|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
 About Us  About Unions NSWAbout UnionsWho's WhoInformation Centre What's Going On? Annual Reports   
|
|
|
Chris Christodoulou – Deputy Assistant Secretary (Organising)
ResponsibilitiesOver the last twelve months Chris’ prime responsibility has been to continue the co-ordination of union activities around the Olympic Games. During the year Chris assisted in the equal pay application, the State Wage Case, and the establishment of the Organising Committee and associated campaign activities. Chris also represented the Labor Council on the ACTU Congress Organising Committee. Olympics 2000The Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games were the "best ever" and a large part of this success was due to the union movements involvement from beginning to end. Following the creation of the Olympic Award over 2 years ago Chris, supported by Paul Howes and our affiliates under the banner of Unions 2000, has demonstrated what is possible when all parties co-operate. In the final 9 months leading up to the Games Chris co-ordinated a large amount of logistical work associated with our Unions 2000 employment and recruitment strategies, and resolved a number of major disputes prior to the Games. By the Opening Ceremony over 12,000 people had joined Unions 2000. Unions 2000 dealt with over 2,500 enquiries (including pay issues) and 12 major disputes during the actual Games period that required intervention from SOCOG at a senior level. It was pleasing that the infrastructure set up by the Labor Council and SOCOG to deal with issues and disputes actually worked and, whilst there were some difficult disputes to resolve during the Games, all matters were resolved without disruption. The following issues/matters are worth noting in the lead up to the Games: Variations to Olympic AwardsThree variations to the Olympics Award took place in the last 12 months leading up to the Games. These dealt with accommodation, area and incidence, logistics and driver classifications. MEAA Ceremonies Dispute Re VolunteersLabor Council assisted the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance in resolving the dispute over the use of volunteers as performers in the ceremonies. An agreement was reached on the ratio of paid versus volunteers as performers, and the wages and conditions of performers to MEAA’ s satisfaction. Homebush Drivers AllowanceSix weeks before the Games the Labor Council of New South Wales intervened to the support the TWU claim that all drivers going into an Olympic Precinct should be paid the $1.50 per hour Olympic bonus. The claim was successful and eventually reflected in the Olympic Award. Stadium Australia Vendors DisputeIn the weeks just preceding the Games the Labor Council assisted the LHMU in resolving another potentially damaging dispute involving Sodexho, the master catering company at the Olympic Stadium. The company sought to make all its confectionary vendors individual contractors thus passing taxation, superannuation, health and safety and award obligations back onto the individuals. Some of these vendors were as young as 14 years of age. Following determined action by the Labor Council and the LHMU all vendors were restored to the status of employees with an agreement to try and regulate this area of catering work across the state. Bondi Beach Security DisputeWork was halted on the construction of the Bondi Beach Volley Ball Stadium 8 weeks prior to the Games beginning because of the underpayment of wages and problems associated with the Security contractor. Following joint action by the Labor Council, CFMEU and the LHMU the matter was resolved with all security employees being paid correctly and joining the appropriate union. New Zealanders Security DisputeThe Labor Council, LHMU and CFMEU joined forces again to resolve a very damaging incident when hundreds of New Zealanders arrived in Australia expecting Olympic security work. The New Zealanders, mainly Maori had paid money in New Zealand for security license training with a promise of security work if they arrived in Australia by a certain date. Over 500 people arrived to find their Security Licenses had not been processed, accommodation which was promised unsatisfactory, and no jobs. The LHMU, CFMEU and Labor Council intervened, and with SOCOG’s support nearly all persons were found employment. During the dispute the Labor Council and Unions were able to have a number of companies involved in “the promise of work” pay additional money to assist these workers with accommodation and retraining programs. Unions 2000 MembershipThe success of Unions 2000 in terms of recruitment strategies cannot be underestimated. The agreement of the AWU, LHMU, MEAA, and SDA to join forces under Unions 2000, establish agreed membership fee arrangements and joint servicing via the Labor Council, greatly assisted in promoting a positive image of unions. The challenge for many of these affiliates is to follow up these Olympic workers and provide them with opportunities to remain union members. ACTU CongressChris worked closely with the ACTU, in particular Bill Mansfield, over a 12 month period to ensure the success of the ACTU 2000 Congress which was held in Wollongong. This was the first time the ACTU Congress had been held outside a capital city and, judging from the feedback received from affiliates, Labor Council’s decision to support the Congress being held in Wollongong was the correct one. Child Care Industry Commission ProceedingsDuring the year Chris represented the Labor Council and made submissions in two matters in support of the LHMU. The first related to attempts by the Kindergarten Union of NSW to introduce unlimited temporary work and the second was to support a substantial increase in wages for Child Care workers, whilst at the same time arguing against draconian changes to conditions. Decisions favourable to the LHMU were handed down on both issues. State Wage CaseChris assisted John Robertson, Assistant Secretary, with the preparation of the 2000 State Wage Case, which was held in Wollongong. Once again the Labor Council was successful in the flow through of the National Wage Case Decision. Department of Public Works and Services Contractors AgreementChris began negotiations earlier in 2000 with the Department of Public Works and Services to establish a new agreement dealing with industrial relations matters as they relate to companies who have secured contracts with DPWS. It is hoped an agreement can be reached on this matter by mid 2001. Chris’ other responsibilitiesIn 2000 Chris was a member of the following boards and committees:
Previous
| Contents
| Up
| Next
| |
|
|
Home | Contact | Feedback | Sitemap | Privacy Statement |
|
© Unions NSW 2001. URL: http://council.labor.net.au/annual_reports/2000/ar2000-Chris.html
Unions NSW is proudly created, designed and programmed by |
 |
 |
  |
