daily racing programs and immediately secured audience support. 2KY is the only radio station concentrating on sport as its principal format. This program differentiation has been a benefit at a time of controversy arising from the 2UE "cash for comment" investigation. Racing personalities Ian Craig, Kerry Buckeridge and Kim Stewart assisted by many well known racing journalists provide the racing audience with up-to-date information on daily race meetings. The 2KY "All Time Favourites" overnight music program, continues to please audiences and a country music show is transmitted on the Racing Radio Network overnight. 2KY installed a digital broadcast transmitter in December 1998 and was joined by three other Radio Broadcasters - ABC, Austereo and ARN, to continue the experiment with digital transmissions in the Digital Radio 2000 Consortium ahead of the commencement of commercial digital services in 2001. The finances of the station are soundly based and resulted in a surplus of funds being transferred to the Labor Council Wireless Committee in the financial year 1998-1999. Sale of 2HD Broadcasters Pty LimitedIn March 1999 a Share Sale Agreement was concluded with Broadcast Operations Pty Limited to transfer the Labor Council's interest in 2HD for gross proceeds of $3,600,000.00. After repayment of bank debt and a loan account a net amount of $2,744,657.00 was received and placed on deposit pending the setting up of a Special Purpose Trust in conjunction with the ALP. The Labor Council and the ALP will each appoint three Directors to the Trust and an independent Chairman will be appointed. An expert panel of investment advisors will be appointed to advise on the investments of the Trust with income generated being used to fund future election campaigns. Trades HallThe proposal to upgrade the Trades Hall that was approved in 1998 did not proceed due to the length of time in obtaining approvals including those from the Sydney City Council. However, towards the end of the year discussions commenced with UTS to the view of a redevelopment of the Trades Hall which would also incorporate a tower to accommodate UTS student accommodation. The Trades Hall Association has given the Labor Council authority to act on its behalf in these discussions. External financial expertise has been brought in and it appears that a development along these lines is financially viable. Negotiations between the parties and the Sydney City Council are now being undertaken. During the year, I represented the Labor Council at the New South Wales Drug Summit, as a delegate to the ACTU Executive and the ACTU Council, and has acted as a Member of the Advisory Board of the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, Managing Director of Radio 2KY, Director of 2KY Broadcasters, Director of 2KY Marketing Pty Limited, Director of NSW Race Narrowcasts, Director of Airsales Pty Limited, Director of Chifley Financial Services Limited, Director of Chifley Operating Services Pty Limited, Director of Pacific Power, Director of Sydney Water Corporation, Director of Totalcare Industries Limited and Director of the WorkCover Authority of NSW. I would like to thank Deborah James the Office Manager, Kelly Hutchison, and the other administrative staff at Labor Council for their help during the year. Also, I would like to mention that Margaret Morgan, the Labor Council's previous Office Manager retired in May this year after 28 years and five months service with the Labor Council. A special retirement dinner was held in honour of Margaret, which was well attended, including six of the Labor Council Secretaries Margaret had worked with. John Robertson - Assistant Secretary
ResponsibilitiesAs Assistant Secretary, John Robertson, has continued to have responsibility for the building and construction industry, breweries, local government, warehouse and distribution, oversight of public sector policy and negotiations, major disputes, the oil industry and Sydney Water. In 1999, John acquired the additional responsibilities of education, including both public & private education. Industrial AgreementsDuring 1999, John co-ordinated the negotiation of project awards and agreements for a number of projects in the building and construction industry. These projects include:
Each of the agreements and awards involved negotiations with the respective builders and unions to develop arrangements that aim to achieve the completion of the project at least on time and on budget. The agreements and awards deal with issues that increase flexibilities, such as the accumulation of Rostered Days Off, dispute settlement procedures for employer specific disputes, project wide disputes and demarcation disputes. In return, the employees are paid a project productivity allowance for the achievement of agreed milestones identified during the negotiations. John continued to play an integral role with a number of construction projects. These include: -
John co-ordinated the negotiation of an Enterprise Agreement for aircraft maintenance and refurbishment at the RAAF Base in Richmond. The negotiations involved the employer, Forstaff Pty Ltd, The Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association, the Australian Services Union (Clerical & Administrative Branch), the Australian Workers Union and the Electrical Trades Union. The Agreement was negotiated in order to establish an industrial instrument to provide wages and conditions for future employees of Forstaff who carry out aircraft maintenance and refurbishment. Forstaff have tendered to the Federal Government, along with others, to provide aircraft maintenance and refurbishment to the RAAF's fleet of Hercules. Trade Union Training Australia (TUTA) - Union Management CourseOver 1999 John undertook the TUTA - Union Management Course at Currawong. The course was conducted in three, one week blocks with each week focusing on contemporary issues confronting unions. These included finances, organising, strategic planning and addresses from union representatives from New Zealand. The course is targeted at Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries and future union leaders and aims to provide participants with the skills required for the future. Organising CentreIn 1999 the Labor Council of NSW established the Organising Centre. The Organising Centre is located on the Ground Floor of the Labor Council Building in Sussex Street. John was responsible for the development of the concept into a reality. This involved the development of the window display, layout of the Centre, the office furniture required and interviews for the position of Organising Assistant. The Organising Centre is intended to be a resource for unions conducting Organising campaigns and a referral service for potential union members. In 1999 John, in conjunction with Sarah Kaine, held discussions with a number of affiliates on the development of organising campaigns in the Sydney Central Business District utilising the Organising Centre. It is intended to run a number of these campaigns in the first half of 2000. Second Wave CampaignAs part of the Labor Council's role in the campaign against the Federal Government's second wave of amendments to the Workplace Relations Act, John prepared Labor Council's submission to the Senate Inquiry on the proposed amendments. Following the submission, Labor Council was requested to make a presentation to the Senate Inquiry. The Labor Council's presentation was led by John and also involved the Newcastle Trades Hall Council, the Community & Public Sector Union, the Electrical Trades Union and the Australian Services Union (Services Branch). Kathmandu CampaignIn December 1999, John organised a rally outside the retail outlet of Kathmandu in Kent Street, Sydney. The rally was aimed at highlighting the fact that Kathmandu had engaged New Zealand students on rates of pay less than the Award. Kathmandu said they had engaged the students because they were unable to find young Australians prepared to work in its retail outlets. The rally, after being attended by young people and a number of unions achieved a major victory. Kathmandu agreed to pay all employees in accordance with the Award and agreed that in future, should they require any large numbers of new employees, they will consult the Labor Council. John's other responsibilities: -John's other responsibilities during 1999 included membership on the following boards and committees: -
Mark Lennon - Senior Executive Officer
Rail IndustryEnterprise Agreements and Consent Awards consumed much of Senior Executive Officer, Mark Lennon's, time in 1999. The Rail Services Australia (RSA) Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) was completed in March. The agreement was more than twelve months in the making and contained aspects that caused concern for officials and members alike. However, the final document has enabled RSA to implement a new operating system within the organisation which will assist its competitive position. A new EBA was negotiated for FreightCorp during 1999. Like RSA, FreightCorp is facing an increasingly competitive marketplace with new operators entering the market everyday. The focus from management during the negotiations was on cost reduction and a revenue neutral outcome for wage increases. Unions found many of the proposals for changes unacceptable to members. However, after some six months of negotiation members voted on the document in November with a 60% majority in favour. Other rail matters that Mark was involved in 1999 included the station management restructure in State Rail and the review of the RSA workshops. The former issue is now off the table after an acrimonious dispute. The dispute clearly showed that members in State Rail are suffering from reform fatigue. For the RSA workshops the major issue was how to face an increasing number of new players in rolling stock maintenance. It appears likely that the Workshops will be entering into a joint venture as a means of enhancing their capability and meeting the new challenges. Power IndustryIn the power industry Mark had responsibility for Award negotiations in Pacific Power, Delta Electricity and TransGrid. With Pacific Power a new twelve month Award was agreed to with a 4% increase and no trade offs. In effect the Award is an interim one, as it was thought by both sides that to enter into lengthy negotiation at a time when the organisation is in the process of being corporatised was inappropriate. TransGrid's negotiations took some two months of meetings but the outcome has seen an increase for members of 9% over two years. In addition, members will receive improved benefits including the ability to salary sacrifice for superannuation purposes. At the close of the year the Award was going to a vote of the members. At years end the Delta negotiations had reached an impasse. Despite officials agreeing to some productivity improvements in the proposed new Award management were still demanding more. Members were clearly expressing a view that there were to be no more concessions and therefore the negotiations had come to a halt. It is hoped they will be revived in the new year. Mark was involved in various reform issues in the power industry during the year. Most controversial was the attempts by Pacific Power to reform its Transitional Services Group in the middle of the year. This lead to threats of industrial action and the matter being before the Industrial Relations Commission several times. Particularly offensive to members was the decision by management to limit salary maintenance for displaced employees to twelve months. This was clearly in contravention of a long standing agreement in the electricity industry which provided for unlimited salary maintenance. All electricity entities had adopted the same policy on salary maintenance by years end. Unions have made it clear that unless the unlimited policy is restored there will be a clear impact on the ongoing reform process in the electricity industry. Public SectorMark took responsibility for the general public sector during the year. Major issues in this area included the discussions with various agencies about the implementation of child protection guidelines, the development of new policies on flexible working arrangements and the review of various Acts. The major task for Mark and unions in public sector superannuation was the oversight of the conversion offer to members of the State Superannuation Scheme (SSS). The offer was to go out to members early in the year, however, by years end it was still to occur. Mark's other responsibilities: -Over the year Mark assisted affiliates with various other matters including representation in unfair dismissal matters, negotiations on payments for public holidays and submissions on a number of Award matters before the Industrial Relations Commission. In 1999 Mark was a member of the boards of;
In addition he continued to administer the Australian Trade Program At Harvard Foundation. Naomi Steer - Senior Executive Officer
Senior Executive Officer, Naomi Steer, has undertaken a wide range of activities and responsibilities this year. Highlights of ActivityHighlights of Naomi's activities in 1999 include:
Community and Public AffairsNaomi maintained liaison with a wide range of community organisations and participated in a number of community campaigns, including FairWear, opposition to the Second Wave legislation, East Timor, and the Goods and Services Tax (GST). As part of her Community and Public Affairs role Naomi supervised Labor Council and union participation in the Sydney Women's Festival, the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Survival Day and the Big Day Out. Naomi addressed a wide range of public forums on issues relating to family friendly and flexible work practices, the hours of work campaign, outworkers, industrial rights and entitlements, pay equity and casual work, and sex discrimination. IndustrialNaomi's areas of industrial responsibility included media and entertainment, roads, the food industry, outworkers, women and community and children's services. In the latter part of 1999 she assisted Roads & Traffic Authority (RTA) unions in their ongoing negotiations on a new Enterprise Agreement. She also assumed responsibility for co-ordinating the Labor Council's Pay Equity Case. Discussions continued with employers throughout 1999 about how to implement the recommendations contained in the Pay Equity Report released on Christmas Eve in 1998. Unfortunately, little progress was made and, accordingly, Labor Council applied to the NSW Industrial Relations Commission to have the matter heard. Hearings for the case have been set for February 2000 and Labor Council has briefed legal counsel to run the case. Labor Council's submissions have been filed including a new Equal Remuneration Principle. Naomi's other responsibilities:Naomi represented the Labor Council on the following bodies:
Chris Christodoulou - Senior Industrial Officer
ResponsibilitiesSenior Industrial Officer, Chris Christodoulou, has continued his secondment from the Australian Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union with Labor Council. Over the last twelve months Chris' prime responsibilities have been to co-ordinate union activities around the Sydney Olympic Games, assisting in the Equal Pay application, running the State Wage Case, assisting on East Timor matters and assisting in the establishment of the Labor Council Organising Committee. Olympics 2000Following the creation of the Olympic Award Chris' time has been taken up with a myriad of issues in the lead up to the games. The main areas worth noting are as follows: Unions 2000Unions 2000 is a unique project organised by the Labor Council of New South Wales to assist union members, their families and friends to obtain employment during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The Union Movement is using its networks to help meet labour requirements during the Olympic Games. Registration through Unions 2000 will be of benefit to workers for two reasons. Firstly, they will receive the protection of a Union during the Olympic Games, and secondly, their work application forms will be processed directly by some of the largest Olympic employers all of whom have a good relationship with the trade union movement. At the time of writing this report 2000 people have registered for work through Unions 2000. Our target is 5000 which we hope to meet by April 2000. Textile Clothing & Footwear Union (TCFUA) Uniforms DisputeA protracted dispute took place during the year with Sydney Organising Committee the Olympic Games (SOCOG's) non adherence to the Licensed Goods Code of Conduct as it related to the production of uniforms overseas. This angered the TCFUA and Labor Council particularly as they were unwilling to supply the names of the overseas companies being used. Following quite a deal of media publicity and ongoing negotiations with SOCOG and Pacific Dunlop a compromise was finally reached which saw 15 000 business shirts brought back to production in Australia and the names of all overseas companies supplied. The TCFUA and the Labor Council now have the ability to check that these overseas companies are not breaching the Code of Conduct. Ollie and Millie Voice-Over DisputeFollowing the intervention of Labor Council a potentially serious dispute was resolved with SOCOG over the "like sacking" of the Ollie, Sid and Millie Voice-Overs. The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) were successful in having their members obtain compact disc (CD) work which was offered to non union labor during the dispute. State Wage CaseChris conducted the State Wage Case in April of 1999. Labor Council was able to flow on from the Federal Decision and, in addition, improve upon the Economic Incapacity Test that had been decided upon in the Federal Decision. In addition, Labor Council was also successful in having a standard Anti-Discrimination clause inserted in all state Awards. East TimorIn June 1999 Chris was part of an Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) delegation which visited East Timor and also met with Xanana Gusmao while he was under house arrest in Jakarta. Chris' visit brought back valuable information but unfortunately the information on the predicted militia response to a pro-independence vote fell on deaf ears when this information was given to the Howard Government. Nonetheless, the overall positive response by the Australian Community post ballot towards East Timor has been encouraging and congratulations need to go out to all our affiliates, particularly, the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union (CFMEU) and the NSW Nurses' Association. These two Unions have continued to play a role in helping the East Timorese through this transitional period. Job Futures AgreementDuring 1999 the Labor Council signed off an historic agreement with Job Network Agency - Job Futures. The agreement establishes reciprocal arrangements whereby Job Futures will provide promotional information on union services to its clients whilst the Labor Council will encourage its affiliates to support Job Futures as the preferred provider of rehabilitation, counseling and outplacement services to union members. Chris' other responsibilities: -
Ernie Razborsek - Industrial Officer
As with 1998, in 1999 Newcastle based Industrial Officer, Ernie Razborsek, continued his responsibilities in the northern region of the state and also spent some time outside of the Hunter Valley. Newcastle Trades Hall CouncilThe integration of Labor Council and Trades Hall continues successfully with the two offices working together more closely than ever. This is evidenced by joint initiatives and the sponsoring of projects directed primarily at occupational health and safety, industrial, job security and union recruitment and retention issues. The union movement in the Hunter has moved closer together due to the integration of offices. During 1999 successful negotiations achieved greater representation on the Trades Hall Executive. This should, in turn, with further negotiations, pending on a variety of matters, set a climate which would allow other major unions in the region to affiliate to Trades Hall with a degree of confidence that all the unions in the region can work together and will have a combined voice and support each other. State ElectionAs with the Federal Election last year the Trade Union Movement lent total support to all Australian Labor Party (ALP) candidates in the region this year. With the seat of Waratah (the safest ALP seat in the State) being abolished, sitting member John Price had to contest the most marginal Liberal seat of Maitland. With assistance from the unions, John was able to regain the Maitland seat for the ALP after an absence since the Wran years. Building & Construction Project AgreementsLabor Council has continued to play a key role in negotiating agreements in the building & construction industry for major projects. Negotiations are in progress with Peabody for a new Agreement for continued development and upgrading of their huge open cut mines, this should be finalised early in the year 2000. Port Waratah Coal Services, already the worlds biggest coal loading facility, has commenced a $750M expansion. The company's manager Rio Tinto, asked Labor Council for an Agreement to construct the upgrade. Negotiations ensued with the Construction Project Managers Bechtel, and an agreement has been reached for wages and conditions well beyond those catered for in the parent awards and Contractor Enterprise Bargaining Agreements. After years of negotiations and a final court decision for Redbank Power Station against Energy Australia on various matters, the two year project was commenced earlier this year. Because of delays the pace setting Construction Agreement was re-negotiated this year in time for the start of work. This project is situated at Warkworth in the middle of the Hunter Valley which has the highest unemployment rate in the state. Since the demise of the Power Station Construction Agreement during the Greiner/Fahey reign, wages and conditions in this industry have fallen to an all time low, with allegations of shonky contractors under-paying employees and therefore squeezing reputable contractors out. In 2000, the Building and Construction Unions will conduct a campaign and seek, through the New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission, a new Award to replace the old agreement. Ernie has also negotiated other Agreements in the Hunter Region. Macquarie GenerationThe state's biggest Generator has been interesting and time consuming this year for Ernie. An Agreement to restructure Power Station Operators was concluded early in 1999 which ensured a more structured, defined and diverse career path with prospects of wage increases. The Macquarie Generation Award expired mid-year and, accordingly, a Log of Claims was developed by the industry's unions, led by Labor Council early in the new year when negotiations commenced. Because of outstanding issues from previous rounds and management's own demands, negotiations were prolonged and tough with settlement not being reached until August increases were backdated to the expiration of the old Award. In order to overcome some of the difficulties that were experienced, Labor Council has invoked an unused Consultative Mechanism clause in the Award so any outstanding issues, or new issues which may arise during the course of the three year Award, can be dealt with and the new Award re-negotiated without clouds hanging over the parties. Hunter Water CorporationAs reported last year, Ernie continues to assist the Hunter Water Union with its amalgamation with the Australian Services Union (ASU). These negotiations are now subject to the formalities and should be finalised soon. With respect to the Corporation, negotiations were finalised this year for wage increases and consolidation of all Awards and Agreements in the organisation into one. Satellite EBA's have been negotiated in some divisions to allow for such things as annualised wage rates, consolidation of special rates and other matters which are unique to those parts of the organisation. To date, negotiations for a Salaried Classification restructure have not run smoothly. Negotiations to finalise this matter were targeted for May 1999, however, negotiations before the New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission fell down in December and a lengthy arbitration of the matter will ensue. Negotiations collapsed because of the relentless pursuit of the Corporation on job security by attempting to downgrade members' current entitlements in this regard. Ernie's other responsibilities: -Ernie continues his membership of:
Ernie was also appointed recently to the Local Aboriginal Employment Project Committee, a sub-committee of the Hunter Area Consultative Committee, charged with addressing Aboriginal unemployment in the region. Michael Gadiel - Industrial Officer
IntroductionIndustrial Officer, Michael Gadiel, has extended his duties in the industrial sphere, adding the rail and health industries to his range of responsibilities. Michael has continued his activities in State Transit, Training, Internet/Information Technology but has recently passed the carriage of International Affairs and Youth Affairs to Peter Zangari. RailFollowing the conclusion of the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement last year there have been a range of follow up issues that have required the attention of the Labor Council. These included the negotiation of arrangements for the clearance of accrued public holidays, variation of the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement to allow for salary packaging of superannuation and negotiation of a separate agreement to cover State Award employees. The Award Simplification process has impacted on the rail industry resulting negotiations for a modernised and stripped-back Enterprise Award for each of the rail entities. Michael has been involved in the co-ordination of these discussions for the State Rail Authority (SRA) unions. The Labor Council has been actively involved in a number of disputes in rail as required by the dispute settlement procedure that operates in the rail industry. Michael has assisted in mediating disputes on a range of issues including: the Train Crew Assignment Office, Broadmeadows Train Control, Sydney Train Control, Countrylink, dual and multi-control of stations, introduction of closed circuit television (CCTV) and signalers. In many cases these issues were able to be satisfactorily resolved at the Labor Council level. The Customer Service Manager (CSM) dispute was of particular interest. The dispute arose as a result of the rejection by Rail Unions of SRA proposals to cut large numbers of jobs from station platforms. The industrial action resulted in considerable media attention because of the disruption arising from the complete full day stoppage to all metropolitan services. The Labor Council has assisted, where possible, in a resolution to this dispute and in particular, was involved in the Industrial Relations Commission hearings to separate this issue from other areas. In addition to the above, Michael has co-ordinated consultations with unions regarding the SRA's Standards of Workplace Behaviour Policy and the establishment of a mirror State Enterprise Agreement to cover SRA's State award employees. State TransitState Transit has also been an active portfolio this year. In particular the dispute involving the Log of Claims served on the Rail, Tram and Bus Union and the union campaign to achieve an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) outcome. Fortunately, the unions and State Transit have been able to reach an equitable outcome with a short campaign that resulted in only minor disruption. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union conducted its campaign via four-hour stop work meetings in the middle of the day so as not to disrupt commuter traffic. The campaign resulted in the STA withdrawing its log of claims and offering a two-year Agreement at 3 per cent each year. In addition, the Labor Council has co-ordinated discussions with State Transit on the modernisation of the Dispute Settlement Procedure (DSP) between the unions and the Authority. This has resulted in modifications to the agreed DSP and an increase in the level of the Industry Allowance. TrainingMichael has continued to represent the Labor Council on a number of committees and working parties in the Department of Education and Training. In particular, Michael has recently been appointed to the Migrant Skills and Qualifications Committee. This year the Department has appointed Rhonda Kassis to assist unions and employers in establishing industrial arrangements for school-based trainees. The Government faces a difficult issue in this area because of the lack of State industrial instruments available to underpin the employment arrangements for school-based/part-time trainees. This has resulted in employers leaving the state industrial system and shifting to the Federal jurisdiction or opting to use Australian Workplace Agreements. The Office of the Employment Advocate has recognised an opportunity in this area and has produced a pro-forma Australian Workplace Agreement and guide for Traineeships - the Office is distributing this throughout the training industry. The solution proposed by the Labor Council is to establish a School-based State Training Wage Award. This award would be restricted to cover only school students, but would cover a range of industries and callings. The purpose of this award would be to provide a simple, user friendly, arrangement for trainees and to wind back the penetration of Australian Workplace Agreements and Part-time Work Agreements in training. Michael has presented a draft copy of this Award to unions and will work with unions, the department and employers in the following year to establish this Award to cover as broad a range of industries as possible. Michael has assisted unions in a range of other areas of training. He has worked in the Construction Industry Task Force, established by the Premier's Department, at the behest of the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union (CFMEU), to look at solutions to the declining levels of apprentice numbers in the construction industry. The work of this task-force has resulted in the Government offering a partial payroll tax exemption for NSW apprentices. Furthermore, Department of Public Works and Services (DPWS) is looking at ways to better enforce and monitor the four to one tradesman to Apprentice ratio required on significant Government projects by requiring contractors to produce, and submit, a comprehensive training plan. The Labor Council, through Michael, has been involved in the "Customer Service 2000 Traineeship", an initiative of the Retail Traders Association. Labor Council assisted the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association and the Australian Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union in the negotiation of an Agreement to cover trainees working in both the hospitality and retail industries. Michael represents the Labor Council on the Steering Committee overseeing the operation of this initiative. The NSW Government has set itself the target for the creation of 2000 new trainees in the New South Wales Public Sector by the end of the year 2000 - this was taken to the March election as part of the NSW Government's commitment to training. Michael has represented unions on the Steering Committee that monitors this project. Internet/TechnologyWith the successful launch of Workers Online and the production of forty-one issues in 1999 - LaborNET now has a rich and growing area of content - with over 2000 subscribers Workers Online has become the largest source of traffic on LaborNET. LaborNET continues to remain the largest clustering of Australian union information available on the Web. In 1999 the primary focus was to complete the planned migration of LaborNET to a dedicated server, this will allow an expansion in the range of online services unions will be able to offer to their members and potential members through their LaborNET websites. Currently, LaborNET hosts sites for a range of unions, including the Electrical Trades Union , the Australian Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union, the Australian Services Union (Services Division), the New South Wales Fire Brigade Employees Union, the Public Service Association and the Municipal Employees Union. In 2000 the NSW Teachers Federation will be joining LaborNET to become the eighth union to co-locate its site with the other unions and the Labor Council. In the following year Labor Council is embarking on a major revamp of the LaborNET portal and of the Labor Council site. This will involve upgrading both infrastructure and the content. With the addition of new infrastructure, including a Virtual Trades Hall, Banner Advertising Engine, news feed, Online Media Centre and eCommerce facilities, LaborNET will offer a high standard of support and service to the LaborNET, unions and visitors to the site. The focus of these additions will be to extend Labor Council's organising focus into the online world. Youth and International AffairsFor the last year Michael has continued to maintain responsibility for reception of International Delegations and has received delegations from a range of countries including Japan, China, South Africa, Canada and Hong Kong. In the area of Youth affairs Labor Council has continued to support the campaign for the abolition of Junior Wages. Furthermore, Michael has sought to develop a profile amongst young people operating information stalls at youth festivals such as the Big Day Out and staging events like the Big Lunch Break. Having maintained responsibility for the areas of Youth and International affairs, and having taken up a range of new responsibilities as an Industrial Officer, Michael has now passed responsibility for these areas to Research Assistant, Peter Zangari. Mary Yaager - Occupational Health and Safety and Workers Compensation Officer
Workers Compensation & Occupational Health & Safety Co-ordinator, Mary Yaager, resumed her responsibilities for the co-ordination and development of Labor Council's polices on:
Workers CompensationOver the last 12 months Mary has been extensively involved with the implementation and monitoring of the new Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act, which was path breaking for Workers Compensation in New South Wales. The reason for this was that the legislation had bipartisan support of the employers and unions. This Act allowed for the establishment of a new peak advisory body; the Workers Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC). This body is comprised of equal employee (nominated by Labor Council) and employer representatives. Mary has been involved in following through a number of the WCAC recommendations for reform. The issues identified by the WCAC are major projects and therefore, WorkCover established a number of working parties to develop proposals for the Advisory Council in relation to these reforms. Mary has represented the unions on all of these working parties. Listed below is information in relation to the outcomes of some of the working parties.
Mary has also co-ordinated the response of the Labor Council representatives on this Advisory Council and ensures that the Labor Council's OH&S and Workers' Compensation Committee (WCAC) is actively involved in this process. The WCAC process has certainly made a difference to the consultative process and unions now are actively influencing policy in workers compensation and OH&S. The Workers' Compensation Scheme is starting to turn around with the schemes first surplus in six years. This is attributed to the new injury management initiatives put forward by the unions and also the hard work, effort and commitment of the unions who have been actively involved in monitoring the scheme. The new Act also allowed for the establishment of peak OH&S and Workers Compensation Industry Reference Groups (IRGs) with equal employer and employee representatives. These groups are subsets of the peak Advisory Council and are responsible for making recommendations on industry specific strategies for:
The employee representatives on these Statutory Bodies have been nominated by Labor Council and Mary has actively involved all of the unions. There are over 300 representatives on these groups comprising of union officers and their delegates and employers. These groups, in conjunction with Council's OH&S and Workers' Compensation Committee, have made recommendations to WCAC in terms of Labor Council OH&S and workers' compensation policies. Mary also represents Council on a number of these groups. The majority of the IRGs have developed excellent industry specific guidance material on injury management and risk management while others have developed marketing strategies for raising awareness. This should be rolled out next year. Mary will continue to oversee the running of these groups and also continue participation. TrainingWorkCover and Labor Council have continued to conduct the Authorised Officers Course. These courses are mirrored on the WorkCover Inspectors Training Manual and provides union officers with the necessary skills and knowledge regarding occupational health and safety and in particular their Right of Entry powers.The feedback on these courses has been extremely positive and they were well attended. In addition, Mary has conducted a number of in-house briefings for unions on the new changes to Workers Compensation. Workers Compensation & OH&S Information Packages.Mary, with the assistance of unions and their delegates, has developed an information package which includes a brochure and a flow chart for unions to distribute to their members about the new changes to Workers Compensation. This material is badged with the new union logo "unions: with you at work" and also provides a blank section for unions to badge and provide their own contact details and, in consultation with WorkCover, has also developed a Workers Compensation training package for union delegates. This kit was launched by the Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon. Jeff Shaw, QC MLC, earlier this year and a number of these courses have been conducted for union delegates. The course provides delegates with essential information to assist them in their day-to-day activities, particularly in the areas associated with disputes and return to work issues. An OH&S Delegates kit is also being put together by a sub committee of the Council, the OH&S and Workers' Compensation Committee and this will be piloted in February 2000 with a number of union delegates. The kit will be simple for union officers to use in training their delegates in the basics of OH&S. It will also be accompanied by an activists/delegates handbook. Committee ActivityMary has continued to convene, coordinate and assist Labor Council's OH&S and Workers Compensation Committee. In consultation with this committee, Mary has prepared the following:
Commentary on all draft OH&S and Workers Compensation legislation and policy, for example: Submission to WCAC on reforms to the Labour Hire Industry the draft Consolidated Regulation 2000. Response to new OH&S legislation.Labor Council has been invited to make a submission to the Regulatory Authority in response to any concerns with the draft Consolidated Regulation which is currently out for public comment. Mary has commenced the preparation of this submission in full consultation with the unions through a number of working parties. There will also be an opportunity for regional union officers to participate in this process as Mary will organise to meet with unions in regional locations. This will be a mammoth task as the draft Regulation will replace the 36 Regulations operating under the OH&S 1983. The Factories, Shops and Industries Act 1962 and the Construction Act 1912. There is concern that some of the prescript legislation will be diluted. Mary will ensure that all of the prescriptive Legislation is maintained. YouthSafe CommitteeMary has continued to assist and convene the YouthSafe Committee. Mary has been developing, in association with the Committee, an OH&S awareness Kit for High Schools. Labor Council, members of the YouthSafe Committee, Bleendin Heart Media and the NSW Teachers Federation have conducted a number of focus group activities with a diverse range of high schools. These focus groups involved delegates from the Teachers Federation the Independent Education Union as well as a number of teachers and Careers Advisors. The feedback from the focus groups was extremely positive and Teachers indicated that material on the subject of OH&S is long overdue. The Kit will contain a teachers resource manual as well as information for students which will be in the form of stickers, cards and leaflets. The kit will be launched in May 2000 and piloted in a number of schools thereafter. It will then be revised and made available to all schools in NSW. OH&S Interactive Internet SiteMary has assisted Labor Council's Industrial Officer, Michael Gadiel, in the establishment of an OH&S Internet Site. As part of a WorkCover grant project, Labor Council now has its own customised OH&S Internet Site to sit along side the Labor Council's existing site. The site is to be located at the address http://ohs.labor.net.au It consists of three main areas:
The question & answer and content areas will be driven by a publishing engine which will enable us to put text quickly onto the Internet. The type of information to be put up will include safety alerts, research papers, submissions for comment, government legislation and regulation, Labor Council's OH&S and workers compensation policies, etc. The site is currently being built and can be viewed (in an incomplete state) on the Internet at: http://ohs.labor.net.au/. We hope to get the Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon. Jeff Shaw, QC MLC, to launch the site. WorkCover has provided further funding under the YouthSafe initiative to develop an interactive Internet site. The aim of the project is to produce an effective, engaging and relevant source of information for students and teachers. It will aim to provide them with the ability to identify the OH&S risks as well as raising awareness of their rights and responsibilities. Outcome of Upper House Inquiry into Workplace SafetyThe Law and Justice committee released their final report. Labor Council is pleased to report that a number of the recommendations within our submission to the Inquiry have been incorporated in the final report of the Law & Justice Committee. The Government will be introducing Legislation in the Autumn session of parliament - May 2000. In line with Councils recommendations we will see the introduction of workplace safety representatives as well as it being mandatory for employers to consult with employees and their unions. Organising Campaigns around OH&S issuesMary will be working with a number of unions over the next 12 months to use OH&S issues as a tool to campaign around. Labor Council will assist in facilitating workshops to identify the issues (based on the new organising model). These workshops will involve unions and their delegates in developing the OH&S issue for campaigns. Mary has already approached a number of unions regarding this activity and they are extremely enthusiastic. Mary's other responsibilities:
Peter Lewis - Media Officer
Workers OnlineMedia Officer, Peter Lewis, reconfigured his work in 1999 to return to his journalist roots, editing the successful Workers Online. The weekly online magazine became a focus for Labor Council's public activities, creating a flurry of activity that flowed through to affiliates. Workers Online gained extensive mainstream media coverage, breaking new stories, airing interviews with prominent figures like Mark Latham, Lindsay Tanner and, controversially, Peter Reith, and pursuing conservative commentator Piers Akerman. The success was recognised when Workers Online was shortlisted for a prestigious Walkely Award for online journalism. Between issues of Workers Online, Peter co-ordinated my day to day media comment on a wide range of issues - from job security, industrial reforms, the performance of the Carr Government and specific disputes as they arose. He also liaised with an expanding number of journalists taking an active interest in union affairs which was indicated by the fact we had to book two tables for reporters at the 1999 Executive Dinner ! Major EventsPeter also played central roles in planning some of Labor Council's major events for the year, where he worked with affiliates to put the principles of organising into practice. These included the successful rally against the Second Wave whether real workers addressed the crowd, rather than the normal union officials. Peter also put his belief in the role of music in activism into practice, hiring a brass band for a rally in support of the Oakdale miners, a surf band for the Second Wave Rally and a dance club DJ for the `Big Lunch Break'. Working with Industrial Officer, Michael Gadiel, Peter developed Labor Council's long-term information technology strategy and played a lead role in critiquing the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU's) deal with Virtual Communities. In 2000 Peter will concentrate on developing LaborNET into a general purpose portal for officials and members and revamp Workers Online to ensure it remains at the cutting edge of Internet publishing. Deirdre Mahoney - Special Projects Officer
Migrant worker diversity activitiesSpecial Projects Officer, Deirdre Mahoney, is primarily responsible for promoting productive diversity principles in the workplace and developing the skills needed to maximise the diversity dividend.The year ended on a high note for unions interested in organising around their migrant members. Deirdre, in conjunction with Trade Union Training Australia's Jill Biddington, wrote and conducted two one-day training courses designed to help unions become more aware of the issues facing migrant workers, and develop strategies to help them become more involved within the union, and in the workplace. Participants from unions including the Australian Meat Industry Employees Union, the Australian Workers Union , the Communications, Electrical, Plumbing Union (Postal Division), the Community and Public Sector Union, the Finance Sector Union, the Municipal Employees Union, the Nurses Association and the Public Service Association, as well as the Migrant Employment Taskforce, will now form the basis of a union diversity network, and their projects will be highlighted on Workers Online. The course was made possible due to special project funding from the NSW Department of Education and Training, which also funds Deirdre's position. The special project funding had provided for the production of a diversity manual, and training around that manual. The Productive Diversity in the Workplace program is to be expanded in 2000, with two officers to be appointed in the Private Sector and Local Government areas. A part-time position has been filled to run the productive diversity network, which has its first meeting after nearly a two-year absence scheduled for March 2000. Unfortunately, Labor Council did not receive a grant applied for under Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA'S) Community Harmony program, but the Ethnic Communities' Council (ECC) of NSW did, and consequently the Labor Council and ECC have begun to develop a partnership. The first step in the partnership was the `Social Wellbeing' conference, which Deirdre organised in conjunction with officers at the ECC and NSW Council of Social Service. At the conference, the three partners resolved to press for a social audit to map, among other things, the community's expectations in terms of the provision of government services to groups such as those with a non-English speaking background and Indigenous Australians. Labor Council is continuing to work on a joint project with Australian Business Ltd in the Villawood area, working on instigating programs whereby migrant workers' overseas-gained skills are better utilised in the workplace. Deirdre has also been organising migrant workers in commercial laundries in Sydney's inner-west with the AWU. In October, Deirdre attended a productive diversity conference in Melbourne. The conference brought together the public and private sector, government bodies and trade unions to look at the impact of deregulation of the labour market on migrant workers. Apart from a submission to the Immigration Minister, Phillip Ruddock on Migration and Humanitarian Programs, and being a regular contributor to Workers Online, with articles on the politics of unions in Zimbabwe and America, reconciliation, diversity, and East Timor, Deirdre has continued speaking engagements to expand community links. These include giving the keynote address to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Migrant Employment Taskforce, addressing migrants at St George Careers Development Centre, in Hurstville, and addressing the Public Service Association's Women's Council, on the union's 100th Anniversary. Deirdre and Industrial Officer Chris Christodoulou have arranged a program of presentations to Local Councils next year to promote the Unions 2000 job network to migrant workers. Gay and lesbian workers' activitiesDeirdre, in consultation with affiliates and individual union members, wrote the Labor Council's submission to the De Facto Relationships Amendment Bill 1998, which would allow gay and lesbian couples the same legal rights as heterosexual couples throughout NSW. In February, at the 1999 Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day, she organised a petition of 2200 signatures in support of the Bill. The petition was presented to MLC Jan Burnswood at the NSW Upper House Standing Committee on Social Issues, together with a gay and lesbian worker, talking about discrimination in the workplace. Deirdre also prepared a questionnaire on gay and lesbian discrimination, again to support the passage of the Bill. Labor Council affiliates also marched in the 1999 Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade held on 27 February. Deirdre organised for union members to attend focus group sessions at The Australian Centre for Lesbian and Gay Research and the report from this research, The Pink Ceiling is too Low, was launched in December by Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) President, Jennie George. Although the report contained grim news for unions (only a tiny percentage of the 900 interviewed approached their unions for help when they experienced harassment, although almost half of them were union members) Jennie acknowledged the work being done by the NSW Labor Council. Deirdre and Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) member Ruth Pollard are working with the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby to produce a leaflet, Your Rights at Work, for gay and lesbian workers. The leaflet will be launched at the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day to be held on 20 February, 2000. Deirdre has also continued her work with the AIDS Council of NSW, selling red ribbons to affiliates for World AIDS Day, December 1 1999. Guest speaker Robert Griew, Chief Executive Officer of the AIDS Council of NSW, came to Labor Council to thank affiliates and continue the message that AIDS continues to kill, and we need to work together. Indigenous workers' activitiesDeirdre has been active in organising around Indigenous workers' issues, both federally (she is on the ACTU committee formed after the Lorne decision in 1998 to develop an Indigenous industrial strategy) and within NSW. As a member of the NSW Sorry Day Committee, Deirdre and a number of affiliates attended a service at St Stephen's Uniting Church in Sydney on 26 May to mark the Journey of Healing which began at Uluru on 5 May 1999. Unions marched to the Botanic Gardens to attend the inauguration of a Remembrance Garden to the Stolen Generation. The garden will be populated with plants native to Sydney before 1788. Deirdre also took part in the Forging a New Relationship seminar in June at the State Library, organised by Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR). This was held one month before the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation began consultations on its draft Document of Reconciliation. She has continued to build Labor Council's networks with Indigenous organisations, including the Anti-Discrimination Board's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander network meetings, the Illawarra inter-agency and, following the NSW Department of Industrial Relations' launch of its aboriginal employment policy, liaising with the Department to work together on indigenous employment issues. Women's activitiesDeirdre wrote the Labor Council's submission to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's Pregnancy at Work Inquiry in February 1999, after holding focus groups with affiliates and individual members. Labor Council recommended: an immediate urgent second inquiry be held into return-to-work and related issues, education programs, Codes of Pregnancy similar to NSW's to be introduced everywhere, penalties, no exemptions and a one-stop-shop booklet to be produced. The final report, Pregnant and Productive, was released in August 1999, and relied heavily on the evidence in the Labor Council submission. Deirdre also organised affiliates to attend the International Women's Day march, rally and go girl! Festival in March; organised a cocktail party at the State Library for 11 August 1999 to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the first Federal Decision on Equal Pay and organised the Annual Union Women's Dinner, held on the South Steyne ferry at Darling Harbour on 13 October. Deirdre represented Labor Council from April to October on a TAFE Steering Committee reviewing and developing new courses for women (especially applicable to indigenous women and women from a non-English speaking background) and was elected onto the board of the Working Women's Centre in December 1999. Deirdre's other responsibilities: -
Sarah Kaine - OrganiserOrganiser, Sarah Kaine, was seconded to the Labor Council of NSW from the ACTU's Organising Unit in July 1999. Sarah's role has been to assist in the development of the Organising capacity of the Labor Council in four main ways:
Organising Assistance to Individual AffiliatesSarah has been assisting the Health and Research Employees Association with its continuing movement to an Organising based approach. This has included, providing training for Organisers, developing a tailor-made training program for delegates and activists, visiting sub-branches and assisting Organisers with the implementation of organising plans. One -to -one with Organisers and ActivistsA major focus for affiliates adopting an Organising approach is the development of delegates and activists for involvement in campaigns. Since joining Labor Council Sarah has addressed the State Councils of a number of affiliates discussing options for increasing the involvement of members. Sarah has also been involved in training sessions for officials of the LHMU (LTU Branch), and the TUTA run `Craft of Organising', `Leaders of Organising', `Union Management' and `Organising Works' courses. Further activities with delegates and activists have included leading discussions about Organising at delegates training courses and meeting with organisers and activists (on request) to consider Organising activities and strategies. In order to encourage involvement in union campaigns, Sarah ran a weekend training session for Young Labor activists interested in organising in their own workplaces and an action plan was developed over the two days. The `Workers Support Register'The `Workers Support Register' was launched at the rally against Reith's second wave of industrial legislation. It is a list of supporters prepared to be involved in activities which either defend the rights of workers to Organise or assist in Organising campaigns. People who sign onto the register opt for varying levels of commitment - from taking part in `peaceful community assemblies', to becoming correspondence activists, to giving up a Saturday to help organise non-members. The potential of the Register is exciting because it's this kind of commitment from workers which is going to form the basis of union renewal. To date over 250 people (union members and members of the community) have signed onto the register. Affiliates have been supplied with `Workers Support Register' kits which includes a disk with a database of any of their members who have signed onto the register. This can be added to as affiliates encourage further involvement by their members. The kit also includes a detailed explanation of how information from the database can be accessed and sorted. Sarah has also been promoting the Register among groups such as retired union members associations and students groups. An Organising Culture - The Organising CommitteeThe most significant development in 1999, in moving to an Organising focus has been the re-introduction of the Organising Committee. This has provided a bi-monthly forum for union leaders to get together to talk about the pro's and con's of Organising. In an attempt to ensure that the Organising Committee remains a relevant and interesting initiative, Sarah has individually interviewed the majority of union Secretaries who have shown an interest in the Committee. The Big Lunch BreakIn trying to use the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) OH&S week as an event around which unions could organise and also have a bit of fun, Sarah and Media Officer Peter Lewis, co-ordinated a `Big Lunch Break' in Hyde Park. The aim of the event was to encourage workers in the Central Business District (CBD) to reduce stress by joining us in the park for a barbecue and a relax. Representatives of Massage schools, Yoga teachers, Tai Chi demonstrators and meditation experts were on hand to offer advice and free massages to workers. The day was successful and proposals are now being developed by the Organising Committee to take the `Big Lunch Break' to other areas in Sydney. Research Assistant - Peter Zangari
In addition to his duties in the Ground Floor Information Centre, Research Assistant, Peter Zangari, has taken up a wide range of tasks in the three key activity areas identified by Labor Council: Industrial, Organising and Community and Public Affairs. IndustrialPeter Assisted Senior Industrial Officer, Chris Christodoulou, to conduct the State Wage Case in April and May of 1999. Peter also assisted affiliates on a number of key industrial issues including: State Wage Case Variations
Section 19 Award Reviews:
Industrial Agreements in the Building and Construction Industry
In the year 2000, Peter will also be involved in a review of the NSW Employment Agents Act. OrganisingUnions New South Wales Organising CentrePeter has been a member of the Labor Council Organising Committee and assisted in the opening of Australia's first Union Shopfront on the Ground Floor of the Labor Council Building. In maintaining the Membership Referral Database at the Organising Centre, Peter has ensured that prospective members who have phoned the Union Hotline 1800 688 919 are sent on to the relevant union. KathmanduPeter helped co-ordinate a Rally of young workers outside outdoor clothing and equipment specialist, Kathmandu's Sydney retail outlet in early December. The Rally saw the end of a company proposal to hire 120 New Zealand students at below Award Rates, denying young Australians the opportunity for work. A satisfactory outcome for the movement - a Heads of Agreement - was reached between the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association, Kathmandu and the Labor Council, which address the major issues of concern. Community and Public AffairsPeter co-ordinated the stalls at the summer youth festivals; Homebake and Big Day Out and developed information packages to target specific community groups. Peter assisted in the International Trade Union Delegations throughout the year and spoke at an Australian Defence Force Resettlement Seminar and the St. George Careers and Development Centre. Education and TrainingIn the area of education and training, Peter has represented the Labor Council on the Department of Education and Training Preferred Curriculum Developers Tender Selection Committee; the Board of Vocational Education and Training Curriculum Advisory Committee and the Department of Education and Training Working Party for VET and the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Peter, along with Michael Gadiel, also participated in the judging panel for the Trainee and Apprentice of the Year Awards. Youth AffairsThis year, Peter has represented Labor Council on the ACTU Youth Committee. Stemming from the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) Inquiry into Junior Rates, Labor Council campaigned for the abolition of Junior Rates of Pay. Hundreds of signatures were collected at the youth summer festivals; Homebake and Big Day Out. Labor Council Information Centre
With the rapid development of electronic information services, the role of the Labor Council Information Centre as a traditional library of printed material is declining. Its role as a resource centre where union members can access or be guided to the vast array of industrial, political and social material available electronically is considerably enhanced. Certainly books and journals still play a central part in the way the information centre is used, but electronic information sources have made it possible to quickly access a wider array of material than would normally be available in the library. Federal and State legislation and court decisions are generally now immediately available on line, as are Federal and State industrial decisions and Agreements. Internationally, legislation is also published in this way. This has been useful in various ways. In the past year for example, access to Swedish and Spanish occupational health laws, and to the Canadian Labour Code, have been crucial in research work carried out by the Information Centre. The International Labour Office, many occupational health and safety organisations and most state and federal Government departments carry a great deal of information on their web sites which are important for industrial relations practitioners. The value of the information centre to unions is the experience developed in techniques of searching for this information and distilling it into usable chunks. The Information Centre has the library catalogue on line, and also produces Labour Review every two weeks which is included in Workers Online. Labour Review also appears as a separate publication. This is a valuable quick guide for unions on current industrial and economic news. Much of this material is drawn from the printed material received by the Information Centre. Industrial Law updates, human resources trends, Australian Bureau of Statistics items and journals of Industrial Relations, Political Economy, Occupational Health and Safety are scanned for developments affecting affiliates. Also general background searches via the Internet are incorporated into the newsletter. University Research Centres such as the Monash National Key Centre in Industrial Relations (NKCIR), the School of Industrial Relations and Organisational Behaviour (IROB) at the University of NSW, and the Centre for Corporate Change at the Australian Graduate School of Management produce useful working papers on industrial issues. The union movement is going through a lean time, and having access to wide-ranging research developments is invaluable. Part of the Information Centre's role is to make sure unionists are aware of, and can respond to, social research. Developments in the next year should see the Research Centre providing an on-line industrial information service in response to the many questions directed to the Centre from surfers using our website. This will be part of the development of LaborNET as a more broad ranging interactive resource. The year 2000 should also see strong connections with Trade Union Training Australia (TUTA) Organising courses being run through the training room (adjacent to the Information Centre on the ground floor). The Information Centre's legal resources, an excellent supply of background information on trade union history, Organising strategies, community/union links and occupational health and safety information will be of assistance. The focus on Organising will also be assisted by the Information Centre partially focusing the fortnightly Labour Review on successes in Organising strategies around the world. Our book collection will continue to expand via scholarly publishing on union history, economic and social conditions and political developments, maintaining the library as an important resource for labour and industrial relations researchers, students and activists. Scrolls of HonourEach year affiliated unions are given the opportunity to nominate individuals, worthy of recognition, to receive a Labor Council Scroll of Honour. Each year at the Labor Council's Annual General Meeting these awards are presented, in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the trade union movement.
Name 1999 Motions of CondolenceThe Secretary of the Labor Council moved Motions of Condolence, to the family and friends of the following former trade union figures who have passed away in 1999.
Guest SpeakersThe following guest speakers addressed weekly meetings of the Labor Council during 1999.
Significant Events of 1999This section provides a lasting record of the significant events of the Council and the Trade Union Movement over 1999.
|
